Noble Allen 2018 International Moth UK Championship at Thorpe Bay - Day 3

Friday provided a perfect combination of sunshine, 12 knots of breeze, and flat water for the Moth fleet leading to three great races in front of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club.

Revelling in the conditions was Simon Hiscocks, notching up two bullets and a third:

"There was a lot less weed today which made a big difference and the wind was steadier. I made some decent starts, and racing at the front of the fleet is far easier than the middle or the back."

Also enjoying the day was top Irish sailor Dave Kenefick who knocked in three solid races to move up the leaderboard:

"It was really good – 12 knots of wind and the races were the perfect length. In the first race I was second all the way round until I had a strange capsize which dropped me to fourth. In the second race I finished second, and I was winning the third race for a while until I did one tack 30 seconds too early and ended up second. It was perfect sailing today – brilliant."

Noble Allen 2018 International Moth UK Championship at Thorpe Bay day 3 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

A total of four Irish sailors made the journey across for the event and Dave believes the fleet is growing in strength and depth:

"It's definitely getting stronger. There are probably fifteen Moths now in Ireland. Our Nationals are scheduled for October and we should have twenty boats there. When anyone asks me 'How do I get into a Moth?' I always say, 'If you're going to get a Moth, then you'll have one for ten or fifteen years as you won't go back to sailing a Laser or something.' It's only going to go from strength to strength as the boats are getting better value and easier to sail."

Noble Allen 2018 International Moth UK Championship at Thorpe Bay day 3 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

At the top of the table things are getting tight after Jason Belben dropped out of the top three in a race for the first time.

Jim McMillan was another sailor to thrive:

"Conditions were perfect, 9 to 12 knots of wind, everyone foiling all the time, less weed and three great races. The extra few knots of wind make such a big difference and makes getting around the course so much easier, especially downwind.

Noble Allen 2018 International Moth UK Championship at Thorpe Bay day 3 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

"I was going well, had good starts, found clear wind, the boat was going well and I was consistently in the top four which is ideal.

"With Dave Kenefick's and my good day, and Jason having a few ups and downs, things are really tight going into the final day."

The plan was to hold four races, but the Race Officer wisely chose to send the fleet home after three as the tide started to ebb and the weed came flooding across the race course. A decision that Simon Hiscocks fully supported: "We've got an extra hour tomorrow and the forecast is good, so we can get all four races in the flood tide without the weed issue. It'll be perfect."

Noble Allen 2018 International Moth UK Championship at Thorpe Bay day 3 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

While Jason Belben holds a nine point lead at the top of the table, it's all to play for and just one mistake could decide who wins the title. Jim McMillan is just one point ahead of Dave Kenefick, so the battle for the podium places will be intense. With up to four races scheduled it should be a great finale to the event.

Noble Allen 2018 International Moth UK Championship at Thorpe Bay day 3 - photo © Mark Jardine / IMCA UK

A huge thank you to the sponsors of the event: title sponsors Allen Sailing and Noble Marine as well as WetsuitOutlet.co.uk, Maguire Boats and ShockSailing.com who have provided support for the daily pasta and beer for sailors coming off the water.

Results after Day 3: