2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC Overall

The forecast was dire for the final day, and calm conditions across Portland Harbour in the morning did little to dispel the pessimism of either the sailors or the race team. But Weybiza saved the best until last with a stunning sea breeze filling in after midday, allowing three cracking races to be held before the 3pm cut-off.

The Moth sailors revelled in the 12-14 knot winds and the racing was the closest seen yet. The fleet were pushing on the start line, a couple of times forcing a general recall, and having nip-and-tuck battles throughout the fleet.

The event itself was also an incredibly close affair with the USA's Brad Funk, while not being eligible for the British Nationals title, pushing Dylan Fletcher all the way. Both sailors finished on 17 points, but by virtue of his six firsts, Dylan took the title on countback.

"It was super close," said Dylan, "After today's first race, where I had a bit of a weed problem which seemed to be a bit of a magnet for my foil today and I just didn't manage it very well, I'm really happy to come away with the win and it was good with our little Portland Moth Squad, all the training we've had - Brad's been around for the past three months now and is part of the squad now."

Dylan Fletcher wins the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Brad described being in the UK, joining in the Portland Moth training:

"I've been here most of the summer and basically I was the guy to beat, going faster and faster, and then Dylan got word of it, coming back after winning the Tokyo test event in the 49ers and came back in his fully serious mode, wanting to be the top dog in the Bay, so he got his act together and really started pushing the Rocket, and I think we've all gone onto another level in the last two weeks, because he's hiking harder, and he doesn't normally hike as he's on the trapeze wire in the 49er, and his boat is so slippery upwind and I'm hiking so hard, and I've got my speed suit which is half the drag, trying to do the best I can with the Exocet."

Close racing on the final day of the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

On the event Brad said:

"I'm happy, I'm really happy that my boat stayed together, probably one of the most important things with Moth sailing is to actually get around the track and complete an event without many breakages. The racing was spectacular today, the forecast suggested we weren't going to get any racing. It was the most glamour day, and we're blessed to be here on the planet and have these flying machines!"

Brad Funk finishes 2nd in the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Dylan backed up Brad's comments about the final day:

"It's incredible, this place. Even I wasn't sure it was going to be this good, so for the breeze to come in like that and for us to get a champagne day on the last day was brilliant. Four days of racing and it just reinforces why it's a top-notch Moth venue. Next year's going to be interesting with the World Championship in Weymouth and my time pretty limited with the Tokyo Olympics and the SailGP, so we'll have to see what I can fit in."

Benoie Marie finishes 3rd in the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

French sailor Benoit Marie finished third and was once again beaming from ear to ear after racing:

"It was perfect today! The conditions were really light before we left the boat park, but as soon as we went it was 10-12 knots, just on the small foil, which are the conditions where it's most difficult. The racing was super-tight, everybody was quick, and you had to fight for your place every second. We had some very tight battles, especially on the last downwind with Dylan where we were 30 centimetres apart for the whole leg, really enjoyable but he got me again!

"Conditions looked really difficult in the forecast, but we have a saying in France, 'If you spend too much time looking at the forecast then you're spending too much time at the bar' - you have to take what comes and the Moth is just the best boat in the world."

Benoit Marie finishes 3rd in the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Ladies National Champion Josie Gliddon said:

"Today for me was about making sure I was on the start line and in the last race I was properly in the pack going around the windward mark which was really encouraging. Weymouth really excelled today and it was absolutely brilliant advert for next year's Worlds."

Ladies Champion Josie Gliddon on the final day of the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Race Officer Bill Barker was delighted with how the event concluded:

"It was stunning today. If you'd asked me at the beginning of the week if we were going to get all our races in bar one I'd have said absolutely no chance, but it came good. We got our three races away today in absolutely glamour conditions."

Kyle Stoneham, who has spent so much time organising Moth events and arranging sponsorship was delighted with how everything panned out at the Nationals:

"It's a big relief to be honest! We have such good backing from the sponsors to put on an event of this magnitude. For them to commit, with all the things that can happen in this sport such as weather systems coming through and all the other variables, means a huge amount. We're so grateful that we can put on this media coverage and give the event the exposure it deserves and attract the best sailors from all over the UK, Europe and beyond."

Close racing on the final day of the 2019 Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals at Castle Cove SC - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Paul Williams, Managing Director of Wetsuit Outlet had these words to say about their title sponsorship of the event:

"Wetsuit Outlet is delighted to return this year, growing our sponsorship to be the lead sponsor of the Moth Nationals. As the largest online retailer of premium performance sailing brands, such as Zhik and Gill, it's a perfect association to be involved in the all-action Moth class.

"Over the last 14 years Wetsuit Outlet has grown to be Europe's biggest dinghy and yacht sailing retailer, supporting everyone from the leisure sailor to the serious racer, by offering the best customer service and next day delivery from our extensive stock."

IMCA UK (the UK Moth Class Association for those not into acronyms) is fortunate to have the support of some key sponsors who we'd like to thank individually below:

• Noble Marine Insurance have been involved with the class for many years and probably provide the best service to Moth sailors when things don't go as smoothly as planned. A quick chat with the sailors in the dinghy park will reinforce this.

• Allen Brothers have been designing and manufacturing high quality deck hardware in the UK for many years. Their XHL blocks are in use in many of the kicker systems across the fleet thanks to their extraordinary load-bearing capabilities - it does no harm that they look the business as well.

• Maguire Boats are the builders of the market-leading Exocet Moth but have supported designs of every flavour during class events. Simon and his team work tirelessly to ensure that every sailor spends as much time as possible during a championship on the water.

• Shock Sailing are based just around the corner from Castle Cove SC at Portland, servicing high-performance boats at the WPNSA and around the world. This is a company which is always innovating, and they are loaning a RIB for the Nationals.

• The Rutland Moth Squad are a growing band of competitive sailors who are notching up some top international results. They take the phrase 'loyal to the foil' to new levels and the class are actively looking to add Rutland to the Grand Prix circuit.

High Resolution Photos:

Available to download from flickr here...

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3

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