Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
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President's Message
Dear Star sailors,
In 2018 the Star Class is on a successful course!
After an amazing Bacardi Cup we saw great Western and Eastern Hemisphere Championships with fierce competition.
Recently the North Americans were run at the prestigious California Yacht Club and were won by Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise followed by Paul Cayard/Artur Lopes. We saw another close fight at the Europeans in Flensburg: this time the winners of the Silver Star were Augie Diaz/Bruno Prada close ahead of Lars Grael/Samuel Gonzales. Congratulations to all the winners and competitors who had exciting races!
In Flensburg we had 71 teams on the starting line, almost the same at the Easterns and the upcoming Worlds in Oxford. Thanks to all Class Officers,members and clubs who helped to organize these successful events!
So nothing to worry about with the status of the Star? I would say YES and NO. At the moment the Class is in a healthy and solid condition. Only very few classes have similar numbers! But we have to prepare for the future - most importantly is to take care NOW to attract new members to the Class. So we ask every fleet and each Star Class member to consider how to motivate new sailors and attract them to the Star. For example as it happens quite often that there is a Star available in your fleet or club because a member has become inactive or maybe has 2 boats. Why don't you reactivate and polish up the boat and motivate a young team sail the boat? From past experience we have learned that it is not enough just to provide a Star, it is much more effective to offer training and a program to the new teams. We appreciate if you would report your experiences and activities to the central office!
As an example you can read in this e-starlight issue the story of two Laser sailors who were invited by Star fellow Arnd Glunde, who gave his 2nd Star to the guys and organized some training (the coach doesn't always have to be a world champion like George Szabo).
Furthermore you can read an exciting story about sailing legend Paul Cayard - one of the most successful yachtsman ever!
And as always you can find a lot of interesting information here about Star racing like the Vintage Gold Cup and all other Star activities.
I wish you all good sailing - stay tuned!
Hubert Merkelbach
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NOTICE OF MEETING
ISCYRA Annual Meeting is set for 6 October, 2018. Tred Avon Yacht Club 1800
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Twenty wooden Star boats took part in the Vintage Gold Cup hosted by the Gull Lake Yacht Club - Richland, MI
Three races were sailed, father and son team of Paul Cayard and Danny Cayard won ahead of Greg Smith / TC Belco and Joe Londrigan / John Wysockey.
Don Parfet, one of the organizers with Jon VanderMolen, ISCYRA Execeutive Director, says “ The 2nd Annual Vintage Gold Cup was filled with great camaraderie, excellent social events, lots of golf but very little wind. The first two days of racing were cancelled and the three races sailed on the final day were in light breezes. Congratulations to Paul and Danny Cayard for their superb sailing and successful defense of last year’s victory. Plans have already started for next year’s event. We will announce the date the 3rd Vintage gold Cup soon. We welcome all sailors with restored wooden star boats. Let us know if we can assist in your planning for this fun-filled event.”
From Paul Cayard’s report on the regatta.
No wind for two days then 3 races yesterday made up the second annual Vintage Gold Cup. GEM IX belonged to a mentor of mine, Sir Durward Knowles, when he won gold in the ‘64 Olympics. GEM IX is now part of the Cayard family and It was extra special to share this year with my third generation Star sailor son. Winning made it that much more special.
Gull Lake Country club has both sailing and golf. Golf was heavily subscribed on Thursday and Friday.
Don Parfet and Jon Vandermolen continue to grow this classic Star event with the addition of 9 boats making a fleet of 21 for this years Vintage Gold Cup. The Star class is over 100 years old and Vintage Gold Cup is for wooden Stars that are 50+ years old. A big thanks to those two men for their passion and efforts!
The Vintage Gold Cup-Honoring the past!
RESULTS
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Regatta Wrap-up
American Augie Diaz and Brazilian Bruno Prada are the winner of the Robbe&Berking Star European Championships 2018, tied to Lars Grael with Samuel Gonçalves (BRA) who are second. Bronze medal goes to Irish brothers Peter and Robert O’Leary.
This is the podium of the 2018 Star European Championship, where six of the seven races scheduled were sailed, even though two of the four days of racing have been quite rough with very strong stormy winds. The PRO Claus Otto was excellent in deciding the right time to give the starts, postponing on Thursday and anticipating on Saturday.
The winners of the last day of races were two German teams, the first bullet went to Star Class President Hubert Merkelbach with Marcus Koy, and the second one to Olympic Star skipper Robert Stanjek with crew Leif Bähr. But nothing could stop Augie Diaz and Bruno Prada, not even the OCS they had in race 5, that cost them to go back and re-start. The runner-ups didn’t male one single mistake, Lars Grael and Samuel Goncalves discard a seven and are even-points to the winners. A Championship well played also by the Irish brothers O’Leary, who proved to be an excellent team on tough conditions, winning yesterday’s race with winds gusting up to over 30 knots.
