Bora Gulari is the 2009 World Champion
33-year old Bora Gulari handily took two races in the final day of the 2009 CST Moth World Championship, winning the event and becoming the first American in 33 years to win the title. Racing got underway about 11am in 14-15 knots, the lightest breeze of the week, in very flat water and under cloudy skies.
I can’t believe I’ve done it. It’s been a fantastic competition and everyone here has been great. I worked hard for this, and put in a lot of time training with George Peet and I couldn’t have done it without his motivation. He’d get me out there and keep me on it all year. It feels wonderful to be in top place. Arnaud is an awesome sailor and has sailed so well, and Nathan, well, he’s the smartest out there on the course and he pushed me so hard. It’s been so great to sail with these guys.
Once he knew he’d taken the first race, Gulari turned the fun dial up and relaxed into the last race, enjoying the lead down the first beat. Missing a tack going into the top mark set him back about five positions and he rounded the mark behind Psarofasghis, Payne, Bergan and Outteridge, so was in top company for the first run. From back in fifth, the downwind sensation wound it up down the track to cross first for the final time in this competition, bringing his event wins to seven, almost half of the races sailed. “Rounding that mark in fifth, although I was in relax mode, I just took off, I don’t know what happens but it’s an amazing feeling to be able to run like I can on this boat.”
Dalton Bergan, finishing fourth, sailed a fast and tactical event, and along with Olympic Laser sailor Brad Funk, these two tidily supported the American effort in the top ten. Long the domain of the Australians and Europeans, this event has cemented the Americans as a force to be reckoned with in the international Moth fleet. The Australian Bladerider team also made a significant dent at the top of the fleet with four Aussies making top ten.
Top Ten Finishers Overall: Bora Gulari (USA) 24 points, Nathan Outteridge (AUS) 36 points, Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) 40 points, Dalton Bergan (USA) 49 points, Simon Payne (GBR) 66 points, Rohan Veal (AUS) 82 points, Scott Babbage (AUS) 100 points, Brad Funk (USA) 105 points, Rob Gough (AUS) 108 points, and Kevin Hall (NZL) 141 points.
Gorge Moth Worlds
The 2009 CST Composites International Moth World Championships web site has gone live.
The 2009 event will be hosted by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association in Cascade Locks, Oregon, USA from the 6-15th August 2009.
Attention worldwide Moth sailors: make plans now to attend the 2009 CST Composites Moth Worlds this summer in Cascade Locks, OR, hosted by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association.
This should be an awesome event! The typical sailing conditions at Cascade Locks include good wind almost all days, about half of days in August averaging 15 knots of wind or more, but rarely exceeding 25. Normal daytime high temperature is about 80F, 27C. Fresh water at temperature 72F, 22C. Normally sunny by late morning. We have held a lot of regattas here, including 80 worldwide competitors at the Tasar Worlds, and everyone walks away happy. Social events are equally prioritized, and will extend well beyond the official events shown in the NOR.
The Notice of Race is available online.
Online entry is also available. Current entries.
