Gulari leads Moth Worlds going into final day

Kaneohe, HI (October 18, 2013) – The fifth day of the McDougall + McConaghy Moth World Championship required patience, as light winds and high temperatures resulted in a lengthy postponement. Despite an unfavorable forecast, a surprisingly stable 6-10 knot Northerly breeze provided more ‘flight time’ on Friday than anyone expected, allowing for three races. After ten races, the battle at the top continues with 2009 World Champ Bora Gulari (USA) slightly growing his lead on 2011 Worlds Champ Nathan Outteridge (AUS) from five points after seven races to now 8 points.

“Everything was looking really light in all the forecasts we looked at, and the big main foil I put on was looking good after Race 8,” said Outteridge. The 27-year old racer would take second in the first, light air race of the day, and far enough ahead of Gulari to close the Championship battle to just one point. After one abandoned race and a 20-minute postponement, the wind increased to around 9 knots, and Outerridge’s fate was sealed. “I took a risk and it was the wrong call,” he said. “Those are the tradeoffs and choosing the day’s equipment can be the most stressful part of the morning.” Outteridge added that he hoped to get in enough racing on Saturday to have a shot at beating Gulari and taking his second Moth world title.

Racing concludes Saturday with a maximum of four races planned. The forecast calls for light winds, with the time limit set at 1600 hours.

Current Results – Top 10 of 80
1. USA, Bora Gulari, [18]-1-2-1-3-3-[7]-5-3-3- ; 21
2. AUS, Nathan Outteridge, 1-2-1-[10]-9-1-8-2-[13]-5- ; 29
3. AUS, Scott Babbage, 4-4-[27]-[24]-1-12-1-4-5-13- ; 44
4. GBR, , BEN PATON, [15]-3-3-15-[23]-6-3-6-2-7- ; 45
5. GBR, Robert Greenhalgh, 2-7-7-9-[19]-[13]-11-1-1-8- ; 46
6. AUS, Rob Gough, [17]-8-13-8-8-2-4-[38]-6-1- ; 50T
7. GBR, Chris Rashley, 3-[35]-6-11-7-4-13-[36]-4-2- ; 50T
8. AUS, Julian Salter, [12]-9-8-5-2-[29]-5-3-12-11- ; 55
9. USA, Brad Funk, [24/ZFP]-5-4-3-5-5-18-10-21-[23]- ; 71
10. NZL, Peter Burling, [40]-28-[52]-2-10-7-6-9-11-4- ; 77