Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
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President's Message
We are off and running to a great 2025. The winter sailing in Miami has been excellent with many Europeans and South Americans, joining the North American fleets in these inclusive regattas. Membership is ahead of where we were this time last year, indicating continued growth in interest in the oldest and best one design boat in history. The recent increase in dues coupled with increased membership means that financially we have the cash flow we need. Our financial assets are well managed and had substantial growth in 2024.
With the first boat from South Star (ARG) coming online, we now have four dedicated yacht builders and two mast manufactures. Many sail makers are committed to providing great sails to the Star class. We are blessed with top level suppliers!
We will have two Silver Star events this spring in North America, the European Championship in Italy in June, the World Championship in Split and the South American Championship in Rio in December. Beyond this, we have 124 active fleets in 28 nations around the world. We are truly an international class, and we continue to grow.
Our Youth and Junior membership categories doubled in 2024 and we expect more growth in 2025. For the Bacardi Cup, the SEA by Schoonmaker program provided 10 boats, each with a dedicated mentor, to U30 sailors from 6 nations. The Nixdorf Foundation brought 3 teams and a coach to Miami. C3 Racing provided 7 C-Stars for teams from Germany, Argentina and USA. SEA and Nixdorf are working together to continue to improve access to the Star Class to all.
At the Bacardi Cup, we again held two roundtables for all sailors. The openness and sharing of information demonstrated by our top sailors was once again a high point of the regatta. Many young sailors were provided with a great opportunity to learn from the best in these one-hour sessions. A big thank you to Eric Doyle, Payson Infelise, Mateusz K, Bruno Prada, George Szabo, Guy Avellon, Jack Jennings, Pedro Trouche, Will Stout, Danny Cayard, Piet Eckert, Federico Melo, Frithjof Kleen, Killian Weise and the many others who willingly shared their expertise.
While our continental and world championships tend to dominate our headlines, I want to emphasize that the strength of the Star class has always been the fleets. It is the fleet racing and district regattas that builds depth in the class. Many of our fleets have trophies that have been competed for over 70 years. These are classics and only exist thanks to the passion of local Star enthusiasts. I am calling on all those named above to also reach out to their local fleets, attend local regattas and share knowledge. It would be great if we could have a clinic once a year in each fleet, hosted by an internationally experienced sailor or team. Beyond the sharing of knowledge, the community building around events like this is very powerful and important.
In closing, it is with a loving heart that the Star Class created a fund for our Communications Manager, Rachele Vitello and her daughters Allegra (14) and Carlotta (12). Through a 3-week campaign in February and March, we, as a family, contributed $120,000+ to a fund that will benefit the girls higher education. I am very pleased with our achievement because in this devastating tragedy there was an opportunity….. an opportunity for the Star class to keep shining by showing its compassion and global friendship. THANK YOU TO ALL who contributed to this amazing outpouring of love.
See you on the water!
Paul Cayard
ad Interim President, ISCYRA
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MATEUS KUSZNIEREWICZ AND BRUNO PRADA
MAKE IT SIX BACARDI CUP WINS
98th Bacardi Cup
The desire to win amongst the world’s best makes the Bacardi Cup an annual pilgrimage. This year, 65 Star teams made the journey to Miami, where since 1962 the Coral Reef Yacht Club has proudly hosted the event.
Winning the Bacardi Cup is an ultimate ambition for Star sailors - a rare achievement that is open to all but attained by only a few. The Bacardi Cup exudes an air of relaxed camaraderie, yet out on the race track lies a battlefield where only the extraordinary prevail. Victory is never promised, and the leaderboard stands as a testament to unmatched skill and perseverance.
Yet, once again, Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada defended their title, securing an incredible sixth consecutive win. By the end of Friday’s race 5, the duo had already clinched victory, as a remarkable comeback through the fleet to finish in second place left them with an unassailable scorecard. With a 5th-place discard, their total score would only rise to 12 points whatever their result from today’s final race, making it mathematically impossible for Paul Cayard/Frithjof Kleen to catch them. Out of respect for the event and their fellow sailors, Kusznierewicz/Prada sailed the final race, finishing 19 thwhile staying clear of the front-runners.
With the title out of reach, Cayard/Kleen shifted focus to defending their second place. The podium battle would be intense, with just 6 points separating the teams in second through fourth. The race 6 showdown was set between Cayard/Kleen, Will Stout/Danny Cayard, Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise, and Jack Jennings/Pedro Trouche.
