Simon Payne is the UK moth class’s finest export with an international scorecard that many would be envious of. 2006 World Champion 2007, 2006, 2005 European Champion 2008 National Champion with most of his other international results in the top 5 is pretty good going. I caught up with him on his return from the US Worlds..
Hi Simon,
Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Firstly congratulations on your recent success at the worlds in the Gorge. Now you’ve had time to reflect on the regatta, how did it go for you?
SP > Thanks. I was happy with a place just inside the top five. It was a windy event and I always knew it would be tough. I had a few bad races, but I had a couple of race wins too and that’s always nice. My weak area was starting really, I got buried too many times.
P. What lessons if any did you come away with from the event?
SP > Altering the ride height to fly high upwind and then to push hard down is a must. I couldn’t do it but, I will in future. Other than that I was reminded again of the importance of physical fitness, boat preparation and a “never give up” attitude.
P. Did you know before hand that the fleet would present such a high calibre of competition or were you taken by surprise?
SP > Oh yes, I know most of the guys already sailing and I’ve heard of most of the people about to come into the class. Let’s make no mistake, this event was way more competitive than any other Moth regatta. It probably was THE most competitive Moth regatta ever, despite its relatively small field. I won the worlds in 06, but that doesn’t count for anything, it might as well have been a different class. It seems everyone in the top 20 has an impressive Olympic or International saiing CV. They are all nice guys too.
P. You proved you have an advantage in the lighter winds by winning two of the few light wind races during the regatta. Do you think the heavier sailors have an advantage in the stronger winds or is it a case of re calibrating your set up to compensate?
SP > We didn’t really have any light winds, however we certainly had a couple of races that were lighter than the others and were medium conditions, but never a race in say 10 knots where I may have had an advantage. Even the races I won I was going down the last run thinking “please don’t stack it” I think the heavier sailors do have an advantage, just like any other class, but equally I don’t know any other class where the weight range varies from 82kg to 65 kg in the top five. Sure it’s a hindrance sometimes being light, but you can select your gear accordingly. Anyway its almost impossible for me to change so I don’t worry about it really.
P. At one point during the regatta, it looked as though you would have to pull out due to your knee injury. How did you turn that around?
SP > My knee got worse two days before the end. After the slalom racing it felt unstable, always like it was about to dislocate, maybe I hurt it on that funny capsize. Anyway I struggled on one day. The pain was bad, it kept locking and I just couldn’t get over the boat from port to starboard tack. When I capsized five times tacking I knew something was wrong. I didn’t complete the final race of that day. The doctor said it needed an operation but that I wouldn’t damage it anymore by sailing, so I got on with it with the help of some pain killers. I’m not alone, others had problems too.
P. Let’s talk about the Mach2. You sail the boat incredibly high on the foils. Is this down to having longer foils or is the boat setup that much better to allow control at that height?
SP > The rudders a bit longer than some other designs but it’s really the latter. Actually when you are in the boat you never feel that high, Its only when you see someone else sailing, or pictures that you know.
P. Early breakages aside, are you happy with the boat in general?
SP > Yes definitely. Sure we’ve had some breakages but the boat is at the bleeding edge of boat building, and the Moth class is the formula one of dinghy sailing. As sailors push the limits we as a class are always likely to get some sort of component failures. However to put 4 boats in the top five with a design that was only launched in 09 is incredible.
P. Without giving too much away, what do you think it is about the Mach2 that gives it the advantage over all of the other designs out there.
SP > Foil design taken to the next level, and foil construction from high modulus carbon with the resulting foil stiffness you get. Ever seen a Mach 2 from dead in front or dead behind? You never ever see the foils crossed up. Of course the control mechanisms work really well and they really are the easiest moth to sail. The rest of the boat isnt bad either!
P. Having you and Bora sailing them definitely shows that the design and setup is able to handle a wide range in terms of sailor weight. Do you think Amac has found the magic ingredient or do you think there is still a long way to go in terms of design and integration of all of the components?
SP > Sometimes I close my eyes and wonder what Moths will look like in another 25 years time. I’m sure they wont look like the boats of today, but for now this boat is a step on. Nothing comes for free, there is no magic bullet. This boat is faster purely because of the sheer hard work that Amac put into the design. I am probably one of the few people who really truly understand that.
P. Bora put his success down to his training partner and various other people who helped him become the world champion. Do you train alone or do you also have a team to help you with everything from motivation to boat preparation?
SP > Yeah this is an issue. I do train alone, we just aren’t at that stage yet in the UK. Fortunately Arnaud is hoping to come over for the winter and that will help me alot. My boat is sold and a new one is on order. I hope to be a bit more structured in the lead up to Dubai. Arnaud and I sail well together.
P. Having witnessed the jump in sailing standard at the worlds from just a year ago, how can we raise the game in the UK to increase the number of world class competitors?
SP > There are a lot of good things about the UK fleet. Lots of boats and great people but if we have a problem it’s that we only have only one guy who’s capable of doing it on the International stage at the moment. I’m not sure I see that changing in the short term unless we get some new entrants to the class. Having said that people sail for all sorts of reasons and who am I to criticize? Raising the game requires hard work, a structured programme and equipment development. Bora proved this. He worked harder than anyone else. Most of us don’t have that luxury. We certainly have the talent in the UK and other Moth fleets have the same issues, but the US and the Australians are doing well because of the Olympic guys who now sail moths.
P. What are your plans for the next year?
SP > I’m enjoying sailing my old yacht with my boys and not Moths right now, but next year I’d like to do both Dubai and Silvaplana
P. And finally, what advice would you give to any one coming in to the class?
SP > Its easy to say “buy the best kit you can afford” but even though you might not feel up to it, do go to the big events if you can. Nothing beats that kind of experience. Ask Andrew Friend and James Phare, two top guys with not a great deal of moth experience that I had the pleasure of travelling to the worlds with. They learnt so much and got to mix it with the best and accordingly some bits rub off.
P. Once again, thank you for sharing your experience with everyone.
