Star World Championship-2025

September 13, 2025

37 years later- back on top of the World!

I won my first Star World Championship in 1988 at age 28. That victory launched my professional sailing career. I kept coming back to the Star while racing in the America’s Cup and Whitbread because it grounded me in the skills that are core to my craft.

 

Since stepping away from the “big time” a decade ago, I’ve been chasing this title again — finishing 3rd in 2018 and 2022 and narrowly missing in 2024. That sting of that loss stuck with me.

This year, in Split, Croatia, against 101 of the world’s best teams, I finally did it. To be back on top of what I consider the best One-Design in Sailing, after 37 years — and become the oldest Star World Champion at 66, is gratifying beyond words. I couldn’t have won without great teammates, Steve Erickson ’88 and Frithjof Kleen ’25.

 

I am now qualified to say: “Age is just a number!”

 

The Star Class has always been my foundation in sailing. Its legends inspired me as a kid, and winning my first Worlds in ’88 made me feel part of that history. Now, as a two-time Gold Star winner and International Star Class President, I’m committed to giving the next generation the same opportunities this sport has given me.

 

I’m blessed to be a Star sailor for life!

Paul Cayard