2016 YANMAR Moth World Championships – Day 1 + Video

by International Moth Class Association on 24 May 2016 YANMAR Moth Worlds 2016 held from May 23rd to May 29th in Hayama, Japan had the first race today on May 24th and it was full of excitement.

After the practice race on day one, the serious competitions were started today, day two. In the morning, the sailors who were preparing for their boat looked very serious without smile and showed their passion and enthusiasm for the races.

On the day, the winds were southerly at 5-10 knots. When the first race was started, the winds were not so strong. However, later, the winds got stronger. In the second and third races, we could enjoy exciting races with full of speed of Moth making the most of its hydrofoil.

Robert Greenhalgh of UK is currently leading the competitions. The European Champion arrived in Hayama one week before the World Championships start to have proper training and then returned to UK. He came back to Japan yesterday and joins the races.

'Since I just arrived in Japan yesterday, I am still suffering from jet lag a little. But I am satisfied with the today's races and I believe I will have good night sleep. I expect to keep going this for tomorrow races' said Greenhalgh.

Paul Goodison, the Beijin Olympic Game Gold medalist who achieved the second positions in all races follows after Greenhalgh. The third position is a young British sailor, Chris Rashley. British sailors occupy top three on the first day beating strong competitors, Australians.

Regarding Japanese sailors, Hiroki Goto achieved to be in the ninth and Kohei Kajimoto did in the tenth. We must keep paying attention to these two sailors' competition.

According to the weather forecast, winds will get stronger and waves will be high on day three. It will be challenging for leading sailors. For others, it will be a very stressful day. Another three races are scheduled for day three.