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in this issue
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Greetings,
I woke the other morning with the realisation of how much I take for granted when I get up each day. I expect to go in to the bathroom and for the light to come on at the flick of a switch and, equally in the kitchen for the kettle to burst into life while I'm doing something else. Nothing extraordinary I know, but what an inconvenience it would be if I somehow had to be more involved in the process. Instead I pay my money and I expect it to happen.
So it was during the drive home from the Felpham Open recently that it dawned on me just how much time and effort is given over by some clubs to make the events we go to such a success and, yet all too often it goes unnoticed or unappreciated - not that such clubs seek such thanks. I counted a tally of nearly one volunteer per competitor in one role or other that weekend, most of whom were there before I arrived and when I departed.
Being involved in just part of the organisation of the upcoming UK National Championships at Whitstable brought it home to me the extent of the work that goes into planning to make our major events easy and memorable for us. The expectation we set for success has indeed already been met by the record entry of 60 boats to date, which includes competitors from 6 nations. Yet our real measure of success will be how the competitors leave feeling about the time they have had and, part of that will be in no small amount be played by the weather. But still, a great number have chosen to commit despite the present economic climate making us all question just where what we should be spending our disposable income at present.
Yet, whilst it is often easy to plan for a good attendance where there is a big home fleet, it must surely be more daunting for such clubs as Segal Club St. Moritz in Switzerland, hosts of our 2008 World Championships, who, having observed the work they have been putting into the organisation, really deserve to see a good turnout. Yesterday I munched my way through a prawn and rocket sandwich whilst browsing through their excellent World web site, as I, probably like many of you, am only just getting round to looking at entering, booking travel and accommodation - all of which is so easily set out that my concerns of where I might need to look to ensure I am there and racing lifted immediately. Reassuring indeed and, the product of good planning and organisation - not that anyone needs to give the Swiss a lesson in that.
I, like you, have plenty of other things competing for my meagre holiday time, yet for me I look forward to escaping abroad and indeed seeing all our continental colleagues who we only get to share a beer or two or three…with once a year and, from what I have seen of Lake Silvaplana and the surrounding mountain scenery, it will be a one of those experiences to slot away in my memory banks for when I am old.
So, although the ink may just be drying on your cheque books from entering the Nationals, do look to get your entries in early for the Worlds too as it really does make the organisers feel wanted and rewarded for all their efforts. It will be a memorable event, as after all, the hills will be alive with the sound of Mustos (with apologies to Julie Andrews this time!)
Simon Reynolds - GBR362 - Blighline
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Map My Tracks UK Nationals 2008 - Pre-event info ACTION REQUIRED |
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We now have over 60 entries so this is set to be a fantastic event. To help make the whole process of arrival, parking and registration easy we have put together the following information for you. We need to get some additional details from you for the event results database. We need your boat name and/or sponsor if you want it listed. We also need your date of birth so we can enter you in the age category competitions such as Youth, Master & Grand Master.
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Velocitek Musto Skiff North Americans in Florida 2008 |
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First, a word on class cooperation. Here in the US, the Mustos and Swift Solos have been getting together for regattas for quite a while. It started with Bram Daly and Ron Radko getting together in Seattle, as they both were sharing the same dock at the Corinthian Yacht Club, and we were both the only boats in town. Now, as both classes have grown, the first big benefit of joining together came to pass. We had enough boats from the Seattle area to enlist a truck to make the long drive to Florida. This made it much easier for a bigger group to participate!
As a result, we arrived refreshed in Florida, waking bright and early to meet the semi trailer packing 11 boats, and 2 support boats, camping gear, coolers, barbeques and bicycles under palm trees in glorious 75 degree weather. With group cooperation the Mustos and Swifts were unloaded in about 2 hours, and we were on the water for a free sail in a lovely 12- 14 knots of breeze, and warm sunny weather. What a way to shake off the winter ice cubes, and get back used to warm weather sailing gear, and all of this in the beginning of April! A few other boats were already there, and some more would arrive on Saturday. All total there were 7 Musto sailors and about 11 Swifties. Given that we shared a single start, and there was inter class racing at all levels throughout the fleet, this made for the largest single handed skiff gathering to date in North America. Sailors represented a number of nationalities, Americans, Canadians, Brits, and one lad who was just becoming an American citizen.
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Felpham Open 2008 |
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There was no ice cream or candyfloss to be seen anywhere around as the 22 competitors arrived on this chilly Saturday morning, but just the warm hospitality from the numerous helpers of this small, friendly sailing club situated just east of Bognor Regis. It was such that not even the rain showers driven by a shifty and gusty breeze could detract from the hot mugs of tea and bacon baps on offer inside.
The weekend was being shared with the OK's and Race 1 started in a cross-offshore 7 knot breeze and relatively flat water. With the tide already pumping out the fleet got clean away and whilst most made a dash for the shore which took you on a progressive header into less breeze and tide, whilst some opted for more pressure out to sea. Those inshore, led by Gareth Davies and Mike Palfreman, gained on a lifting port tack up to the windward mark. However, the fleet converged, so tightly packed at the mark that you could hardly get a Rizla paper between them and, then the dash downwind commenced. With the easing wind closest to the land, some chose to soak slightly in pressure to protect their inside slot, however for those who sent it early, the gains were there to be made and, one notable was Graeme Oliver (www.liftingsafety.co.uk) who, having returned from campaigning 18' skiffs, jumped up to third by the leeward mark.
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Notice of Race and Entry posted for World Championships |
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The event management team for the 2008 World Championships at Silvaplana, Switzerland has just released the Notice of Race, and entry form for Augusts' event. The Swiss are putting together a superb event, with loads of great prizes, hopefully including miniature glass cubes with a Musto Performance Skiff inside. I for one am really looking forward to it! It looks like we may beat the number of participating Nations set at Lake Garda last year! Urs Scherrer is taking all entries, so please take the time to check the information out, and complete your entry at the dedicated World Championship website
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Noble Banner |
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Austrian Musto Skiff Training 2008 |
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On Saturday, May 3rd we started our annually skiff training organized by the class association at Lake Attersee, Sailing Club Attersee.
FIRST DAY: After a quick brief 10 Sailors, including our special guest Andy Bunyan from Scotland, head for the first session in the morning at light breeze of 1-2 Bft from S/E and blue sky. In the morning we split the training in two groups. The main focus was explaining some of the maneuvers to our new sailors such as Patrick Weihs.
During lunch everybody learnt something about boat trim. In the afternoon the wind increases to practise some up and down races. Having completed three ordinary races the starting became more complex, as the following starts are in a two minute window. This put the emphasis on boat handling and slow speed boat control, which would have been tricky at any time. Some of the folks forgot that this just a training. We guess our beginner's goal is joining their first MPS Worlds faster as we thought about! In the evening we all had a great dinner to discuss good and bad things and fill up our batteries. At this moment we didn't know a great Sunday is coming up!
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Used Boats - Join the waiting list ... |
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For those who receive the newsletter who aren't lucky enough to own an MPS there are a few boats for sale second hand (in various countries). Is your next challenge on this list ...??
Second hand boats are selling like hot cakes and often sell via the grapevine without coming onto the market, if you are interested in a used boat just let us know so if one becomes available we can let you know.
ALSO do you own a Musto Skiff but don't use it any more, there is a bit of a shortage of second hand boats with used boats getting snapped up. If your boat is not getting any use just email us and we'll advertise it for you FREE OF CHARGE
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FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER and spread the word |
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Thanks to our readers our circulation is now almost 800. Please send this on to anyone who likes going fast in small boats!!
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