Augie Diaz:
“We had really some tough days of racing, we are happy we were eventually able to recover after the first early start.”
Bruno Prada:
“The regatta was decided on the last downwind of the last race, we had to be fifth to win the race tied with Lars, and we just managed to finish one boat length ahead of Eivind Melleby who was sixth. So we are super happy and lucky for that last puff.”
Best junior team was the German one with Dominik and Simon Fallais.
Best senior team in the Ü65 ranking were the Hungarians Tibor Tenke and Miklos Bezereti.
Hubert Merklebach, ISCYRA President:
“It was really a Championship for the tough sailors, the only non stormy day was the last day with 15-16 knots of nice breeze. Flensburger Segel Club did a fantastic job to manage the event, they’re used to have international regattas, and proved it this week. Everything went well with a great program, even on the social side with dinner in the old Silver factory of the main sponsor, Robbe&Berking, amazing Championship”.
The 2019 European Championship will be sailed in Riva del Garda, Italy, from May 4th to 11th.
North American Championship
After four days of combat on the waters of Santa Monica Bay, Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise have earned the Silver Star - second for the skipper - winning the 2018 Star North American Championship at California Yacht Club.
Doyle, representing San Diego Yacht Club, and racing with Payson Infelise of Newport Harbor Yacht Club, defeated 35 rival teams in eight races over four days of competition. The 50-year-old sailmaker previously won the Star North Americans and the Worlds nearly 20 years ago, in 1999. He compared this win to his victory 19 years ago, saying, “It hurts a little more to hike out; but the competition is still great, and Bill Stump (PRO) is still out here running great races.”
With a podium placement in every race but one (when he was OCS), Doyle added, “The big key to the regatta is to be consistent. You’ve just got to be conservative and chip away at it. Try to stay fresh and focused, always looking out the boat.” He credited “good teamwork” and gave a nod to his crew Payson Infelise.
Giving Doyle the toughest time was the St. Francis Yacht Club Paul Cayard with Brazilian crew Arthur ‘Tutu’ Lopes who finished second, just five points astern; while Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s Charlie Buckingham with Jamie Buchan finished third.
Competitors from the US, Canada and Argentina enjoyed breezes ranging from 6 to 12 knots over the course of the four-day event; plus toasty temps and the warm hospitality of Cal Yacht Club.
Doyle had launched an early lead in the Championship which began August 16. He was on top since the start and appeared set to dominate: until Cayard sprung to the top of the leaderboard on Friday. That day’s prickly racing saw several general recalls, leading PRO Bill Stump to hoist the U pennant for the start of the second race. With 36 boats on the line, starts were testing, and that black flag snared seven racers – including Doyle, dropping him to second overall.
But Saturday’s races, held in 6-8 knot zephyrs and sloppy seas, saw the leaders flip-flop again; putting Doyle over Cayard. By midday Sunday the building breeze was already an improvement over Saturday’s trying conditions.
Doyle was seated at the top of the leaderboard, but the situation was no longer like Thursday’s initial race: where Doyle led the fleet from pole to pole. After three days of hard racing the competition was tuned up, and Doyle had to fight for every inch of victory.
At the start of the final race on Sunday the breeze freshened, and sailors were faced with significant chop. Cayard continued to put pressure on Doyle, and initially got several boats between them. But Doyle chipped away ‘til nearly parked on Cayard: the two holding their own private match race on the final two legs. In the end, Doyle overtook Cayard to place third in that race and clinch his grip on the title. That final race was won by Mark Reynolds with Roger Cheer.
The Stars recognize sailors over 50 (Master), 60-plus (Grand Master), and 70-plus (Exalted Grand Master). Stephen Gould received top honors in the latter division. Reynolds was recognized for best finish in the Grand Master division, while Doyle received the Master trophy, in addition to first place overall awards.
Competitors lauded Cal Yacht Club for superb race management and hospitality, while others commended the beautiful weather and fair conditions, and camaraderie. “No one can say Santa Monica Bay and Cal Yacht Club doesn’t deliver,” added Mitchell. Event chairs for this event were Denise George and Monica Antola.
