Class Update from the International Musto Skiff Class Association Committee
As we near the end of the year, the International Musto Skiff Class Association (MSCA) Committee wanted to take the opportunity to update everyone on the latest information we have for our Musto Skiff 2022 event schedules.
Firstly, a huge thank you to all the country representatives and the many class volunteers around the world that work hard every year to ensure maximum fun is had by all each season with a full schedule of events. This has been made even more challenging by the on-going uncertainty of the pandemic across the world, but with some optimism and a glass half-full mentality, we are all staying upbeat and looking forward to safely enjoying some more sailing together over next year.
We are pleased to announce that country representatives and committee members for our many Musto Skiff fleets across the globe are actively planning some great event schedules for 2022 – and some have already confirmed their plans.
Read on to find out what’s happening in the UK, France and Australia, and some of our other countries with active Musto Skiff fleets.
GBR Class Event Schedule 2022
The GBR Class Committee was first off the mark with sharing their planned events for next season. UK Fixture Class Representatives, Dave Poston and Jono Shelley have been working hard over the past few weeks to plan and book a full event schedule for both the Southern Circuit and Northern Circuit.
At the time of publishing this class update, here is the latest on the planned UK events for 2022, starting from late March with the Grafham Inlands:
GBR Class Southern Circuit Events:
- 26/27 March – Grafham Inlands
- 23/24 April – Stokes Bay Open
- 21/22 May – Weymouth Open, WPNSA
- 11/12 June – Lee on Solent
- 1 – 4 Sept – UK Nationals – Eastbourne
- 1/2 Oct – Medway Open
- 22/23 Oct – Chew Valley Open
- 5/6 Nov – Itchenor (tbc)
GBR Class Northern Circuit Events:
- 9/10 April – Yorkshire Dales Open
- 23/24 April – Ullswater Open
- 21/22 May – Largs Open
- 4/5 June – North Berwick (tbc)
- 5/6/7 Aug – Chanonry Open (Friday is informal racing / training)
- 27/28 Aug – Derwent (tbc)
- 23/24 Oct – Dalgety Bay
- September / Oct (date tbc) – Sunderland (tbc)
Some UK events are still to be confirmed, and dates may be subject to change, so look out for the latest event updates on the International Class Facebook Page and the regional GBR Class Facebook group.
For those in the UK that can’t wait until the new season, the Selden Sailjuice Winter Series offers an opportunity for some fun and competitive racing to keep you going over the winter (if you are brave enough!). There are currently 8 events remaining over December 2021 to February 2022. Find out more here.
FRA Class Event Schedule 2022
The FRA Class Committee has also been working hard to plan a full event schedule for next season. Alexandre Emanuel and Yoann Justeau have pulled together a fantastic event schedule with lots of big regattas for the Musto Skiff class to get involved in, promising some of the best competitive racing in the region.
The confirmed dates will be shared on the class event calendar in the coming weeks, but at the time of publishing this article, here is a preview of what’s to come for France in 2022:
- Easter 16 – 18 April – Lac du Der France Open Skiff Ufolep
- 07 – 09 May – Teignouse-Cup AsnQuiberon
- 18/19 June – The MOST Lac Monteynard
- 25/26 June – Skiff en T’Rance St Suliac
- 03/04 Sept – Trophée BSP Carnac
- 11/12 Sept – Skiff en Vallee de Joux (SUI)
- 15/16 Oct – Berre y Skiff Etang de Berre
- 29 Oct – 01 Nov – Armisiff ( Grand lacs Bordeaux) (End of season)
Musto Skiff sailors from neighbouring countries often attend the FRA events, and all are welcome to attend, provided it is safe to travel between countries and all COVID-19 restrictions, guidance, and regional laws are adhered to.
Global Class Event Schedules for 2022 - Australia
Elsewhere in the world, Musto Skiff sailors in Australian made the most of the lockdown restrictions easing across many parts of the country from mid-October.
With most restrictions being eased for fully vaccinated people, and several cities coming out of very long lockdown periods, sailing was soon back on the agenda for the Australian fleets.
We are hearing from the Australian Class Association reps that second-hand boat sales are starting to move again, with some new faces joining the AUS class, and in mid-November, the Queensland Musto Skiffs were ‘out in force’ for an afternoon of fun on the water. After some of the strictest and longest lockdowns, this was a very welcoming site to see. Thanks to Lachlan Pearman for sharing the photos on the Australian Class Facebook Group.
Whilst the AUS Class event schedule is still being finalised, we were also very pleased to confirm in October this year that the Musto Skiff Australian National Championships will go ahead on 2nd – 7th January 2022 in NSW at Illawarra Yacht Club (IYC). The NOR has already been released, and you can follow the latest updates for this event and more in the Australian Facebook Group.
Global Class Event Schedules for 2022 - Europe & Other Countries
All other countries with active Musto Skiff fleets are yet to release their event schedules for the 2022 season, but we are encouraging all of them to confirm what they can and share their planned event schedules as soon as possible.
We know that class members need to plan calendars for next year, and we also know that sailors in other classes will be watching what we do to see how active we are in their local region before they get a Musto Skiff and join us. However, current times are challenging with countries at different stages with lockdowns and uncertainty with the pandemic, so please bear with us and remember that everyone is doing this for the class in their own time as volunteers.
This is also a good point to remind all of you that we are continuing to get interest to join the class each month, but boats in some countries are proving hard to come by whilst the team at Ovington Boats work around the clock to get the next batch of Musto Skiffs ready for the class.
So, if you have a spare Musto Skiff sitting somewhere in a sailing club that would get a new lease of life with a new owner, please don’t leave it there unloved! Sell it, or loan it, to someone else, and help to bring new sailors and members into your local fleets.
If you are a current class member, you can list your boat for free on the class website here.
2022 ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships - Germany
Looking ahead to next year, we know that everyone in the class is very keen for the confirmed dates and details of the planned 2022 ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships (third time lucky, surely!).
We can confirm that Germany (GER) will be hosting, and it is looking likely to be in late June 2022. We are just finalising dates and the venue details. We hope to be able to share the ‘save the date’ with you all in the coming weeks, so you can plan your attendance.
With double celebrations missed due to the lockdowns and restrictions over 2020 and 2021, we will have a (slightly delayed!) 20-year class association anniversary and a 10-year sponsorship milestone with ACO to celebrate – so, expect this Worlds to be super special!
Stay Safe and Sail Safely into 2022….
Finally, in the current climate with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please be reminded that dates for all events in every country have the potential for postponement, cancellation, or changes, so always look out for the latest event updates on the International Class Facebook Page, and your regional Facebook groups.
We all want to continue sailing and keep our sailing clubs open, so please take all the necessary steps to keep yourself and others safe.
As the sailing season wraps up in some countries and ramps up in others, the International MSCA Committee wishes you and your families all a good and happy close to the year, and we hope to see everyone enjoying their Musto Skiffs for events, training, class activities, and fun over 2022 and beyond.
Happy sailing all!
The International MSCA Committee
For the latest event schedules, see here.
You can also get the latest status from your local country representative. Find out who to get in touch with here.
Feature Photo: © BernardíBIBILONI, 2017 / www.bernardibibiloni.com / All rights reserved.
