Tuesday 28 December, 2004

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The invitation race and heats 1 and 2 for the Nationals was cancelled as we had winds of up to 40 knots for the last two days. The weather for the rest of the week is looking more kind, so we should be able to squeeze in at least 7 races over the next three days.

Wednesday 15 December, 2004

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Got a new smart phone today that does bloody everything. more...

Monday 13 December, 2004

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Just got word that I am part of the Skandia team for Geelong Week next year. Woohoo - free entry and clothing! more...

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Only raced on Saturday at Black Rock in the mixed fleet division in a light to moderate sea breeze. Had some good rides when the wind was up tho.

Monday 6 December, 2004

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Raced on Sunday against the 14's at Sandringham in 13-15 knots with 0.5m chop. Finally I beat Lindsay Irwin around the course, and by a minute or so as well. Port tacked the fleet at the start and never really looked back. Think I have got downwind foiling in Port Phillip Bay chop sussed now for maximum VMG without launching into space.

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Oh yeah, forgot to mention that when i brought my boat in to shore, a decent looking, fully tanned topless chick walked out to meet me walking in and wanted to go for a sail on my boat. Would love to get a photo of that if at all possible.

Monday 29th November, 2004

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Had two fantastic days of sailing against the A class cats and Robby and Glenn on their Tornado at the Go For Gold Regatta. Tim and the three Dave's really taught me a lot on how to sail fast upwind, and as a result I can now match them on speed and height. Downwind is a different story. Due to the lower drag on a Moth hull and rig, I could sail a lot lower and faster than them, effectively being around about 15% quicker down to the bottom mark. Needless to say I beat them around the course in every race that I could foil in, while finishing around a minute behind Robby.

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It is dissapointing to hear that the Sydney based Mothies do not foresee an optimistic future for the Moth Class in their State like every other Moth region in the World. Obviously people move on to do other things as I propose to do later on in life (who knows when that will be though), but what about the junior and novice Mothies up there? Arn't they the future of our class? Sure a brand new hydrofoiled Moth costs $15,000, but you don't need to have a brand new boat to win a Title, just a good sail and mast I reakon. I won my first National title with a four year old $7,000 boat. And who is to say that the conditions at any championship will be suited to a hydrofoiled boat anyway? The last European Championships certainly were not ideal in any way for the foilers half way through the regatta.

The Moth class is different to any other class in that it is extremely old, and there is without a doubt the biggest difference in design and ability from the guys at the front on narrow skiffs and foilers and the guys at the back on scows or wide skiffs. But who cares? I don't, just like a majority of the rest of the Moth class. I can remember four years ago when I did my first nationals at Elwood, I was last in the two races that I finished, but I didn't care. I was just excited to be on the water with more than two Moths at one time, and I still feel the same way now too!

It didn't bother me that I had only had a couple of Moths within 100kms on me, as I raced as often as possible against other class that were of similar speeds to me at the time. This also included sailing in all conditions (light and heavy winds), breaking mast, ripping sails and pushing myself beyond where I normally would go. Sure I coped some flack from other sailors about tipping over so often, but it never really bothered me as I knew one day I was going to smoke them off the water.

Gradually I got better, and started to set myself goals. The first goal was to finish a race, secondly finish a race without capsizing, next to actually beat another boat, etc, etc with my final goal of winning at World Championship. At the time, winning a World Championship seemed ridiculous, but achieving that next goal was not, so gradually I ticked them off the list.

The same could be said for racing on hydrofoils. It would be stupid of anyone to think they could just buy or make them up straight away and expect to do well with them (with the exception of someone like Adam May). A narrow Moth skiff is not easy to master either, and a hydrofoiled Moth is not any different.

The Moth class will never target the masses even if hydrofoils were banned in our class. In fact I believe that the only reason the Moth class will survive another 10 years, is because of the majority acceptance of hydrofoils. And just like the last 40 years of Mothies have done, we welcome those sailors with an open mind, a good attitude and above average dinghy sailing skills.

The point I am trying to make is that I believe you don't need to have a fleet of Moth's to race every weekend or hydrofoils to enjoy Moth sailing. The enjoyments come from the developments in your boat and your skills by setting small achievable goals for yourself, regardless of your boat or your abilities. So many Mothies have proven this over the years including Greg Wise in SA, Freddy Duvoisin in Switzerland, Richard Knol in Holland, Brett Burvill in WA and obviously the Ilett brothers who have had very few numbers of local Mothies to compete against in recent years, but still push their personal and boat developments beyond the normal way of thinking.

