Event Update: June 29th 2021
GBR Class Association and Worlds Event Organising Committee update on the ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships 2021
It is with much regret that the Musto Skiff Class Association (MSCA) has confirmed that the ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships in Italy is now cancelled due to COVID-19 uncertainty and on-going challenges with international travel restrictions.
As the most prestigious event in the calendar, the Musto Skiff World Championship events typically attract between 70 and 100 participants from across the globe. This year’s event was due to be hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva in partnership with the GBR Musto Skiff Class Association at Lake Garda over 27th September – 3rd October 2021.
Over the past few months, the MSCA has been working closely with Fraglia Vela Riva to monitor the pandemic situation and plan the event accordingly. However, with continued uncertainty around travel restrictions and new variants, the event organising committee decided to conduct a class survey on likely attendance.
The class survey, which ran for 1 week in mid-June, attracted over 100 responses from the global fleets. In response to the question on plans to enter the 2021 Worlds in September, only 22% were prepared to book entry at this time. Most of the reasons for not committing to enter related to uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee acknowledges that the decision to cancel the 2021 Worlds may cause inconvenience for those who have already booked holiday, transport, or accommodation. However, given the results of the class survey and the complexities of hosting an international event during the on-going pandemic, the event organising committee was unanimous in their decision to cancel.
Commenting on the cancelled event, Chairman of the GBR Musto Skiff Class Association, Ben Schooling, said: “We are incredibly sad to be cancelling this year’s Worlds, and we know that this decision will be very disappointing for the class, and all involved. We’ve been doing everything possible to try and keep the event in our calendar, including postponing it by a few months in the hope that this would allow more time for the pandemic situation to improve.
However, in recent weeks, the event organising committee has had growing concerns about the entry numbers and the impact of travel restrictions and new variants. The class survey indicated low confidence to enter, which is totally understandable given the continued uncertainty around COVID-19. As it stands, we felt we had little option, but to cancel at this point.”
As a long-term sponsor of the Musto Skiff World Championship events, this year would have been the 11th event sponsored by ACO Group, the world market leader in drainage technology. All efforts of the MSCA, in association with ACO Group and class sponsor, Musto, will now be focussed on planning the 2022 Worlds event for the class.
Executive Chairman of ACO Group, Iver Ahlmann, said: “As the main sponsor of the World Championships, we are very sad that our customers will not be able to experience the foaming waves and the exciting racing at Lake Garda this year. The element of water connects ACO and the Musto Skiff in our DNA, so we are looking forward to taking our customers on board again in 2022.”
Commenting on future event planning, Ben Schooling said: “We would like to thank all involved in the planning of this year’s Worlds event. Whilst the cancellation of this event is very disappointing, we will certainly be exploring options to host another Worlds at Lake Garda when this pandemic is behind us. It is a fantastic venue for sailing and Fraglia Vela Riva is a great sailing club. The Musto Skiff class will definitely return.”
For any questions on the cancellation of the ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships, class members can contact the event organising team at worlds@mustoskiff.com
Photo by © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk
