Six bullets for Payne

Mach 2 rider and former World Champion wins the foiling Moth racing at HISC this weekend

Hayling Island Sailing Club played host to the International Moth class this weekend as 20 competitors travelled down to the south coast for the second open meeting of the season.

Competitors were greeted by mild hazy conditions on the Saturday and merrily set off flying out into the Solent.

Simon Payne in the new Mach 2 convincingly led from the start of the first race, leaving the rest of the positions to be fought out between the remaining boats. Mike Lennon claimed second in his Bladerider and Mike Cooke sneaking past Ian Fosdike and Andrew Friend at the last minute to take third in the new Aardvark Ninja.

As the day progressed the wind proceeded to become patchier… a day of ‘snakes and ladders’ sailing ensued, with those who could get foiling (and stay there) winning out.

Race two was again led by Payne flying sooner, and for longer than his rivals to take the bullet, followed again by Mike Lennon, with Jason Russell in his Prowler coming in third.
Race three saw the fleet struggling to fly with places shifting more than the wind… Andrew Friend managed to find the pressure on the final run overtaking the fleet to take the win, closely followed by Mike Lennon and Mike Cooke in third.

Race four saw more of the same, with Mike Lennon taking first, and a near photo finish between Simon Payne and Ricky Tagg determining second and third respectively.

On day 2 competitors were greeted by fresher conditions on the Sunday morning heading out downwind to a breezy and choppy race area.

Simon Payne and the Mach 2 reveled in the windier conditions cruising to victory in all of the four races, followed in the first two by Mike Lennon and Andrew Friend in second and third. Race three saw the Prowlers of Rod Harris and James Roche battling it out to take the second and third places. The final race Payne was followed by Mike Lennon and James Roche in third.

In all an exciting weekends racing with excellent showings from all of the designs, the new Mach 2 showing some serious pace, not to mention the new Aardvark Ninja flying early and fast on the Saturday, and top results from the Bladeriders, Prowlers and M3.

Overall results, winning with six firsts was Simon Payne from HISC, 2nd Mike Lennon (HISC) and in third Andrew Friend (QMSC.

The foiling Moths fly to Heathrow for the next installment of the 2009 season. The Moth Inlands will take place at Queen Mary SC on 9-10 May.