We thought it would go down to the wire, and that's exactly what happened at the Moth UK National Championships. The final race decided the title with four sailors still in with a shout of winning the event writes Mark Jardine of Yachts and Yachting.
Royal Cork's David Kenefick who had been only three points off second overall missed the podium – but only on countback – after a tough final day to finish fourth overall at Thorpe Bay.
The weather on Saturday was stunning, with early sunshine leading to a good sea breeze. The later high water allowed enough time for four races to be held, leading to the full series of twelve races being completed.
There was drama just before the start when Kyle Stoneham, who has put so much time into organising this event, found a mouse in his wing bar while heading out onto the race course. He, of course, went back to shore to drop it off on land, but hit the slipway with his centreboard foil, leading to some quick sanding time to get it smooth enough to sail with.
A quick recap of the positions going into the final day; Jason Belben was leading by nine points, but Jim McMillan, Dave Kenefick and Simon Hiscocks were on the charge in the stronger winds.
The man who was closest to Belben going into the final race was Jim McMillan, and his final day charge 1,2,8,3 results giving him enough to win the overall title by four points. Jim was understandably ecstatic to overturn the nine-point deficit: "I'm absolutely stoked! This is the first Moth event where I didn't have to count Did Not Starts and Did Not Competes. I came here to have some fun and hopefully finish in the top ten, so to take the win I'm stoked. It's been fantastic for the last two days - perfect Moth sailing conditions with flat water, the sun out and everyone enjoying themselves, non-stop foiling around; it's perfect."
Overall top five:
1. Jim McMillan, 32 points
2. Jason Belben, 36
3. Simon Hiscocks, 38
4. Dave Kenelick, 38
5. Ross Harvey, 53
