The 30-year-old German sailors joined the Star Class three years ago thanks to the U30 in Kiel.
 
Dreams come true when you work hard for them. Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski won the 2023 Star World Championship in Marina di Scarlino, Tuscany, after three years of dedication, training, and passion for sailing and for the Star boat. They started the Championship with a bullet and ended it with a golden star affixed to their mainsail, a lifelong dream for the 200+ Star sailors in Scarlino. For some, this was their 20th attempt. This year, it was Max and Ole's turn to win.
"Since we started three years ago, our goal was always to win the gold star to put on the mainsail. We believed it was possible, but it was definitely hard work... and doing it here, on our second attempt, is unbelievable!" commented Max Kohlhoff right after coming off the water. "It's hard to find words for this special moment, achieved here in Scarlino. We had some great regattas this year, always finishing second, but finally, this time it clicked, and it was the reward for our hard work."
 
The 2023 Star World Championship was characterized by really funny weather, with six races finally sailed in three days, and no racing at all on the first two days. The final day started with breeze from the north. The first race of the day started around 11:15 AM with 7/8 knots of wind speed, but it varied throughout the four legs, with a gentle but constant shift to the right. The 30-year-old German team Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinshi and the Belgian/Dutch team Manu Hens and Joost Houweling had a great start and rounded first and second at the top mark. Kohlhoff / Burzinski took over Hens / Houweling on the last downwind leg, won the race, and became the provisional overall leaders due to a poor race by the Swiss Pete Eckerd with the Portuguese crew Frederico Melo and an even worse one by Diego Negri and Alessandro Sodano (ITA). After Race Five, the discard rule came into play, so all three teams were still in the hunt for the title ahead of Race Six.
 
For the last race, the wind came even more from the right, 050 degrees, and the wind speed varied from as little as 5 knots to as much as 13. The best at reading it were the Irish Peter O’Leary and Steve Milne, even though the first at both the top mark and the gate were the Americans Doug Smith and Brian O’Mahony. Negri / Sodano and Eckert / Melo finished eighth and 12th, respectively, which was enough to keep them both on the podium: the Swiss/Portuguese team won silver, and the Italians took bronze.
 
"We had a terrific week, we sailed really well, very consistently, last day was our worst day, a very difficult one, very shifty. It always looked good, I never had bad feelings, but it was either no wind or gusts coming from the other direction. We just had something missing, so yes, it's bittersweet, but also so good!" said Piet Eckert. "It was a tricky day, a little disappointing, of course, after starting the day as leaders, but our goal was to make the top 10. We had never made the top 10 in our previous three World Championships, so finishing second is fantastic, even though we went out to win. Congratulations to Max and Ole; they did amazing today!" added Frederico Melo.
 
"Last year, I started the World Championship without sails, this time without my crew... Sergio Lambertenghi had a little accident to his foot, and the day before coming here, he called it off. Luckily, Alessandro was ready to step in after just a couple of days of training together this summer. This week was racing but also training at the same time, as I was teaching him how to do things for the first time on the boat. So, finishing third feels even more amazing, and it makes me think that I really know this boat well!" commented Diego Negri. "Many thanks to Diego for giving me this opportunity. It came at the very last minute, and I was so excited to join him and join the Star Class," added Alessandro Sodano.
 
With the prize-giving at the Yacht Club Isole di Toscana, the 2023 Star World Championship comes to a close. It will be remembered for the crazy weather, the long waits, the frustration, and the fear of not making it. Still, it will also be remembered for the excitement of having two new young Star World Champions, emerging from a successful U30 program run by Arnd Glunde in the North of Germany. This is a sign of hope for a Class that's more than 100 years old, which has seen great legends of the sport raise the 100-year-old trophy and can continue to produce champions.


Worlds website 
Worlds Results
Photo Gallery by Martina Orsini

16 September 2023
Yacht Club Isole di Toscana

Summary of meeting draft minutes posted on the Star website

Resolution Results

#2023-1 - Editor:  passed with 263 vote for, 19 against
#2023-2 - Rule 42 - withdrawn
#2023-3 - Specifications: Jibstay - withdrawn
*******************************************************************************************************************************
Per Star Class rules, Resolutions that passed at the Annual Meeting will now be put forward on the annual ballot to the active membership for a vote.

 

2024	World Championship	Gold	Sept 8-13	San Diego, CA
2024	U35  Championship		Jan 11-14	Miami, USA
2024	Western Hemisphere	Silver	April 11-14	Miami, USA
2024	Eastern Hemisphere	Silver	April 3-7	Eckenforde, GER
2024	European Championship	Silver	June 6-9	Attersee, AUT
2024	North American	Silver	August 5-10	Newport Beach, CA
2024	South American	Silver

2023 WESTERN HEMISPHERE CHAMPIONSHIP
September 10-14

The 2023 Star Western Hemisphere Championship, presented by Morgan Stanley and the Doll Wealth Management Group, at Cleveland Yachting Club were held over the September 10-13 week with a fleet full of local and international talent which should made for exciting competition.  Notable accolades of sailors racing over the week included the likes of multiple Gold and Silver Star champions in the North American, Hemisphere, and European circuits. 
 
After registration was complete, and many of the crew fighting to make weight enjoyed a nice meal (or two) - the fleet prepared and launched for their practice race with a start at 1300.  Conditions were light breeze with 8-12 knots oscillating  NNW. Competitors were faced with challenging conditions as the winds often contradicted the wave direction. Nevertheless a nice start to the regatta.
 
Each morning, competitors had a daily briefing with the PRO and Race Committee at 0830 with a scheduled 1100 start of the first race. The goal was to complete two races daily for the 4-day regatta resulting in an 8 race series. Forecasts early in the week acalled for Northerly winds with light conditions with 10 knots or less in breeze.
 
The fleet started on time on Tuesday with a 1100 first warning. Conditions were breezier then the day before with steady wind 10-15 knots, gusts up to 20 knots. Direction from the SW trending W throughout the day. The sailors returned to the dock with exhausted smiles and the prevailing sentiment was that this was a fun day on the water. Augie Diaz/Bruno Prada (USA/BRA) lead with a 2-1 followed by John MacCausland/Peter Sangmeister (USA) with a 1-4.  As the regatta progressed, it was close with 5 teams always in the mix. 
 
Although it is always disappointing to have a day without racing during such an exciting regatta - it was the right call by the race committee. On the last day, the fleet progressed down the river and onto the lake for an on the water delay, and ultimately the call was made to end races for the day - marking the end of the regatta. Hats off to Carol Ewing and her entire race committee for excellent race management throughout the regatta.  The volunteerism shown both off and on the water this week was tremendous and made for an excellent experience for competitors, spectators, and race management. This is a true testament to both the Star Class and Cleveland Yachting Club as these days, it’s hard to find volunteers for great events like these - it takes a village! 

Jud Smith  | 978.740.5950
Tomas Hornos  | 978.740.5950