GBR Class update by Euan Hurter
It was a year of transition for the GBR Musto Skiff Class over 2025, with two World Championships in 6 months and changes in the committee. It was also quieter on the formal training front, but we still had a very active season in the UK with 14 Musto Skiff events, attended by 62 sailors, held across the country from as far South as Cornwall up to the North of Inverness
Bolting on a Friday training preceding a UK circuit event has always been well received, and thanks to the support of Noble Marine Insurance, the GBR class was able to recruit Adam Bowers (who has been working with the Musto Skiffs for a few years) for training ahead of the Musto Skiff Open at Castle Cove Sailing Club in May. This event saw 13 Musto’s taking part, with Adam once again driving the sailors through the gears from comfort to fatigue to highlight errors creeping into sailors’ technique as they begin to tire. The focus on boat handling and competence is vital to minimise the chance of mistakes, errors, and accidents, so this kind of training is something we are keen to keep doing for the class.
While we only managed to get in one formal training event during the 2025 season, several of our sailors banded together to do informal training on the Friday leading up to an event. In addition, regular informal weekend training was taking place across the country, especially at the fleet hubs of Stokes Bay, Brightlingsea, Ullswater, and Dalgety Bay.
The Musto Skiff is a boat with a steep learning curve, which is what makes it so much fun to sail, and it is always good to see the class continue the great ethos of helping each other with tips, advice and camaraderie. Additionally, the Class WhatsApp and Facebook groups continue to be hotspots for help and advice, while egging on the enthusiasm across the country!
With the new GBR committee team in place, we have been quick off the mark to finalise our events calendar for the 2026 season. We now have a packed calendar for events and training, and we are also pleased to confirm the continued sponsorship with Noble Marine Insurance, who will be our Event Title Sponsor for this year’s UK National Championship in September, as well as once again supporting our formal training programme for this season.
Here are the latest dates and venues for 2026 UK events and training for the Musto Skiff class:
Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2026
10-13 Sept: East Lothian Yacht Club, North Berwick, Scotland
UK Inland Championship 2026
- 21-22 Mar: Grafham Water Sailing Club (part of Ovington Inlands)
Musto Skiff 2026 Southern Circuit
- 25-26 Apr: Stokes Bay Sailing Club
- 9-10 May: WPNSA
- 27-28 Jun: Medway Yacht Club
- 4-5 Jul: Ullswater Lord Birkett Trophy*
- 29-30 Aug: Stone Sailing Club
- 31 Oct – 1 Nov: Itchenor Sailing Club
Musto Skiff 2026 Scottish & Northern Circuit
- 25-26 Apr: Ullswater Yacht Club
- 15-17 May: Largs Sailing Club
- 4-5 Jul: Ullswater Lord Birkett Trophy*
- 1-2 Aug: Chanonry Sailing Club
- 15-16 Aug: Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club
- 19-20 Sept: Dalgety Bay Sailing Club
*Joint event for Southern Circuit and Scottish & Northern Circuit.
Musto Skiff 2026 Formal Training - Sponsored by Noble Marine Insurance
- 18-19 Apr: Organised training weekend at Ullswater Yacht Club
- 8 May: Organised training day at WPNSA (Pre-Event)
- 9 Sept: Organised training day at East Lothian Yacht Club (Pre-Nationals)
Events can change during the season, so always check with the host sailing club or the GBR class committee closer to the event. Any changed schedules are also often shared on the GBR class member WhatsApp group and Facebook group.
The small Mainsail X will also be a big focus this season, with demo sails available for those who want to try it out both here in the UK and in some other countries. If you are keen, get in touch with anyone in the GBR class committee to find out how to arrange a test sail in the UK or to borrow it for one of our organised event weekends.
The small Mainsail X will also be featured at the upcoming RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026. The Musto Skiff boat will be on display in the Musto clothing section of the P&B stand, with Ovington Boats running a limited special offer deal on any Mainsail X orders placed over the show weekend.
The sailing season will be here before we know it, so get your calendar updated and get ready for a fun season ahead and some great racing!
See you out there!
Euan Hurter
Musto Skiff GBR Chairman
Feature photo: Racing – Musto Skiff UK National Championship 2025 / © Tim Olin
