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.