2017 World Championship - Troense, Denmark
June 29 - July 9, 2017
Regatta Report
The Opening Ceremony of the Star World Championship 2017 was launched in the harbor of Troense, a suburb of Svendborg on the beautiful Svendborg Sound.
The opening speech was performed by the President of ISCYRA, Lars Grael from Brazil. In his speech, Lars referred to seven World Champions and to more Olympic winners amongst some of the best sailors of the world today.
ISCYRA Commodore Dierk Thomsen from Germany spoke next and referred to the Danish sailing icon Paul Elvstrøm, who won the silver tro
phy in Havana in 1955. Before his death, Paul Elvstrøm gave the trophy to the Star Class to be awarded to the sailor with the best total result (no discard) at the Worlds. Presented by his daughter Trine, the trophy was handed over to President Lars Grael with huge applause.
Race Day One
The sailing conditions for the start of the first race day were excellent, with light clouds and winds between 12 to 16 knots, which according to the PRO Thomas Jørgensen, is perfect Star boat conditions. After a general recall, the black flag was raised and all boats headed upwind toward the top mark. Lars Grael led as the fleet rounded the top mark. During the second upwind leg, the wind increased to 16-20 knots with gusts to 24 knots, with loads on equipment obvious, resulting in a number of broken masts and other equipment failures. One boat lost their steering capability and drifted to Langeland, from where it was later escorted back to Troense. In total, 18 boats did not finish the race. Leaders were: Lars Grael (BRA), Hubert Merkelbach (GER) and Reinhard Schmidt (GER). While most of the sailors joined in the after party, some sailors were busy repairing their boats to be ready for the next days racing.
Race Day Two
Due to heavy winds, the PRO cancelled racing for the day, giving many teams an opportunity to heal injured boats.
Race Day Three
After the prior day’s cancellation, the majority of sailors were eager to race again. In consideration of the days weather forecast, with risk of winds like the first day, five teams decided to postpone competing until the next race to protect their rigging and sails and did not start. A postponement was held for 2 hours, with racing beginning at 1:30 with 59 boats on the line. Nine boats did not finish due to sail or rigging damage. Winner of race 2 were: Facundo Olezza Baza/Juan Pablo Engelhard (ARG), Reinhard Schmidt/Paul Sradnick (GER), Eivind Melleby/Josh Revkin (NOR). At 23 years of age, Facundo is the youngest helmsman at the Worlds, an optimistic sign for the Star Class!
Race Day Four
To make up for the earlier cancellation of racing and a forecast for tricky conditions for the remaining days, the Race Management team decided to run 2 races per day. Stable winds between 16-20 knots and clear skies allowed two races. Race 3 started after a Black flag star with Race 4 all clear. Augie Diaz won race 3. The overall rankings stood 
at: Eivind Melleby/Josh Revkin (NOR), Lars Grael/Samuel Goncalves (BRA), Reinhardt Schmidt/Paul Sradnick (GER). Prizes were awarded for daily racing and best results after races 3 and 4. Sune Carlsson was also announced as the recipient of the Harry Nye Trophy.
Poul Mik-Meyer who won the Star Worlds 50 years prior with Paul Elvstrøm was in attendance at the race village.
Race Day Five
With no wind in the harbor in the morning, racing was postponed a for 1.5 hours. The wind and temperature slowly increased and stabilized to 8-9 knots when the race started with only a minor change in wind direction during the race. Race 5 winners were : Diego Negri/Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA), George Szabo/Patrick Ducommen (USA) and Heiko Winkler/Uwe Thielemann (GER). The over standings were the same as day four.
Race Day Six – Layday
Race Day Seven
The days weather forecast with wind speeds between 12-20 knots strengthened the sailors expectations for the 6th and final race. Before 10am, 66 boats left the harbor and sailed out to the starting line. The race was characterized by changing positions after each mark rounding, creating an exciting final race. Winners of the final race were Hubert Merkelbach/Brian Fatih (GER), Diego Negri/Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA) and Reinhard Schmidt/Paul Sradnick (GER).
The experienced Norwegian sailor, Eivind Melleby and his American crew Josh Revkin finished the 6th race
in 8th with a total score for the 6 races making them World Champions for 2017 and the winners of the inaugural Paul Elvstrøm Trophy. ISCYRA President Lars Grael with Samuel Goncalves (BRA) finished 5th in the days race to rand them second overall. Reinhard Schmidt and Paul Sradnick (GER) finished 3rd in the last race and 3rd overall in the results.
