The International Moth sailing class reaches speeds of over 30 knots and spectacular drone footage of sailor Paul Farien ‘mothing’ on Lake Garda has set the internet alight this week.
From Superinnovators 19/06/24.
According to the International Moth Class Association, the Moth is the fastest single-handed sailing dingy in the world, with a top speed record of 31.1 knots, achieved in 2011.
And incredible drone footage of Germany’s Youth America’s Cup team lead, Paul Farien, skipping across Lake Garda in the eXploder mD3 Ovington Moth, has clocked up millions of views online this week.
One TikTok user commented: “Bro is sailing on a pringle,” in reference to the eponymous curved wing deck used to lean on when tacking.
The class first emerged in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until enthusiasts started adding hydrofoils to their home-built moths in the 2000s that things began to take off.
The hydrofoil consists of a set of small underwater wings, front and back, that lift the entire hull out of the water, reducing drag, and boosting speed and agility.
Although some still build their own moths, several commercially manufactured boats are also available.
They’re serious bits of kit, with the eXploder mD3 Ovington Moth, retailing at £26,095 (approx. $33,218).
The next Internation Moth event sure to feature more eXploder mD3s among other models is Foiling Week, hosted by FV Malcesine sailing club on Lake Garda, Italy, 24-30th June.
Thanks to Paul Farien and Patrick Lombardi (drone) for highlighting the Moth to us and we wish Paul all the best in the Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup, Barcelona, 17th Sept – 13th Oct.
More info
https://ovingtonboats.com/int-moth
http://www.internationalmoth.co.uk/
