Skandia Geelong

Attend next year's 150th Jubilee edition of Skandia Geelong Week from January 23 to 26 and you will be swarmed by Moths. But not the famous big, brown bogong variety that take to the air when the weather warms. We're talking the latest innovation in sailing - the high-flying International Moth class dinghy.

The Moth is yachting's answer to the Xtreme sport phenomenon. The tiny, one-person, hi-tech craft, built of composite materials, uses a minimalist hull and sail rig. But with a modicum of wind, they take to the air and ride on a pair of in-line hydrofoils. When it blows, Moths can attain speeds in excess of 27kts in winds of 22 to 24 kts. In other words, they sail faster than the breeze.

Such is the popularity of this unique sailcraft with the younger set that Moths are spawning their own subculture. The Moth already has its own National and Worlds competitions, where there's strong rivalry between Australia and the UK sailors, but it is now becoming popular internationally from Japan to South Africa and even in Switzerland.

Melbourne company Bladerider International is said to be leading the world in the technology and production of the hydrofoil racing class. Only five years-old in its modern guise, the Moth is available in three models priced from $14,000 for a fibreglass-hull model to $23,000 for a lightweight full carbon-fibre kit. Each is made in the Cheltenham premises. And each capitalises on the Moth phenomenon, with add-on merchandising via groovy graphics, stickers, T-shirts, rash tops, caps and gear bags.

Even John Bertrand, no stranger to aerofoil-like appendages on a yacht's keel after steering Australia II and its 'winged keel' to America's Cup glory in 1983, predicts hydrofoil yacht racing will be the next big thing in the sport.

BERTRAND BLESSING
Bertrand is Skandia Geelong Week's patron. At the launch of the 2009 festival at Waterfront City Marina in Melbourne's Dockland precinct last month, Trade-a-Boat heard Bertrand welcome the International Moths to the regatta for the first time. There will be some 40 of new-age machines, with possibly seven from overseas, competing in the Zhik Moth National Championships.

"These boats are foil-borne projectiles that weigh nothing and are all carbon fibre," he told Trade-a-Boat, and assembled dignitaries and media aboard the new Geelong-based $20 million 125ft luxury superyacht Platinum.

"Hydrofoil yachts are way out there," added Bertrand. "They're a revolutionary class, whose potential is untapped, and they will be an Olympic class in years to come."

Ironically, the Skandia Geelong Week launch was held in near calm conditions. For Sam England, a leading female exponent of the sport, it was a frustrating time trying to find enough wind (six to seven knots is needed) to lift her one design Bladerider FX (this model was only launched in June) before the assembled throng and show the crowd what to expect at the regatta.

Only for a fleeting millisecond did England's Bladerider rise out of the water before falling back on its hull. England eventually gave up and returned to the marina where, with the help of two others, she easily hauled the 40kg rig onto the dock.

"The concept is 80 years-old ... actually the class is pretty ancient," England told Trade-a-Boat. "But it's exciting, the latest thing in sailing and the demand is such they (Bladerider International) can't keep up."

GEELONG IN MELBOURNE
With the International Moths in the mix, Skandia Geelong Week now plays host to four National Championships. Competition begins with the Skandia Docklands Invitational and the SB3 King of the Docklands on Wednesday, January 21, then incorporates Williamstown in the passage race to Geelong, the Audi Series, Morris Finance Sydney 38 Victorian Championship, S80 Series, Super 30, Teams trophy, Four Points Sheraton Trailer Yacht Series, Parks Victoria Classic Yacht Series, Cruising Division, and Performance Racing Division. The Bundaberg Rum ASBA National Championship and Multihulls race will be held solely at Geelong.

Regatta organisers said that both the Docklands Invitational and Geelong Week will showcase the world's best sailors over seven days of competition on Port Phillip and Corio bays.

"Our Melbourne end continues to grow with a high-quality fleet set for the Skandia Docklands Invitational, which is a prelude to the main event, Skandia Geelong Week. The Docklands will host representatives from six states and one of the most competitive IRC fleets assembled anywhere in the world," Royal Geelong Yacht Club commodore, Graeme Ritchie, told Trade-a-Boat.

Geelong Week maintains its egalitarian theme encouraging the general public to participate in festivities over the three main days of the Australia Day weekend, with free entertainment including live music over three stages, free 'Come Try Sailing' activities, market stalls, children's entertainment, art exhibition, beach volleyball, K-Rock Starshow fireworks, aerobatic performances, and more.

Organisers are estimating 100,000 people will attend the three main days of Geelong Week, where 400 yachts and 4500 competitors will compete in the abovementioned events.

For more information, visit www.geelongweek.com and www.docklandsinvitational.com