Every time I attend a Star regatta I am impressed with the accomplishments of virtually everyone involved with the Star class. With each regatta I learn more about the achievements of yet another team, coach, retired Star sailor or class officer. The sailors who get today’s fanfare in the Star may have been making headlines for years not just because of their prowess as a skipper or crew in a Star, but also because they have established themselves as national or continental champions in other classes. Many are heroes on the world, Olympic and America’s Cup stage.
It’s a quick list, but it highlights 27 of the 208 luminaries who are racing in the 2008 Star World Championships and their World Championship, Olympic and America’s Cup accomplishments. Among the 26 skippers and crews listed, there are world champions in 18 different international classes and disciplines and Americas Cup finalist skippers and tacticians, not to mention all of the crews who are competing on America’s Cup teams. The Olympic medal haul in five disciplines is unapproachable at any Olympic Class world championship.
Country
|
Sailor |
Olympics |
World Championship |
BRA
|
Alan Adler |
|
Star/1989 |
GER
|
Ingo Borkowski |
Silver/Soling |
H-Boat/1995
and Match Racing/1997 |
BRA
|
Gastao Brun |
|
Soling/1979 |
USA
|
Carl
Buchan |
Gold/FD |
Star/1992; Flying Dutchman/1983; World Youth Champ/1975 |
ITA
|
Enrico Chieffi |
|
Star/1996; 470/1985;
50 footer/1990 |
USA
|
Augie
Diaz |
|
Snipe/2003 and 2005 |
SWE
|
Anders Ekstrom |
|
Star/2004 |
BRA
|
Marcelo Ferreira |
Gold
and Bronze/Star |
Star/1990 and 1997 |
BRA
|
Peter Ficker |
Bronze/FD 1976 |
|
BRA
|
Lars Grael |
2-Bronze/Tornado |
Snipe/1993 |
USA
|
Hal
Haenel |
Gold and Silver/Star |
Star/1995 |
USA |
Andy
Horton |
|
Match Racing 2003 and 2004 |
POL
|
Mateusz Kusznierewicz |
Gold/Finn |
Finn/1998
and 2000 |
SWE
|
Fredrik Loof |
|
Star/2001 and 2004; Finn/1994,1997 and1999 |
CAN
|
Ross Macdonald |
Silver and Bronze/Star |
Star/1994 |
SUI
|
Flavio Marazzi |
|
5.5 Meter-2003 and 2005 |
GBR
|
Steve Mitchell |
|
Star/2002 |
AUS
|
Iain Murray |
|
18 foot skiff/1977-1982;
Etchells-1984, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 1995 |
NZL
|
Hamish Pepper |
|
Star/2006; Match Racing
1995 and 2000; Mumm 30/2003; Farr 40/2005 |
GBR
|
Iain Percy |
|
Star/2002; Finn/2000 |
BRA
|
Bruno Prada |
|
Star/2007 |
FRA
|
Pascal Rambeau |
Bronze/Star |
Star/2003 and
2005 |
USA
|
Mark
Reynolds |
Two Gold and a Silver/Star |
Star/1995 and 2000 |
FRA
|
Xavier Rohart |
Bronze/Star |
Star/2003 and
2005; J80/2002; ISAF Keelboat/2002 |
BRA
|
Robert Scheidt |
Two Gold and a
Silver/Laser |
Star/2007 Laser/1995-1997; 2000-2002, 2004 and 2005; World Jr. Champ. |
USA
|
Jud
Smith |
|
Etchells/1996; Mumm30/1997 and 1999 |
AUT
|
Hans Spitzauer |
|
Finn/1996 |
USA
|
Phil Trinter |
|
Star/1993 |
NZL
|
Carl Williams |
|
Star/2006 |
Sitting on the side lines coaching are world champions and Olympic medalists Rod Davis, Stevie Erikson, David Giles, Magnus Liljedahl, Hans Wallen and Mike Wolfs. Sir Durward Knowles, Ding Schoonmaker, Alexander Hagen and Vince Brun have also graced the fleet with their presence during this world championship regatta being sailed by 104 boats from 31 countries.
As for class protocol, the Star has undergone continual modification and improvement since its inception nearly 100 years ago. The class has documented practical procedures for adopting changes to the boat, rigging and sail design as well as to regatta, district and class governance. Changes to class rules must be introduced by one of over 150 fleets in 21 districts in 42 countries. Proposals are debated by the class’ Management and its International Governing Committee, introduced at an annual meeting held during the world championship so that a broad representation of nations, districts, fleets and active sailors can discuss and debate the issues before they are placed on a ballot on which the entire class membership can vote.
If you sail in the Star Class, the rules are clear, the boats are within the tolerances of the Star class one design rule; the camaraderie is deep and the competition is fierce all over the world.