Musto Skiff sailor Alexander Greil on enjoying the sailing regatta experience
by International Musto Skiff Class Association 1 Dec 2024 23:32 PST
Alexander Greil at the ACO 8th MUSTO Skiff World Championship 2017 in Torbole © Bernardi´ Bibiloni
In less than five weeks, Alexander Greil will be heading to Australia to compete in the ACO 14th Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds.
Having sailed at every Musto Skiff Worlds since 2013, it was no surprise that Alexander was first in line to load his boat onto the container destined for Sydney, the next World Championship regatta in the class calendar.
So, what is Alexander looking forward to most about sailing in Sydney, and what is the most important thing for him when sailing in a major regatta like a Worlds?
Getting to know Alexander Greil....
For the upcoming Worlds, Alexander—or Alex, as he is better known within the fleet—will be representing Switzerland and his local sailing club, Yacht Club Horgen, which is close to Zurich, where he currently lives.
Having been born on his family yacht on Lake Zurich some 32 years ago, it's fair to say that Alex was, quite literally, born to sail. Alex recalls that he spent most of his childhood on the family yacht, with many weekends over the summer months sailing together. Reminiscing about his first memories of sailing, Alex said, "When I was about five and a half years old, I was allowed to sail my first boat alone on Lake Zurich, which was our plywood dinghy with an optical sail. I then sailed a lot with our dinghy, and after I learnt to swim, I was allowed to attend Optimist training at the Yacht Club Horgen."
A few years later, Alex moved to the Enge Sailing Club to take part in international regattas with his Optimist. It was at this time that Swiss sailor Roger Oswald, who was one of the early European-based advocates for the Musto Skiff, became Alex's coach.
Thanks to Roger, Alex got his first experience of the Musto Skiff, and many years on, he still sails in the class today. He's also achieved the accolade of 1st place overall in the Youth category at the Musto Skiff 2015 Worlds in Perth, Australia.
When did you first start sailing the Musto Skiff?
Roger (Oswald) had already bought his first Musto Skiff when I had started sailing a 29er. I was 14 years old at the time, and Roger was still coaching me. However, six years later, I was far too heavy for the 29er, and we almost sank it at the Europeans on Laga Maggiore in light wind. The 49er was never an option for me, as I often had problems with sailing partners. It was time to switch to the Musto Skiff, which is a single-hander; however, I was training to be a carpenter at the time, and I had to save every penny I had to buy one.
At the last regatta of the year in Cham, I was able to borrow a boat. Luckily, Roger persuaded Dieter Brunner to buy a new boat, and I was able to take on his old boat, the SUI 306. I sailed with this boat for the first six years. As I had my final exams as a carpenter during the 2012 Worlds in Weymouth, I was unfortunately unable to take part. However, after that, I sailed at every Worlds, including ones in Perth, Riva del Garda, Carnac, Mallorca, Blairgowrie, Medemblik, Kiel, Torbole, and, most recently, Weymouth in the UK. I also took part in the Europeans on Lake Attersee and the 2022 European Championship in Mallorca. My best result in the class so far is 12th overall and 1st Youth in Perth at the 2015 Worlds.
What do you enjoy most about regatta sailing in the Musto Skiff?
I prefer warm water, sun, and lots of wind for regatta sailing. I particularly like regatta sailing with the Musto when we are all sailing at the limit downwind, and you need to make sure that you bring the boat home in one piece in the evening. I love fair sailing in the Musto Skiff fleet, and I am always amazed at how aggressively other boat classes are sailed. I still sail the J70 from time to time, but I always find that you have far too few tasks at the same time, and all the manoeuvres happen in slow motion.
I'm looking forward to sailing the Musto Skiff for as long as possible, and I'm doing everything I can to ensure that the European fleet grows again and that we can sail many more exciting regattas.
You've sailed in the class for some years now. Is there anything that you still find challenging about sailing the Musto Skiff?
As a whole, Musto Skiff sailing is always a challenge. There's not much between a capsize and a perfect manoeuvre. However, I find this challenge very exciting. Every now and then I sail boring boats, and after a day, I miss the challenge that I get from the Musto Skiff.
The 2025 Worlds venue is Woollahra Sailing Club, which is situated overlooking Sydney Harbour. What are you looking forward to the most about sailing at this venue?
I really want to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I also want to cross the Queenscliff ferry without sinking. I'm really looking forward to sailing the Musto Skiff in the greatest place in the world. I hope we have good wind.
Finally, have you set yourself a target for the ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025, and what is your prediction for the top performers?
I try to top my results every year, but I think that 12th place in Perth will be really difficult to achieve again. The competition never sleeps. But having fun is much more important to me. It's always difficult to say who will be World Champion. Matthias (Houvenagel) and Jon (Newman) from Australia are certainly the Aussie favourites. There are a few candidates from the UK too, namely Danny (Boatman), Jamie (Hilton), and Robert (Richardson).
For me, it doesn't really matter who wins; the main thing is that we all have fun.
About the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025 will be hosted at Woollahra Sailing Club in Sydney, Australia, from 2nd to 10th January 2025. For full event details, see here, or go directly to the host venue website to download the NOR and enter. Standard entry is available until 30th November 2024.
The 2025 Worlds is supported by the main sponsor, ACO, in addition to supporting sponsor J&J Robertson and Sons, in partnership with ANJ Container Services, and event partners Musto, Ovington Boats, and the B14 Class, who will be hosting their own World Championship during the same event week.
Look out for the next Musto Skiff class interview, which will be with Australian youth sailor Casey Bates.