ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championships at Torbole, Lake Garda - Overall
by Jamie Hilton 21 Jul 17:42 BST
15-21 July 2023
After 5 days of racing at this year's ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championships at Lake Garda, Australian sailor, Matthias Houvenagel, sailed his way to the top to take the World Championship title.
Races 13 & 14
The final day of the Championship was another 8.30am start in the northerly Peler, launching to a backdrop of thunder rumbling in the distance, for two final races to complete the 14 race series.
After a magnificent showing on Thursday with three bullets, Matthias carried a 6-point lead from Sam Pascoe into the final day, while back in third, Bill Maughan had a hungry pack hot on his heels as he sought to protect his spot on the podium.
With around 8-10kts blowing down the racetrack in fits and bursts, changes in pressure and direction, it would prove to be a tricky day. In the first race, Matthias and Sam P enjoyed a tussle at the top with Matthias predictably tracking his chasers every move. In the end, Dan Trotter took the win having led in from the cliffs, while Matthias did enough to secure a 3rd place with Sam in 6th. Meanwhile, Bill managed an 8th place finish, but gave some ground away to his rivals, notably Andy Tarboton who took fifth place and narrowed Bill's advantage to 3 points.
Going into the final race, after an abandoned initial attempt, the fleet were under way in what proved to be particularly fickle conditions in a fading breeze. Sam P did enough to take the win from a resurgent Dan Trotter (but later pinged for OCS under the U-flag), with Matthias next over the line to take 2nd place in the race, the overall win for the day, but most importantly of course, the title of World Champion.
In doing so, he proved a really worthy winner with a fantastic score card over the week, notably his three bullets on "Big Thursday", and making many new friends throughout the international fleet with his shore-side antics and camaraderie.
Once back ashore, Matthias was predictably on the Prosecco while the fleet partially packed up before the heavens opened and a classic Garda thunderstorm passed literally overhead, bringing some added drama to proceedings. Pasta and prize-giving followed, with a fare-well party for the remaining few to bring things to a suitably lively conclusion.
The Musto Skiff class has had a fantastic event here in Lake Garda with our hosts Circolo Vela Torbole. Thanks to the event organising team, the media team, the Race Officer and his crew, the jury, and all the volunteers. From the highly competitive racing across the fleet to the after sailing socials, and the family time at the boat park in the warm Garda sunshine - it's been a great event all round. We look forward to coming back here again for a future Worlds.
A final thanks goes to our Event Title sponsor, ACO, for their continued support of the class and this year's event in Lake Garda, and to our Class Title sponsor, Musto, for all their support and the very generous prize-giving.
Overall Results and Category Places:
Overall:
1st - Matthias Houvenagel (AUS)
2nd - Sam Pascoe (GBR)
3rd - Bill Maughan (GBR)
4th - Andy Tarboton (RSA)
5th - Danny Boatman (GBR)
6th - Jamie Hilton (GBR)
7th - Dan Vincent (GBR)
8th - Eddie Bridle (GBR)
9th - Peter Greenhalgh (GBR)
10th - Paul Dijkstra (NED)
Youth:
1st - Eddie Bridle (GBR)
2nd - Joshua Belben (GBR)
3rd - Robert Richardson (GBR)
Master:
1st - Dan Vincent (GBR)
2nd - Peter Greenhalgh (GBR)
3rd - Justo Martinez Balaguer (ESP)
Grand Master:
1st - Barcelo Mario (ESP)
2nd - Richard Smith (GBR)
3rd - Andrew Gould (GBR)
Legend:
1st - Karsten Groth
2nd - Stephen Wright
3rd - Huud Ouwehand
Full results can be found here.