Moths back on Perth's Swan River
by Guy Skinner on 10 Nov 2009
Keith Swinton learning to fly - 2010 International Moth Australian Championships Guy Skinner
Swan River Moths.
January will see some of fastest sailing ever on the Swan River with Moths returning to the place where Brett Burvill first unleashed foiling in a monohull championship.
Perth - once home of a very large, competitive moth fleet in the 60s and 70's and producer of World Champions like Rob O'Sullivan, Cliff Burton and Greg Hilton - has struggled with numbers of moths even though it has maintained a strong influence in their continued innovation and development of the class. The coming Nationals will bring the class to centre stage within the Western Australian sailing community.
John Ilett is developer and builder of the Prowler design, the first foiler to win a World Championship, and will be competing alongside a handful of local newcomers in foiling Moths and a few 'more experienced' Moth-ers are searching out the relics (boats - not mates) for a bit of fun. They will be competing against a strong East Coast field thanks to a great freight deal on offer to competitors, plus top internationals are rumoured to be making travel arrangements in preparation for the Dubai Worlds.
The racing will primarily be Melville Water east, and a dash for cash with a $1,200 pot, will show off some spectacular boathandling right in front of the main bar at South of Perth Yacht Club one evening.
There are limited boats available for anyone interested - contact WA President John Ilett on 0419 907 923 or Guy Skinner on 0407 449 364.
The entry form and NOR are available at both the WA and National Moth websites - www.imoth-wa.org
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