PUMA Ocean Racing: The Moths are Back!

Brad Funk sails one of the PUMA Moths. Image copyright Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing.

by Bridgid Murphy

The PUMA Ocean Racing Bladerider Moths will be sailing in the 2009 International Moth World Championships. This event will take place August 6 – 15 in Cascade Locks, Oregon, USA.

Moth Worlds are one of the premier events in competitive dinghy sailing, attracting top-level sailors from around the globe. The entry roster includes countries such as the United States, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan, and Belgium.

After finishing an amazing journey with PUMA's boat 'il mostro' in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA Ocean Racing is excited to have two top sailors compete in the Moth Worlds using the PUMA Bladeriders. PUMA Ocean Racing is all about high adrenaline sailing and the foiling Moths that 'fly' over the water are another exciting way to bring that to the sailing audience and beyond. The foiling moth class is relatively new, but features some of the best young talent.

PUMA's Moths will be sailed by Brad Funk (USA) and Glenn Raphael (AUS). These are the very same boats that joined the PUMA Ocean Racing Volvo Ocean Race crew in the stopovers around the world.

Brad returns to the PUMA family after sailing the Moths during the Volvo Ocean Race Boston Stopover. He is currently sailing in the Laser and International Moth Classes. Additionally, Brad sailed in the Laser Worlds in 2007 and 2008, and he's slated to attend the 2009 Laser Worlds a week after finishing Moth Worlds. A candidate for the 2008 Olympics, Brad is currently campaigning for the 2012 games.

Glenn Raphael is a welcomed addition to the PUMA program. Hailing from Australia and now living in the United Arab Emirates, Glenn has vast experience on the international sailing scene. He’s currently sailing in the International Moth Class and has participated in both the 18-foot skiff and Olympic 49er classes. This will be Glenn's third appearance at the Moth Worlds, having sailed there in 2007 and 2008.

PUMA Ocean Racing