Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 at Stokes Bay Sailing Club - Overall

The leaderboard was so tight going into the final day of the Wetsuit Outlet 2021 UK Moth Nationals that there were bound to be changes. The forecast was for strong winds and, as day two of the event demonstrated, different sailors came to the fore in these conditions. This event was wide open!

In athletics, especially the longer distance events, the phrase 'timing your run' is used widely, and Jim McMillan, who won the final race on Saturday, was moving steadily up the leaderboard in a quiet, unassuming, manner. He timed his run perfectly though, completing his challenge in style with two bullets on the final day, but was it enough?

Racing was extremely close and Eddie Bridle came ashore to tell us about the conditions: "Today was very full-on, we had top end conditions with pretty big waves. I managed to get a fourth and a second. It was very tight at the top."

The overall results were in the balance and a Moth isn't the kind of platform where you can quickly do a bit of maths to work out a complex leaderboard. When asked who he thought had won, the reply was, "No-one knows! There's a lot of rumours going around."

Eddie Bridle on day 2 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

It was far from plain sailing for Jim McMillan in the ferocious conditions and the race wins didn't come easily:

"That's definitely the limit of what we do Moth sailing in. The first race was clean, but the wind picked up for the second. I capsized the boat to windward off the start! At the top mark I managed to miss it, and had to bear away and gybe round again. I thought 'oh no' but managed to keep the boat flying for the rest of the race, and took the win there too!"

David Hivey on day 2 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Once the results were calculated Jim had done just enough to take the Nationals title by a single point from Eddie, with David Hivey (who had led going into the final day) finishing a point further back after a seventh and a third completed his event. Early event leader Dan Ward was just two points further back in fourth, with Paul Gliddon fifth.

Day 2 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

Next up for the fleet is the World Championship at the sailing mecca of Lake Garda in Italy, but with regret the newly-crowned UK National Champion Jim McMillan can't make it:

"Sadly, I have family commitments. Best of luck to all the Brits going out there; I'm sure they will do us proud. I hope to be back for the season next year, and maybe the Europeans."

Jim McMillan on day 3 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

This is Jim's second nationals title, having won the event at Thorpe Bay a few years ago:

"Yes, that was 2018, up in Essex. The second time feels much more satisfying than the first. This one was much more competitive; I don't feel we've had the points that close in the top five before. I was really shocked to find out I had won, when I came in, to be honest. One point over Eddie!

"Dan (Ward) was winning the first one, and I thought he had it, but unfortunately he capsized. Then Hivey was winning, but he capsized too. It was snakes and ladders all day really. Fortunately, it all came good in the end for me!"

Dan Ward on day 2 of the Wetsuit Outlet UK Moth Nationals 2021 - 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 - Since 2004, Wetsuit Outlet has grown from humble beginnings into Europe's largest supplier of watersports clothing and equipment. Last year Wetsuit Outlet celebrated shipping over 2 million orders since starting 16 years ago. How did they do it? By offering quality products at competitive prices whilst having the best customer service in the business. Wetsuit Outlet stock top brands including Zhik, Gill, Musto, Gul, Crewsaver and more!
• 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 beer and pasta during the event.
• Maguire Boats - Builders of the market leading Exocet Moth, Simon and the team will be on site for the whole event providing support for their four-time World Championship winning boats.
• Ronstan - From the outset of Foiling Moths, Ronstan have supplied light, strong and efficient hardware in the UK and Internationally to all level of sailors. With a range of blocks designed by sailors specifically for the class it is the choice of recent World Champions.

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 their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MothClassUK

Overall Results: (9 races, 2 discards)
If you finished in the top ten at the International Moth nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here