2021 UK Musto Skiff Nationals Opens for Entries
by Musto Skiff Class Association 18 May 2021 17:00 BST
29 July - 1 August 2021
Musto Skiffs launch during the Boatman Bonanza 2019 © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
The 2021 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships will be open for entries from 5pm today, Tuesday 18th May. This year's regatta is due to take place over Thursday 29th July - Sunday 1st August at Sunderland Yacht Club (SYC).
The four-day regatta will determine the next UK National Champion for the Musto Skiff class. The Title is currently held by Peter Greenhalgh, following his win at the last UK Nationals in September 2020.
The North East of England, and Sunderland in particular, was a former Musto Skiff strong hold in the early days of the class. Musto Skiff sailors including Ian Trotter, Kev Anderson, Martin Boatman, Ian Turnbull, and Mark Addison were all considered as the early pioneers of the class - and some of them still sail in the class today. Ovington Boats is also based up the road in Tynemouth and is the exclusive boat builder for the Musto Skiff.
Sunderland Yacht Club last hosted the Musto Skiff class for a UK Nationals back in 2004, with Kev Anderson winning the UK Championship Title, joined on the podium by Richard Stenhouse and Martin Boatman.
With strong connections to Sunderland Yacht Club and the class eager to get out on the water for some competitive racing, it is anticipated that places for this year's UK Nationals will go in record time.
The entry fee has been set at £135 per entrant for the full four-day regatta. However, entries will be provisionally restricted to 60 places in line with Sunderland Yacht Club's event risk management planning, and current UK Government and RYA guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the event of over-subscription, a waiting list system will be used. Should the situation change, more entry places will be made available, and entries will be allocated on a first come basis. However, the class is being urged to book early to secure their place.
The UK Nationals Title Sponsor, Noble Marine Insurance, will once again be supporting the regatta with trophies for each category and a sponsored Gala Dinner at Sunderland Yacht Club, restrictions and guidelines permitting. Beyond the Nationals, Noble Marine will continue to support the class as a training sponsor, with investment towards training and coaching activities for the UK fleet over 2021.
Long-term class sponsor, Musto, will also be providing several prizes from their extensive range of cutting-edge performance apparel and dinghy kit. Award categories for the regatta will be dependent on entries, but it is anticipated to include Overall Winners, Silver, Youth, Master, Grand Master, and Legend, providing plenty opportunities to win a prize.
In addition, Hyde Sails will be providing extra prizes for the top three podium places as part of the 2021 UK Hyde Sails Series. This will be the third event in the series, with all entrants being in with a chance to win a Hyde Sails Spinnaker at the close of the series later this year.
GBR Musto Skiff Class Chairman, Ben Schooling, said: "The class is already familiar with Sunderland Yacht Club with a Nationals back in 2004 and, more recently, taking part in the 2019 Boatman Bonanza to remember fellow Musto sailor and friend, Martin Boatman, who we sadly lost to cancer earlier that year. We have a long history with Sunderland, and we are looking forward to returning to the club again. It's in a great location and the race office team have been simply brilliant to deal with. The class is keen to get out and race. Many of us have been training when we can, so it's sure to be a close event and lots of fun!"
Entries will open at 5pm on Tuesday 18th May and you can register your place via the Sunderland Yacht Club website at www.sunderlandyachtclub.co.uk/event/must-skiff-nationals. For more information and the NOR for this year's 2021 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships, see the event guide at mustoskiff.com/2021-uk-nationals-event