Friday 19th November, 2004

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Got the new KA MSL9C sails the other day. Have to give them a go on the weekend depending on the weather as they have a bit more power than the one I am currently using (MSL9F). Should be at Black Rock on Saturday and the Indented Head on Sunday with boys. Weather looks crappy again.

Tuesday 16th November, 2004

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WOW, the world speed record has fallen to crazy windsurfer Finian Maynard in the southern French speed canals with a speed of 46.82 knots in wind speeds of up to 60 knots. The Australia windsurfing speed record was also broken by Steve Allen (43.48 knots).

Monday 15th November, 2004

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I find it difficult to believe that even with Glenn Ashby's results last year, it is still not enough to win the 2004 Australian Male Sailor of the Year award. Not withstanding Darren's and John's talents or results in the Tornado, but what hope is there for any non-olympic sailor to ever win this award. Obviously you have to do what Arthur did a few years back and win two World Championships in the same class in six months. But even then on the presentation night, the AYF stuffed up and anounced the Tornado boys as the winners even though Arthur had actually won it.

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Saturday was pretty wild 20-40 knots (with the max gust recorded 47 knots), so Craig and I sailed at Albert Park Lake, even though I vowed never to again two years ago. Even with the most water they have ever had in there, I was hitting the bottom the whole time with my foils on, so I switched back to normal configuration, but this time, I was just catching weed. Had a few squalls pass through, but nothing serious. Saturday's rough weather made launching a Moth anywhere along the Eastern beaches impossible with the 1-2m waves in the bay (with maybe the exception of Black Rock), so I stayed home to clean up the house and made some alterations to my boat. Hoping to get out after work one night this week now to make up for a wasted weekend of sailing.

Thursday 11st November, 2004

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Remembrance Day here in Australia today.

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Raced the 14's and Sharpies last Saturday at Black Rock in about 12-15 knots and ended up leading around nearly every mark in both races. Although there was one incident after rounding the top mark for the last time ahead of Lindsay in the last race and got a bit too keen for speed and did a massive pitch pole. No damage, just took a while to recover and settled for a mid fleet finish. No sailing on the Sunday as the weather was shithouse, so I finished off the tilnig in the bathroom at home.

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Not sure what the weather is going to do this weekend, but it doesn't look good (again). Chelsea YC are having their annual regatta on, but launching is terrible after a strong westerly in the surf, so might see if I can launch at Black Rock and just race there Saturday in the 20-30 kntos forcasted. Sunday might be okay at Chelsea, just have to wait and see I guess.

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My sponsor and fellow Australian sailor Nick Moloney is doing the Vendee Globe at the moment, and after a bad first day looking for wind, he has picked back up to 11th. Go Nick!

Monday 1st November, 2004

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Raced at Black Rock on Saturday with Yarick and Steve in a fading breeze of about 10 knots. I went in after one lap as it was getting boring with no 14's there to race and also had some more tiling to do in the bathroom! Steve and yarick had a good race together. Both are improving dramatically. On Sunday I did a time trial at Carrum to Seaford pier and back (about 4nm). Had two races in the afternoon in a gusty and shifty northerly (10-18 knots) and ended up beating all the Hobie 18's and other cats by a decent margin.

Friday 29th October, 2004

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Just back from my holiday with Gin in New Caledonia. Fantastic windsurfing there and plenty of topless girls. What more could you want. Will be racing at Black Rock on Saturday arvo I presume and then on Sunday Carrum has $500 up for grabs in a time trial, so I might made my way down there and see what happens. Weather looks good too!

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McDougall picked up an awesome new wristwatch GPS recently and have only just found it on the Garmin web site. Only problem is the batteries don't last long, but it is a neat little package. more...

Monday 18th October, 2004

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Craig and I sailed off Black Rock on Saturday to have a sail around with the Sail Sandy fleet. The wind was less than 10 knots the whole day, but was enough to foil and race with the 14' skiffs. I led around the top mark each race I started in (even with the worst possible start both times), but got screwed downwind, as I had to sail much higher angles just to keep the boat airbourne. Was pretty knackered after 5 hours on the water of foiling and a 10 week break from sailing.

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Keep your eyes open for the October issue of UK Seahorse magazine if you are in Australia (it takes about 2 months for us to get magazines from the UK). There is an article there on the hydrofoil revolution from Dr Ian Ward (NSW) and myself. more...

