With the Moth World Championships fast approaching with 240 boats expected in Lake Garda, there's been plenty of foiling practise going on at the Italian lake this week.
The championships has attracted several Irish boats, including national champion Rory Fitzpatrick who sails under the burgee of both the Royal Irish and National Yacht Club, and the Irish lads will be mixing it up with plenty from the ranks of the America's Cup and Olympic circuit.
Royal Cork's David Kenefick is in Garda and has just finished its foiling week, a World Championships pre-cursor in tenth overall in a new boat he is preparing for the Worlds event.
The former Cork Harbour Figaro competitor was lying eighth before the last day but unfortunately, he broke his tiller extension just before the last two races so was unable to hike out.
Also lining up for Ireland are Graeme Grant (ISA), Neil O'Toole from the National Yacht Club, Jim Devlin from the Royal St. George, Alistair Kissane from Howth Yacht Club. There are two Irish youth entries from RStGYCs Adam Hyland and HYC's Ewan MacMahon. Annalise Murphy will compete in the ladies division.
Of extra Irish interest is the fact that both Fitzpatrick and Hyland will be sailing Moths that have been designed and built in Ireland by County Wicklow's Chris Allen under the brand name of Voodoo moths, as previously reported by Afloat.ie
There will also be an Austrian Voodoo sailing and a number of Australian and other international boats using Voodoo foils, designed and built by Allen in Bray.
Chris Allen designed moths are also being built under licence in the UK by Atomik boats, and there will be a number of these sailing at the Worlds.
More on the Moth Worlds at the beautiful Malcesine venue here
