Ben Homer gets ready for his first UK Musto Skiff Nationals in North Berwick

Ben Homer by the Forth Bridge © Provided by Ben Homer

After a fairly nomadic summer, I've only recently returned to my 'home' club at Dalgety Bay to brush up on what I can ahead of our forthcoming UK Nationals.

With just a few days remaining until racing gets under way at North Berwick, I managed to fit in two training weekends on the open waters of the Firth of Forth - one at the end of August and another at the weekend just gone.

Whilst the first training weekend at Dalgety Bay gave me the chance to catch the tail-end of the Edinburgh Festival, the best show in town was witnessing the fast-rising star of the Musto Skiff fleet, Ben Homer, who dominated the gathering of five Musto's, including the current number four and five in the Musto Skiff World rankings.

At 19 years young, and with the enthusiasm of a wet-nosed and waggy tailed labrador, he's had the whole summer since putting down the books at Glasgow Uni not only to get to grips with the boat, but to really move through the gears.

After my Dalgety Bay humbling, albeit in light winds, I returned for the second training weekend where the conditions were a far harder prospect, coming in at 15-30 kts. And there he was again, maybe not quite as quick, but demonstrating the tenacity of a dog with a bone, not fazed in the slightest and keen to keep at it. I took the opportunity to put a few questions his way to hear his story and how he's been preparing for his first UK Nationals with the Musto Skiff fleet.

Ben Homer in his Musto Skiff - photo © Provided by Ben Homer

Welcome to the Musto Skiff class Ben, and great to see you've entered the upcoming UK National Championship at North Berwick, having only started sailing the boat this summer. What prompted you to get into the Musto Skiff?

Lucky for me, I come from a family of fanatical sailors and so whilst my brother was out in the med (for work) he came across a Musto for sale in Scotland. He impulse-bought it as something to keep him occupied, learning the boat and enjoying the class over the summer. This left it free for me before he came back to Scotland, and so I took it out as I had just left the 29er class and uni racing had finished for the term. I saw the UK Nationals were in North Berwick, and with my grampa living on the beach and a discounted youth entry, I thought it was a bit of a no brainer.

How have you found the learning curve? And what have you done to push yourself along it?

I initially only took the boat out in lighter winds just due to my size, but I found the boat easier to sail than the sort of stigma that I had been told about the boat. I think having helmed and crewed a 29er has helped with my footing in the class. Don't get me wrong, there's rarely a dry sail, but that's just because of how much attention the boat demands from you.

Q: Have you managed yet to borrow/try the smaller Mainsail-X? (If yes, how did you find it? If no, then I reckon you should be looking to have a go with it at the UK Nationals, if possible.)

Unfortunately, I've not managed to borrow the X rig yet, but I would love to try it at some point.

Am I right that the UK Nationals will be your first event in the Musto Skiff class? What preparations have you made to ready yourself for the competition?

Yes, it is. I've just tried to spend as much time on the water as I could, getting out around five times a week over the summer and sometimes swapping in and out with my brother so that we were able to record and review our sailing and to help us have longer sessions. I have also been doing my local club racing to help practice my boat manoeuvres and see how I'm doing on the handicap racing.

With strong family ties, you're no stranger to North Berwick. What do you enjoy most about sailing there?

I love that the sailing club is a real part of the community in the town with the High Street being a minute's walk away. Yet the club still seems to be one of the best in the country with consistent winds, good waves, and a beautiful beach with clear waters.

Ben Homer training at Dalgety Bay - photo © Provided by Ben Homer

You're following in the footsteps of your dad (Gavin Homer) who was active in the class in its early years. What advice and encouragement has he given you?

Unfortunately for me, he hasn't offered me much advice or encouragement (I think he's still scared of them from when he dislocated his shoulder).

Have you set yourself any particular goals for the event, and what are they?

I've not set any goals yet for the Nationals, but think coming up to them, I just want to stick in the fleet and then work out a goal after I see how I compare with other boats.

And there you have it, folks. Don't say I didn't warn you. Ben's story is a timely reminder that you don't need years in the class to enjoy a Nationals. If you've been sitting on the fence about North Berwick, there's still time to join us.

About the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2026

Entry is still open for the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2026, but late entry will apply from Thursday 10^th September. A reduced weekend-only entry option is also available. You enter now via the event entry page.

The four-day regatta will be hosted by East Lothian Yacht Club (ELYC) in North Berwick from 10-13 September 2026. Entry includes after-sailing snacks and an evening social event. The class is also offering a 50% entry fee subsidy for all youth sailors.

For more information about the event, see the 2026 UK Nationals Event Guide.