Thursday 14th October, 2004

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Missed a nice 8-10 knot day on Saturday because of club duties, then on Sunday there was literally no wind! I did have a few flys after Amac had a go (who couldn't get flying), but i think this might be related to the extra 15kg he is carrying over me. Still got some work to do before the Sail Sandy Regatta this weekend. Might just launch from Black Rock and sail up tho, as it will probably be chockers at Sandringhm Yacht Club this weekend. Hope the weather turns out alright!

Thursday 7th October, 2004

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Have to do duty at Black Rock on Saturday so that means no racing for me! Luckily it is only one race, but Amac is going finally have a sail my boat. No doubt he will be hooked again and will want to get back into Moths for the 3rd time.

Tuesday 5th October, 2004

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Launched the new boat on Saturday, except there was no wind, but the boat felt very light and fast. Used the normal configuration to make sure the rig and ropes were right first, along with a new concept centreboard that I am testing. Went out again on the Sunday arfternoon in about 8-12 knots, this time with the foils on. We have gone with about a 15% increase in total lifting area with these new foils, and it was noticably different compared to the old boat. Everything felt a lot tighter and more controllable as well. Then sailed up to Sandringham to pace myself against the 14's that were racing up there at the time, and found out that I was considerably quicker upwind. Never really got an opportunity to pace them downwind properly, but with the choppy water we had at the time, I doubt that I would have been as quick to the bottom mark. Have now got some more stuff to finish off before this I sail next on Sunday down at Geelong.

Tuesday 28th September, 2004

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Boat is finished and should be here by the end of the week. Hopefully I'll have it ready for the first race at Black Rock on Saturday.

Friday 17th September, 2004

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Looks like the Swiss 14' guys have got themselves sorted with some foils from Fastacraft. Wearing a helmet is not a bad idea either! more...

Friday 10th September, 2004

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Still no boat to sail! A couple more weeks aparantly :( Ah well got plenty of work to do at home on the new bathroom!

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Found the $234 the IMCA Victoria lost in our accounts too! We used the money to buy a 40 year old scow that I intend to restore one day. I rig it up at Black Rock during the worlds tho as it is worth a look over.

Wednesday 1st September, 2004

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Scott ended up 3rd in the 29er Worlds, and by the sounds of it was an extremely eventful regatta. Buy another Moth Scott and stop playing with plastic toys! more...

Friday 20th August, 2004

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I think it is still early days yet for what potentional the hydrofoils hold for the Moth class, only recently at the Europeans has there been a majority of sailors extremely excited about the use of them on their boats, so there is still a lot development that could be done by these sailors and not to mention the numerous other potential olympic, international and recreational sailors that have contacted the Moth class association recently and wanted to know how to get their hands on a Moth with or without foils! more...

Wednesday 18 August, 2004

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It seems as though Victorian sailors are really starting to show the rest of Australia that they are the ones to beat at the moment. Krystal and Glenn are probably the most successful international sailors in Australia at the moment, while Sarah is the only one doing well in Athens. On top of that Marcus just finished 2nd in the Contender Worlds, while Grant Warington and his crew on Skandia Wild Thing are still unbeaten. I don't want to start an interstate war, as I know there is extraordinary talent in the Youths in NSW and WA at the moment, but it is good to see the Vic's doing well.

Monday 16 August, 2004

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Glenn ended up Male Victorian Sailor of the Year while Sarah won the Female Sailor of the Year. Krystal also was presented with the Australian Female Sailor of the Year award. more...

Friday 13 August, 2004 (oohhh.... scary day today!!!!)

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Finally got around to putting up my report from the Europeans. About to head off to the Yachting Awards with Gin very soon, so better get ready! Even though Glenn had an unbelievable year last year, my tip will be for Grant Warington after winning the Sydney to Hobart last year (first Victorian to do so in bloody long time) in Skandia Wild Thing and winning all 22 races sailed since being launched.

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Some new pics on the photo page too.

Monday 9 August, 2004

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Went down to Albert Park Lake on Saturday for the Victorian Moth AGM and got elected as Treasurer again, even after loosing $234 of the associations money! I still don't know where it went, so if you you have it, let me know.

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Also had a good look at the latest Sabot's, and couldn't believe what I was seeing! Loose rigs, 4-1 on the mainsheet, no traveller (or something to sit on downwind), flat sails and no rake adjustment. What is going on? This is so the opposite everything that we used to do 10-15 years ago. Seems like a case of everyone rigging their boat the same way that the winner of the last nationals rigged their boat, rather than developing the boat for the skippers weight, height or ability. It didn't look like the boats had developed that much, but Lindsay's new sails looked good. I still think my monofilm sail that I made at John Hooper's loft was the best tho, especially when it only cost me $50 in materials to make!