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2018 Worlds Preview
In October, Tred Avon Yacht Club members are looking forward to welcoming the Sailors arriving for the 2018 Star World Championship in Oxford, Maryland. Final preparations are in full swing and it is shaping up for a great event. We have 25 boats in town now, with many more arriving daily. 65 boats are registered from 9 countries, with 20 teams from foreign soil; 9 from Europe, 7 from South America, and 4 Canadians teams. We have a great week lined up, parties every other night, an evening at the Museum, Eastern shore Crab feast, plus daily dockside beer and soup while you wait to haul, all with a week of sailing thrown into the mix. You can expect water temps in the mid 70’s, daily air temps between 60- 75 degrees with fall air moving into the region during your stay.
For those unable to attend, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, all links posted daily on the event website. We will have onboard trackers on the boats though the TracTrac Sports tracking for viewing the regatta live from your desk. You will be able to armchair critique the sailors before they arrive onshore!
Leading up to the Worlds in Oxford next month, Tred Avon YC will host the 68th annual Star Fall Wind-Up on 29/30 September. Started back in 1951, the Fall wind-up has hosted the who’s who of star sailing throughout the many years. Mr. Meyers, Mr. Sheehan, and many local Lippincotts have carried the trophy in the early days until the 80’s, when John MacCausland took over the podium many times for an impressive 18 regatta wins.
Last year among the others, we had Augie Diaz, Jim Buckingham and Brian Cramer in Oxford for the Fall Wind-Up, all testing the winds and water for this year’s World Championship. We expect 30-40 boats registered for the Worlds to join the regatta along with additional local sailors. There are 5 Gold Star Champions sailing the worlds this year, maybe some will come sail the Wind-Up as practice. This is Chesapeake fall sailing on the Choptank at its finest.
As teams arrive on Friday to set up to head out for a practice sail, we hope to have our weekly Ales and Tales dinner menu going on the second deck of the club. Saturday’s evening will be spent dinning with the sailors over the club’s traditional Chesapeake Surf and Turf buffet. Sunday’s awards will follow racing with heavy hors d‘oeuvre. Please plan to join us for the 2018 Star Fall Wind-Up, a mere week before the opening of the Worlds. Come sail the weekend, leave your boat rigged and ready, run home for a short week of work, and be back on Friday for the opening of Registration. Register here for the Fall Wind-Up,
When you come to Oxford to sail the Star, you will never be disappointed. We look forward to seeing everyone in the coming weeks in our slice of heaven.
Best Regards,
Andrew Parish
USA 7465 Black Seal
2018 Star Worlds Regatta Chair
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Tom Adams - 1973 Silver Star
Honored by Racine Star Fleet, 4th District
In the 2017-18 biennium, the Racine Star Fleet continues celebrating 80 years of star sailing out of Racine Yacht Club by recognizing and honoring 4th District Gold Star, Silver Star & Olympic Medal winners.
Tom Adams of the 4th District’s Wilmette Harbor fleet and his crew Bill Richards won the Star North Americans in 1973. Our Star fleet honored Tom(pictured on the left) and his accomplishment by dedicating our Wednesday Night Fleet Race to his Silver Star Championship and awarded Skipper and Crew trophies to the winners of that race. Tom was able to join us on the race course that night as guests of Charlie and Mary Manning and Bill Erdmann on their 40-foot cruising boat. Joining Tom were his son Ross and granddaughter Dorothy both of whom have periodically raced as a team with our fleet. Charley and Mary in the past also raced Stars as members of our fleet keeping it all in the family. Tony Herrmann and his crew Scott Monroe (pictured to the right) had the privilege of winning that Wednesday Night Race. Tom participated in the awarding of the trophies. Tom Adams fame and importance to One Design/Olympic Class racing extended far beyond his winning his Silver Star in 1973. He was a stalwart member of his fleet in the 1960s-1980s timeframe, served the Star Class on its Technical Committee & many Gold and Silver Star Championship Race Committees and was a great supporter of Finn, Soling, Etchells and Laser racing out of Wilmette for many years for which we are grateful. All the while, Tom did so with dedication, grace and good humor. We wish him well.
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SAILOR PROFILE -
Paul Cayard (USA)
Paul Cayard is one of the World’s most recognized and accomplished sailors.
Cayard, a seven time world champion, seven time America’s Cup competitor, has twice circumnavigated the world, becoming the first American to win the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1998, and placing second with the Disney syndicate Pirates of the Caribbean in the 2005-2006 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. He is a two time Olympian (1984 and 2004) and one of the very few who have competed at the top level in these three diverse disciplines within the sport of sailing.
