2016 Annual Moth Migration – US Moth fleet descends upon Coconut Grove
by US Moth Class on 10 Jan 2016
Fleet in action US Moth Class
2016 Annual Moth Migration – Fresh from Bermuda, the U.S. Moth Fleet has descended upon Coconut Grove for event number one of three of their winter series. Staged out of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, this is the first official return to Biscayne Bay in four years.
“Miami is the home of small boat sailing in the winter time, so it’s great to be back,” said Class President, Matt Knowles. 'We had some issues previously running into submerged trash and plastic bags so we have come back to see if Miami has cleaned up its act.” The U.S. Moth fleet with the support of 11th Hour Racing puts environmentally conscience sailing as a top priority.
The class has been expanding over the last few years and this event has quite a few “Mothies” sailing their first events. All around sailing stud Greg “Twister” Tawaststjerna got his hands on one of Bora Gulari’s coveted older boats and has spent the last two years honing his skills and is ready to jump in on the action. At the other end of the age bracket. ODU sophomore Jeremy Herrin recently got into the class and isn’t wasting any time getting to the starting line.
“I'm just looking to learning as much as possible and excited to line up with some fellow foilers.” Jeremy said. Class veteran David Loring, who missed out on Bermuda, is chomping at the bit to get a crack at some of the big shots. “Seeing all my friends having a great time in Bermuda has gotten me really fired up!” he said as he was putting some last minute touches to his foils.
The fleet held its wild and exciting Slalom course on Friday as a warm-up before two days of windward/leeward racing on Saturday and Sunday.
Today’s racing had six action packed slalom races. A five buoy weave similar to ski racing. Sailors must be good at the gybe roundings where a minor 'oops' can be costly in the 4-6 min races. Jeremy Herrin took his small boat talent to third for the day, Coming in second was Charleston stud David Loring who won a majority of starts but in the end could not hold off Anthony Kotoun who took the win.
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