Thursday 5 August, 2004

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Got nominated again for Victorian Sailor of the Year, however what chance do you have when you are up against A Class cat World Champion, Mr Gashby! Glenn also recently won the Formula 18 World Championships with Darren Bundock and finish 3rd in the mega Round Texel race. Right now Glenn is competing with Mark Bulka (Lasers) in the Etchell World Championships in Queensland. Still waiting for that day when we can swap boats tho Glenn! Unfortunately no trapeze or anywhere to stand on my boat.

Friday 30 July, 2004

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Made it back to Melbourne after a very quick trip to the UK for the Moth European Championships and without being killed many times over by the poms after they got wind of an controversial article that was published in a UK sailing magazine just before I left. Apparently it quoted me saying some stuff about the British Moth fleet and hydrofoils with an editors note on the end. I don't know where it came from or what it said or even if I said it, but they didn't like it. However by the end of the regatta all that was forgotten, and now the British Moth sailors are very excited about foiling on Moths after most mothies got to have a go on one of the five foiler Moths that were there. Sometimes we couldn't even get them off and back on to their own boats! Overall I had a great regatta and ended up winning with two races to spare. Got an upgrade to business class on the way home too, so now I don't think I can fly 'cattle class' again after being exposed to that awesome luxury on such a long flight. Here are the reports and results from the championships anyway.

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New boat arrives early September now, so I will be having a month off with no sailing, but I will be going 4wd'ing as often as possible to see if I can submarine my truck in 2 metres of mud and then winch it back out. Can't wait!

Friday 2 July, 2004

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Have been flat out at work this week with the usual end of financial year rush but on top of all that, I had to test and measure the new KA Moth sails before the Europeans start, Moth training at Brighton on the weekend, prepare the boat before I sell it in the UK, organising my boat transport to the UK (which left today), personal travel to the UK, insurance for the boat and me (which I still havn't done), organise my new boat (due in early August), plan a holiday with Gin to Noumea in October, help sort out some things with the Nationals and Worlds later this year and finally ensuring that my new carport at home gets built to plan (should be finished today I hope).... phewww! So have posted some new updates below.

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Sounds like a Simon Payne and Adam May in the UK have got their foils sorted out now too, so i can't wait to get over there and have a sail with them! If you want to be kept up to date of results and happenings at the European Championships (18-23 July), best to subscribe to my mailing list and I will email to that list daily from my phone once racing starts. Scott is in Italy at the moment and probably won't be able to update the IMCA site with results and photos, so probably best to keep an eye on the IMCA UK site as they might put something up there instead.

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I brought a Giant OCR 2 road bike today too, so I can start riding and getting fit again. Have to find all my old cycling gear now!

Thursday 1 July, 2004

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Have received one of the few VIS (Victorian Institute of Sport) scholarships that are given to Victorian sailors over the next 12 months. Feel quite privileged to receive one considering the Olympic sailors always seem to get preference over us International sailors.

Monday 28 June, 2004

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Used the MSL9 prototype sail on the weekend and it smokes! Quite flat, but will suit the foils perfectly. Didn't get a chance to compare it against another Moth, so will just have to wait till the Europeans and see how it goes. Amac (KA Sails) believes it is his best creation yet.

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My sponsor Nick Moloney finished 4th in the Transat race. Well done Nick! Bloody top effort.

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Suppose I should put a pic of Beki the new puppy (or should I say little terror) that we have got running around at home now. That look is not all that innocent either!

Friday 18 June, 2004

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Hmmm... now they are saying 30-40 knots for Saturday with hail and thunderstorms! Might just stay home I think and see how Sunday pans out.

Thursday 17 June, 2004

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New KA prototype sails arrived today. YAY!!!

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Should be down at Geelong this weekend for some hydrofoil training with the guys this Saturday if the weather is nice. Not looking good tho, with 20-30 knots forcasted from the SW with a top temp of 13 degrees!

Tuesday 15 June, 2004

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Ended up with first place at the Hazelwood Annual Regatta in what could be explained as a huge variety of conditions. One race was hit with a 20-30 knot squall which flatten the fleet, but I was more worried about how fast I could go on the foils on one of the reaching legs (ended up clocking around 25 knots of boat speed in a 25 knot gust) and so I ended up doing an extra half lap, instead of just doing the correct course like everyone else. On the last lap of the last race, I broke my vang block in a moderate 15 knots, so had to head in after Azza and I were having a very close race.

