UK Musto Skiff 2024 Scottish and Northern Series
Article by Jono Shelley
After a series of excellent events spanning Ullswater, North Berwick, Filey, Chanonry, and Dalgety Bay, Euan Hurter has been crowned the 2024 Scottish and Northern Skiff Series Champion (best 4 from 5 events) on the back of his 2023 series victory. Danny Boatman and Jono Shelley were tied on points for second place (Danny getting the nod based on his far superior position in the Musto Skiff Nationals at Filey), and Jamie Hilton finished the series in third overall.
The season started with a bumper turnout of 26 boats at Ullswater, with Sam Pascoe—the National and World Champion in waiting—taking a convincing victory over Rob Richardson and Danny Boatman. Danny then found blistering form at a windy East Lothian (the fleet still counting their blessings that the Bass Rock race couldn’t be started due to the committee boat dragging its anchor), with Jono in second and Euan in third.
The Musto Skiff UK National Championship at the excellent host club in Filey saw Sam Pascoe win again, with Euan showing his form as the best of those in the mix for the Scottish and Northern Championship.
The fleet then headed to the 70+ boat Musto Skiff World Championship down at WPNSA in July, where regulars on the Scottish and Northern circuit showed that the standard of racing ‘up North’ is as good as it gets, with Danny Boatman coming in third overall and Dan Trotter in fifth overall.
Back up to Scotland after the summer, and Euan took the win from Jamie Hilton and Ian Trotter at the class favourite event in Chanonry. Jono then won from Euan at what turned out to be the last event of the year in Dalgety Bay in an incredibly tight event with all the top boats present.
With the series now all extremely close between the leading protagonists, it was unfortunate that the big final show down at Largs for the Championship and Scottish and Northern Skiff Nationals 2024 had to be cancelled by the host club. Accordingly, the decision has been made by the GBR committee to host two Scottish and Northern Skiff National Championships at the start and end of the 2025 season. Now, that will be an excellent incentive for some great early and late season racing in 2025!
Details for the planned circuit events for 2025 will be announced soon, but for now, big, big congratulations to Euan Hurter for his stellar victory in the 2024 Scottish and Northern circuit.
Feature image: Euan Hurter / Image by © Tim Olin
