Worlds Preview.

OK so everyone is at it so what about a worlds preview. Here are my thoughts leading up to the event.

I think for the first time Rohan made a claim that was an underestimated. ;-) He said there would be 60 boats at the worlds, but there will be around 70. There is a lot of new kit out there too. There are of course the Bladeriders which and leaving the factory as fast as they can but also Fastacraft are knocking boats out at a surprising rate. It is exciting times for the Moth and the Worlds will be a really great event.

As for who is going to win. My money is on Simon Payne. It will be a big fleet of boats with a lot of guys who have a chance to get to the windward mark first off a crowded start line. Therefore transitional big fleet skills could do it. This is where I think Simon is going to have the edge over Rohan. However Rohan's boat handling is amassing and in the big breeze of Torbole his determination could grind down the competition. So It will be very close.

There is also a lot of other guys that are on form and getting close to the top. I think that the first 10 will be racing together not just the first 3 as it has been for the last 2 big events. We could see some surprise performances, as there are a lot of new boats and riders.

Which boat will prove to be better? The Prowler will be more reliable because this is a refined bit of kit and very well made. I think the Bladerider will be close on quality but does not have the maturity that the Prowler has. The Bladerider is a newer design and does not have the "old fashioned" prowler freeboard but I suspect the difference in weight is neglagible. The differentiators will be how well the boat is set up which will mean there will be a mix of Hungry Tigers, Mistresses, Prowlers and Bladeriders in the top 10.

The middle of the fleet will be getting lapped before they complete the second lap showing that there are big gains in boat speed from small setup and skill differences, and for most of us it does not matter what boat you have.

A lot of beer will be drunk and it will be windy and sunny every day with the wind changing direction at midday.

I will leave Trobole having had a great sail and frustrated trying to compete with boats that are 10 younger than mine. However I hope to get a few bits of racing in before my body and/or boat say we have had enough for the day.

I have 3 free days before I leave for Garda to throw carbon at the boat and pack it and my windsurfing gear on to the car. I can not wait to get there.