Sailing stars head for Moth Worlds

America’s Cup stars, Olympic medallists and world champions are among the record 150 plus sailors who will converge on Port Phillip in the New Year when the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club (SSCBC) in Victoria hosts the McDougall + McConaghy 2015 Moth World Championship from January 9-16, on Port Phillip.

Defending moth world champion and Artemis America’s Cup helmsman, Nathan Outteridge (AUS), heads the line-up. Like so many others, Outteridge, the 2012 Olympic 49er gold medallist, will take on fellow crew and rivals from the Olympics and the America’s Cup, among them his 49er medallist crew and fellow Artemis member, Iain 'Goobs' Jensen.

Other Artemis entries are Loick Peyron (FRA), who has four ORMA titles and a Transat win among his illustrious results, and 2008 Beijing laser gold medallist Paul Goodison (GBR). 

Intermingled with other big names are winning Oracle team members Tom Slingsby (AUS), Philippe Presti (FRA), Rome Kirby (USA) and Joey Newton (AUS), while Emirates Team New Zealand boasts Glenn Ashby (AUS) and Kiwis Dean Barker, Ray Davies, and Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, the 2012 Olympic 49er silver medallists.

Burling and Tuke are Outteridge and Jensen’s rivals, and not just in the 49er, according to Tom Slingsby, who slates Burling as the biggest potential threat for the Moth world title.

"Peter Burling is the man to beat. I’ve been watching him, he’s sailing really well and improving all the time," says Slingsby, the first Australian to be named ISAF World Sailor of the Year (2010) and Oracle strategist.

"I had a break from sailing – I needed it. But now I’m enjoying all the opportunities that are coming my way," said Slingsby, a multiple world title holder in the Olympic laser class and former Etchells world champion. 

"Realistically, there are 10-15 people who could win the Worlds. People are coming up with new twists all the time. The Moth is developing all the time, as can be seen with the foiling," explains the Terrigal sailor.

Tornado Olympic medallist Glenn Ashby owns more world championship trophies across a broad range of multihull classes than anyone else. Leaving the woes of losing the America’s Cup behind him, the Bendigo sailor commented: "It will be, without doubt, the single most high-performance regatta I’ve ever done.

"There’ll be at least eight Olympic medallists, three moth world champions and 15 America’s Cup sailors," added Ashby.

Bora Gulari, the 2013 moth world champion returns this year after taking a year off. Since his win in Hawaii, the American has been training with the Luna Rossa America’s Cup syndicate. 

Japan, Great Britain, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Austria, Hong Kong, France, Ireland, Sweden and Australia are all well represented.

Spectators can catch a glimpse of what is to come when the SSCBC hosts the Moth Australian Championship ahead of the Worlds from January 6-8. Those keen to get on the water to view the Worlds can register their interest with Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club.