Moth and Switch Grand Prix at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

An impressive turnout of 32 boats arrived in Portland for the final Grand Prix of the season. The pre event build up was all about the three separate fleets within this event and this proved to be a great success.

Such a turnout has only been eclipsed by the National Championships and must make a statement of intent for the premier foiling class in the country. Indeed it is the class that the majority of America's Cup helms cut their teeth in, and continue to use to fine tune their sailing skills. Just a day later local Moth sailor and current world champion Dylan Fletcher took the port tack wheel to win the first round of the Louis Vuitton selection series. No mean achievement.

With the main Moth fleet boosted by the late appearance of National Champion Eddie Briddle it looked like this event could be a foregone conclusion. With decent wind all Saturday morning there was a high expectation for a cracking day of racing.

However this proved to be wishful optimism. Following a half hour postponement, race 1 got under way and immediately it looked dubious with a large group of boats not foiling at the start. The leaders however were making their way up a rather long upwind leg only to slowly but surely take it in turns to land back on terra aqua.

This does bring us to a good question: what is the term for a landing on water, maybe a waiting? Certainly the fleet were waiting for the abandonment which dully arrived.

Prior to this however were some notable performances. Eddie Bridle was not on the foil and Alex Adams was completing every tack to lead at the windward mark. Closely followed by star of the day Duncan Gregor who in the Maguire demo boat was flying in the lightest of wind. A non-deck-sweeper Exocet with large foils might be a number of knots slower in average conditions, but its sweet spot is in the lightest of winds and for that it still remains the bench mark.

Four boats electing to race in the older boat division suggest that this will remain a feature into the future. Entry costs to compete in the Moth scene are at an all time low, with a large number of Mach 2 and early Exocet boats around it is becoming an increasingly realistic proposition.

Another topical point is the inclusion of the new Switch one design, with six boats on the start line they were seen to be mixing it up at throughout the fleet and look to add a valuable contribution to the Moth class events next year.

Sadly the wind gods did not materialise in sufficient form to run any more races.

In typical fashion hoist an AP over A and bingo the wind fills in. There was just enough to get on the foil, and a significant number of the fleet went out for a sail after racing was cancelled for the day. Marginal if there was enough to race, it didn't matter, enthusiasm was high despite a constant drizzle of rain.

Sentiment on coming ashore was, "that was as much fun as racing would have been," there is certainly more to a Moth event than the race itself with a boat that is simply 'fun' to sail. It really is a case of #GetAMoth.

Sadly Sunday dawned, and remained, windless for most of the day. Certainly it is true that the local boats once again enjoyed a late afternoon sail in surprisingly strong winds all be it after the cut of time. Despite the lack of racing what stood out was the fun that was had and a relaxed environment with flexibility around sailing times it didn't feel like a wasted time for anyone.