Musto Skiff 2024 Class Survey Results

by International Musto Skiff Class Association 18 Mar 17:48 GMT

The results of the Musto Skiff 2024 Class Survey have now been published. This year's survey included questions on desired World Championship locations, a class member vote on permitting speedpucks in organised events, and questions on the boat experience, training weekends, and event circuits.

The anonymous survey was created by the Musto Skiff Class Association Committee in partnership with Ovington Boats and included 112 submissions in total. This year, 90% of the submissions were from Musto Skiff sailors representing 13 countries. The remaining 10% included sailors from other classes who were also invited to share their views via the survey, with questions such as where they access information on the class activities and what would increase their interest in sailing a Musto Skiff.

For Musto Skiff sailors, the most represented country was the UK, at a 54% share, followed by Germany at 15%, and then Australia and Switzerland, each at 9%. At the end of the main survey, class members were able to access the 2024 online AGM section, which provided the opportunity to share feedback on the 2024 Nationals and Worlds events, as well as participate in the proposed vote on speedpuck use.

National Championships highly rated by class members

Based on this year's survey, 45% of the Musto Skiff sailor group attended a National Championship event in 2024. This is an increase from 2023, which reported as a 30% attendance.

Once again, the Musto Skiff Nationals were well received by the sailors, with an overall rating of 'good to excellent' for key metrics, such as venue suitability, race management, and event communications. The level of competition in the fleet was also rated very highly overall at 55% 'excellent' and 35% 'good'. However, this was rated slightly higher in last year's survey, with the level of competition at the Nationals events being rated as 92% 'excellent' overall and 8% 'good'.

Based on this survey group, if a National Championship or European event were to be held in 2025, 70% of class members would participate, with 24% stating "maybe'' and just 7% stating "no".

In response to this feedback, the International Committee moved forward with confirming a European Championship 2025 event as part of Warnemünder Woche in Germany. The Musto Skiff class is now scheduled to race from 10-13 July. More details will be announced on the class website in the coming weeks.

Class member feedback on World Championship planning

To assist with long-term regatta planning, class members were asked for feedback and suggestions for potential locations to host future World Championships. This included a proposal to host the ACO 15th World Championships in France in 2026.

If France was an option, class members were asked to state their location preference, and the most popular venue was Carnac. In response to this feedback, the International Committee has now moved forward with engaging a venue to explore options for hosting a 2026 Worlds in Carnac.

The class also expressed a keen interest in returning to Lake Garda, Italy, for their 2027 Worlds. In response, the Committee is now actively discussing dates and options with Circolo Vela Torbole, where the class enjoyed a successful World Championships back in 2023.

Confirmation on these regatta plans, as well as the proposed venues up to 2029, will be announced in the coming weeks. This will include another European Championship in 2028 and a 2029 Worlds in a Southern Hemisphere location.

More training events for 2025

Based on the survey, the class once again expressed a keen interest in organised training, with 71% of Musto Skiff sailors stating that they would like more regional training sessions in 2025. This will be a key focus for the year ahead, and training events are already being planned in some of the key regions.

For Europe, the Swiss Class Association has already put plans in place to deliver a training week for skiff sailors at Dongo, Lake Como, Italy. This is currently planned for 26th April to 3rd May and will include supervised training with a coach and support boat. Practice races will also be held each day to test new learnings. More details can be found on the Swiss Class Association website here.

The GBR class is also pleased to confirm the continued partnership with Noble Marine Insurance, who will once again provide funding for UK-based training during the season. In addition, Noble Marine will be the Event Title Sponsor the UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Hayling Island Sailing Club this September.

The class vote on speedpuck use in organised events

Towards the end of the AGM section, class members were invited to vote on using speedpucks in organised events and if this should be permitted under class rules.

• 24% voted 'YES' to speedpucks being permitted under the class rules
• 76% voted 'NO' to speedpucks being permitted under the class rules

With 76% of the class members voting against speedpucks continuing to be permitted under the Class Rules, the committee has now moved forward with requesting a change to the Class Rules.

A response from World Sailing was pending at the time of the report being published, but it is anticipated that the Class Rules will be updated, meaning speedpucks will no longer be permitted going forward.

How to View the 2024 Annual Survey Report

The International Committee would like to thank the class and sailors from the wider sailing community for their insightful feedback, suggestions, and comments as part of the MSCA 2024 Class Survey.

The committee are now working together to review feedback and progress any required actions and will respond to the class members in due course, including confirmation and further details on the long-term international regatta plans.

To view the 2024 Class Survey report, as well as previous reports, visit the Musto Skiff class website here.