Ruthless Racing and Innovation at The International Moth Winter Championship 2025 Hosted by Rutland Sailing Club

The last major event in the sailing calendar, the much-anticipated International Moth Winter Championship 2025, unfurled its sails at the Rutland Sailing Club. The line-up consisted of Exocet, Aerocet, and Exploder designs, adding more sparks to the thrilling weekend event.

Among the collection of skilfully designed vessels, Paul Gliddon’s recently converted Exocet caught most of the attention, with solid wings and a reduced foredeck. The change in design stirred up conversation, acknowledging that improvement and innovation in the most unlikely areas often help in gaining a competitive edge.

While Saturday’s weak breeze left much to be desired, patience paid off as the participants experienced an inspiring 15-Knot NE breeze on Sunday, kicking off an exhilarating round of races. Sailors deliberated preparations; choosing between big foils and sails for handling lulls and tackling, or smaller foils concentrated on straight-line speed.

Unsurprisingly, the races highlighted Paul Gliddon’s superior expertise and rigging adaptations, though competitors Alex Adams and Jason Belben proved their worth by capitalizing on the scarce errors made. Behind them, the remaining fleet showcased an exhilarating battle at each level, creating a gripping spectacle for all involved.

The event was a vivid reminder of sailing’s capacity to encourage innovation and competitiveness. Success at the International Moth Winter Championship showed that even an older design like the Exocet could come front and centre with the right adjustments. And with the favorable market for secondhand vessels, participants had proved once again that achieving high-speed foiling dinghy status is within everyone’s reach.