Bora Gulari: Moth Worlds Winner Debrief

When Bora Gulari won the 2013 Moth World Championship last week in Hawaii, he became the first American two-time class champion since 1959. It was his victory in 2009 that catapulted him to win US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. Here Bora comments on his latest win…

The conditions on Kaneohe Bay allowed for racing on only three of the six days. Did you expect it to be a light air event?

I didn’t expect full blown ripping trades but I didn’t think it was going to be that light.

Yet you were fast for the conditions.

Definitely had wheels. The whole package was working. My boat, my hydrofoils, my North Sail; I had a bunch of special bearings in places where they should be. I also had a full set of aerodynamic fairings.

How does this win compare to your 2009 win?

This one is way better. It was similar as 2009, wherein Nathan Outteridge (AUS) got the early lead this year, and I was able overtake him for the title. However, the depth in the 80-boat fleet at the 2013 Worlds was phenomenal. There was maybe another 15 guys here that had the speed to win races. I feel like I have been able to show without a shadow of a doubt that I deserve to be there.

What has been your path in the class since your win in 2009?

In 2010 we had a light air worlds in Dubai, which is not normally my specialty, and I think I ended up around sixth. I was fifth at the 2011 Worlds in Belmont, Australia; there was a lot of seaweed at the venue which caused a lot of problems for my style of sailing. Last year I was sixth in Lake Garda, where the finals were sailed in very rough sea state. It was a lesson as the Americans in general did not do a good job preparing for that condition.

How is the class evolving within the United States?

Anthony Kotoun and Matt Knowles have done a great job organizing a winter series and securing class sponsorship. We are a much more cohesive group and, even though the results didn’t show it, we are much more talented as a fleet.

How is the class evolving internationally?

Just look at the entry list. Pretty much anybody who is anybody is now racing the class. Even Loick Peyron was at the Worlds. You can see quite a few America’s Cup sailors have come out of the class and also quite a few Cup hopefuls (including me). I don’t believe there has been such a talented fleet assembled anywhere this year.

Photo credit: ThMartinez/Sea&Co/International Moth Worlds