In a riveting race, Cayard/Kleen fell out of contention early, slipping through the pack. At the finish, Doyle/Infelise and Jennings/Trouche were neck and neck, vying for second overall. Jennings/Trouche needed at least one boat between themselves and Doyle/Infelise to move up but couldn’t manage it, settling for third overall as they crossed the finish line in 3 rd just ahead of their rivals in fourth. Doyle/Infelise claimed second overall, while Stout/Cayard ended the regatta in fourth, with Cayard/Kleen rounding out the top five.
Following tradition, Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi was at the finish line to congratulate Kusznierewicz/Prada. Later at the prize giving, amidst huge applause, the champions celebrated their remarkable achievement by sipping Bacardi rum from the iconic Bacardi Cup Trophy and Tito Bacardi Cup.
Kusznierewicz/Prada have forged a genius and formidable team to remain as custodians of the Bacardi Cup Trophy and Tito Bacardi Cup for six successive years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. They first made history in 2023, as the only same-crew team to win five consecutive times and have now reset the history books again. They will however need to add another three titles to their trophy cabinet to match the eight titles achieved by James ‘Ding’ Schoonmaker.
A bit overwhelmed after their win, Kusznierewicz said, “I’m still trying to get this win into myself. I still can’t believe we made it. It’s every time a different regatta, every time we have like a fresh approach, but now it comes to me that we did something unbelievable. Six years in a row to sail so well, especially that the fleet is so strong and every year is a little bit different game. It’s amazing, I still don’t feel it.”
“It’s an outstanding thing,” added Prada. “Not to win six Bacardi’s, but six in a row. It is not normal in the Star Class that this happens. Since I started sailing Star, I never saw this before. We have a program to develop equipment and sailing and everything with Augie, and I think this make a big difference.”
They make winning the Bacardi Cup look effortless, but Kusznierewicz assures it is anything but, saying, “Trust me it’s not easy. We left everything on the racecourse. It’s amazing how tired we are. It’s full concentration, it’s feeling the wind, analysing everything. Before the race we spent hours on discussion and analysing the weather forecast, the settings, our notes, what other people were doing. It is hours, days, weeks or months of preparation. This is the sport on the highest performance level, and this is how we approach this. We just spoke after finishing that it was one of the toughest Bacardi Cups for us physically.”
Kusznierewicz also shared some words of wisdom from his idol John Bertrand, which still inspire him, noting , “His way of approaching life and the key to longevity is ‘someone to love, something interesting to do and something to look forward to’, and I think together with Bruno, we’ve got it also in our lives.”
The U30 Bacardi Cup continues to nurture the next generation of talent, with ten U30 teams competing this year. Top U30 finishers Nick Heuwinkel/Jesper Spehr (23 rd overall), along with champions Kusznierewicz/Prada, will receive Bacardi’s support to compete at the Star Class Worlds in Croatia, from September 5-13, 2025.
Final Star Results - Top 3
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada (POL 8602) - 12pts
2. Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise (USA 8580) – 20 pts
3. Jack Jennings/Pedro Trouche (USA 8464) - 21 pts
Prizes were also presented to the category winners:
U30 (skipper under 30) - Nick Heuwinkel/Jesper Spehr
Master (skippers aged 50 through 59) - Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise
Grand Master (skippers aged 60+) - Paul Cayard/Frithjof Kleen
Exalted Grand Master (skippers aged 70+) - Augie Diaz/Tudor Bilic
Tammy Rubin-Rice Trophy - Hubert Merkelbach/Christian Nehammer
FINAL RESULTS |
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DOYLE SAILS
By sailors. For sailors. Handcrafted in Salem, MA by world champion sailors.
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Executive Director's Report
As President Paul mentioned, we are off to a great start with memberships and regatta's booked on the calendar for 2025. There are great events planned, many in the coming few months, so please make sure to register NOW to save your spot on the starting line.
Class Governance
Both the CMC (Class Management Committee) and IGC (Int. Governing Committee) met at the Bacardi Cup to review the 2024 YE financials and approved 2025 budget, review membership statistics and discuss other pertinent aspects to keep the Star Class running. Below are some bullet points of their meetings:
CMC
- Reviewed Dec 31 2024 financials and previously approved 2025 budget
- Discussion of membership numbers (youth/junior doubled)
- Strategic meeting held the day prior to review Nehammer report & current status
- Officer terms: many officers change the end of 2025. Discussion of plan to communicate to all.
