Day One Report from PUMA International Moth Worlds

Andrew “Amac” McDougall leads the fleet going into Day 2


Moths on day one of the PUMA Moth Worlds. Image copyright Meredith Block.

by Bridgid Murphy

With Day One of PUMA International Moth Worlds coming to a completion, the event is shaping up to be a battle of wits, weather and worldliness. With a forecast that is fairly typical- light to moderate breeze, generally flat water and the likelihood of at least a few low-riding (off the foils) races, time will prove interesting results over the course of this week.

The fleet sailed one race today, the course being a standard windward leeward course, three times around, each leg a mile in length. The conditions on day one were calm waters with 6-8 knots of breeze, a bit light for the moths. The light wind speed made it difficult for sailors to get up, and stay up on their foils. Andrew “Amac” McDougall (AUS) lead the first beat and finished Race 1 with a bullet. Michael Lennon (GBR), Brad Funk (USA), Chris Graham (UAE) and Simon Payne (GBR) rounded out the 44-boat fleet.

PUMA became involved with the Moth Class during the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, having PUMA branded Moths sailed in port during each of the eleven stopovers around the world. During the adventure around the world, PUMA's Moths were sailed by ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year Anna Tunicliffe, US Laser sailor Brad Funk, former Moth World Champion Rohan Veal and Swiss Moth sailor Arnaud Psarofaghis. Both the Moth Class and PUMA bring a new enthusiasm to sailing, attracting top sailors and non-sailing spectators.

PUMA Ocean Racing