The cutting edge of sailing

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Moths are regularly seen flitting around Dubai’s coast.

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The Bladeriders offer an athletic work out.

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A unique look at the hydrofoils.

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Moths foil in just six knots of wind.

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Interest in the Australian-built Bladerider foiling moth is gathering momentum in Dubai.

As anyone involved in business development in Dubai can verify, it is very hard to use international trends to predict how the local market will move. It is very much a case of Dubai writing its own rules when it comes to market choice, forces and desires.

In sailing this is even more exaggerated; purchasing decisions are often based more upon local reputation and trust built with the principal vendor.

This is clearly evident from the massive Beneteau fleet supported by the respect and reputation for Christophe Vanek, and ART Marine's charismatic CEO Alessio Tumbiolo for their Azimut-Benetti yachts. Behind every successful marine business in the UAE is a true personality.

The same principal applies for the two new ‘small boat' fleets that appeared last year. The success of the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Championship brought a significant presence of new SB3s to DOSC, and a very competitive one-design class.

Also, over recent months, everybody will have seen the Bladerider Moth, flitting around the moored yachts in Mina Seyahi like a foiling dragonfly, or skimming above the waves off DOSC.

First brought into Dubai by Glenn Raphael, the Bladerider is quickly proving itself as the next one-design class for the athletic sailor - a great step up for those wanting to move out of dinghies.

The reception the Bladerider has had here has just been great," said the quiet-spoken Aussie. "I originally just bought one for myself, I never thought they would take off like they have." Typically modest, Glenn is quick to point out the contribution of others to the growing presence of Moths in the region.

"With the enthusiasm of Chris Graham and Jonathan Peats from the very beginning, we saw we were onto something." From humble beginnings however, the future of Moths in the UAE looks set fair.

Glenn continues, "Now we have eight boats getting ready for the new season, the next step is to set up a UAE International Moth Class Association and get out on the water racing."

These high performance hydrofoils make highly competitive racing machines, and the conditions here in the UAE are perfect for training on them. At the Moth World Championships in Weymouth, UK this July, Glenn fought his way into the top ten - his ninth place in 2008 improving on his 17th position at his first attempt in 2007.

Both Chris and Jonathan also put in impressive performances, placed 17th and 57th respectively - despite both still being in their rookie year.

Keen to maintain the momentum Glenn commented, "We will be planning a series of events from October through to May. Potentially we could have the first UAE Championships, some promotional racing and at least one international event."

So what is the appeal of the Bladerider? What attracts seasoned professional sailors such as the Kiwi five-time America's Cup veteran and 2008 Alinghi champion Peter Evans; round-the-world French offshore, Vendee Globe and VOR racer Sebastien Josse; and Swiss Olympic Sailing Team member Florence Beal all to keep a Bladerider in their garage for extreme thrills, when many would classify their normal sailing as the ultimate in sailing as it is?

Visually, sleek and unique styling of the Bladerider makes it very easy on the eye, and the way the hull rises out of the water onto its foils gives it futuristic appearance.

Darting around any anchorage or harbour, the Bladerider, when sailed well, has the agility and speed of a windsurfer, allowing the sailor to quickly react and avoid any traffic.

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