Moth Worlds – Final Day Belongs to Jof Heathcote

 

 

 

 

Jof Heathcote reports

The last day today and it was blowing a hooligan (as appears to be usual here).

There was some pretty full on chop out on the course. Everyone was dubious about sailing so left the beach really late. Getting downwind to the start was a challenge in itself.

I got around the course with just two minor swims. Both on the upwind. So got my best finish of the regatta in 8th as most of the fleet was doing more swimming than sailing. We got sent back to shore due to the carnage on the water.

A couple of hours later it had allegedly moderated so we went back out for another dose. It was windier than the first time, possibly a bit less chop though. I had some big crashes on the first lap and took about 5 goes to get around the bottom mark while trying to dodge a clump of boats that were upside down all around it.

My second lap was clean so I finished off the regatta with a 19. Apparently my survival mode is better than my pace. But that’s ok. I’ll take it.

I finished up 28th overall which is better than my best scenario goal going into the event, so I am pretty stoked with that.

I have learnt a lot in the last two weeks which I now need to put into practise on the boat.

ED. Jof is a very modest guy so will never blow his own trumpet. His performance has been from the top drawer as he has beaten some of the great names in sailing by some big margins – and these names include world champions and America’s Cup heavies. To have finished one race in the top 10 (8th) is a remarkable performance. He has always been a very good sailor, but as he progresses in the Moth fleet he is fast showing that he is a great sailor.