2017 Moth Worlds kicks off at Lake Garda

Published on July 22nd, 2017

Lake Garda, Italy (July 22, 2017) – Zhik is returning to its roots as the official clothing sponsor of the 2017 Moth World Championships. And, ten years on, the Moths are returning to their spiritual home on Lake Garda.

Zhik and the International Moths class are virtual synonymous with each other. When foiling came along Zhik was the class’s first ever title sponsor. The extreme sailing in epic conditions caught the imagination of sailors around the world, triggering the new foiling generation. Whilst the class and sailors were driving this transformational development forwards in sailing, Zhik hit the ground running too. Re-writing the ‘rule book’ for wetsuits and sailing clothing, bringing vast technical and performance improvements that have totally transformed sailing apparel for this new era in the sport.

The 2017 World Championships at Malcesine on the shores of Lake Garda (25-30 July) promises to be another spell-binder, with a spectacular line up of Olympians, America’s Cup and Volvo sailors plus multiple national and World Champions, many of whom are Zhik Ambassadors. Past Moth World Champions in this year’s entry line up include Peter Burling (NZL) Nathan Outteridge (AUS), Josh McKnight (AUS) and Paul Goodison (GBR). They will be challenged by many big names including Tom Burton (AUS), Tom Slingsby (AUS), Scott Babbage (AUS) and Brad Funk (USA).

Simon Payne, 2006 Moth World Champion and Zhik’s Global Sales Director commented, “Zhik is thrilled to be back with the Moth Worlds. When Moth foiling started we helped put each other on the map, captivating and inspiring young sailors across the globe to join the class. This will be a fantastic event to watch former AC and Volvo teammates battle it out on the water, both physically and mentally. Moth sailing is immensely athletic and testing, and hurts when you get it wrong. Right from the outset Zhik has been innovating gear for these sailors to provide protection and transcend the extreme conditions to compete at their highest ability.”

Less than a month after lifting the America’s Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand in Bermuda, Peter Burling is set to line up in the moth world championships. In his only major regatta in the single-handed class, Burling took out the moth world championship in 2015, outclassing some seasoned America’s Cup sailors in that event.

Burling admitted he has not sailed the moth for two years, with his main focus over that time being his Olympic campaign with Blair Tuke in the 49er skiff, and his commitments with Team New Zealand. Nathan Outteridge, Burling’s long-time friend and rival in the 49er class, will be one of the favorites for the regatta.

The moth, a small development class dinghy that is capable of foiling – has become an increasingly popular class among the best sailors in the world, particularly since the introduction of foiling technology to the America’s Cup.