** Event Update – February 2023 **
ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championships 2023
Hosted at Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy
15 – 21 July 2023
Class Update by International Musto Skiff Class Association
The International Musto Skiff Class Association is looking forward to a fantastic World Championship regatta in Lake Garda this summer, hosted by Circolo Vela Torbole. The dates for the ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championships 2023 are confirmed for 15 – 21 July and will include a pre-Worlds practice race day, immediately followed by five days of Championship racing – and plenty of after sailing socials at the sailing club venue!
The annual regatta provides a unique opportunity for Musto Skiff sailors from around 28 countries to come together for top class racing to determine the World Champion Title, which is currently held by GBR sailor, Rick Peacock. Previous World Championships have attracted between 70 and 100 skiffs, including sailors representing several countries within Europe, the UK, Australia, South Africa, and the USA.
As it stands, the 2023 Worlds race schedule is being planned as follows:
- Sat 15th July – Pre-Worlds practice racing / registration and measurement / opening ceremony
- Sun 16th July – Day 1 of World Championship
- Mon 17th July – Day 2 of World Championship
- Tues 18th July – Day 3 of World Championship
- Wed 19th July – Lay day (flexible based on weather conditions)
- Thurs 20th July – Day 4 of World Championship
- Fri 21st July – Day 5 of World Championship / Closing ceremony and prize giving
This regatta will be the 12th World Championship for the Musto Skiff class, and the fifth time that the class has held a major Championship in North Lake Garda, having last raced there for a Worlds in 2015.
Commenting on this year’s planned event, International Class Chairman, Danny Boatman, said: “We are delighted to announce this fantastic regatta in such a stunning location. The team have worked incredibly hard to make this happen and have scheduled a superb event both on and off the water. This is one not to miss and I look forward to seeing you all there.”
The class is also very pleased to confirm that long-term World Championship sponsor, ACO, the global market leader in drainage technology, will be the Event Title sponsor for 2023. Having celebrated a 10-year milestone of sponsorship at the 2022 Worlds in Kiel last June, this will be the 11th year that ACO has supported the class as a major event sponsor.
How to Enter the 2023 Worlds
The 2023 Worlds is open to all Musto Skiff class members and entry fees are anticipated to be around 400 Euro for early entry, 450 Euro for standard entry, and 480 Euro for late entry (provisional fees).
To support the growing number of youths in the class, the international class association has also confirmed that they will fund a youth discount for this year’s Worlds. Any Musto Skiff sailor who is 25 years or under (as of 01/01/2023) will be entitled to a scaled 50% discount on their entry fee.
Entry fees will include full participation in the Musto Skiff Worlds, all organised social dinners for the class, after sailing snacks for sailors, and an exclusive event t-shirt provided by the class Title Sponsor, Musto. In addition, a wide range of prizes will be awarded to sailors in the winning categories featuring some of the latest sailing kit and clothing by Musto.
More details for the race schedule, organised social activities and confirmed entry fees will be released in the coming weeks, with a view to opening event registration in late March.
The class association has also just launched an official class event page for the 2023 Worlds to share useful event information and document links as they become available. This will be updated regularly and can now be accessed at: https://mustoskiff.com/2023-worlds-event/
Getting There and Loaned Boat Options for Entrants
With some sailors travelling from further afield, the class association will be actively helping to connect Musto Skiff sailors to arrange boats on loan where needed, as well as encouraging shared transportation for boats to keep travel costs down and stay mindful of the environmental impact of travel.
Those looking for more information on connecting with other class members for loaned boats available for the regatta, can contact the class association by email via worlds@mustoskiff.com. The class Facebook Groups are also a great place to start conversations and find support from other class members who may be attending. The class currently has a range of active Facebook groups for each region, and an international class Facebook Group.
Accommodation Options for Torbole
Finally, for accommodation, there are several campsites within Nago-Torbole and lots of options via the usual online hotel booking websites. The Circolo Vela Torbole sailing club has also provided some useful local accommodation suggestions for sailors on their website. More details can be found here: https://www.circolovelatorbole.com/en/p/hotel
The event is shaping up to be an epic World Championship in one of the most stunning locations for a sailing regatta, so whether you are a long-standing class member, new to the class, or seriously tempted to sail a Musto Skiff and join this major regatta, the class association and Circolo Vela Torbole look forward to welcoming you all to a great sailing competition in Lake Garda.
