Zhik Moth Worlds 2011 – Who is who in the Zoo

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team on 3 Jan 2011 Zhik Moth Worlds 2011.

Sail-World.com will be on the water for both the 2011 Zhik Moth Australian titles and the Zhik Moths Worlds - here we present, with the help of Pat Langley from the Zhik Moths Media centre, our Sail-World form guide on the big guns from the 115 boat fleet.

Nathan Outteridge (AUS) Mach 2

Australian 49er Olympian and dual 49er World Champion Nathan Outteridge, during the Heaven Can Wait One Lap Dash in October 2010, set a new outright speed record on Lake Macquarie, which is his home lake. He sailed the 28 nautical mile course around the Lake in two hours, seven minutes and interestingly enough for solid wing advocates crashed eleven times, twice when doing more than 20 knots.

Busy with his Olympic campaign, the 49er dual World champion missed the 2010 Worlds in Dubai, but since his last 49er event at Sail Melbourne in mid December, Nathan’s focus has returned to the Moth and the Worlds. Nathan will be disappointed if he does not place better than his second from the 2009 Worlds in Oregon USA.

Bora Gulari (USA) Mach 2 (Object2 Skiff works solid wing sail or soft sail?)

Bora is the 2009 Moth World Champion, winning at the Columbia River Gorge and was a close second to Nathan Outteridge at the Moth Open Europeans last year.

Bora is fired up to turn the tables on Nathan from the Open Europeans, however more importantly he is looking to become the first American to win a Moth Worlds at a venue outside of the USA. Bora is considered one of the favourites and there will be many Americans following his progress with interest, regardless of what sail configuration he uses.

Simon Payne (GBR) Mach 2

Simon was the 2010 Moth World, European and British Champion and is a very consistent performer. Simon dominated in a soft weather Dubai regatta and came fourth at the Moth Open Europeans. Simon is keen to defend his title here in Australia, but is playing down his chances. We don't believe a word of it.

Scott Babbage (AUS) Mach 2

Scott has been consistently in the top group at the last three world championships but lately he seems to have found some new speed. Scott impressed at the Open Europeans in August 2010 where he brought home a bronze medal and recently took out the Sydney International Regatta in convincing fashion proving that he should be one to watch. Scott will also have to juggle his other role of Regatta Director for the Zhik Moth Worlds, however with some good preparation and delegation he will be doing his best to keep his focus to remain firmly on the racing during the Worlds ...... but it will be a superhuman effort.

Andrew McDougall A-Mac (AUS) Mach 2

A-Mac is one of the 'Grand Fathers' of the Moth Class and the man behind the Mach 2 Moth, which is essentially the weapon of choice for most competitors here at Belmont. A-Mac finished second to Simon Payne at the Dubai Worlds after getting off to a flying start and is known to be quick in a straight line. Whilst there might be some younger and fitter sailors competing at Belmont, you can be sure that the old fox has a few more tricks up his sleeve. Will A-Mac be bringing a standard Mach 2 or will there be a Mach 2.5 at Belmont?

Brad Funk (USA) Mach 2

'Super Funk', the US Olympic Laser sailor, came third at the Dubai Moth Worlds and has been putting in the hard yards in his Moth of late. Brad is also increasing his training program for his London 2012 Laser campaign so expect him to be in good shape at Belmont. Brad is known to be very quick in light airs.

Tom Slingsby (AUS) Mach 2

Tom is the current ISAF Sailor of the Year and triple Laser World Champ and current Etchells World Champion, who has turned his hand to the Moth class over the past twelve months.

Tom believes that sailing the Moth provides him a refreshing change to the grind of Olympic/One Design racing as well as a great outlet to have fun and learn more about this exciting form of sailing. He says he is on a steep learning curve, but this guy is a tactical genius, so if it’s shifting a little soft, watch out. Most things Tom does turns to gold, so expect him to master the Moth class sooner rather than later and be somewhere at the top during the Zhik Moth Worlds.

John Harris (AUS) Mach 2

The 2008 Moth World Champ and 2001 18’ Skiff World Champion has been devoting all his time to his Moth over the past twelve months and will be somewhere in the mix at the business end of the regatta. John has campaigned the 18’ Skiff the Rag & Famish over the past ten years and is known as a very consistent performer. John’s company sailingbits.com will be on site during the Zhik Moth Worlds providing all vital equipment needed for competitors including a full range of Zhik gear.

Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Mach 2

Arnaud has not had a great deal of training opportunities of late in Switzerland, however he has arrived at Belmont with plenty of time to recapture the form which saw him win the 2009 Moth European championships. Arnaud tied for third with Brad Funk at the Dubai Moth Worlds but was relegated to the 'leather medal' fourth place position on a count back.

Joe Turner (AUS) Mach 2

Our spies tell us that Joe has been ripping it up at the Lake and has plenty of pace. Certainly Tom Slingsby feels that Joe will be up at the front of the pack.

George Peet (USA) Object2 Skiff works solid wing sail?)

George 'Bear' Peet is a Volvo Ocean Race veteran as well as a Melges 32 World Champion with the all-conquering Bliksem Racing Team. Bear was also planning on using his Object 2 Skiffworks solid wing sail at Lake Macquarie however our spy’s tell us that like Bora, he too might be having second thoughts. Bear knows his way around a race track and could feature if things go his way.

Rob Gough (AUS) Mach 2

Gough had a disappointing Moth Worlds in Dubai by his own standards, however he hit back with a solid sixth place at the Moth Open Europeans in 2010. Rob won a couple of heavy air races at the Sydney International Regatta held in December 2010 so he will be looking forward to some strong conditions at Belmont.

Dalton Bergan (USA) Mach 2

The Seattle based charger came fifth at the Dubai Worlds and is a quiet achiever amongst the US contingent at the Moth Worlds. Dalton should be up there if all goes to plan.

Euan Mcnicol (AUS) Mach 2

Euan has won three 18’ Skiff World Championships (2000, 2005 and 2009) as well as a 14’ Skiff World Championship in 2006. Euan is a professional sailor and coach who was one of the key team members on the Secret Mens Business 3.5 which was the overall winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Euan is no stranger to high performance boats so he will be at home at the Lake in his Moth.

Luka Damic (AUS) Scalpe

Luka will be using a Scalpel Moth that was designed and built by Luka and Marty Johnson in Sydney. On his day, Luka can be very quick and will also be wearing his CST hat during the worlds for anyone who needs any assistance with their CST components.

Adam Beashel (AUS) Mach 2

'Beasho' needs no introduction and is taking time out of his ETNZ America’s Cup and Audi Med Cup responsibilities to jump into the Moth Class and learn all about this exciting form of racing. Beasho only picked up his Mach 2 in early December and has been quickly working out how to make them go.

Adam and his family live on Lake Macquarie so he has had plenty of time to train in race conditions over the past month. Having sailors such as Beasho at this event is what makes the Zhik Moth Worlds so unique providing such a range of sailing talent from all sectors of the sailing world.

Charlie McKee (USA) Mach 2

The Double Olympic Medalist and US Sailing legend has been a huge promoter of the Moth class in the US over the past few years. Like A-Mac, Charlie is sure to come to Belmont with a few tricks up his sleeve to keep the young 'whipper snappers' in check.

Other sailors who will feature include British Skiff champ, Andy Budgen in his bright yellow machine, IMAC President and former Singapore Sailing High Performance Manager Mark Robinson, Dave Lister from Sydney and Iain Jensen who is Nathan Outteridge’s crew on the 49er.

Japanese National Champion (and Zhik Japan CEO), Hiroki Goto is leading the charge from Tokyo along with long time America’s Cup Trimmer Tatsu Wakinaga who will be competing in his first Moth World championship.

In the Women’s division we will see some great competition amongst a bunch of talented women sailors including Haylee Outteridge, Samantha England, Emma Spiers, Kerstin Sommer and Emma Aspington from Sweden. Hopefully these talented sailors encourage a larger group of women to join the Moth Class.

Emma Spiers points out that the girls need to love the boats because there is not much else too attractive in the boat park! (Its all right guys, she say that in jest).

The Pre-Worlds, the 2011 Zhik Australian Moth Championship, will be raced this week on January 5th and sixth with the first race of the Zhik Moth Worlds kicking off on January 8th 2011.

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