North American Moth Championships, Day 1

There’s nothing like being on the water on a beautiful spring day in the lowcountry, and that’s just where we (unexpectedly) found ourselves this afternoon with front row seats to all the action of the 2014 North American Moth Championship sailing races being held in Charleston this weekend. For those of you not in-the-know, Moth sailing boats are one-person, 65-pound carbon fiber boats that virtually fly above the water on hydrofoils at speeds approaching 35 mph. (I really should credit that last sentence to my new-found friend Alan Block, of Sailing Anarchy, who graciously offered Mascha and me a closer look at the sailing action on the Boston Whaler boat he was in with his dog, Cricket, and who is responsible for writing the press release for the event from which I lifted the information about Moth boats.) To say these boats are exciting to watch is an understatement, as they literally come whizzing by, high out of the water with only the foils in the water, going warp-speed but quiet as a mouse, save for the wind whipping in their sails and the hydrofoils cutting through the waves. If you get a chance to venture close to the harbor this weekend I highly recommend checking these Moth races out. You won’t regret it!

These and more photos from today’s race are available to view larger here, where you can also purchase any you can’t live without.

Thanks and enjoy!