- Judiciary Board appointment: Tom Flinn
- Clinics: summary of Midwinter & Bacardi clinics/round tables
- RaceSense - discussion of use at 2025 Worlds
- Resolutions - 2025 for 2026: Olympic wording; worlds qualifications. Possibly consider adding a nominating committee
- CMC Executive: Paul Cayard, Diego Negri & Martin Ferrero
- Ratification of appointed officers:
- Executive Director - Mike Hecky
- TAB Chair - John MacCausland
- Marketing Manager - Rachele Vitello
- Judiciary Board Chair - Daniel Wyss
- G&B Ropes Regatta Manager - Tom Duggan
- LOG/e-starlights editor - Jerelyn Biehl
IGC
- 2026 Worlds - Miami, FL approved to host. Nov 12-21.
- 2027 Worlds - Naples Italy approved to host - October
- Eastern & Western Vice Presidents gave summaries of 2024 and 2025 events
- Alberto Zanetti prepared a paper directed at looking toward the future of the Class and finances as well as logistics to help transport boats between events.
See you on the water -
Mike Hecky
Executive Director
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2025 Dues
new fees, more support
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The Class Management Committee (CMC) has had several meetings reviewing the 2024 actual financials and preparing the 2025 budget for the next year. In an effort to maintain the level of the Star Class in the world sailing arena, dues will increase. The chart below shows the new fees:
| ACTIVE |
Boat owner |
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ASSOCIATE |
Non owner, crew |
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| Junior |
>20 yrs < 30 yrs |
$75 |
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Youth |
< 20 yrs |
$25 |
| Senior |
>= 30 yrs < 50 yrs |
$150 |
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Junior |
>20 yrs < 30 yrs |
$25 |
| Master |
>= 50 yrs < 60 yrs |
$150 |
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Senior |
>= 30 yrs < 50 yrs |
$75 |
| Grand Master |
>= 60 yrs < 70 yrs |
$150 |
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Master |
>= 50 yrs < 60 yrs |
$75 |
| Exalted Grand Master |
>= 70 yrs |
$150 |
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Grand Master |
>= 60 yrs < 70 yrs |
$75 |
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Exalted Grand Master |
>= 70 yrs |
$75 |
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SEA Program News
Another Winter Series in the books for the SEA Program. We had many weekend events, a clinic put on by Frithjof Kleen, round tables and finished strong by collaborating with Bacardi and many other friends to make the 98th running of the Bacardi Cup an unforgettable one.
Throughout the winter we had Brandon DePalma and his crew Arthur Brown steadily using their boat for every event. Constantly working on and improving their boat. Not only are they using the program but they are also giving back. They have also been instrumental in helping with transportation and getting others up to speed using other boats in the fleet. Every weekend they are more and more involved. It has been great to see them really embody the spirit of the class and the program.
This year we welcomed British father and son team David and Freddie McGregor to the 2025 Mid-Winters. This shows the reach that the SEA Program is having by providing a good platform for people overseas of all ages to come enjoy the racing that Miami has to offer each winter. They were able to come early and take advantage of another spectacular clinic put on by Frithjof “Frida” Kleen on Biscayne Bay. Frida is an expert at putting on clinics (many have attended his at Riva del Garda), drawing from his wealth of experience including representing Germany at the London Games, 2x Star World Champion and Previous Bacardi Cup winner among many other accomplishments. We are very grateful for his generosity to the class and willingness to share his knowledge.
As many know, our big finale to the Winter Series is the annual Bacardi Cup. As in years past, we worked with Bacardi to provide boats and mentors for 10 top U30 teams. With our 6 boats, we also received help from outstanding class members Austin Sperry and Quinton Gallon who loaned their boats and some had their own to use. We were proud to support many teams from Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Argentina, Canada, and the US. In addition to the boats, the SEA Program held 2 round table events at the US Sailing Center next door to Coral Reef Yacht Club. A special thank you to Pat Downey and the USSC for hosting us. We had our mentors give their perspective on all aspects of sailing the Star. All members of the fleet were able to ask questions and get great advice for the week ahead or the sailing that happened that day and take in some lessons learned for the future.
