Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
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President's Message
Dear Star sailors,
It's time to kick off our 2022 racing schedule. Bacardi Cup always leads the year with a bang and this year was no exception as Mateusz and Bruno won the event for the fourth time in a row. The Class was honored to award the Harry Nye Award to Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi for all his support of our Class over the years.
This year will be another special year for our world championships. Many of us will be off to Scarlino, Italy in September. This beautiful area of Tuscany hosted the World Championship in 1999. I was lucky enough to race that event 24 years ago and it has been the highlight of my life in the Star. The people, the sailing, and the food were beyond my expectations. This year, our Silver Championships are held in Warnemunde (Germany), Vancouver (Canada) Cleveland (USA), Rio de Janiero (Brazil), and Cannes (Cannes)
Our big championships are spectacular, but the backbone of our Class still must be local. I encourage us all to build our fleets; train new skippers and crews and take someone new on the boat. For the class to be healthy, we must keep adding new Sailors at all levels. Sharing the joy of racing our beautiful boat and welcoming a new person into the wonderful community of the Star Class is a worthy endeavor.
Please welcome our new IGC Chair, Doug Smith. During the IGC meeting in March, the Committee awarded the 2025 World Championship to Split, Croatia.
Tom Londrigan
ISCYRA President
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STAR CLASS IGC/CMC update
Your Star Class officers met in Miami at their annual Bacardi Cup meeting to discuss Class business. As a result, the new IGC Chairman is Doug Smith with Tom Londrigan as President. The 2 Boards met and the following actions are being taken.
- Approval of 2023 Budget
- Long Range Planning Committee: Christian Nehammer will head a sub-committee to create a business plan to take the Star Class forward.
- U30 initiative is moving nicely with several teams at major events.
- 2026 Worlds confirmed for Split, Croatia. Please see website for major championship regatta calendar
- Class is working with World Sailing on an updated Rule 42 guide for judges
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Once in a Lifetime
100 years of Stars on the Chesapeake
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Any Centennial celebration is likely to be a one time affair for most of us. This summer marks the 100th year of Star boats on the Chesapeake, specifically at Gibson Island. The Gibson Island Yacht Squadron will host the Annual J Rulon Miller Series for Stars on June 23-25 which will be the District 2 Championships, the Miller Series plus a Long Distance race on Friday. The Gibson Island club which has twice hosted the Star Internationals (1930, 1951) will host the celebration as only that club can do, as a whole island event with a bar-b-que party hosted by the long time Star Dunigan family on Friday evening followed by a Clubhouse outdoor party after racing on Saturday. Racing on Saturday and Sunday will constitute the District 2 Championships.
Entries are expected from throughout the East Coast and both sides of the Chesapeake. The 3 days of racing will be conducted by Greg Cukor , well supported by Squadron members. The Distance race on Friday memorializes the annual Star Distance events that were usually run far down the Bay and back, sometimes finishing the next day! Not nearly that extreme, we will round several lighthouses this year and be back in time for the Dunnigan party on Friday evening.
A little history might be interesting. In 1923, after discarding their fleet of elderly Mower designed Fishers Island 24, centerboard sloops, the newly formed “Water Committee” ( preceding the Yacht Squadron) led by 3 Gibson Island members, purchased 12 of the hot new Star Class sloops from New England Boatworks. Twisting arms and buying drinks for their sailing buddies there, all were sold by delivery and the new fleet had begun. With a fine unanimity of purpose they were given the names of various fish ( Trout, Porpoise, Tuna, Mackerel, Minnow, Bonito, Tarpon, Bass, Shark, Perch, etc). They also were painted in different colors and locally were called the rainbow fleet. Haul outs and bottom paints were regulated as well as sail purchases. They were initially moored on the Bay side of the causeway in their first season until a strong Nor’easter caused all of these fishes to return to their natural element - the bottom of the Chesapeake! ( except Porpoise, who had a cover and naturally, needed to breathe….). Quickly raised, they found moorings in the protected Gibson Island harbor.
So began the Chesapeake Bay Star Fleet, which was granted it’s District 2 charter in 1924. In 1925, 8 more boats were ordered from the MM Davis Yard in Solomons Island Md. USNA bought 4 Stars to race with them in 1925. There being no Stars yet on the Eastern Shore, the Johnson brothers Loundes and Graham would sail their Star over from Oxford Md across the Chesapeake and race at Gibson Island, sailing back after each weekend. Time in the boat obviously helped as they won the Star Internationals in New Orleans in1929, bringing the prestigious championship regatta to their host club at Gibson Island in 1930. Famed helmsman, Arthur Knapp won that year after starting last (over early) but making an 11th hour move by unreefing at the last mark in a near gale, passing boat after boat and putting the 5 boats between him and his nearest competitor to win the Championships!
