ACO Musto Skiff World Championship 2026 at Yacht Club de Carnac - Day 1
by Jamie Hilton 8 Jun 22:13 BST
8-12 June 2026
We write this report to the sound of hammers chiselling away at mast track, the sight of boats on their sides with full MOT checks on-going, and unfortunately, a couple of new masts being rigged up.
Needless to say, we finished the day in a full foam up where the third race was abandoned with even the hardiest floundering around trying to bear away at the top mark. Some did fly their kites, but from what I could see, this started with euphoric ecstasy but soon ended in tears. Fair play to those who tried.
Before all that, two cracking races were held in a breezy westerly, which I'm sure you guessed by now, built as the day progressed. To be properly accurate, we launched after an hour held under AP, out of the harbour and into some spanking breeze. Just as the course was being laid, it collapsed into near nothing, before taking a while to fill in again.
Race 1 was won by Ben Clegg who went hard left out of the start, tacking onto a nice port lift into the top mark. He pretty much match raced Eddie Bridle, who himself took the lead down the run, before Clegg's critical mass allowed him to reel in his Brightlingsea playmate up the second beat. Rob Ricardson pulled through to take second, leaving Clegg to take the win and Bridle in third. Brian Greensmith sailed well to take 4th spot, overhauling Euan Hurter on the final run.
Race 2 saw Andrew Tarboton nail the pin and take a nice lead but crossing narrowly ahead of the marauding Jamie Hilton. Those who had less favourable starts and were arguably forced to tack off to the right were the benefactors of what looked like better pressure and a favourable shift. Rob Richardson was the benefactor in chief leading Tarboton into the top mark before spilling it on the hoist for what must have been a super frustrating swim.
Down the run, the majority straight hoisted, while Bridle and Hilton gybe-set to make big gains pulling through to second and third respectively behind Tarboton, but with the fast recovered Rob Richardson in close pursuit. Rob actually pulled through to second up the second beat before misjudging the lay line and giving it all back to Bridle and Hilton. Clegg too was making strides with his leverage upwind.
On the final run, it was Hilton's turn for some misadventure, taking a big one on the bow and losing his toe-loop. Despite a valiant attempt to rescue the situation, it resulted in the inevitable ditching, leaving Clegg and Hurter to reap the rewards.
Overnight sees Ben Clegg top of the pile, on countback from Eddie Bridle - showing the Brightlingsea winter season has been bearing fruit. Just behind these two are Andrew Tarboton and Rob Richardson to round up the front runners from the day.
Like I said, back ashore the fleet are licking their wounds after the attempt at race three which will last long in the memory. 33kts apparently was the threshold for abandonment - that's Gale Force 8!!! Never raced in anything like it.
On the whisky now to take the edge off. Early night and an oxygen mask before we go again tomorrow.