Day One Report from PUMA International Moth Worlds

Andrew “Amac” McDougall leads the fleet going into Day 2 March 8, 2010

With Day One of PUMA International Moth Worlds coming to a completion, the event is shaping up to be a battle of wits, weather and worldliness.  With a forecast that is fairly typical- light to moderate breeze, generally flat water and the likelihood of at least a few low-riding (off the foils) races, time will prove interesting results over the course of this week.

The fleet sailed one race today, the course being a standard windward leeward course, three times around, each leg a mile in length.  The conditions on day one were calm waters with 6-8 knots of breeze, a bit light for the moths.  The light wind speed made it difficult for sailors to get up, and stay up on their foils.  Andrew “Amac” McDougall (AUS) lead the first beat and finished Race 1 with a bullet.  Michael Lennon (GBR), Brad Funk (USA), Chris Graham (UAE) and Simon Payne (GBR) rounded out the 44-boat fleet.

PUMA has teamed up with On-The-Water Anarchy (OTWA) to get daily text, video and photos.  PUMA and OTWA will be bringing you all the latest information.  A full schedule of where and when to find all the news will be on http://www.pumaoceanracing.com later today.

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 2^nd 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.

photo credit: Meredith Block

The PUMA 2010 International Moth Class World Championships pre race days kicked off with big winds and even bigger waves!  The first 2 days of racing are the UAE National Championships for this high performance class.

32 International Moths are currently dominating the scenery at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club with a total number of 46 due to grace the Dubai waters at the start of the week, when the World Championships kick off.

Friday’s racing saw a westerly 15 – 20 knots blow across the shores of Jumeirah, with choppy waves adding to the excitement of the first day of official racing.

Just 15 starters took to the water for race 1, while many of the international sailors took the time to fine tune their boats and acclimatize themselves to the balmy conditions of the UAE.

Current World Number 3; Arnaud Psarofaghis took line honors is race 1 with locally based sailor Chris Graham following in second and Rob Gough from Australia in third.

The second race hosted only 9 starters.  Many pulling out due to kick failure or after a high speed crash.  Again Arnaud Psarofaghis of Switzerland took first place, second place was taken by Scott Babbage of Australia and World Number 7; Rob Gough took third.

The standings after day 1 of the UAE National Championships are;

First Place –          Arnaud Psarofaghis         SUI 3

Second Place –     Chris Graham                  UAE 3679

Third Place -         Rob Gough                     AUS 9

The Puma 2010 Moth International World Championships kicks off on 8^th March. “The Moth Class is delighted to have PUMA sponsoring the 2010 Moth International World Championships in Dubai,” said event organizer and Moth sailor Chris Graham.  “The Moth class is growing so fast, attracting the best dinghy sailors in the world and putting them in one boat against each other. Along with PUMA’s entry into the world of sailing, we feel that the synergy between Moth sailors and PUMA is a perfect fit.   Both PUMA and Moths share a love for fast, exciting and very high caliber sailing matched with a sense of fun an friendliness off the water.” 

To watch the racing come down to the beach at Jumeirah … and sit back and enjoy this fast paced, exciting innovative sport.

For more information log on www.dosc.ae