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2 January 2005, 09:10 am

Rohan VEAL (AUS) Claims First Race

Simon PAYNE (GBR)

Moth World Championship

Melbourne, Australia

Local Black Rock sailor, Rohan VEAL (AUS), streaked away to win the first race of the Moth World Championship hosted by Black Rock Yacht Club on Port Phillip Bay at Sail Melbourne today. Veal, who sails one of the revolutionary 'foiler' Moths, came home 2 mins 30 secs in front of his nearest rival, Simon Payne (GBR), the current Moth European champion.

Payne in turn beat his countryman Adam MAY (GBR) into second place by 3 mins 12 secs in 10-12 knots of breeze that gusted to 15 at times on a lumpy Port Phillip.

Onlookers said racing was exciting; the foilers airborne numerous times off the lumpy and choppy seas, making for spectacular racing.

Veal said this morning prior to racing that his biggest threats in winds over 10 knots would be Payne and May - and he was right on the knocker there.

Les THORPE (AUS) who won the Australian Championship just two days ago, and sails a conventional Moth, finished in fourth place, but over six minutes behind May. Next across the line was another foiler, expatriate Australian Mark ROBINSON (SIN) in fifth.

The Moth sailors continue their 10-race series on Port Phillip Bay tomorrow, with the series set to finish on January 8th. Five races constitute the series, but no race drop comes into play until at seven or eight races are sailed. Should nine or ten races be sailed, then two drops come into effect.

Full results were not known at the time of going to press as there were protests pending.

Full results and images will be available later at: www.sailmelbourne.com.au

Di Pearson - Sail Melbourne Media

World Sailing TV

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