Who is Fredrik Lööf?

Many Star sailors, who once would have scratched their heads in uncertainty when asked this question, can now readily respond, “The new World Champion.” But, if pressed for details on this one-year wonder, would likely not be able to respond further than, “I think he used to be a Finn sailor.” In an effort to demystify the 2001 Star World Champion, the editor interviewed Fredrik Lööf by telephone just prior to publication. He was very warm and friendly, and happy to share his story with members of the Star Class.



Fredrik Lööf, age 31, grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. There he began his sailing career at the tender of three years old, sailing with his father in an Optimist. When asked about how he was trained for this adventure, he responded, “It’s quite funny really. My parents just threw me in the water and told me to swim. Then they put on the boat. I’ve been on the water, more or less, ever since.”



Lööf believes learning to be comfortable on the water at such a young age was definitely to his benefit and that an Optimist is a great choice for a starting boat. “In Europe, we often start on an Optimist or 420 Class. Though, choosing a starting boat for a beginner really depends on where you’re located. ”



The Optimist was Lööf’s boat of choice until he was about 14 years old, when he switched to the Europe Class for a year or so. This experience was followed by sailing an OK Dinghy. “I raced at National and International level in the Optimist and OK Dingy, progressing to the Olympic Finn in 1988. During my time sailing a Finn I sailed three Olympic Games and twelve World Championships.” Lööf is a three time Finn World Champion, and most recently was awarded the Bronze Medal at the 2000 Olympic Games, where he sailed a Finn representing his home country of Sweden.



After sailing a Finn for many successful years, Lööf altered course. “More recently I have focused on sailing keel boats, this has included Match Racing at International events in Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Being part of the Assa Abloy - Volvo 60 Team, Racing on Nicorette - Maxi and sailing the Star. Much of 2001 has been spent training in the Star, sailing with a variety of crews.”



Lööf was drawn to the Star because, “I really love the boat. It is a big, powerful boat that is flexible. In a Finn, if you want to change the set up, you have to change your mast. With a Star, changes can be made in the wires and settings.” The most difficult part of making this change was “getting the money together. It is quite an expensive class, and if you want to do well, you have make an investment in the proper equipment.”



Lööf’s first regatta in a Star boat was the 2001 Spring Championship of the Western Hemisphere in the Bahamas, where he found “lots of great sailors.” He and his crew, Christian Finsgård arrived early and spent 10 days preparing for the championship. By the time the Springs started, Lööf had sat approximately 20 days total in a Star boat. However, his personal preparation began long before.



“At the 2000 Olympics, I met so many Star sailors. I talked to them all at length and they were so friendly and helpful. They gave me important information on the various masts, sails and systems. Then, I did a lot of reading. I read thoroughly the trimming guides from both North and Quantum sails. I visited the mastmakers and boat builders and just learned as much as I could about the Star. I got all the basics right from the beginning. Magnus Liljedahl has been particularly helpful, but I’ve found all the Star sailors very willing to assist.”



After purchasing Star 7650, “which I knew was a very capable boat, and was in quite good shape when I bought it,” he set about making the boat his own. He bought two new rigs, a couple of sets of sails and “modified small decent pieces. There was no fairing needed, I just had to clean it up a bit.” He changed the wires and ropes to Spectra, then simplified the rigging to the more American 3:1 system. “I just make things as simple as possible for myself.”



Lööf’s experience as a Finn sailor has proved helpful in his transition to a Star, “While there is still quite a learning curve in a Star, there are some things I just do differently. My jibing skills are a little bit different. I think I’m using more power and am more physical, which helps me in the breeze and when maneuvering the boat in lighter wind. For sure, I learned this in the Finn.”



Like most skippers, Lööf favors “more wind. So far medium wind is my strength-I’m working on light wind.” Lööf has very high expectations of his crew and believes communication between skipper and crew is essential. “We talk a lot. The crew should give as much information as possible on what the fleet is doing-both upwind and downwind. The crew needs to look after the rig downwind. He is the one who’s setting the rig in the right place. Fitness wise, he has to be at a high level as well.”



Though Lööf expects his crew to be in top physical shape, he does not support the current resolution for changing the weight formula. “In the long term, crew weight should be reduced, yes. But this is too fast.” Lööf believes the main weakness of the proposed formula is that, “It would be hard for small skippers to be competitive against heavy skippers.” Lööf thinks the Technical Committee of the Star Class should review the weight formula and create a formula that is more fair.



After sailing in the Springs, Lööf returned to Europe, where he placed second in the SPA regatta, fourth at Kiel Week, and won the European Championship, where he sailed with Magnus Liljedahl.



Lööf reunited with Finsgård for the 2001 World Championship in Medemblik, Holland. The location was to his benefit, “because I sailed there many times in a Finn, which gave me a feel for the place and the wind.” Lööf thinks it is a good idea to study the location of a regatta ahead of time and, if possible, “spend time at the place and get to know the wind.”



When asked which regatta of 2001 was his favorite, Lööf replied with a laugh, “Why the Worlds of course! It was exciting until the very end.” Lööf and Finsgård edged out New Zealanders Gavin Brady and George Iverson in the sixth and last race of the World Championship, winning overall by one point. Again emphasizing both the importance of proper equipment and the cooperative attitude of Star sailors, Lööf said, “A couple of days before the Worlds I thought ‘I need a new jib. How can I get a new jib?’ I found Mark Reynolds, asked him for a new jib and he gave me one, fortunately.”



Lööf’s advice to novice skippers is to “get as much information as possible about the Star, the Class and what to invest in. It is easy to do the wrong thing. Talk to the people. Don’t just speak to one or two sailors, talk to as many as you can. Get on the internet-you can learn a lot. Once you have all the information, form your own opinion. Everyone in the Star Class has been so friendly to me and helpful. Joining the Class has been a great experience for me, as I’m sure it would be for anyone new to the Class.”



Lööf’s advice to advanced skippers is a little different, “Keep a big perspective, be in good physical condition and don’t worry about speed as much. Don’t think too hard-get the shifts right and just sail.” In order to get the shifts right, Lööf admits, “I’m very much a compass user, I use it a lot.”



While Lööf has had incredible success in 7650, he is looking forward to receiving his new Folli 8080. Currently residing in Saltsjobaden, Sweden, he is single, but has a British girlfriend. He is a member of Birka Fleet, and his home yacht club is the KSSS Royal Yacht Club. Recently, sailing has become his profession and he is looking forward to a competitive future with the Star Class. Beginning with the January issue of Starlights, Lööf will contribute regularly to Starlights in “The View From the Top” column.