Musto Skiff sailor Alexander Greil on experiencing the thrill of regattas
by International Musto Skiff Class Association 1 Dec 23:32 PST
Alexander Greil competing at the ACO 8th MUSTO Skiff World Championship 2017 in Torbole © Bernardi´ Bibiloni
In less than five weeks, Alexander Greil will travel to Australia to participate in the ACO 14th Musto Skiff 2025 World Championships.
Having attended every Musto Skiff Worlds since 2013, it was no surprise that Alexander was eager to prepare his boat for the container headed to Sydney, the next World Championship event on the calendar.
So, what is Alexander most excited about for the Sydney races, and what does he deem most crucial when participating in a major regatta like the Worlds?
Getting to know Alexander Greil…
For the upcoming World Championships, Alexander—or Alex, as he is known in the fleet—will represent Switzerland and his local sailing club, Yacht Club Horgen, near Zurich, where he currently resides.
Having been born on his family’s yacht on Lake Zurich 32 years ago, it’s safe to say Alex was literally born into sailing. He fondly remembers spending much of his childhood on the family yacht, enjoying weekends during the summer sailing together. Reflecting on his early sailing days, Alex shared, “When I was about five and a half, I was allowed to sail my first boat alone on Lake Zurich, which was our plywood dinghy with an optical sail. I sailed a lot in our dinghy, and after learning to swim, I was allowed to join Optimist training at Yacht Club Horgen.”
Years later, Alex joined the Enge Sailing Club to compete in international regattas in his Optimist. At that point, he began coaching with Swiss sailor Roger Oswald, one of the early European promoters of the Musto Skiff.
Thanks to Roger, Alex got his first taste of the Musto Skiff and continues to sail in the class today. Notably, he secured 1st place overall in the Youth division at the Musto Skiff 2015 Worlds in Perth, Australia.
When did you start sailing the Musto Skiff?
Roger (Oswald) had already purchased his first Musto Skiff while I was beginning my journey in a 29er. I was just 14 years old then, with Roger still coaching me. However, six years later, I was too heavy for the 29er, which almost capsized during light wind at the Europeans on Laga Maggiore. The 49er was never an option due to ongoing challenges with sailing partners. It was time to switch to the Musto Skiff, a single-handed boat, but I was training as a carpenter and had to save diligently to afford one.
At the final regatta of the year in Cham, I was fortunate to borrow a boat. Thankfully, Roger convinced Dieter Brunner to purchase a new boat, allowing me to take on his old one, the SUI 306. I sailed this boat for the first six years. Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in the 2012 Worlds in Weymouth due to my carpenter exams. After that, I raced in every Worlds, including those in Perth, Riva del Garda, Carnac, Mallorca, Blairgowrie, Medemblik, Kiel, Torbole, and recently Weymouth in the UK. I also competed in the Europeans on Lake Attersee and the 2022 European Championship in Mallorca. My best result remains 12th overall and 1st Youth in Perth at the 2015 Worlds.
What do you enjoy the most about regatta sailing in the Musto Skiff?
I favor warm water, sunshine, and plenty of wind for regatta sailing. I particularly enjoy racing the Musto when we’re all pushing our limits downwind, ensuring we keep the boat intact by evening. I appreciate the fair competition within the Musto Skiff fleet, and I’m always struck by how aggressively other classes sail. I still sail the J70 occasionally, but I find the tasks too few and the maneuvers happen too slowly.
I look forward to sailing the Musto Skiff for as long as possible, and I’m doing my best to grow the European fleet, enabling us to race in more thrilling regattas.
After sailing in the class for several years, do you still find challenges in the Musto Skiff?
Overall, Musto Skiff sailing presents constant challenges. The line between capsizing and executing a flawless maneuver is very thin. I find this challenge exhilarating. Occasionally, I sail dull boats, and at the end of the day, I miss the excitement the Musto Skiff provides.
The 2025 Worlds will be held at Woollahra Sailing Club, overlooking Sydney Harbour. What are you most looking forward to about this venue?
I’m eager to sail beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I also hope to cross the Queenscliff ferry without sinking! I’m excited to race the Musto Skiff in such a spectacular location, hoping for good wind conditions.
Lastly, have you set any goals for the ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025, and who do you predict will excel?
I aim to improve my results each year, but matching my 12th place in Perth will be tough given the fierce competition. Yet, having fun is my priority. It’s difficult to predict who will be the World Champion; Matthias (Houvenagel) and Jon (Newman) from Australia are definitely strong contenders. There are also promising sailors from the UK, like Danny (Boatman), Jamie (Hilton), and Robert (Richardson).
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who wins; what counts is that we all enjoy the experience.
About the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds
The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship 2025 will take place at Woollahra Sailing Club in Sydney, Australia, from January 2nd to 10th, 2025. For complete event details, click here or visit the venue’s website to download the NOR and register. Standard entry is available until November 30th, 2024.
The 2025 Worlds is proudly presented by main sponsor ACO, along with supporting sponsor J&J Robertson and Sons, in partnership with ANJ Container Services. Event partners include Musto, Ovington Boats, and the B14 Class, which will also hold its World Championship during the same event week.
Stay tuned for the next Musto Skiff class interview, featuring Australian youth sailor Casey Bates.
