The Musto Skiff class 2021 Annual Survey report has been shared today in line with a class update on the long-term project to explore potential options for a new mainsail design and small sail for the Musto Skiff.
The survey, which is run by the International Musto Skiff Class Association (IMSCA) in partnership with class boat builder, Ovington Boats, is the 18th class survey to be published to date. It aims to gather feedback from class members on the boat experience, training, organised events, class marketing activities, sponsors, and more.
A section of the survey is also dedicated to the wider sailing community to gather feedback on Musto skiff activities, as well as a section giving current class members an opportunity to comment and vote on important class matters.
Overall, the feedback for the 2021 season activities was highly positive. Most countries restarted training and open meetings in 2021 after more than a year of disrupted schedules due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The UK Class also managed to host a well-attended Nationals event in 2021 at Sunderland Yacht Club.
For the countries that were able to do training, Musto Skiff sailors highly rated their experience as excellent or good on many factors from venue suitability for training activities and the ‘contribution of top sailors’, through to coaching style and the level of knowledge of coaches. However, only 17% of respondents were able to do training over 2021, with 45% stating that there was no organised training or coaching in their region. It is assumed that this was predominately due to Covid-19 restrictions continuing over 2021 for several of the represented countries in the survey.
With many sailors expressing an interest in more training for their region, organised training is now a key focus for the International Committee. Some local class representatives have already secured support and funding this season to provide coaching weekends over the coming months. This includes training support from Noble Marine Insurance and RYA Scotland for the UK Class. Other countries in Europe have also been active with organised training, including a Skiff Training Week in Dongo at Lake Como.
Upon reviewing the survey results, the International Committee has been working together to progress some key actions in response to member feedback and votes. The latest survey included a class member vote on updating the existing Class Rules with new trapeze harness rule RRS50.1(c), and a rule on carrying a knife for safety.
Class members voted against updating the Class Rules with the new trapeze harness rule RRS50.1(c). As such, this has not been included in the updated Class Rules.
As a related safety measure, the class were also asked if they wanted to adopt a Class Rule requiring competitors to carry a knife with them when racing or maintain that knife carrying for safety is a personal responsibility. Based on the survey, the majority of class members agreed that safety is a personal responsibility and should not rely on the Class Rules to govern it. A total of 76% voted against inclusion in the Class Rules.
The committee has also been in discussion with several sailing clubs for the long-term worldwide event schedule. Potential venues for hosting the Worlds in 2023 and beyond will be shared for class feedback at the ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships, which is currently underway in Germany as part of Kiel Week.
With sailors from several countries participating in the 2022 Worlds this week, the International Class Committee has also decided to use the planned Sailor’s Forum at the event to provide an update on the new mainsail design and new smaller sail project.
In the previous 2020 Annual Survey, the class voted to progress this project and explore some potential design options. The team at Ovington Boats has since been hard at work with Hyde Sails to develop some design options for the class. The Sailor’s Forum is due to take place this evening at Kiel Week, and following feedback, an update will be shared with the wider class and all country representatives.
The Musto Skiff class 2021 Annual Survey was launched in December 2021 via an online survey link, with all Musto Skiff class sailors, as well as the wider sailing community, invited to take part. The survey was open for five weeks, closing in late January 2022. Upon the close of the survey, all responses were collated, and the results of the survey were reviewed by the International Committee members with actions agreed for the 2022 season and beyond.
To view the full results of the MSCA 2021 Annual Survey, see here >>
Feature image: © Tim Olin.
