Welcome to the March issue of the eNewsletter. I am pleased to say that at the time of writing, we have only 8 days to go until the first Musto Skiff open meeting of 2005 at Rutland SC. So, if you have been in hibernation over the winter now is the time to get your boat back together and head out on to the road for the new season.

The recent boat shows and exhibitions in a number of European cities have given the class an opportunity to show the boat in Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the UK to generate more interest in the class. Sales since Christmas have been excellent and I am told that more than 20 boats have been ordered from Devoti so far.

Dave Hall and the 29ER class association have very kindly offered to run the initial organisation and entry process for the 4 classes holding their National Championships at Paignton Sailing Club in August. Keep your eyes open for full details in the coming weeks of how you will be able to enter. We are very grateful for this offer as it is not an easy task to draw all of the necessary arrangements and entries together. Hopefully we can set a new record entry for the class this year.

Looking forward to a great season, hope to see you on the water soon.

Paul Clarke GBR 176 - It's Not A Van!

UK Dinghy Exhibition - 6-7th March 2005
Once again the Dinghy Show was a great opportunity for the Musto Skiff Class Association members who staffed the stand to spread the gospel according to the MPS. Thanks to all those who took the time to stop by our stand and give us the opportunity to tell you about a boat and sport that give us all so much pleasure. Read more >>>

Caption Competition
There was one Musto #1 shirt left over (White - sized XL) from the Dinghy Show which Devoti are offering as a prize in the caption competition. All you have to do is is come up with the best quote for the picture on the right (it has to be printable but there may be another prize for the best unprintable one ...) All entries must be in by 24th March by email. Enter a caption >>>

Musto Performance Skiff Features in the Telegraph
When the Daily Telegraph were looking to find some exciting sailing to preview the UK Dinghy Show there was only one class extreme sports journalist Gary King was going to contact - the Musto Skiff. Gary was not dissapointed which his choice of class or his luck with the weather. It was blowing dog's off chains when he got his test sail on a cold day at Rutland. Despite the 25Knot plus conditions Gary still manages a sail and a swim. Read the full article >>>

New Dealers
With interest in the class growing overseas we have now got dealers/contact persons appointed in three new important regions; USA, Australia and New Zealand.

In the USA Ron Radko is the man; Ron was the first non-European (who didn't live in Europe) to compete in the Musto Skiff Gold Cup when he made the trip all the way from Seattle to Lake Garda last year, he has owned is MPS for some time but the prospect of building a fleet was something that he wanted to be part of. Contact Ron >>>

Interest is also strong "Down Under" and Jason Beebe has been appointed as the main man in Australia and New Zealand. Congratulations to Jason who together with crew Tim Berg finished 6th in the recent International 14 Worlds in Auckland. Contact Jason >>>

Tiger Trophy 2005
The 2005 Tiger Trophy was unusual for one reason. Not because there were less entries, in fact the event continues to attract more and more sailors of a very high calibre. The reason was that it became the first light airs Tiger Trophy that most people could remember ! The racing was held under the same format of 3 handicap races on Saturday with one discard, followed by Sundays 2 hour pursuit race that had to be counted. Unfortunately, for a large number of the high performance fleet this race proved to be their Achilles heel. In the very light winds the slow handicap boat sailors prevailed, with a very well sailed GP14 taking line honours, followed by the eventual, and well deserved Tiger Trophy winning Merlin Rocket. Congratulations to them ! How did the skiffs fair ? Read the full report>>>