Class update article by Paul Newman and Amy Newman
We hope this Australian update finds all fellow MUSTO sailors around the world safe and well.
Since the last update in June, the COVID-19 outlook has been more optimistic for much of Australia, except for those in the state of Victoria, where unfortunately high-level restrictions are still in place.
To flatten the curve of a second wave and to help ensure the state does not yo-yo in and out of restrictions during the Christmas period and beyond, those in Victoria find themselves in an on-going hibernation as the rest of the country resumes a great sense of normality. It has seemed a long road at times, but we are slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as we come into summer and the start of the sailing season.
From a sailing perspective, we remain hopeful that those MUSTO sailors in Victoria can get back out on the water by late November, providing ambitious low infection targets are met. The fact that the MUSTO is a one-man boat could hopefully serve us well to at least get some recreational sailing in this season. One of the biggest obstacles will be if areas of sailing clubs like the change rooms and bar areas can satisfy ‘COVID normal’ requirements. Like everything, it is wait and see at this stage.
The MUSTO National titles with the I-14’s are still booked in at Black Rock Yacht Club in Victoria between
Christmas and New Year, however, it is looking more likely it will be a state title given the tough state and territory border restrictions that are in place. Again, we remain hopeful that by Christmas they will be eased to enable competitors from outside Victoria to participate without any quarantine requirements.
Until then, many sailors have hung up their home school hats (for this term at least) and are preparing their boats and their bodies in anticipation that all Australian MUSTO sailors will be back on the water for the last part of 2020. We hope our next update can share such news.
Photo credit: ACO 9th MUSTO Skiff World Championship 2018, Melbourne (Photo by N Hilton)
