IMCA Austria 2007 Report

2007 was the first year that I sailed my Moth I Austria. This and the Bladerider publicity early in the year has generated a lot of interest. I am trying to coordinate this interest and turn it into a fleet. I have been sailing near Vienna on a big, shallow and windy lake. People that are considering getting a boat are waiting to see if I hit the bottom and destroy the boat before they decide that the lake is deep enough. I think I will have to develop hydrofoils that can be fixed in a raised position for sailing late in the year, when the water level drops, and find out where the shallows are. In the west there are deeper lakes but I have no contacts there and they are 4 hours drive away. CBS Sails an Austrian Sailmaking company is very interested in getting involved in the Moth class, but at the moment the best way for them to do this is not clear. However it may be possible to get a Moth on their stand at "BOOT" (the biggest boat show in Austria). Maybe we will arrange promotional demonstration sails at some big key Austrian regattas. I hope I finish the build of a new boat this winter in my custom Moth workshop. It would be great if I have someone to train with next spring and there is definitely interest here (and in the neighborings countries). The changes of a fleet establishing are good but a long way from critical mass. Doug Culnane