Report by Alexander Greil und Viviane Mouron
We are standing straight in our trapeze, surfing high-speed over the water with a very bright smile. The feeling you have when you are surfing down the waves with the gennaker is indescribable. It compensates for the times when we swim with the gennaker, we can’t shift correctly, the capsizes steal our last muscle forces, or when our knee protectors are our best friends.
Afterwards, we tune our boats, talking together about sailing with beer and pizza, and chat cheerful ‘till midnight. We know the thermal wind will arrive each day at lunch and our sailing skills will improve every day.
Where have we been and what was going on?
For the second time, the Swiss Musto Skiff Association organised a training week for skiff sailors. This year, it took place in Dongo at Lake Como in Italy. We stayed at the beautiful Camping Magic Lake directly situated next to the beach. The aim of the training was to give beginners the support they needed for good progress, as well as provide the opportunity for the more experienced sailors to prepare for their regatta season, and just have lots of fun sailing together.
The initiative by Alexander Greil attracted plenty of motivated people. Some days we had up to 14 sailors from Germany, France and Switzerland. Next to the Musto Skiff, there were also a 49er FX, a 29er, a Laser, a 14 Footer, a RS Aero and a Light Skiff. This diverse group of people with very different requirements supported each other very nicely, so there was a very joyful and motivated atmosphere. For example, Stéphane told me that he feels very comfortable in the Musto-family. The shared fascination for this beautiful, but challenging, sport leads to a strong bond between the sailors and could also overcome the language barriers.
These good conditions with daily constant thermal winds with 3-5bf, sunshine, mild temperatures and a wonderful landscape enabled much learning progress in a short time.
Thanks to all the participants. It was a very nice week!
We are ready for the World Championship. Are you, too?
See you all in Kiel!
Greetings from Switzerland
Alexander Greil und Viviane Mouron
Feature Photo: Alex Greil – SUI class (Credit: © Bruno & Marianne Perren)
