Earlier this year, our International Chairman, Andy Tarboton, announced his intention to step down from his position due to work and family commitments. Andy has been Chairman of the Musto Skiff class since taking over from Iver Ahlmann in 2017. After working hard to grow the class and oversee important class matters, Andy has now handed over his Chairmanship to Danny Boatman who will take on the role from 2023, subject to the online International AGM.
Andy shares some of his highlights as the International Chairman, as well as some parting thoughts to carry the class into 2023 and beyond.
International Class Update by Andy Tarboton
“I took over the role of International Chairman from Iver Ahlmann in 2017, where he, along with Paul Manning and Rick Perkins, had helped to grow the class into a healthy sized class of single-handed skiff sailors. The international presence and circuit were well established, providing good racing around the globe.
I have enjoyed many highs during my tenure, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been involved with the committee – it is a diverse group capable of solving any problem. More specifically, we are very lucky to have Natalie Hilton, Jamie Hilton, and David Rickard on the International Committee, as well as Chris Turner, Rob Taylor, Dan Vincent, and others on the Technical Sub-Committee.
A further shout out must be given to John McAfee of Ovington, and the members of each regional committee – these guys do vast good in their specific areas of concern. Last, but definitely not least, thanks must go to Keith Musto himself who, along with his brother Nigel and Joachim Harpprecht, identified the potential of the Musto Skiff, enabling this class to blossom as it has.
When I took on the Chairmanship from Iver, the class had voted to explore a new mainsail design with the aim of updating the design to attract more people to the Musto Skiff. Ovington Boats and Hyde Sails generously took on the development costs of producing this sail and I am proud to say that we have now reached the point of voting as a class on whether or not to adopt a new mainsail. I would like to add here that we, as a class, can still control the way in which this integrates into class racing so as to provide the fairest means of filtering the sail into the class. We want to enhance the class, not detract from it!
Additionally, Ovington Boats has undertaken a separate project to develop a small sail for the boat. This is a project that was especially close to my heart because I firmly believe that sailing should be as inclusive as possible, and I see the small sail as a way to enable a wider demographic of people to enter our class and enjoy this great skiff. This includes more youths, more women, and those who may find the Musto a bit too challenging to sail. This is yet another milestone for the class, and once more, I believe that the regatta management should be focused on being inclusive until numbers allow separate fleets of each sail. I firmly believe that this will continue to strengthen the Musto Skiff in years to come, so I look forward to seeing how this evolves.
Despite being part of all these milestones in the class, all things come to an end. My ability to support the International Committee as fully as I wanted to started to become more challenging due to family needs and other commitments. So, it was with a heavy heart that I announced my intention to step back as Chairman. However, the beauty of the people in this class is that we always have others willing to step in and help, and in recent months, Danny Boatman put himself forward for Chairman.
Danny has been in the fleet for a number of years – he is a top bloke and a top sailor! Danny’s energy for life and passion for the Musto Skiff and its sailors will no doubt steer the ship on a true course of growth. Not only does he teach most of us how to enjoy a social during a regatta, but he seamlessly manages to keep at the front of the fleet while doing so. Combined with the exceptional people standing with him on the International Committee, the future is looking brighter than the sun!
I would also like to encourage our members to give back where they can – be it on a committee, supporting an upcoming sailor at your local club, or offering advice wherever possible. Sailing is a beautiful sport, bringing together many people from many backgrounds. It has so much to offer, but even more to offer in return for giving up your time to help build the sport. It is an activity only made possible by volunteers giving up their time to enable us to enjoy ourselves. We can each give back some of our time in maintaining the mantra. With the fleets continuing to grow in each country, our committee needs your support, and our class needs your support wherever you can offer it.
As I pass on the baton, my final thoughts to the fleet are that I hope to still see each of you at an event, make many new friends along the way, share some excellent sailing at exceptional venues around the world, and mostly, I would like to see continued growth as new generations of Musto sailors come into this wonderful class.
Fair winds and plain sailing.”
Andy Tarboton
Musto Skiff Class International Chairman (2017 – 2022)
[Feature photo: Andy Tarboton (© Bernardí BIBILONI)