As we approach the summer, conversations are starting already about providing a couple of boats to the Annapolis area for the summer season which includes a Silver Star event. If you are interested in racing up there for the Western Hemispheres or even locally during the summer events please reach out to Bobby Lippincott from the SEA Committee.
The SEA Program and Committee are continually thankful to our partners, sailors, and all that help in its mission. Most of all we are grateful to our donors, without whom, none of this would be possible. We are hoping to grow the program in the future and look forward to seeing you all on the water. A reminder that the SEA Program is available to teams of all ages!
Sail Fast,
SEA Committee
Jack VanderMolen
Bobby Lippincott
Kilian Weise
Pedro Trouche
Elizabeth Escalera
Danny Cayard
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ISCYRA and G&B Ropes
G&B Ropes is joining ranks of the Star Class to support the Class through the G&B Ropes Regatta Manager, which assists in the presence of the Star Class Regatta Manager at our major Gold & Silver events.
Recognizing the importance of reliability and consistency, much like their various brands of rope, this partnership will keep the Star Class racing strong. Tim Ray, the President of G&B Ropes, commented, "We believe a successful regatta is based on strength, durability, and the right partnership. As a proud sponsor of the Star Class, we're excited to support the spirit of competition and innovation that drives Star sailors to push the limits of performance. G&B Ropes is committed to support the excellence that the Star Class represents."
Thank you G&B Ropes for your support!
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2025 Star World Championship Promo video
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Star Legacy Foundation
The Legacy Foundation is a not for profit exempt Supporting Organization under the auspices of the Star Class. It was originally launched in 2015 through the inspired work of Larry Whipple who led the organization until March 1, 2025. “Larry’s vision created a great resource for the Star Class,” said Star Class President Paul Cayard, adding “the Class is forever grateful for Larry’s pioneering work in launching the Legacy Foundation.” With Larry’s transition and Alberto Zanetti’s decision to rotate off the board, the Legacy Foundation is now led by Class Executive Director, Mike Hecky. The entire board is currently comprised by the following trustees and advisors.
Mike Hecky, Board Chairman
Fritjhof Kleen, Board Secretary
Don Parfet, Board Treasurer
Austin Sperry, Trustee
Tonko Barac, Trustee
Juan Pablo Percossi, Advisory Board Member
Fabio Prada, Advisory Board Member
Mission Statement ISCYRA Legacy Foundation:
The Star Legacy Foundation's mission is to ensure the enduring legacy of Star Class sailboat racing by providing a dedicated channel for contributions that will fuel the class's long-term growth, global influence, and continued promotion and development for generations to come.
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2025 Major Regatta Calendar
watch the Star Class website for updates.
| 2025 |
World Championship |
Gold |
Sept 8-14 |
Split, CRO |
| 2025 |
Western Hemisphere |
Silver |
June 8-13 |
Gibson Island, MD |
| 2025 |
Eastern Hemisphere |
Silver |
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not to be held |
| 2025 |
European Championship |
Silver |
June 11-15 |
Viareggio, ITA |
| 2025 |
North American |
Silver |
April 8-12 |
Pass Christian, Mississippi |
| 2025 |
South American |
Silver |
Dec 4-12 |
Ilhabela, Brazil |
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2025 Western Hemisphere Championship
June 12-15 - Gibson Island Yacht Club
We are looking forward to seeing you at Gibson Island for the Western Hemisphere Championships in June. Gibson Island is a unique place and like most Islands, it treasures it’s heritage. We have hosted the Star Internationals twice ( 1930 and 1951), housing competitors at member homes. We intend to continue this and other Chesapeake Star Fleet traditions for this event. Boats will be kept on moorings throughout the event, tows to the Bay race area are required, trophies are unique, and meals and parties are memorable! The sailing in June on the Chesapeake offers warm, comfortable air and water temperatures and the average winds are around 9-10 knots ( that said, we can have a sustained southerly sea breeze, northwesterly frontal passage , or the occasional Chesapeake calm ( rare in June). The Chesapeake is wide here and Gibson Island sits at the mouth of the Magothy River, about 10 miles north of Annapolis. We are gearing up for a competitive, enjoyable event at one of the finest sailing venues on the Chesapeake.
More information and link to registration & the website, further down in e-starlights
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