Moth German Open: Buhl ahead of Mäge - will single-handed foiling soon be an Olympic sport?
Tatjana Pokorny
· 05.09.2023
Although the history of the original moth sail will soon be able to look back on 100 years, there is still something futuristic about the now highly developed hot projectiles of our time rising above the water on their foils and chasing their courses.
Foiling is everywhere - maybe soon an Olympic sport for soloists?
Only since the year 2000 have the international Moths been using hydrofoils on the centreboard and rudder, which lift the entire slender hull and helmsman or helmswoman above the surface of the water. This drastically reduces water resistance and greatly increases speed - a source of pleasure for all those who succumb to Moth fever.
Moths are the best-known "flying" foilers for solo riders. Wazps and other models offer a similar thrill of speed over the water. Because foiling has now found its way into high-performance sailing almost everywhere, Moths are increasingly moving into the limelight with their well-known tamers from the America's Cup, SailGP or the Olympic Games, such as superstar Tom Slingsby, Paul Goodison, Francesco Bruni or Phil Robertson.
"The chances of the Moth becoming an Olympic athlete are zero. I think the chances of a comparable OneDesign variant becoming Olympic are good." Philipp Buhl
The growing popularity in turn increases the chances of a one-person foiling boat having an Olympic future. While the windsurfers in the iQFoil are already Olympic and will celebrate their foiling premiere in Marseille in 2024, efforts are now also increasing to bring a foiling boat onto the Olympic course. The new Moths, which cost around 40,000 euros, are out of the question as a development class for cost reasons alone. Strict OneDesigns such as the Switch from Thailand, however, with predicted costs of around 20,000 euros, are.
An Olympic bid has long been discussed in foiling circles. "The chances of the Moth becoming an Olympian are zero. I think there is a good chance that a comparable one-design variant will become an Olympic contender," says Philipp Buhl, Germany's most successful Moth sailor. He continues: "It is important that such a one-design foil is reliable and durable. If such a concept really works, it has an Olympic chance."
Moth-foiling as an advanced training class
The two-time Olympian and 2020 Laser World Champion, who is currently battling for his third Olympic start in the ex-Laser Ilca 7 on course for Marseille 2024, bought his first Moth in 2015. Since then, he has enjoyed the technically demanding discipline as a second challenge alongside his much-loved purist Olympic sailing. Buhl is constantly training in Moth sailing in dialogue with the world's best and enjoys these equally demanding breaks from the Olympic campaign. He is currently sailing an Exocet from British manufacturer Simon Maguire.
Philipp Buhl therefore took part in the German Open at the Immac Foiling Days on Lake Wittensee last weekend. At the same time, Buhl worked intensively with Mathis Menke, Paul Farien and other colleagues to promote the event, acquire sponsors and ensure a successful supporting programme. Germany's moth aces met on the Wittensee for their national summit.
Thrilling duel between Philipp Buhl and Max Mäge
The fact that Philipp Buhl was able to win the three-day title series, which was organised by the Wittensee water sports club in a spirited and top-class sporting manner, with a one-point lead over Max Mäge, who was in excellent form, was no walk in the park. The 33-year-old Allgäuer from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein fought a thrilling title duel with Max Mäge from the Bayerischer Yacht-Club right to the end.
In retrospect - as champion Buhl and runner-up Mäge agree - it was a gybe set a little too late by Mäge in the penultimate race that tipped the scales in the equal duel over 14 races. "You can't give someone like Philipp chances like that. I set this gybe a little too late and then he roared over me," said Max Mäge. At the finish line, the two top contenders were separated by just one second, and in the final German Open standings by the tiniest of points.
The moth class as an ideas and project factory
Max Mäge sails a used Bieker moth that is around two years old and has been German champion several times himself. Adrien-Paul Farien from Kiel came third ahead of Kai Adolph and Mathis Menke on the Wittensee stage, which was perfect for the Moths this weekend. Paul Farien is also known as the co-founder and driving force behind the Youth America's Cup Team Germany and as runner-up European champion in the Waszp - further proof of how strongly the foiling classes are fuelling young talent and new international projects.
33-year-old Moth expert Max Mäge can well imagine that a one-person foiler similar to the Moth could soon become an Olympic boat: "On the one hand, they are great boats to watch, and on the other, they challenge us sailors again and again. The boat simply never leaves you alone." Max Mäge first sailed a Moth at the age of 18 after completing his classic sailing training in the Opti, 420, 470 and 49er. Since then, he has been fascinated by the challenging foiling boats.
Carbon, titanium and high-carbon steel: the best are driving development forward
Anyone interested in the class with a future and a high sailing fun factor can start with a budget of 10,000 to 17,000 euros. The upper limit is then open if you like it. It doesn't have to be at the level at which the five-time New Zealand America's Cup winner and SailGP founder Russell Coutts operates with his Moth-sailing son Mathias Coutts. There is talk of foils in a combination of carbon, titanium and specially coated hard steel. Naturally, the Coutts family also has excellent connections to leading designers at SailGP Technolgies and other experts in the further development of their favourite Bieker moths.
The moth scene is also gaining momentum in Germany. "Something is happening," says Max Mäge, "it's great that something is developing in northern Germany too. More and more nice, young and committed people are joining. That's very good for the class and its development."
The weekend really flashed!" Philipp Buhl
Philipp Buhl is also in favour of this, saying after the German Open: "The conditions on the Wittensee were ideal. You don't just hammer into a corner like elsewhere. Tactics, overview and boat handling are required when you have to place five tacks correctly to the gusts and turns on a three-minute cross to avoid being overtaken. The weekend was a real thrill!"
