Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

Musto Skiff Training at Chanonry Sailing Club - Day 1

by Ben Schooling 2 Nov 2014 10:22 UTC 1-2 November 2014
Musto Skiff Training at Chanonry © Ben Schooling

Pretty awesome conditions but the boys coped well

I couldn't refuse Kevin Holliday's kind offer at the Nationals to return to the homeland for a weekend of coaching with the North of Scotland fleet. Chanonry Sailing Club now has the largest fleet of Musto's in Scotland with 5 boats and it really is a fantastic stretch of water on the Moray Firth just North of Inverness. After a short flight up from Gatwick I was collected by Kevin and driven back over the impressive Kessock bridge to the Black Isle and onto Fortrose.

Despite a rather ominous 12-26kt forecast, 6 Musto's turned out with 4 local boats and Jono Shelley from Aberdeen and Ian Renilson from Dalgety Bay travelling up. After a briefing the fleet were set to launch but wisely held ashore as a squall passed through, making good use of the time to discuss heavy weather techniques!

By 11:30 the breeze had abated and the boats launched into a steep chop. Renilson and Shelley were first to head out, Jono christening his brand new boat in the process, and after a successful first run coaxed the others off the slip. Once all out the fleet set off on a decent beat a mile of so upwind before turning for a full blast back down. After a couple more of those, the wind had dropped a notch and allowed a couple of follow my leader into tacking on the whistle exercises on a short w/l course. With the breeze beginning to ramp up again under the next bank of cloud, the fleet headed back in for well deserved soup and rolls.

The video debrief was held in the warmth and comfort of Kevin's front room beside the fire with great cups of tea provided by Judie. Some good learning points were taken form the various techniques captured from the camera and commentary on the RIB and 2 Go-pros on board the skiffs.

At the time of writing we're looking forward to heading out for a hearty dinner at the local restaurant and planning an early start tomorrow before my return flight home. A big thanks from me for the Holliday's superb hospitality and to Jack Evans for expertly driving the RIB.

Related Articles

Matthias Houvenagel on sailing 'fast and clever'
Preparing for the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing a series of interviews with Musto Skiff sailors representing different countries to find out how they've been preparing for the up-coming ACO 14th Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds in Sydney in January. Posted on 9 Nov
Musto Skiffs at Itchenor SC's Firecracker Weekend
Great racing at one of the most welcoming clubs in the country The final event of the UK southern circuit took place last weekend at Itchenor Sailing Club (ISC) as part of their annual Firecracker weekend. Posted on 7 Nov
Musto Skiff 2024 Scottish and Northern Series
Euan Hurter wins the title after an excellent series of events After a series of excellent events spanning Ullswater, North Berwick, Filey, Chanonry, and Dalgety Bay, Euan Hurter has been crowned the 2024 Scottish and Northern Skiff Series Champion (best 4 from 5 events) on the back of his 2023 series victory. Posted on 6 Nov
Affordable Precision: How Atto Changes the Game
Weighing just 75g and capable of measuring 250 kg working load Digitalisation has changed sailing. Technologies once reserved for Grand-Prix are permeating every level of the sport, giving sailors the ability to adopt elite racing and training practices - elevating the game across the board. Posted on 4 Nov
Ovington Multiclass Open at the WPNSA Preview
This is the final big multiclass event of 2024! Entries are now open for our multiclass event down at Weymouth, WPNSA on 5th / 6th October. This is the final big multiclass event of 2024 and features top coaches Adam Bowers and Sam Pascoe, who will host a racing de-brief on Saturday night. Posted on 20 Sep
Musto Skiffs at the Scottish Skiffs Regatta
A small but talented Scottish and Northern Musto Skiff fleet converged at Dalgety Bay A small but talented Scottish and Northern Musto Skiff fleet converged at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club on the weekend of 31st August to 1st September, 2024, and were treated to two days of brilliant racing and some wild downwind rides. Posted on 6 Sep
Musto Skiff Traveller at Chanonry
A memorable weekend of sailing and hospitality The recent Musto Skiff event at Chanonry Sailing Club in Fortrose was not just a test of skill on the water, but also a testament to the camaraderie and warmth of the sailing community. Posted on 13 Aug
ACO 13th Musto Skiff Worlds overall
Sam Pascoe wins, Rob Richardson and Danny Boatman complete the podium After five days of racing at this year's ACO 13th Musto Skiff World Championship at Weymouth and Portland, British sailor Sam Pascoe kept his cool under pressure as the event favourite to win the 2024 Worlds Title. Posted on 21 Jul
ACO 13th Musto Skiff Worlds day 4
Sam Pascoe is in first place and on track to win overall The fleet woke up to another warm day in Weymouth and Portland, with hot sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. The wind was not so great first thing, however, with just 5 knots in the harbour and 6 knots in the bay and looking rather 'patchy'. Posted on 20 Jul
ACO 13th Musto Skiff Worlds day 3
Some of the lighter sailors were licking their lips at the prospect of less breeze As the sun rose on day 4 of the ACO 13th Musto Skiff World Championships, sailors were greeted by glorious sunshine and a steady 8-10 knot breeze from the southeast. The forecast had the wind dropping as the day progressed. Posted on 19 Jul
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER