ACO Musto Skiff World Championship 2026 at Yacht Club de Carnac - Pre-Worlds
by Andy Tarboton 8 Jun 16:29 BST
7 June 2026
Andy Tarboton (right) - Musto Skiff Pre-Worlds at Carnac © Natalie Hilton
We are here in Carnac for our ACO Musto Skiff World Championship, and Yacht Club de Carnac's team has once again put on a great event from the word go. We have each received a warm welcome by a club that is run by volunteers and committed to putting on the best event possible. Club event manager, Gilles, the PRO, Matthieu, and the rest of the race and onshore team have been great - and we're only just getting started for the week!
Varying degrees of adventure were had merely getting here, from dodging volcano sized potholes to axles falling off trailers, cancelled ferries, and late-night taxi services. But the wonders of WhatsApp meant that every competitor was able to make it here for the start line on time - what a fleet!
For the Pre-Worlds today, we had two practice races planned with light wind and sunshine greeting the fleet like a long-lost friend. Some general recalls in each race ensured the black flag made an appearance to discipline those premature starters in the premature Worlds. But once the racing was under way, it was fiercer than a Frenchman on an offshore trimaran. Places traded like the stock exchange and faster than the oil price in the last three months, meaning that no one was safe!
Everyone threw their name in the hat at some point today to prove that they were showing form worthy of recognition. But in the end, current UK National Champion and European Champion title holder, Eddie Bridle, proved that form is temporary, but class is permanent, taking the win from the steady Swiss hand of Alex Greil and Scotsman, Jamie Hilton, who claimed a podium on his wedding anniversary (I'm sure he will make up for it later!).
After an informal prize-giving with some locally sourced awards to celebrate the top places in the various categories, the fleet gathered outside in the glorious sunshine to enjoy a special opening ceremony hosted by the club. Many braved the impressive display of fresh oysters and sparkling wine to toast the start of our championship week, whilst others played it safe and stuck to the generous offering of fresh breads and cold beers!
The runners and riders are a plenty going into racing tomorrow, and with some windy conditions being forecast and plenty of sunshine thrown in, we should be in for a good championship!
Keep following for the thrills and spills at Carnac, and here's to an epic week of racing for all the competitors.