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This was a milestone event for the class. It attracted a recent record fleet of 42 moths from 5 states, including a strong fleet of 12 scows and 9 juniors. But more significantly, the 2003-4 event brings a new era to moth sailing and possibly to the future of small boat racing. For the first time a hydrofoil borne vessel has won a major event. The Moth class again is leading the way. Not only did Rohan Veal defend his National Title but he did it with 8 straight wins by margins from 3 to almost 8 minutes over some of the best conventional Moth sailors in the world. This is the same boat and configuration as featured in the World Championship report in November 2003 issue of Australian Sailing. Veal's boat can use either conventional fin and rudder or specialist hydrofoils fitted to the fin case and rudder pintles. After two stormy days, Lake Cootharaba offered a week of strong winds and flat water, ideal for the current design foiling moths, but also great fun in narrow skiffs or scows. Veal initially sailed two races as a conventional moth without foils in strong winds for a 3rd and a 4th, then fitted the foils to lead around every mark for the remaining 8 races which averaged 15-20 knots. The racing for the minor places was more intense. Winner of the two initial races was Rob Fish who slipped to third overall after Chris Dey scored a string of second places. These two, plus NSW Champion Les Thorpe, Scott Babbage, Andrew Stevenson, Steve Donovan and Ben Croker fought some close battles for the 2nd to 6th places in most heats. 2003 World Champion Mark Thorpe did not compete. Singapore resident, Mark Robinson sailed the only other foiler present. He arrived without practice and had some spectacular crashes early in the week, but by races 7 and 8 he managed a couple of second places to end up 6th overall, showing that the transition to foiling will not be as difficult as some feared. Veal sailed a John Illet built Prowler from WA with Ilett foils and a KA sail. The next 5 sailed Thorpe Hungry Tigers with Truflo sails except Robinson who fitted his with Ilett foils and KA sail. First home built boat was Andrew Stevenson (7th), first heavyweight Ben Croker( 9th) first master Phil Stevenson (13th), first Junior Steve Ray (15th), first Scow Mike Kohler (17th ), first lady Yumiko Shige (Japan, 21st) The Australian Moth Association has also voted not to ban foilers but to impose a restriction on changing equipment during an event. This should lead to development of foil systems which cope better with light and rough conditions. Phil Stevenson Video
Video Viewing Help Notes
Full Results
Photos
Race Reports Day 7 - Heat 10 One race sailed in about 15-20 knots from the SE. Rohan lead from start to finish with Chris Dey sailing an excellent race in second place just in front of Rob Fish. Day 6 - Heats 8 and 9 One race sailed in the morning in about 15-17 knots from the SE. Rohan lead the entire two lap race and finished 6 minutes in front of Mark Robinson who sailed fast on his foils in second place. Chris, Rob and Scott once again battled it out for the minor placings. One race sailed in the afternoon in about 18 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. Once again Rohan lead out and finished the three lap race approximately 6 minutes in front of Chris and Rob. Les Thorpe sailed well on the first lap to establish a good lead from Chris and Rob, however he broke his wing bar on the second reach on the first lap and retired along with a few others who also had gear damage. Day 5 - Heats 6 and 7 Two races were sailed on Wednesday in moderate conditions, with the foilers performing well. Rohan Veal won both races, with Mark Robinson scoring a 2nd place in Heat 7. Rohan has led around every mark in the last 5 races, winning Heat 7 by almost 9 minutes. Racing was again close between Dey, Thorpe and Fish, with all three finishing within 30 seconds. A gale warning for the final days of racing will make for an interesting finale to the series. Day 4 - Heats 1, 4 and 5 Rohan Veal used his hydrofoils in all three races on Tuesday in moderate conditions, winning each race by significant margins. Racing was tight for the remaining places, with Chris Dey, Les Thorpe and overnight leader Rob Fish vying for position. Scott Babbage sailed consistently to score three 5ths. Finishing only a metre behind Fish in Race 4. Ben Crocker sailed well to finish in 6th. The AGM will be held Tuesday night, with two races to be held Wednesday. Day 3 - Heat 2 & 3 Rob Fish took out both Heats 2 & 3 with great handling and boatspeed in the fresh conditions. Chris Dey sailed fast, but a capsize cost him the race in Heat 3. Les Thorpe recovered well from a broken mainsheet bridle at the start of the first race to finish with 4th and 3rd respectively. Defending Australian Champion Rohan Veal finished with a 3rd and 4th, deciding not to use his hydrofoils in the heavy airs. The two races got underway after a two hour postponement. Several
boats broke equipment and many decided against competing in the
second of the two races. Andrew Stevenson sailed a brilliant second
race to be in fourth place on the last run before destroying his
front wing bars in the middle-mark bear-away. Day 2 - Heat 1 Heat 1 was abandoned this afternoon after continued squalls reduced visibility to only a few metres. SIRS regatta winner Rob Fish led the fleet for the first two laps, closely followed by Les Thorpe, Chris Dey and Scott Babbage. The race is to be resailed on Tuesday morning. Day 1 - Invitation Race An eventful first day for the 2003/04 Australian Championships. Some temperamental weather conditions caused the Invitation Race to be abandoned for only the second time in the history of the event. The Moth fleet made its way back to shore in rain squalls and winds gusting well over 25 knots. There were several gear breakages even before racing has begun - two booms were broken after hitting the shallow bottom during capsizes. A record fleet of Scows are attending this championship, with a resurgence of the class in QLD. The forecast for Sunday afternoon's first heat is a strong south-westerly at 25-33 knots. Entry List Lake Cootharaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland The Queensland Division of IMCA (Australia) are to host the Australian National Moth Championships over the Xmas Holiday period on the Sunshine Coast. Our titles are on at the same time as the Hartley 16s but the club says the rigging area will be free as they tend to anchor their speed machines or put them back on the trailer (the boat ramp is further along the beach). New Years Eve can be spent at the club as they close off the road around the club and have steel drum band, etc. Noosa is the place for those who want to rip it up in the nite clubs. Its about 15-20 mins away and with a lay day on the 1st you dont have to worry about getting home early. Contrary to what you may have heard it can get stinking hot at Cootharaba at that time of year with the possibility of a storm at nite, but generally the weather is sweet (as usual)! 50th Annual Conference
Entry Form Click here to download the Entry Form. PDF Version Notice of Race Click here to download the Notice of Race. PDF Version Venue Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club Race Program
Courses P-shaped courses, with two laps and a finish to leeward. Regatta Coodinator Tim Phillips Local Area Photos
Local Accommodation Those who are camping should be aware that none of the local camping grounds accept bookings (stupid I know), so its first in best dressed. The Boreen Point camp area is usually full well before xmas but the only way to know is to turn up and ask. Elanda Point will be the best bet to get a spot but we cant be sure that everyone will be together. We are going to try and get there a day or two early and spread ourselves out to ensure there is enough room when others arrive. Boreen Point Accommodation - www4.tpgi.com.au/users/boreenpt/accom.htm
Boreen Point Map
1. Boreen Point Camping ground Getting To Noosa By Road If you are travelling by car the following times will give you an idea of how long the trip will take, factoring in a couple of short stops.
Weather Noosa Heads's sub-tropical climate is tempered by the ocean so it is never blazingly hot and rarely cold enough to demand more than a pullover or cardigan. The average annual rainfall is 1709mm and lightning storms are common in the summer months. The temperatures are mild to hot ranging from 17°C (min) to 28°C (max) in the height of summer, therefore you won't be needing the thermals or sleeping bag. Useful Links
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