Australian Moth Nationals Success

Australian Moth Nationals Report

Last week the Australian Moth Class held their National Championships in conjunction with Skandia Geelong Race Week. Most people agree it was the most competitive moth regatta to date with many of the top finishers in the World Champs finishing out of the top 5.

Over the last five years KA Sails has built a nearly 90% market share in the class with the top 10 boats in the last two world championships. This was the 1st major regatta for North Sails. Nathan Outteridge was the only rider to use the North mainsail the whole regatta and won the regatta by a 6 point margin counting a 1st, six 2nds and a 3rd out of 42 racers. Not only was this the first regatta for the new North Sail, it was also the first regatta for Nathan, a newcomer to the Moth Class (But as the current 49er world champion and Olympian, his pedigree is without question).

Nathan used the v7MH design built at North Sails South Africa. This design has been developed by Chris Williams in conjunction with two time Moth World Champion Rohan Veal and European Moth Champion and North Sails Suisse designer Arnaud Psarofaghis.





We are currently finalizing the design for the production sail. We plan to offer three models based on the sail Nathan used in the Nationals but fine tuned for sailor weight and rig stiffness:

• V6 - slightly more luff curve and less seam shape suited to bendier masts, +18 knot winds and sailors weighing less than 65kg. (Available April 2009)

• V8 - all round sail suited to most common masts and sailors weighing from 65kg to 75kg. (Available March 2009)

• V10 - less luff curve and slightly more seam shape suited to +75kg Mothies using a stiffer mast. (Available April 2009).

Retail cost will be $1390 USD FOB North Sails Cape Town. Optional upgrade to carbon fiber battens is available for $95 USD.

Please contact Chris Williams or Rohan Veal with any inquires

Congratulations to Nathan and many thanks to Rohan and Arnaud for the help.

Arnaud's Sail

After three months of development North Sails is confident we have the shape of our new mainsails dialed in. After the Australian Nationals we will be finalizing the details for the production sails and some subtle refinements in the sail shapes if needed. Instructions will also be posted on how to order your new sails and options which are available.

We would like to wish all of the competitors in the Australian Nationals best of luck and thank Arnaud and Rohan for their help with testing new sail designs and offering feedback for improvements.

Below are some photos of North Sails Suisse sail designer and 2008 Moth European Champion Arnaud Psarofaghis testing the new v7 Medium/Heavy Aramid Scrim mainsail in Geelong.