Article by the International Musto Skiff Class Association
GBR sailor Jono Shelley is no stranger to a Musto Skiff, having sailed in the fleet for the last ten years, and with two podium finishes at the UK Nationals and a top five at the 2022 Worlds in Kiel, he is most certainly someone that everyone looks out for on the water. He is now preparing for his next big championship—the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds in Sydney—and with the determination and talent to be up there with the best of the best, adding a Worlds title to his list of accolades is high on his agenda.
Getting to know Jono Shelley….
Jono first started sailing at around age five, but he only really found a love for the sport when he started ‘crewing’ for a friend in a topper some years later, aged 12. Jono recalls that his friend was too short (isn’t everyone next to Jono!), so he did all the hard work. As a result, he learned a lot about sailing very quickly before moving on to explore other classes, including the Laser, RS400, SB3, VXOne, J109, and, of course, the Musto Skiff.
Jono is currently based in Scotland, with his home club being Largs Sailing Club. He is also a long-standing member at Ullswater Yacht Club, arguably his spiritual home, which he regularly frequents with his family for long weekends to sail his many boats and enjoy the Lakes.
Ullswater Yacht Club is also the host of the infamous Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, which is the one regatta that remains a monkey on his back. Commenting on coming close to a win in major regattas, but no cigar, Jono said, “I have come every place in the top 10 at the Lord Birkett Trophy other than 1st!! I was second again this year!! It hurts. This compounds the pain of 3 successive second-place finishes in the SB3 at Cowes Week when the fleets were over 100 strong.”
However, while Jono is still chasing those elusive titles in the Musto Skiff, he has found his flair in other classes. Most notably, he has been the VXOne National Champion three times and won the VX European Gold Cup twice. He’s also won the Champion of Champions (the Scottish Endeavour), been an SB3 Australian National Champion winner, and come third overall in the DZero National Championships. Jono has also recently started racing a J109 in the RC35 Class with his brother and a few of his friends, including Musto Skiff sailors, and has won the series overall for the last two seasons.
With so much breadth to his sailing and a clearly competitive mindset, it begs the question: Is it Jono’s turn to be the bride this year in Sydney?
The Musto Skiff is a challenging boat to learn and master. Is there anything that you still find challenging about sailing it?
Thankfully, I am past the learnings that make you swim regularly, but it is a constant challenge to get the best out of the boat, especially with the new sail, and to improve the conversion of manoeuvres. I generally feel quick upwind in most conditions, arriving at the windward mark first on a number of occasions at this year’s Worlds, but I have work to do on my downwind pace to stay there!
This was your first season back in the Musto Skiff after an Achilles injury last year. How are you feeling being back in the boat, and what preparations have you made to get ready for the upcoming Worlds in Sydney?
It is great to be back! I didn’t do any skiff sailing in 2023, and I really missed it. The Achilles is now feeling strong, and my boat handling is starting to get back to where I want it. I had a mixed Worlds in Weymouth with some great results, but also some very shoddy ones! Since then, I have tried to get out on the water as much as possible, and there have been a couple of events up North where the racing has been top class with the likes of Euan Hurter, Jamie Hilton, and Danny Boatman really pushing each other on. I am going to keep trying to get out despite the winter weather and I am working on my fitness, so I will hopefully turn up as ready as possible.
What do you enjoy most about sailing the Musto Skiff?
The boat is an absolute hoot to sail in any breeze, and in my view, the talent across the fleet and quality of racing means it is one of the highest standard amateur classes out there. Once off the water, the camaraderie and sharing make it stand out above other classes. I often bring the whole family to events; they will also be in Sydney with me, and they are made to feel very welcome. There are also loads of people who put in proper effort behind the scenes to keep promoting the class and to organise excellent events in awesome locations. I get to go sailing with my best mates—it’s hard to beat that.
The 2025 Worlds venue is Woollahra Sailing Club, which overlooks Sydney Harbour. Have you sailed on Sydney Harbour before? What are you looking forward to the most about sailing there?
I won an SB3 event in Sydney Harbour some years ago. What an experience it was sailing in such an iconic location surrounded by famous landmarks—I am really looking forward to doing it again. Sydney Harbour is a unique challenge, with all of the other traffic and obstructions on the harbour adding to the many things to think about! I hope the 18ft skiffs are about racing too—I am very keen for a joyride!
Finally, what are your predictions for the 2025 Worlds, and where are you hoping to finish?
My target is a top 5, but with the quality in the fleet, anywhere in the top half would be a great result! I expect, as usual, the Aussie guys will be right on it. Matthias won in Garda in 2023 against the best Europe has to offer, and Jon Newman is always right at the front in the big events. From the UK fleet, there are loads of fast ferrets to choose from: Rob Richardson, Danny Boatman, Andy ‘Turbo’ Tarboton (if Pete Greenhalgh turns up he will be near the front), oh, and some guy called Shelley; watch out for him….
About the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025 will be hosted at Woollahra Sailing Club in Sydney, Australia, from 2nd to 10th January 2025. For full event details, see here, or go directly to the host venue website to download the NOR and enter. Standard entry is available until 30th November 2024.
The 2025 Worlds is supported by the main sponsor, ACO, in addition to supporting sponsor J&J Robertson and Sons, in partnership with ANJ Container Services, and event partners Musto, Ovington Boats, and the B14 Class, who will be hosting their own World Championship during the same event week.
Look out for our next class sailor interview with Alexander Greil, who will be representing Switzerland at the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds in January.
Feature image: Jono Shelley at the ACO 8th MUSTO Skiff World Championship 2017 in Palma (© Bernardi Bibiloni))
