Musto Skiff sailor, Matthias Houvenagel, has been sailing in the class since late 2016, and recently showed his prowess in the skiff at Lake Garda, taking the World Championship title back to his home in Australia.
Whilst representing Australia at the 2023 Worlds as his much loved ‘home’ country, Matthias is a French born sailor currently based at Port Melbourne Yacht Club with experience across a range of classes and boats. He started sailing at just 8 years old, cruising in his family’s yacht for most of his youth and racing in multiple different boats including the Optimist, Laser (Radial and full rig), F18, Etchells, and big boats inshore/offshore during different parts of his life.
Now aged 35, and with a Musto Skiff World Championship Title in his pocket, Matthias has his sights set on the 2024 Australian Nationals, which is taking place in a couple of weeks at Safety Beach Sailing Club on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
We caught up with Matthias to find out what preparation he has done since the Worlds to get ready for his Nationals, and what his predictions are for the podium places.
Q1: It’s been a busy few months for you since the 2023 Worlds, having topped off a great year of sailing with getting married! Congratulations! What preparations, if any, have you made to get ready for the upcoming 2024 Australian Nationals?
Unfortunately, I’ve only had three sails since the Worlds in July. I’ve had to manage a few different priorities (our son, our wedding, work, and boat work). Nevertheless, I am hoping to use the new square top mainsail and I’ll start thinking about what to do with it between Christmas and new year’s. It’s most likely going to be solo sailing, so the first day of the Nationals is going to be my first speed test with it.
Q2: Have you set yourself a target for the 2024 Nationals? Where are you hoping to finish?
Thats a hard one. I’ve never won a regatta in Australia in the Musto Skiff. The last few years I’ve always finished second. I’d love to back up the Worlds with another win, however, my lack of training and the uncertainty of the new square top mainsail means my hope is really a podium finish.
Q3: Who will you be looking out for during the 2024 Australian Nationals? Who are the hot contenders for the podium?
Weather will play a big factor; we are very lucky in Australia to have some great sailors with very different body shapes ranging from 73kg to 110kg and they can all sail their boats to the max.
If I have to pick the top 3: Paul and Jon Newman and Richie Robertson. You can add Marcus Hamilton, Will Phillips and Tim Hill if they enter.
Q4: You travelled to Europe this year to compete in the ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championship. Congratulations on your 2023 Worlds Title win! Following major regattas, we often ask the top sailors about their rig settings. For the 2023 Worlds, what rig settings did you use? (To put this into context, what is your height and what was your body weight at the event?).
For my height and weight at the Worlds, I am 184cm (just over 6 ft) and I was 85kg. My rig settings are:
Spreader lengths 400mm and 95mm deflection.
Rake 2140 (1m up from the main track)
Stays 30
Lower 13.5
Q5: What advice would you give to sailors in the class who are considering attending a major event like a Musto Skiff Nationals or a Worlds?
Asking tips from fellow sailors, the class is great for that.
Keep your strategy simple if you are not yet in full control of the boat.
Follow your step-by-step during manoeuvres, but to do that, you need to keep your head out of the boat to allow you time.
And most importantly, racing will speed up your learning curve so jump into it.
Q6: Finally, what are you looking forward to most for the 2024 season, and why?
The new fast looking square top mainsail spices things a bit, which is cool, so I’m looking forward to learning a few things about it.
In 2024, I hope to get a few sailors interested to sail for my home club (PMYC) with the Worlds coming to Australia in early 2025. It’s always a great time in a fleet with fresh recruits. I bought my first Musto Skiff for the 2018 Worlds in Blairgowrie in Australia, and I have never looked back.
The 2024 Australian National Championship will be hosted at Safety Beach Sailing Club (SBSC) over 4th – 7th January 2024 (as part of Skiff Fest 24 over 2nd – 7th January). For more information, including the NOR and entry, see the host venue website noticeboard here >>
Photos by ©Annamaria Ramy (Musto Skiff 2023 World Championships, Lake Garda)
