PUMA International Moth Worlds Day 5 Payne (GBR) holds the lead, just

2010 PUMA Moth Worlds Day 5. Race 8. SIMON PAYNE (GBR 5 Thierry Martinez http://www.thmartinez.com

2010 PUMA Moth Worlds Day 5. Race 9. © Thierry Martinez http://www.thmartinez.com

Light and twitchy breeze only allowed starts for two of the scheduled three races today, the first of which started after a short onshore delay to allow the light sea breeze to stabilize - somewhat.

The first race started in 6-7 knots of wind, and Payne won going away over Australian Master Andrew McDougall. European champ Arnaud Psarofaghis continued his run at the top with a third place.

Current Moth World Champ Bora Gulari grabbed fourth and Top US Laser sailor Brad Funk crossed in fifth place, his worst finish since day one.

PUMA Moth World 2010. Day 5. Race 8. BRAD FUNK (USA 3451 © Thierry Martinez http://www.thmartinez.com

'I still feel fast, but I had a lot of trouble getting off the starting line today,' said Funk. 'But my US team mates gave me some good tips this afternoon on how to power up more quickly and get off the line quicker, and I think tomorrow will be a better day.'

Psarofaghis led nearly the entire way around the course on the second race, with McDougall using his dominating light-air downwind style to take the bullet after rounding the final mark in third. 'I'm in a much better mood today,' said McDougall after scoring a 2 and a 1, the best score line on the day.

'Last night I did everything I possible could to add power to my sail, as in this wind it is all about grunt, as you saw when I took the lead during the second race by staying up on my foils while everyone else was low-riding.'

Psarofaghis crossed the line in second, and is now tied for second overall with Funk, who duplicated his race 1 performance with a fifth. Payne scored third, displaying his incredible mental toughness by coming back from an over-early call which called him back to the start line.

The Championship leader overhauled most of the fleet by the first bottom mark, and held off Michael Lennon (GBR) for the rest of the race, who finished fourth, moving him into eighth overall. World Champion Gulari (USA) finished tenth after a trying downwind run to the finish, giving him control of sixth place and showing the struggle the champ is facing to match the pace of the lighter sailors ahead of him.

'Had I realized how light the wind would be here in Dubai, I would have likely trained much differently than i did,' said Gulari, 'I definitely wouldn't have eaten for the past two months!'

2010 PUMA Moth Worlds Day 5. Race 8. ARNAUD PSAROFAGHIS (SUI 3 © Thierry Martinez http://www.thmartinez.com

PUMA became involved with the Moth Class during the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, having PUMA branded Moths sailed in port during each of the eleven stopovers around the world. During the adventure around the world, PUMA's Moths were sailed by ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year Anna Tunicliffe, US Laser sailor Brad Funk, former Moth World Champion Rohan Veal and Swiss Moth sailor Arnaud Psarofaghis. Both the Moth Class and PUMA bring a new enthusiasm to sailing, attracting top sailors and non-sailing spectators.

PUMA has entered a new premium category for sailing and was the only Sportlifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, where PUMA’s il mostro boat won an impressive second place finish. Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA launched a full range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and was worn by the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009. The PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.

For more information about the PUMA Moth World Championships and PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com.