ACO Musto Skiffs World Championships Report

Published 01:00 on 7 Aug 2023

Report by Griff Tanner (GBR 568)

Lake Garda lies in the Italian pre-Alps running about 30 miles North-South, with a narrow, steep sided glacial northern section. It is this which funnels the anabatic & katabatic winds to regular 25-30 knot strengths, and makes the place a Mecca for wind-sport enthusiasts the world over. It also serves as a training base for several Olympic teams. Fresh water, 30 degree temperature, regular winds, and 2000ft granite cliffs towering over the race-course; this is why many of us brave the 18 hour drive from Calais when we see a regatta managing to secure a coveted slot in the Garda season. (Factual note this time I buddied up with another sailor to drive my boat down for me!)

The ACO Musto skiff world championship ran for a week in late July, during the recent heat wave. We raced mainly in the afternoon 'Ora' southerly wind, but due to some fairly violent thunderstorm activity switched over to the morning 'Peler' wind in the last two days early starts at 7:00am in the boat park but all done and dusted for the day by late morning.

As to the racing I personally didn't fare too well. All apart from the last day was 20 knots plus of breeze, and my boat handling fell apart, as well as a long list of gear failures. It was a stark reminder that you need to put time into training in representative conditions. Having finished in the top 10 in my previous three championships in Garda (albeit my previous visit was back in 2009), I finished 32 out of 54, and became begrudgingly well-acquainted with my upturned hull.

I would well recommend adding Garda to your bucket list if not for a sailing event, there is also fantastic kite surfing, wingfoiling/windsurfing, biking and walking, together with the delicious Italian food, charming lakeside towns, or even skiing in winter. It's an hour's drive from Verona, so the culture vultures could also build in a trip to the opera! Think of it as an Italian Salcombe!

Fun fact: The water is over 1000ft deep, so the racing marks are actually floating drones with GPS units and battery powered motors holding them on station.

Last updated 11:46 on 27 May 2025