Paul Newman on final preparations for the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
by International Musto Skiff Class Association 1 Jan 2025 03:23 PST
2-10 January 2025
Paul Newman racing © A J Mckinnon
The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025 is set to start on the 2nd of January in Sydney with two days of practice races before the international fleet comes together for the first championship race day on the 4th of January.
With around 40 Musto Skiff sailors representing six nations and some of the top sailors in the class making the trip to Sydney to compete, it is going to be a tight race at the top and some close racing right across the fleet.
Most of the fleet has now arrived at Woollahra Sailing Club at Rose Bay, which overlooks the stunning Sydney Harbour. There has been much excitement around the boat park as more boats arrive and get rigged up to cram in some last-minute practice before the regatta starts. And, with many of the sailors competing at this venue for the first time, the extra practice is a welcome opportunity to get to grips with the challenging conditions of the harbour that make this venue so exciting to sail at!
There will be lots to contend with out on the racecourse area, including currents and tide, shifty wind, waves and chop, marine traffic, fast-moving harbour ferries and cruising superyachts, and even landing and departing seaplanes! With all that in the mix, it could be anyone's championship, and it will certainly be a lot of fun to watch the event unfold!
One sailor with his eye on the podium is Australian National Champion and two-time Victorian State Champion titleholder, Paul Newman. He is currently on his way to Sydney from Seaford, in Melbourne, to join the championship, and he is expecting some good racing and stiff competition from the fleet, not to mention his brother, former World Champion title holder, Jon Newman.
In our final interview of the 2025 Worlds Sailor's Series, we caught up with Paul to find out if there is any sibling rivalry with his brother and his predictions for the top sailors at this upcoming regatta.
Getting to know the Paul Newman....
As well as representing his country at the 2025 Worlds, Paul is also representing the Australian Musto Skiff fleet as the current Australian Class President. Based at a beachside suburb of Melbourne, his home club is McCrae Yacht Club. Paul has a good few years of sailing under his belt, having started the sport at 8 years old, learning the ropes (no pun intended!) in a Sabot. A keen skiff sailor, he grew up sailing the likes of Flying Ants, Cherubs, Javelins, and 49ers, but he also spent time in the 420 and 470 classes.
Paul has been sailing a Musto Skiff for 12 years now, and whilst he has come in 2nd and 3rd more times than he would like to count, he has an impressive three champion titles to his name after winning the Australian National Championship in 2023 and the Victorian State Championship twice. He has also managed to take a win once or twice in most of the classes he has sailed in over the years.
However, the next big win to add to the trophy cabinet will be the 2025 World Champion title, which is now just days away from starting!
The 2025 Worlds is just a few days from starting; what preparations have you made to get ready for this regatta?
Mostly I am just trying to get as much time on the water as possible to try and get my dad body into something that can last a seven-day regatta!
Between you and your brother, Jon, you have quite a few Musto Skiff Champion Titles on the mantle. How competitive are you both when it comes to the Musto Skiff? Do you ever share tips and tactics with each other or train together?
We do share most things with each other and the class, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but we are fairly different crew weights, so we tend to focus on different wind strengths, and we seem to each have our day, but it's definitely the sweetest when I do beat him in his conditions.
What do you enjoy most about sailing the Musto Skiff, and is there anything you still find challenging about it?
I really enjoy the challenge of a Musto Skiff, but as I get older, it is the strength and fitness that I find more challenging each year. I really enjoy sailing it, though, and I think it's a fantastic boat to sail and race, as well as the social side of the class. It's great to be a part of the camaraderie.
You'll soon be at the 2025 Worlds venue getting rigged up to race on Sydney Harbour. Have you sailed there before, and what are you looking forward to most?
I have not sailed on Sydney Harbour for some time, probably not since my 20s when I was sailing 49ers and 470s, but I am really looking forward to it as it will be an experience to remember.
Finally, what are your predictions for this year's 2025 Worlds, and where are you hoping to finish?
It's hard for me to comment on the European sailors as I have not sailed against many of them, but of the Aussies, I expect my brother Jon and Matthias (Houvenagel) will be at the pointy end of the leaderboard, but there are also a couple of very capable sailors that could challenge them at the top. Jono Neate is a two-time Contender World Champion who is back in the class this year after some time away. Marcus Hamilton is the other one that has the ability to mix it up at the top, and it will probably be consistency that makes the difference in the end.
How to follow the racing for the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025 will be hosted at Woollahra Sailing Club in Sydney, Australia, and starts on 2nd January with two days of practice races before the World Championship begins on 4th January. After five days of racing, the overall 2025 title winner will be confirmed on 10th January at the prize-giving ceremony.
A GPS tracker system sponsored by ACO and hosted by TrackMeLive will be launched from the first race day on 4th January and can be accessed for free.
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.
For more event information, see the 2025 Worlds event guide here, or visit the Musto Skiff class website at mustoskiff.com