Austrian Musto Skiff Training 2008

On Saturday, May 3rd we started our annually skiff training organized by the class association at Lake Attersee, Sailing Club Attersee.

FIRST DAY: After a quick brief 10 Sailors, including our special guest Andy Bunyan from Scotland, head for the first session in the morning at light breeze of 1-2 Bft from S/E and blue sky. In the morning we split the training in two groups. The main focus was explaining some of the maneuvers to our new sailors such as Patrick Weihs.

During lunch everybody learnt something about boat trim. In the afternoon the wind increases to practise some up and down races. Having completed three ordinary races the starting became more complex, as the following starts are in a two minute window. This put the emphasis on boat handling and slow speed boat control, which would have been tricky at any time. Some of the folks forgot that this just a training. We guess our beginner’s goal is joining their first MPS Worlds faster as we thought about...
In the evening we all had a great dinner to discuss good and bad things and fill up our batteries. At this moment we didn’t know a great Sunday is coming up….

SECOND DAY: On Sunday morning we found great conditions. I mean perfect conditions for practice. A fresh Force of 3 – 4 Bft., thermal conditions without any gusts from S/E. For some it was a bit too much and respect is due to the young guns such as Moritz Zieher and Christian Kettl for taking his 5th time sail in a Musto Skiff at 60 Kg.

In the afternoon we headed out again for an hour or two of tacking and gybing. Trying to speed up to the good sailors of the group. With the combinations of Martin and Gerald hints and tips and this intensive practice all felt they had definitely improved.

Many thanks to all sailors for coming down at Lake Attersee. The following Attendees did join the training at Segelclub Attersee:

Andy Bunyan (GBR)
Christian Maier
Christian Kettl
Martin Mayrhofer
Felix Luchterhand
Michael Holly
Gerald Richtarski
Patrick Weihs
Moritz Zieher
Ferdinand Haberl

Comment Andy Bunyan: “I just wanted to say many thanks to Gerald, Martin and Felix for inviting me to sail with you at the weekend. It was a great weekend, and I very much enjoyed being back on the water in an MPS. I have to say even in the light to medium winds that we had, I forgot how much hard work it is. ; - ) Many thanks for your hospitality, and I hope I can join you again some time in the future.”

In addition we spent some time to have three sailors tested a Musto Performance Skiff and have interest in the class that currently sail Laser and Finn. Our MPS fleet is growing fast. We were 11 members since Spring 2008. Twice that much as in 2007. Two new boat orders and three used boats.

Next AUT Events:

Austrian Nationals - September 6th and 7th .
MPS Training – Autumn 2008

For further information about AMPSCA or the sailing region Attersee feel free to visit our website at www.mustoskiff.at or contact our local Dealer at sales@mustoskiff.at or http://www.mustoskiff.com/dealer-details/austria.htm