He was born in San Francisco, and still resides there, in his 40 years long career he had two sailing Godfathers, the first one is American, Tom Blackaller, who introduced him to the Star when he was 18; and the second one was Italian, Raul Gardini, who gave him the lead of the Italian America’s Cup syndicate “Il Moro di Venezia” when he was only 25 years old. Il Moro di Venezia went on to win the Louis Vuitton Cup in San Diego in 1992, and Cayard became the most well known and appreciated sailor in Italy - so much that he was in the National TV team that reported live from Valencia the 32nd America’s Cup. He is highly charismatic and often sought after for public speaking and to represent causes such as One Ocean Foundation, created by Sardinian Yacht Club Costa Smeralda to protect and clean oceans from pollution.
With hundreds of thousands of miles at sea over the past 40 years, Cayard is back banging the corners on the Star with success and he has the pleasure of sailing with his son Danny - sometimes helming, sometimes crewing - who represents a third generation of Star sailors in the family after his father Paul, Star World Champion in 1988 in Buenos Aires, and his grandfather Pelle Peterson (SWE), Star World Champion in 1969 in San Diego.
“It is now my honor to be part of the International Star Class Management. So many icons of our sport have sailed Stars and led our 107 year old class association. Being Vice President gives me the opportunity to give back to the Class that I love and to a boat I have been sailing all of my life and has given me so much”.
“It is now my honor to be part of the International Star Class Management. So many icons of our sport have sailed Stars and led our 107 year old class association. Being Vice President gives me the opportunity to give back to the Class that I love and to a boat I have been sailing all of my life and has given me so much”.
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From Laser to the Star 
This Summer we (Lasse Kaack + Peer Kühnelt) had the opportunity to change from an athletic basic sailboat to a high technical racing machine: The Star. That is as if you change from NASCAR to Formula 1.
But first things first.
Peer and I are part of the SH Laser Team for 4 years now. Our yearly schedule is dominated by sailing. Our coach Manuel Voigt, a former Star boat Olympic campaign member, asked us in March if we would like to sail the Star European Championships in Flensburg.
Star boat? I had heard the name and had in my mind that it was a former Olympic class – but to be honest, othern than this I had no idea. Nevertheless, I accepted.
Soon we got in contact with Arnd. He told us that he would sponsor the boat. That led us to the challenge, how to finance the rest. We designed a portfolio for possible sponsors and luckily we found Dierk Thomsen, who sponsored the entry fee and Causa Concilio, who financed the rest, including team wear. At this point many thanks to all of them, we feel gifted!
After finishing the administrative stuff, the fun started.
The first time we saw the Star was in the Spring during a Laser competition in Flensburg. The boat was sitting on its trailer. Oh my goodness, it was so big, we really felt awed. And it didn’t get better after putting it in the water: All the strings and the huge mainsail made us swallow – not speaking about the fact, that we would have to manage the mast...
With lots of respect, we started fearlessly into our first sail. The conditions were perfect: Low winds and a beautiful summer day in the Flensburg Fjord. A gentle breeze filled the mainsail and blew us swiftly over the water. From a Laser point of view, it felt like flying. We were immediately in love! After this first weekend, the boat got a refit in the shipyard and we planned our final training before the European championship.
Time to look for a place to stay, order team wear + advertisement stickers, hold contact with the sponsors, create and fill an Instagram account (@kksailing), sail Laser competitions like the Laser Standard Youth World Championships in Poland and in my case: pass the high school final exams.
August came fast and we started highly motivated into our training. Arnd had a surprise for us: He organized training with George Szabo! We were overwhelmed, training was so fun with him and we learned so much! He helped us to speed up and harmonize our movements on board and he trimmed the whole boat. He helped me, as the helmsman, during the daily training races to perfect my starts and he helped Peer to adapt to the – for him unusual – hiking position and how to manage jib boom and mast. Obviously, he did a good job: After a couple of training days, we were even able to beat our sponsor Arnd!
 The regatta started. The Star community welcomed us with open arms and we enjoyed the lively social life around the races. My grandmother even had to bring my suit – Star boat sailors are obviously better dressed than Laser sailor! I find it remarkable that all the other sailors made a common effort to make us feel accepted, comfortable and as a part of the community.
The races were tough, especially the ones with winds over 20 knots. But we will never forget this amazing, crazy, unique feeling, when we were going downwind with high velocity, jumping from wave to wave while the water spray cooled down our heated faces and our hearts were bumping in joy and excitement.
In the end, we made an honorable 31st place and a very good vice junior title.
We want to thank all of you for this experience. The Star is an impressive, fun boat worth sailing. During the regatta, our Laser colleagues joined one race with their motorboat and were convinced, that this old class is still cool. I hope that more young teams like us will get the opportunity to sail these unique and interesting boats. We loved it!
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2018 Upcoming Silver & Gold Events
click on the logo for more information
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