Note – This Sailor’s Forum was held on 24th June 2022 during the ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championship 2022 as part of Kiel Week 2022 (Kiel – Schilksee, Germany)

Attending

Most sailors who attended ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championship 2022 were present.

In addition, International committee members and technical sub-committee members included:

• Andy Tarboton (International Class Chairman & Technical Sub-Committee)
• Jamie Hilton (International Class Treasurer)
• Natalie Hilton (International Marketing & Communications)
• John McAfee (Builders representative)

Apologies for absence received from

• David Rickard (International Class Secretary / Technical Liaison & Technical Sub-Committee Member)
• Chris Turner (Builders Rep & Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee)
• Rob Taylor (Class Measurer & Technical Sub-Committee Member)

Meeting chaired by Andy Tarboton (opened at 18:15)

Sailor’s Forum Agenda:

Agenda:

• A) Sails development project – New mainsail design project
• B) Sails development project – Small sail
• C) Long term event schedule
• D) IMSCA Committee update
• E) AoB

Meeting Minutes:

A) Sails development project – New mainsail design project

1. New mainsail design project update:
   • Ovington arranged development of the sail following class vote to do so (in 2020 Annual Class Survey).
   • Four iterations to date in conjunction with Hyde Sails. Additional input given from sailmakers within the class – GBR’s Peter Greenhalgh and RSA’s Andy Tarboton).
   • No further iterations planned with the latest considered ready for the class to vote on.
2. GBR sailor, Peter Greenhalgh commented as follows:
   • New sail is slightly bigger, approximately by two sheets of A4 equivalent.
   • The sail is flatter, and the draft position and depth more evenly distributed than the current design
   • The new sail seems quicker in wind strengths less than around 12 to 14 knots and probably slower in winds above 20knots owing to increased drag.
3. Builder’s Representative, John Macfee (Ovington) commented as follows:
   • Durability: similar cloth weight and durability expected.
   • Costs will likely be similar, although, costs for sails are going up regardless (market conditions)
   • Stock levels (current mainsail): currently have around 15 existing sails in stock at Ovington, and so will need to order more.
4. General discussion with sailors present on how and when the new sail would be adopted if voted in.
   • A majority preference to ask the class in the forthcoming annual survey at year end and then if voted in, when to formally introduce the sail and how to transition.
   • This would be partly influenced by lead times, but the new mainsail could be introduced as soon as early 2024, with the process and timeline subject to vote.
   • Question raised on what constitutes a defining vote and if this should be 50% or as high as 70% to make the change.

B) Sails development project – Small sail

1. Small sail update
   • Majority (unanimous) preference to introduce the small sail asap
   • Discussion on how best to integrate the small sail to the class. Recognition this needs a further consideration and planning.
2. General comments
   • Both sails were rigged and hoisted for the sailors to view and comment.
   • Ovington will arrange for demo (prototype) sails to be moved around the various fleets to enable more sailors to view and test.

C) Long term event schedule

1. For the 2023 Worlds, the committee has approached both Garda (ITA) and Valencia (ESP). Awaiting firm indications of interest/capacity, with Garda given first preference due to Worlds cancelled event in 2021 (due to Covid restrictions).
2. The committee previously approached Weymouth, but they are unfortunately fully booked for 2023. Hosting the Worlds there in 2024 is looking more likely.
3. The AUS fleet would typically host every third year, but following Covid and recognising the lead times in planning an event, it is felt likely that Jan 2025 is the next potential opportunity for hosting this there.
4. The sailors were asked what other venues they would like to see hosting future World Championships. The responses included: South Africa, Mar Menor (ESP), Cascaise (POR), Silvaplana (SUI), and Como (ITA).
5. The committee reminded sailors that the following considerations are important in deciding future venues:
   • Anticipated number of entrants (which in large part relates to cost of entry/travel, where shipping and fuel costs have rocketed).
   • Supporting growing fleets.
   • Availability/possibility of providing charter boats.
6. A suggestion was made that the Worlds are held every second year to spread the cost of attendance and reduce the carbon footprint of global travel. This could be included in the next class survey.

D) IMSCA Committee Update

1. Andy Tarboton announced his intention to step down from his role as International Class Chairman owing to work commitments and pending fatherhood. Therefore, the class is now seeking a new International Class Chairman.
2. The class committee is also still seeking to fill the vacancy for International Class Secretary. This role is currently under David Rickard.
3. The class committee is also looking for volunteers to join the international class committee to provide additional support with running activities.
4. Please contact the class if you are interested in supporting these positions (in any capacity) as your help will make a real difference. The committee is also encouraging volunteers to come froward from all countries.
5. Descriptions of these roles can be made available along with plans for further publicity of the positions available.

E) AoB

1. World championship racing format
   • It was suggested that 14 races is too many for some sailors, and that a 12 race championship might be preferred. Agreement that this should be voted on in the next class survey.
   • Due to Kiel Week restrictions, no lay days were possible in the 2022 Worlds programme at Kiel (whereas there is usually at least one). Suggestion made to include this question (on whether to include them or not) in the next class survey. 

Sailors Forum meeting closed at 19:30 with some additional time added to view the prototype mainsail and small sail on a boat outside the social tent venue at the end of the forum.

END