(Photo: Anthony Kotoun rides high and tight on his hydrofoils.)
This is a follow-up to our original story – Aquidneck Islanders Racing at Amlin Moth Regatta in Bermuda
Anthony Kotoun led the contingent of five Aquidneck Islanders who sailed this week in the Amlin International Moth Regatta in Bermuda.
Kotoun, who lives in Newport but is originally from the US Virgin Islands placed 9th overall in the $10,000 regatta with 83 points. Briton Rob Greenhalgh won $5,000 with the low score of 13 points.
“I did OK, not great,” said Kotoun. “I would’ve been happier if I’d finished one or two places higher.”
Others from Aquidneck Island in the fleet included ORACLE Team USA’s Rome Kirby of Newport, who placed 19th, Nat Shaver of Newport, who finished 33rd, Tom Loughborough of Middletown, who finished 35th, and Chris Museler of Portsmouth, who finished 49th in the 55-boat fleet.
Loughborough enjoyed himself thoroughly.
“I started sailing this boat about three years ago and it’s my Optimist dinghy,” he said. “I’ve always done bow on boats and this is the first boat I’ve ever helmed. But it’s so much fun. There’s so much to learn and everyone helps each other out so much.”
The regatta was hosted by Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and run over five days. Two days were rainy and windy, the middle day was lost due to lack of wind but Monday and Friday bookended the regatta with ideal hydrofoiling conditions, 6 to 12 knots.
“The Moth is such a physical boat to sail, you’re always hiking,” said Museler, who began sailing the boat last spring. “It’s such a challenge physically and mentally because everything is happening so fast. You’re hiking and thinking and doing 25 knots, it’s just a real challenge.”
For more information on the racing and the final results, visit the Amlin International Moth Regatta website or Facebook page.
The US Moth Class is sponsored by 11th Hour Racing, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation that endeavors to promote collaborative systemic change for the health of the marine environment.