Tuesday 1 June, 2004

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I believe now that there will be a change to the Notice of Race for the 2004 Europeans which means that hopefully there will be no protests at the event.

Thursday 27 May, 2004

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So today I have heard that there a few UK mothies who are proposing to compete in the European Championships and will be protesting myself and a few others who use the wand mechanism on the bow of our boats to make our hydrofoil adjustments, under a very poorly worded ISAF RRS Rule 52. Just wondering why it has taken them nearly a year since the Worlds in August 2003, to think about lodging a protest over it? Just goes to show that the Australians are a long way ahead of everyone else when it comes to sailing! Can't say much for our internet services tho! :-S

Tuesday 25 May, 2004

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Word is that there are also a few 'anti-foiler' Moth sailors that are proposing to try and ban hydrofoils from the Moth class. Good luck to them, but I find it hard to accept the fact that these people choose to sail in a class where development is encouraged within the class rules and yet instead of embracing a change to make themselves go faster, they simply go in defence mode to try and protect their results and ranking. If you don't like foils, then don't use them, and it certainly doesn't me you can't sail your Moth anymore. Our class numbers certainly havn't suffered recently because of this, but by taking away the only opportunity in a development class to do something like hydrofoiling, really does destroy any ambition for anyone else in the class to do anything as radical again in an effort to improve sailing efficiency and enjoyment.

Monday 24 May, 2004

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What started off to be great day of sailing with 10-12 knots and flat water, the wind back right off just before the start leaving us to drift around the entire course for 2 hours. Not much fun being on the foils leaving me with an average placing, which just goes to show for all those sceptics out there who refuse the acceptance of them by the class rules and by a majority of members in various countries, a moth foiler is not as fast as you might think! It is an even ground when it comes to sailing in all conditions in a series, regardless of whether you are using foils or not, it is the sailor that makes a champion at the end of the day, not the boat.

Friday 21 May, 2004

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Final heat of the Black Rock Yacht Club Icicle Regatta this weekend.

Wednesday 12 May, 2004

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Download the story aired on Sailing Seamaster last month. download...

Monday 10 May, 2004

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We had six Moths turn up to heat two of the Icicle Regatta at Black Rock on Saturday. Aaron Gregory sailed really well for 2nd spot, while Craig Smith was extatic after finishing his first race ever in third. results...

Monday 3 May, 2004

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New major sponsor announced! Australia's Nick Moloney has agreed to provide sponsorship through his own business 'Planet Ocean'. More details to follow soon.

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Yet another wet and wild Saturday of sailing at Black Rock with wind ranging from 15-30 knots. Choosing not to foil again due to the conditions and the fact I have sold the boat already, it was a wise decision. In addition, a 50 year old male died after being washed off from his boat, not far from where we were sailing too. more...

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New Prowler hull, wings & foils ordered. Due to arrive in early August.

Friday 30 April, 2004

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3rd overall Black Rock's 'Cock of the Rock' which was sailed in typical rough and cold Port Phillip Bay conditions for this time of year. results...

Friday 23 April, 2004

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'Sailing Seamaster' are featuring their 'Programme #4 - April 2004' story on cable TV this month, which includes a feature story about my Moth. I have not seen it yet or know much about it other than it should be on the Fox Sports or ESPN Channel in Australia on Wednesday 12 May. Check out the Sailing Seamaster web site for more details. more...

Tuesday 9 March, 2004

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For those that missed the story on Channel 10's 'Totally Wild', here it is in WMV format. more...

Monday 8 March, 2004

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First overall in the Victorian State Moth Championships. more...

Friday 5 March, 2004

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Three new photos available as prints for purchase from Skandia Geelong Week. more...

Thursday 4 March, 2004

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There will be a TV story on Australia's Channel 10 'Totally Wild' program on Monday, 8 March at 4pm EST. It will also be repeated at 6am the following day (Tuesday). more...

Wednesday 3 March, 2004

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Interview about the Moth hydrofoils on the 'Daily Sail' web site. more...

Monday 23 February, 2004

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Monday 16 February, 2004

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Friday 30 January, 2004

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Wednesday 14 January, 2004

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Tuesday 13 January, 2004

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Thursday 8 January, 2004

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Wednesday 7 January, 2004

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Saturday 3 January, 2004

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