LIFE
MEMBERS
Life Members of the MUSTO Skiff Class Association are voted in by the class association committee in recognition of their contribution to the MUSTO Skiff Class.
Joachim Harpprecht (awarded 2005)
Without Joachim, there would be no MUSTO Skiff. He had the vision to design a boat, which at the time, most people considered unsailable. The original concept was tested and developed to the final product, which is available to all and sailed by many the world over. Thanks Joachim for designing such a great boat.
Read more on the history of the MUSTO Skiff class here.
Nigel Musto (awarded 2005)
Nigel spotted Joachim’s “crazy” design at a boat show and was the catalyst for the class bringing the designer together with Tim Tavinor and Paul Manning from Victor Boats who assisted in the product testing and design for manufacture. Nigel continues to support the class through MUSTO Performance Clothing Ltd.
Read more on the history of the MUSTO Skiff class here.
Paul Manning (awarded 2009)
At the time of this award, Paul Manning was elected through a 100% vote by the MSCA Committee as a Life Member of the MSCA in recognition of his contribution to the class. Paul’s day-to-day involvement in the class/business changed over the years as a result of the sale of the project by Victor Boats to Ovington Boats, and the Life Member award was a good way to recognise his contribution. Paul always worked tirelessly for the class and its members, often going beyond the call of what many would think as reasonable. For fellow committee member, Rick Perkins, the best example of this was when Paul arrived at Garda after driving for a whole day to hear that the boys from Newcastle had suffered a big trailer breakdown somewhere near Metz (a loooooong way from Garda). Without any question, Paul climbed into the van with Tony Ainsworth and drove to Metz; picked up the hung-over Geordies and then drove to Garda! He was bit sleepy on arrival … This is just one of many tales of Paul helping individuals. Thanks Paul for all your efforts over the years, including your involvement as the MSCA secretary and the provision of regatta support under contract to Ovingtons.
View more comments from the class here.
Rick Perkins (awarded 2010)
At the time of this award, Rick had tirelessly worked for 9 years with the class, providing one of the best class websites and media support packages of any class at that time. The monthly e-newsletters were a huge success under Rick, and the annual sailor survey is still the only one of its kind in dinghy sailing, having only been copied by classes such as the Melges 24. Rick also managed and contributed to the class forum and all the social media channels for several years under his role in class marketing communications. Rick was also the event organiser of the very successful UK Nationals in 2008 and has, over the years, organised and led a number of class training events. In addition Rick was also the National Champion in 2007.
Richard Stenhouse (awarded 2010)
KIT Stenhouse (awarded 2010)
Richard and Kit need little introduction, and have been at the front of developing the rig set up and coaching / training events that have made sharing and helping information the norm for our class. This has meant that many of you have mastered sailing the boat in a lot less time and had a lot more fun than you would have had if you had done it on your own. They also produced the K16 DVD, which remains to be a fantastic resource for the class. Richard is, of course, also a multiple champion in the class.
Tim Chapman (awarded 2012)
Tim was one for the forming members of the class association in 1999, and at the time of this award, he had remained as the class “money man” since 1999… putting in a 13 year shift and counting by the time he was made a Life Member. As a member of the class association for such a long period, Tim has provided crucial guidance as the class has grown from nothing to the large international class that it is today. At the time of the award, Tim was the only person who had competed in EVERY MUSTO Skiff UK National Championship ever held, which was 12 UK National Championships at that point of this award. He had also attended 11 European, Worlds & Gold Cups only ever missing two… that is some support!
Roger Oswald (awarded 2014)
Roger has been involved in the class since the very first Gold Cup at Lake Garda in 2001. He was the driving force behind the development of the class in Switzerland and has run class coaching every year on Lake Cham. Roger is also known as Mr. EuroCup, topping the 100 boat series from 2010-2013. Along with the other team members, Roger helped at the 2008 St.Moritz World Championships and his sunny disposition matched the stunning weather the class enjoyed.
Iver Ahlmann (awarded 2014)
Iver was introduced to the class at a very cold Rutland winter training camp. This didn’t put him off and he was soon working with other German sailors to set up a strong German fleet. Iver is an excellent international ambassador, ideal for the post of chairman, which he took up in 2010. During his chairmanship, he oversaw the inaugural World Championships outside Europe, a 105 boat World Championships at Weymouth, the class’s entry into the annually held Kieler Woche, and the introduction of the EuroCup series.
Richard Ekberg (awarded 2014)
Richard was the driving force behind the inaugural Australian World Championships at Black Rock Yacht Club in January 2011. The event was a great success. With 29 overseas visitors and a strong home contingent, Richard and his team managed a memorable and well run championship. People often say that you should be part of the organising team of at least one major championships in your sailing career, but not only has Richard done this, he has also voluntarily managed the import of the MUSTO Skiff class into Australia.
Ian Renilson (awarded 2017)
Ian was at the forefront of the class in the early days of its growth and was instrumental in its growth in Scotland. He helped with R&D product development and was also key to introducing the class to Australia through his contacts and friends from the Contender class, which led to the inaugural Australian World Championships at Black Rock, Melbourne – Australia. Ian was also a fierce competitor in the class scoring a number of memorable results including finishing 4th in the first official world championships using a set of sails that were so well worn yet still proved to be good enough if you had the right helmsman. Ian has also provided a whole generation of sailors with coaching and guidance and has also been the star of a number of YouTube sensations of which this is our favourite … not only for the action but also the soundtrack … It now has over 20,000 views and counting!
