The UK has a large number of Malö Yachts owners, some of which meet once a year for some sociable fun on and off of the water. The following report of the Malö Muster is written by the events organisers- Kevin and Laura Clancy.
The Malö Muster
11th – 12th May 2019
Ocean Village, Southampton
The fourth Malö Muster took place in the lee of the recently opened Harbour Hotel bathed, for the most part, in glorious sunshine. There were twelve boats represented with nine making the trip up Southampton Water and on into the Itchin River. Surrounded by bars and apartments, it has a city-centre atmosphere and there is no question that the beautifully turned-out Malös added to the scene.
Once again the event attracted a very good level of attendance. We received eighteen apologies, citing previously arranged overseas sailing plans and other prior commitments preventing attendance this year but hopefully not next year.
Once all the Malös had gathered, the competitive part of the weekend began in earnest. A few weeks before, William Philpot of Nu had invited entries to a paper boat race, governed by a reasonably loose set of rules. An eclectic regatta formed on the pontoon, including catamarans, clinker-built monohulls, elegant bent pole designs and traditional folded paper entries. They were all launched on a down-wind course but it proved to be a treacherous crossing for some. One or two capsized almost immediately but the trimaran entry from John Partridge, after a shaky start, sped to an impressive victory.
Dan Hills of Malö Yachts UK, as at previous Musters, very generously sponsored the pontoon party which provided a great opportunity to catch-up with friends and to meet those attending for the first time. Before the dinner at the Maritimo Lounge, a restaurant located within Ocean Village, time was set aside for a discussion about future events. The consensus was for the next Malö Muster to be held at Portsmouth over the weekend of Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd May 2020, the precise location to be determined. There was also support for future sailing plans to be shared or for an informal gathering involving a sail to the West Country, France or the Chanel Islands. Following a good meal, William Philpot awarded a prize to John Partridge as the winner of the paper boat race, with line honours going to Andy Croft of Adastra and the discretionary award for most attractive paper boat entry going to Daniel and Elsa Clancy of Siskin. There then followed the award of the coveted Malö Chalice which this year was presented to Richard and Caroline Welch on behalf of Truffle, a cocker spaniel from Amaris, for the most sea legs at Malö Musters in recent years, with runner-up ‘doggy-bags’ going to Paddy and Stanley of Bugsy, Remy from Adastra and Alfie from Nu.
After a busy day racing off Cowes, Dan Hills joined the party and was able to provide an update on activities at the Malö boat yard on Orust and the encouraging news that Sweden Yachts Group was busy building new models. Andrew Sabourin of Blue Belle, as last year, talked through the likely course for the Malö Flotilla on Sunday morning, with his experienced eye on the likelihood of light winds suggesting a need to keep an open mind on the exact course. As matters transpired the flotilla took the form of an elegant parade of Malös circling each other, a display almost certainly never before encountered on Southampton Water.
We would like to extend a big thank you to all who sailed to Ocean Village and made the weekend a thoroughly enjoyable occasion. MDL, who run the marina, were accommodating in assigning space for the Muster and made every effort to make us feel welcome. Claire Philpot of Nu was deservedly thanked by everyone for putting energy into arranging the last three Musters and for providing much-needed support and encouragement for this year’s event. There was no official photographer so please do share with the group the best of the photographs taken over the weekend.
We wish everyone a great sailing season ahead, whether in these waters or overseas, and we hope to see as many of you as possible at the 2020 Malö Muster.
Best wishes
Kevin and Laura Clancy – Siskin
For more information about next years Malö Muster please email info@swedenyachtsgroup.se and we can put you in touch with the organisers.
