The Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at the WPNSA - Overall

A week of highs in Weymouth - high flying, high spirits, and high-quality racing. In a difficult year for so many reasons, the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy has been a highlight.

At the top of the fleet Dylan Fletcher's performance has been nothing short of outstanding. He's regularly seen topping podiums at events around the world, but rarely has he put in such a commanding performance, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in a Moth:

"In the circumstances and times that we're in, just to be out racing with 70 boats feels amazing. Last year I just snuck the win, so this year it was great to be a bit more dominant in my Rocket. Even though the conditions were tricky at times, and the fleet were having up-and-down results, I managed to stay consistent so I'm really happy."

Dylan Fletcher hunts down Billy Vennis-Ozane on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

The USA's Brad Funk, who pushed Dylan all the way at the 2019 Nationals, took second place overall in his Beiker-designed Moth. Brad's high foiling style, fly-bys and laid back but hugely focused approach to sailing is always a joy to watch.

Brad Funk on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Enjoying a strong end to the event was local boy Alex Adams, who won the final race to leapfrog Chris Draper and claim his place on the podium. In the end he finished just a single point behind Brad, and had all his counting results in the top five:

"I think it's been thirteen years since I last won a race at the Moth Nationals! I couldn't have asked for a better finish to the event. There are some great sailors around with great bits of kit, so it feels incredible! After being unsure as to whether we'd get an event at all, 70 boats racing is very good for the British fleet moving towards the Garda Worlds next year and it's given us a lot of focus on what we need to work on - what kit is working and what isn't - it has solidified what I want to do."

Alex Adams on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Another sailor who is showing top form is Brightlingsea's Eddie Bridle, who won race 11 on the final day and finished fifth overall, just 5 points behind Chris Draper:

"It felt great to bang out a win in that race and show the speed of the Thinair and how far I've come from last year - I seem to have found some good pace! When you round the top mark with the likes of Chris Draper behind you, you try not to let the occasion get the better of you, and keep it all together. It's amazing to be with those guys in this fleet. I've had no lows this week, the team at White Formula have worked hard on the boat and I'm really happy with what I've got!"

Eddie Bridle on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Two regular competitors at Moth events are Josie and Paul Gliddon in their Exocets. Josie wrapped up another Ladies Nationals win, while Paul took a second in the penultimate race. Paul was delighted:

"It's been a fantastic week and we've had great racing on four days, and it was actually really nice to have a day off on Thursday! My racing got better throughout the week and I borrowed a new main foil today which really helped me out, grabbing a cheeky second place. There were some really big gains to be made downwind on the final day if you stayed on the right side of the course and in the gusts - staying in the pressure really helped as well. Definitely the new foil made a difference and I've just ordered one for me and one for Josie!"

Paul Gliddon on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Top first-time competitor was Rhos Hawes, one of the British Sailing Team's Podium Potential Pathway 49er sailors, who finished 16th overall:

"I'm really happy with my result! I got a Moth six months ago and I've chartered an Exocet this week which was awesome. It's fantastic racing with so many boats. I've been down in Weymouth training (as out of lockdown we weren't allowed to sail double-handed), so I thought I may as well sail single-handed in a Moth, and then when restrictions were relaxed I did it in the evenings after 49er sailing. There are so many high-calibre sailors out here racing and to even be within touching distance of them out on the course is great fun."

Rhos Hawes on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

For organiser Kyle Stoneham, getting the event to happen at all has been a challenging rollercoaster. It's not the Worlds, but he's a happy man nonetheless:

"It's been the next-best thing and has to be one of the regattas this year in the world. We've been lucky with the conditions as a week before it looked like there would be hardly any wind, but it came good in Portland Harbour. It helps having such an experienced race officer and team in CJ, the WPNSA staff and volunteers. We lost one day to the weather, but four days out of five is has been ideal. The event has shown the depth we have in the UK fleet, but also the huge advances the front-runners have made in the lighter conditions.

Kyle Stoneham on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

"It was of course disappointing the Worlds didn't happen, but psychologically bouncing back and making this event as good as it possibly could be was made so much easier by the unwavering support of the sponsors. Seeing everyone get out on the water and enjoying themselves has made all the effort so worth it. The ethos of the class is all about pushing the technological limits while having fun, and our sponsors are with us through the entire journey. I don't think anyone didn't enjoy themselves this week!"

Race Officer David Campbell-James can look back on the event with great satisfaction:

"I'm really pleased. Three glamour days to start off with, a short delay on the final day waiting for the wind, but then four races in 14-15 knots of wind, which was tough for some, but the sailing has been great, the sailors have been great and I can't say enough for the race team, safety team and the organisation here at the Academy. It's been a great week, particularly in the circumstances we've had this year."

The race team during the start sequence on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

2021 sees the World Championships scheduled to take place at Lake Garda, and many of the British sailors have their eyes set on the event to show what they can do at a global level. For Dylan Fletcher, competing at the Worlds has proved difficult with commitments in the 49er and the SailGP getting in the way, but he's hopeful he will be able to take part:

"I'd like to hope that next year in September I'll be in Garda. It's just post-Olympics and my wedding's a week before, but we're already talking about little areas we need to be pushing in development, so I'd love to line up against the likes of Tom Slingsby, Paul Goodison and Peter Burling. I'm sure they'll be hard to beat, but I'd hope I'll be a bit stronger if it's lighter conditions. It would be a perfect honeymoon!"

Dylan Fletcher on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

IMCA UK would like to say a massive thank-you to the event sponsors, who have been so good to the Moth class, especially during these times.

• Wetsuit Outlet - title sponsor for the second year in a row, they are experiencing a record year partly due to the huge amount of stock they hold on-site ready for next day delivery.

• Noble Marine - continued support has allowed IMCA to subsidise entry fees for this year's championship, the support we receive is directly linked to the policies they provide Moth sailors with a discount for class members.

• Blueteq - as well as hosting the online entry system, they are sponsoring an evening meal during the event.

• Allen - over the past few seasons have become the preferred manufacturer for many high load applications, they have their finger on the pulse with the Moth and continue to support our nationals for the third successive year.

• Maguire Boats - Simon and the team will be on site for the whole week providing support for their four-time World Championship winning boats.

• Provela - the home of winter foiling in Mar Menor are putting on #FoilFest weekends throughout the off season, together with transport arrangements for your boat.

The class encourages Moth sailors to support our sponsors wherever possible, since they are so good at supporting us.

Find out more about the class on the their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MothClassUK

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the International Moth nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

Ross Harvey goes down the mine on day 5 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK