Rashley holds pole position at 2016 Yanmar Moth World Championships
by ISAF on 26 May 2016
2016 Yanmar Moth World Championships – Day 2 Junichi Hirai/ Bulkhead magazine
http://www.bulkhead.jp/
Great Britain's Chris Rashley leads the way in Hayama, Japan after the second day of racing at the Yanmar Moth Worlds 2016.
Sailing conditions were a strong southerly wind in the morning which is not ideal for non-experienced sailors to handle the Moth. This meant around 20 participants who were not confident about sailing in the conditions didn't join the day's races. However, many of them rode on the safety boats to support the competitors who did brave the conditions. This gave them a closer look at top sailors' racing and gave the opportunity to learn a lot.
Great Britain's Chris Rashley, part of a new generation of sailors got ahead of the field and finished in first place for the day. Paul Goodison, 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist in the Laser Class, had some steady racing and stays the second place. Australia's Scott Babbage is in third.
Among the Japanese participants, currently Kohei Kajimoto is leading in seventh. Kajimoto, reigning Japanese Champion keeps up his momentum in the championships.
'I usually sail in high waves and strong winds for training. So I look forward to tomorrow's races' said a confident Kajimoto.
Japan's Hiroki Goto, aiming to finish within top 10 in the championships, is currently in eleventh. Hayama is Goto's hometown, so we could well see a fight back from him.
69 sailors from 10 countries are participating in the championships. 33 participants are from the host nation Japan, 17 from Australia and 10 from Great Britain. Also three sailors are from.
The weather forecast for day three is similar to day two and it would be an advantage to the skilled moth sailors. Another three races are scheduled.
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