Class Update by Bill Maughan
Article updated on 28/03/23 – Date change for Itchenor Firecracker Open, Itchenor SC (previously 11/12 Nov but now confirmed as 4/5 Nov)
The latest event schedule for the GBR Musto Skiff 2023 season is now available with 13 events planned across the UK for both the Southern circuit and Northern and Scottish circuit fleets. The UK National Championships is also confirmed for Restronguet SC in late September, and before this, the class will compete in their 2023 World Championships in Torbole, Lake Garda, alongside the B14s.
The Musto’s are also planning to join several mixed class events in the UK over 2023, including the Rutland Skiff Open, Kielder Water May Dam to Dam Race, and the Lord Birkett, to name a few. Many of these events are regular favourites in the class calendar.
For the planned circuit events, the best of four events will count, with a Southern Circuit Title, Northern & Scottish Circuit Title, and overall GBR Circuit Title up for grabs.
In 2022, Jono Shelley was the Northern and Scottish Circuit Title winner, with Dan Vincent winning the Title for the Southern Circuit. The overall GBR Circuit Title ended up being a close call between Jono and Dan, but in the final event of the year, (the Itchenor Firecracker Open), Dan bagged the points he needed to win the well-deserved GBR crown.
Other notable highlights over the year included Peter Greenhalgh kicking off the 2022 season with a win at the Ovington Inland Championship at Grafham Water Sailing Club. His win was described as a ‘confident and rust-free performance’, setting the bar high for the events that followed.
Another sailor who is impressively rust-free is Serega Samus who celebrated turning 60 at the Inlands event. This milestone birthday was a surprise to many, as he does not seem to lose any fitness (or age!) from season to season. It must be all those press ups and medicine balls that he juggles at the weekend! (#TrueStory)
Sam Pascoe also comfortably held on to his National Championship trophy at the sunny Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club for the 2022 UK Nationals in early September. This was despite a very impressive performance from rival and former National Champion title holder, Bruce Keen, who finished in 2nd place. The UK Nationals also showed the spread of talent across the nation, with the top 10 places including an even split of 5 sailors from each circuit.
A special mention also goes to Dylan Noble, who was the overall event winner of the 60th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy and the first Musto Skiff to cross the finish line. After growing up at Ullswater and learning to sail there, Dylan is now the third generation of his family to win the much sought-after trophy.
Last, but not least, Northerner, Mike Matthews, makes the 2022 highlights list for braving the October weather in Scotland with a last-minute decision to join the Scottish and Northern Skiff National Championships at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club. Mike started well in the first race with a bullet and then proceeded to maintain his lead just ahead of Ben Schooling by consistently picking the first beat shifts well, giving him a clear turn of pace across the conditions. After Mike’s steady performance, he finished in first place overall to win the 2022 Scottish Skiff Nationals Trophy.
Chomping at the bit to get the 2023 season underway, the GBR class has already put on their thermal wetsuits to get some early training in this January with several of the Musto’s getting involved in the recent Bloody Mary event as part of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series.
As it stands, it is looking like another great year ahead for Musto Skiff events in the UK. The following dates and venues are confirmed as follows:
GBR Class Northern & Scottish circuit (best 4 events to count):
- 1 / 2 April – Skiff Open, Yorkshire Dales SC
- 22 / 23 April – 2023 Daffodil Regatta, Ullswater YC
- 20 / 21 May – Largs SC One Design Regatta 2023, Largs SC (pre-event training Fri 19th May)
- 3 / 4 June – ELYC Regatta 2022 (North Berwick), East Lothian YC
- 17 / 18 June – Musto Skiff circuit event, Sunderland YC (pre-event training Fri 16th June)
- 5 / 6 August – Open Dinghy Regatta, Chanonry SC (pre-event training Fri 4th August)
- 21 / 22 October – Scottish Skiffs Regatta, Dalgety Bay SC
GBR Class Southern circuit (best 4 events to count):
- 29 / 30 April – Musto Skiff Open, Stokes Bay SC
- 13 / 14 May – Musto Skiff circuit event, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy
- June – Musto Skiff circuit event, Rutland SC (TBC)
- 12 / 13 August – Lymington Dinghy Regatta, Lymington Town SC
- 21 / 22 October – Musto Skiff Open Meeting, Brightlingsea SC
- 4 / 5 November – Itchenor Firecracker Open, Itchenor SC (note date change)
UK National Championships 2023:
- 21 to 24 September – UK National Championships, Restronguet SC
International World Championships:
- 15 to 21 July – 12th ACO Musto Skiff World Championships 2023, Torbole, Lake Garda
The Musto Skiff class also typically attend the following non-circuit events:
- 4 / 5 March – RSC Skiff Open, Rutland SC
- 18 / 19 March – Ovington inlands, Grafham Water SC
- 30 April / 1 May – Kielder Water May Dam to Dam Race, Kielder Water Sailing Club
- 1 / 2 July – The 61st Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy 2023, Ullswater YC
The latest 2023 event schedule may be subject to change, so sailors are encouraged to always contact their local class association representatives or check the GBR Class Facebook Group for the most up to date event details.
For the full Musto Skiff class event calendar and long-term event schedule visit the class association website: https://mustoskiff.com/class-events/event-schedule/
[Feature photo: Musto Skiffs racing at the 2022 UK Nationals (© Tim Olin)]