Though a numerically small Star fleet, Gibson Island is pleased to host a big event, honoring its long history with these most beautiful and challenging of racing boats. All Star sailors are welcome to celebrate a Century of Star boats on the Chesapeake in what is sure to be a memorable regatta.
Tom Price. Star 8015 “Bop”
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2023 Major Regatta Calendar
watch the Star Class website for updates.
| 2023 |
World Championship |
Gold |
Sept 16-24 |
Scarlino, ITA |
| 2023 |
Youth European Championship |
Silver |
Sept 27-Oct 1 |
Attersee, AUT |
| 2023 |
Western Hemisphere |
Silver |
Sept 10-14 |
Cleveland, OH, USA |
| 2023 |
Eastern Hemisphere |
Silver
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July 4-9 |
Warnemuende, GER |
| 2023 |
European Championship |
Silver |
Oct 24-29 |
Cannes, FRA |
| 2023 |
North American |
Silver |
May 29-June 3 |
Vancouver, BC, CAN |
| 2023 |
South American |
Silver |
Nov 30-Dec 3 |
Rio de Janeiro, BRA |
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STAR WINTER SERIES - 2023-2024
| Date |
Event |
| Dec 2-3, 2023 |
Commodore's Cup |
| Jan 5-6, 2024 |
Levin Memorial |
| Jan 5-7, 2024 |
Schoonmaker Cup |
| Feb 8-9, 2024 |
Walker Cup |
| Feb 8-11, 2024 |
Midwinters |
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HARRY NYE AWARD
WINNER FOR 2022
The Harry Gale Nye Trophy recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the ISCYRA. The trophy is named for Harry Gale Nye (1908-1987), who was a 3x Star World Champion (1942 and 1949) and served as Commodore from 1955-1963.
EDDIE CUTILLAS
The 2022 recipient is Eddie Cutillas from Bacardi. Eddie was presented the award at the prizegiving of the 2023 Bacardi Cup as he was unable to make the Gala dinner at the 2022 Worlds where it was to be presented! Eddie and his contributions to the Star Class as well as our cherished relationship with Bacardi make this a worthy award.
Photo: President Tom Londrigan, Commodore John Chiarella, Eddie Cutillas, Executive Director Mike Hecky
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MATEUSZ KUSZNIEREWICZ/BRUNO PRADA ARE ADDICTED TO WINNING THE BACARDI CUP
They came, they saw, they conquered in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and this year Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada did it again. They have well and truly sealed their place in the Bacardi Cup book of legends with four back-to-back victories.
Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada make history by winning their fourth successive Bacardi Cup.
“As a Bacardi family member, I am extremely proud of where we are with the Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Invitational Regatta,” said Eddie Cutillas, Bacardi USA. “We have had an outstanding event with a record line-up of entries and teams from twenty-seven nations. I could not be prouder of the effort we have put in to get this regatta to where it is.”
It all came down to the final race in the battle for the 96th Bacardi Cup, with eight teams theoretically in the running for the trophies. After two general recalls, the elite of Star sailing embarked on a 5-leg race.
Hans Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer led to the first mark, but with series frontrunners close behind they were off podium contention. Kusznierewicz/Prada thought they had a disadvantage by choosing the left side, but it played out well as they rounded in third.
From early, it was evident huge disappointment was on the cards for Peter O'Leary/Stephen Milne, who led going into the final day. After finishing the Bacardi Cup in 2nd place three times, they dreamed 2023 would be their year. They started on the right side of the course but couldn’t execute their plan and slowly slipped through the pack to finish in 20th and end their Bacardi Cup in fourth overall.
Kusznierewicz/Prada reeled in Spitzauer/Nehammer to go for the win. Rounding the final upwind mark, they had a 30 second advantage, extending even further to the leeward mark. The other teams could only battle it out for second and third.
Their passion for a perfect mission was precisely executed, and by the finish Kusznierewicz/Prada secured over a one-minute lead to win the 96th Bacardi Cup. The duo made history last year as the first ever same-crew team to win three consecutive times and are now back in the history books with their fourth successive win. No skipper or crew has ever achieved that.
“Sometimes I am thinking how much longer we can go,” grinned Kusznierewicz. “But I must say at the beginning it is a great fun, pleasure but also an honor to sail with Bruno. Unbelievable how I enjoy the week spent together. Thanks Bruno.”
“The week was a tough one. Mateusz started the week a little bit sick, we had the ‘Old Man’s funeral,” said Prada, in reference to the passing of Gonzalo Diaz, a renowned sailing personality and father of Augie Diaz. “It was tough to have our minds focused on the regatta, but we were able to manage all these outside odds and still we are super happy.”
“It was the toughest win out of the four,” continued Kusznierewicz. “The level of the competition was very high, and the five top teams were sailing just brilliantly. They played strategy and tactics very well. This time we had to fight to the end, but I like it.”
Whilst appreciating their momentous achievement, Prada had another motivation to win, rivalry with an old friend, saying, “For me the only important thing is to be ahead of the best crew in the world, that’s Frithjof. Once I am ahead of him, I am happy! I am not worried about records, if I am ahead of the best.”
“I know that he really likes the winning,” chipped in Kusznierewicz. “The race when we finished 21, Bruno was so angry. He is addicted to winning. I say, ‘let’s have some fun’, and he says, ‘you know how I spell fun, W-I-N’! This is good, this is what I like, because we are athletes. We really enjoy sailing and competition.”
They have already confirmed they will return in 2024, with Kusznierewicz affirming, “Once you have Bacardi, you want to have it more.”
A meticulous performance from Kusznierewicz/Prada who celebrated their remarkable achievement by sipping Bacardi rum from the iconic Bacardi Cup and Tito Bacardi Cup trophies at the prize giving to huge applause.
In paying tribute, Eddie Cutillas said, “Last year, you made history as the first same team crew to ever achieve three back-to-back wins. Whilst there had been skippers who had won three times in a row and crew who had won three times in a row, never had the same skipper and crew won three times in a row.”
“This year, you go one better and become the first skipper or crew to ever win four times in a row in the ninety-six-year history of the Bacardi Cup. Simply phenomenal. I don’t want to predict the future of the Bacardi Cup, but it is going to be a long time before anyone will ever have a chance at breaking your record,” Cutillas concluded.
As custodians of the Bacardi Cup for four years, the legacy secured by Kusznierewicz/Prada will be hard to beat. However, the quest for dominance and ambition to be part of the rich heritage of the Bacardi Cup will continue.
A sixth-place finish for Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube upgraded them to second overall, and Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise crossed the line in 3rd to leapfrog from leader board fifth to third.
Star Final Results – Top 3
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada (POL) - 15 pts
2. Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube (NOR) - 21 pts
3. Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise (USA) - 26 pts
Prizes were presented to the top five and to winners in the age divisions:
U30 (skipper under 30) - Matthew Rajacich/Eric Wagner
Master (skippers aged 50 through 59) - Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube
Grand Master (skippers aged 60+) - Paul Cayard/Frithjof Kleen
Exalted Grand Master (skippers aged 70+) - Larry Whipple/Killian Weise
Save the date for next year and come sail with us from March 3-9, 2024.
Bacardi Cup Results
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Calling all Unused/Under Utilized Star Boats
The Class has initiatives to get unused boats into the hands of Youth sailors and also to sailors in countries where Star sailing is developmental. Please consider loaning or donating your unused Star boat to a deserving youth sailor. Perhaps you may be aware of a boat at a club that is not actively being sailed. Please email the U30committee or the Star class office if you would like to discuss this opportunity further.
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Star Legacy Foundation
Created by Star sailors, The Legacy Foundation will create an endowment and scholarships to help support the Star Class' continued growth. The Legacy Foundation helped with the first U30 Worlds and is supporting the commemorative 100th Anniversary of the Star World Championship book. Donors to the 100th book project will receive a complimentary copy with minimum donation of $1,000 USD. The Legacy Foundation has made it easy for you to donate: 1) to the general fund or, 2) to the 100th book project. See donation buttons below:
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From the Commodore
Dear Star Class members and friends;
2022 was a very regatta filled scheduled, with many sailors taking part around the world.
The level of competition was intense, and the camaraderie of our members and the encouragement shown to tour U30 sailors was above what our mission statement means and must be followed.
To all the participated and all that supported the Class, and the regattas, i want you to know with your support we will remain one of the most revered sailing Classes.
The U30 sailors and with the addition of sailors from other classes, represent the future of the Star Class and need our support and benefit of your knowledge.
The Star boat loaner program has ended but we now are asking for donations of boats and equipment that will be sold at reasonable prices.
Currently we have two boats available and an Emmeti mast we recently sold.
As we enter 2023, a number of regattas have been completed including the (bucket list) Bacardi Cup won by Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada for the fourth in a row.
Your Class officers are working very hard at maintaining the operation of the Class and moving us forward into the next 100 years.
I hope you have purchased your book that honors the Star World Champions, a must have - please contact Jerelyn in the Star Class office to obtain one. They are priced at $125 and number of our sailors have purchased multiple copies they can give as gifts or to their Club library.
The Class is also in the process of having more of the very popular belts made as well as other merchandise available.
Finally, i hope all are current members, so the e-starlights and LOGs are sent to you.
I wish you great sailing success in 2023 and hope to see you on the race course.
Sincerely,
John Chiarella
Commodore
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