Photo credits: Russell Bates
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, has been Casey Bates home club since his first sail in the Australian Minnow class at the age of 7. For his home club to host the MUSTO Skiff World Championships in January 2018 and for him to be a part of this major event was a dream come true for Casey.
With the rescheduled Australian Nationals set to take place in late January 2021, we asked this talented youth sailor from Australia what attracted him to the MUSTO Skiff and what his goals are for the new sailing season.
- How long have you been sailing for?
I was 7 years of age when I started sailing in an Australian Minnow class. I then moved into 420’s, 29ers, 49er and MUSTO Skiff. I had a few sails on Wayno’s MUSTO at Blairgowrie, but I started sailing the MUSTO seriously when I was 16. I was 16 years old when the MUSTO Skiff World Championships were held at Blairgowrie and I turned 17 during the championships. Last year, as an 18 year old, I sailed in the MUSTO Worlds at Medemblik, finishing 45th overall and 2nd in Under 23.
- What type of boats did you sail before getting the MUSTO Skiff?
I started sailing in a Minnow, but by the age of 11 I was too tall for it. I moved into a 420 where I crewed with Hayden Harding. We sailed together at the 420 Worlds in San Remo, Italy in 2016. I grew too big for a 420, so Hayden and I moved into a 29er for 1 year to get some Skiff experience. We were too big for the 29er before we got into it, but we needed the skiff experience and we were too young to go straight into a 49er. We then moved into a 49er FX. It was around this time that I became interested in the MUSTO Skiff. Hayden and I also sail a 49er together and we competed in the 49er Worlds in Geelong in February 2020.
- What attracted you to the MUSTO Skiff?
Wayno, my old man, has been sailing a MUSTO for a few years now and I had a few sails on his boat at Blairgowrie. He encouraged me to sail a MUSTO and it also helped with our 49er sailing.
- How are you finding the MUSTO Skiff so far?
I’m frothing it in the MUSTO because it’s a challenge for me to sail. I’m still trying to consistently stick my jibes, though. I enjoy the group of guys that sail MUSTO’s at Blairgowrie, especially Richie Robertson for encouraging us young guys to get into the class, my dad Wayno for all the help, my mates at Blairgowrie who help keep it fun – Hayden Harding & Hayden Brown
- What are you finding most challenging?
Jibing in the breeze.
- What are you finding most rewarding?
The mateship on and off the water. Meeting new people from all around the world. A big shout out to Paul and Marieke (Dijkstra) who have become great friends through numerous MUSTO events.
- What surprised you the most about the MUSTO Skiff?
I was surprised by how addictive it is. Sailing a MUSTO is so exciting as it is never a boring sail. One minute you can be wave jumping and flying down wind and the next minute you’re wrapped around your forestay after you’ve put it down the mine.
- Being optimistic that the sailing calendar will return to normal in 2021, what are your goals for the new season?
I was hoping we would get to Lake Garda for the next Worlds. But my main goal is to beat Wayno. I’m a fair way off that though.
- Have you got any targets in mind?
I’m going to keep working on my speed in an attempt to catch Richie upwind and John Newman down wind.
- What advice would you give for anyone else considering the MUSTO Skiff?
Take on the challenge. Nothing will match the reward you get from staying upright on a MUSTO Skiff in 18-20 knots without sticking it in the drink.
Thanks to Casey for doing this interview and good luck for the new sailing season and your Nationals in the new year.
