photos by Brian White

Oxford MD

Jorge Zarif and crew Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) are the 2018 Star World Champions. At 26 years of age, Jorge, the son of a Brazialian Srar sailor of the same name, is the youngest winning skipper since Alex Hagen (GER) won the prestigious trophy in 1981.

The final day was challenging with 40 degree wind shifts and up to 25 knots of wind and a very steep, 3 foot, chop. The race committee had their hands full setting the course causing several recalled and postponed starts. In the end, the fleet was on the water from 09:30 to 18:30 to get races and 5 and 6 and the championship completed.

After doing the math Friday night, I realized that Arthur and I had only a very slim, mathematical, chance to win. We would have to beat Zarif In both races and remain in the top 3 in both races.

As we headed to the race course we had every intention of doing just that. In the first race, we got off to the left side and the wind shifted 30 degrees to the right. We came around the first mark in the 20’s and headed downwind. Halfway down the run, we swamped the boat. As the boat was now sitting lower in the water, the automatic bailers could not bail the boat before we took another wave over the bow. Realizing this would likely be our discard race, I decide not to
risk breaking the mast and retire from that race in order to be able to compete in race 6.

Zarif also sailed his discard with a 14th while Melleby/Revkin finished 7th. Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA) won this windy and rough race.

Going into the final race no one really was sure of the points as their had been a number of boats disqualified under the black flag at the start of race 5, making the point counting that much more difficult.

Tomas Hornos, with Pedro Trouche crewing, won the final race with Melleby close in second Zarif finished fourth and Arthur and I in 6th.

Along with Hornos & Trouche, 30 of the 124 sailors were 32 or under. The winning skipper was 26. Youngest competitor 15. The average age of this championship was under 50, the first time in 10 years. These are all very encouraging facts for the class.

The host club, Tred Avon, and the town of Oxford put on an outstanding event on and off
the water. Their hospitality and friendship could not have been better.

For the championship, the Star class has a very credible world champion, who is already Finn World champion and an Olympian. The defending champions finished second and Arthur and I in third. Negri/Lambertenghi, number one ranked Star team in the world, finished 4th.

While we came to Oxford to win, we are reasonably satisfied with our result. I first raced in the Star World championship 40
years ago at my home club, St. Francis, in San Francisco. There as a 19 year old crew, I finished 4th with boat builder Bill Gerard. That experience hooked me on the class of boat that has made me the sailor I am, led me to the career I have had and in which I will sail on for life. Here in Oxford, some more young people have become hooked on sailing thanks to the Star Class.

Next stop for us is the SSL Finals in Nassau in early December.

Paul

photos by Mark Hergen

Oxford, Maryland

First of all, let me apologize about last nights’ post.  My technological skills are not up to par.

Two races were held today on the Choptank ( yes, that’s the name of the part of the Chesapeake we are in) in a dying, but persistently left shifting wind.

In race three, it was the Melleby and Zarif show again as they went 1, 2. Zarif got the win this time. I made a mistake up the first leg tacking to the right while sailing next to Melleby heading left. The left was the place to be and we got to the first make in the teens. From there we managed to claw our way back to 8th. We seem pretty fast fortunately which helps when you are not smart. Augie Diaz had a nice race finishing 5th to close the gap to us after three.

The wind continued to drop further for Race 4. After a couple of general recalls, the fleet got away under a black flag. 6 knots was all that we had and by the finish, it was down to 3 knots. Those are trying conditions.

I can’t remember all the ups and downs. It was very difficult and tricky. We were at huge risk of losing 20 boats at one point up the second windward leg. All I know is that I had my Notre Dame hat on and felt the luck of the Irish with me. (Yes, I drank the Koolaid?) Arthur and I managed to come away with the win!

In after hours racing, Melleby/Revkin were disqualified from race 3 for not avoiding a collision with Zarif. By virtue of that, Arthur and I are 2nd overall behind Zarif.

The regatta is back on schedule. Tonight, hurricane Michael will pass through the region. 40 knots are forecast for 05:00 tomorrow morning. All boats were taken out of the water. The start has been postponed by 2 hours. Looks like we will race and it will be fun to have one breezy race.

For complete results go to: https://www.regattatoolbox.com/results?eventID=66N5cTLxgd

Paul

Photo by Bronny Daniels

Marina del Rey

The final two races of the Star North American Championship were held today in identical conditions to the other days, 7-8 knots from the southwest and choppy seas.

While Arthur and I had great starts and were up front in both races, we could not match the speed of Eric Doyle. We got a 2, 4 to his 1, 3.

There was a lot of up and down and back and forth with other players but the championship boiled down to just that.

Next Star event for me is the Vintage Gold Cup in Gull Lake Michigan, where I will be Sailing with my son Danny in our 55 year old wooden Star, GEM. More on that later.

The Star World Championship in mid October is next on Arthur and my schedule and we will be working hard on a good result there.

For complete results go to: www.starclaas.org/NorthAmericanChampionship

Paul