Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
Author: Rachele Vitello - November 21, 2024Buenos Aires, Argentina - November 21, 2024 – The 2024 Star South American Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion today, with two races completed under near-perfect, but challenging, sailing conditions. Organized by the Yacht Club Olivos in collaboration with the International Star Class, the event brought together some of the finest sailors in the world to compete in Buenos Aires.
The opening day delivered sunshine, a steady breeze, and thrilling competition. The wind started at 12-15 knots during the first race, building to 16-20 knots for the second, with a direction ranging from 130° to 145°. The choppy waters added an extra layer of challenge, testing the fleet's skills and endurance.
Both races had clear starts, showcasing the tight competition within the fleet. The first race was claimed by Paul Cayard (USA), partnered with Pedro Trouche (BRA). Cayard, the Star Class President and one of the most awarded and versatile sailors in the world, demonstrated he likes Rio de la Plata, where he won his Star World Championship back in 1988.
“We had a great day, Pedro and I, sailing together for the first time in about five years, it's fantastic to be teamed up with him again, he's a great partner and we borrowed this boat so we're working on it, and improving it and our speed seems pretty good” commented Paul Cayard with Pedro Trouche, provisional leaders after two races. “The winds and the current here are not straightforward, it's much trickier than I remember so it was challenging. In the first race we were 4th at the first mark, but we managed to pick our way through the leaders including the Altolaguirre brothers who are a very good team here from Rosario, not far from here, and the second race we had a bad start but could make our way back to 2nd. So fantastic day for us for day one and a couple more days of this championship to go”.
The second race saw a victory for the local Argentine duo Leandro and Lucas Altolaguirre, who are surely among the ones to watch out for. The pair recently tied for second place on points, finishing third at the 2024 Star World Championship in San Diego this past September, confirming their status as top contenders.
The fleet remains incredibly tight, especially on top, with small margins separating the leaders, promising more exciting racing ahead.
Looking Ahead
The championship will continue tomorrow with two more races scheduled per day until Saturday, November 23, when the South American champions will be crowned. With excellent conditions expected to persist, the sailors and organizers are expecting a thrilling week of competition in Buenos Aires.
Author: Rachele Vitello - November 22, 2024Paul Cayard (USA) and Pedro Trouche (BRA) battling head to head with Lucas and Leandro Altolaguirre (ARG)
Buenos Aires, Argentina - November 22, 2024 – Day 2 of the Star South American Championship saw the fleet take on challenging yet exciting conditions in Buenos Aires. With winds blowing at 22-25 knots from 135° and choppy seas, the sailors were put to the test as they completed two intense races hosted by Club Náutico Olivos.
The first race of the day was claimed by Paul Cayard (USA) and his crew Pedro Trouche (BRA), who showcased their expertise and determination, finishing ahead of local favorites Lucas and Leandro Altolaguirre (ARG). However, the second race saw the Altolaguirre brothers strike back, crossing the finish line first, with Cayard and Trouche close behind in second.
After two days of racing and four total races, the provisional overall standings show Cayard and Trouche leading the fleet with 6 points, followed by the Altolaguirre brothers with 8 points. In third place, Fabian Mac Gowan and Nicolas Rosas (ARG) hold 14 points, keeping them in contention as the championship enters its final day tomorrow.
"It was a very tough day out there, a good battle in 22/24 knots, this Championship is proving to be a big challenge and we love it!", said Lucas Altolaguirre at the end of the day.
Provisional Overall Standings (after 4 races):
High Stakes for the Final Day
With just two races left in the championship and the discard coming into play, the battle for the title is heating up. Both Cayard and the Altolaguirre brothers have proven themselves to be the teams to beat, but the unpredictable conditions of Buenos Aires could play a decisive role in the outcome.
Paul Cayard, one of the most decorated sailors in the world and the current Star Class President, is demonstrating why he remains a formidable competitor. Meanwhile, the Altolaguirre brothers continue to impress with their consistent performances, leveraging their local knowledge and teamwork to challenge for the championship.
Looking Ahead
The final day of the Star South American Championship promises to be an intense showdown, with the top contenders vying for victory and others aiming to secure strong finishes. Racing will continue tomorrow at Club Náutico Olivos, where the South American champions will be crowned.
Author: Rachele Vitello - November 23, 2024Three days of excellent conditions and impeccable organization by Club Náutico Olivos made for an unforgettable championship in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina - November 23, 2024 – The 2024 Star South American Championship wrapped up in spectacular fashion at Club Náutico Olivos, with Paul Cayard (USA) and Pedro Trouche (BRA)claiming the title after three days of exhilarating and closely contested racing. The duo demonstrated their mastery of the challenging conditions and finished the championship with a well-deserved victory.
Coming in second were Lucas and Leandro Altolaguirre (ARG), who consistently delivered impressive performances throughout the regatta. Third place was secured by Fabian Mac Gowan and Nicolas Rosas (ARG), rounding off an excellent podium for the event.
Consistent Conditions Deliver Tight Racing
The final day of racing continued with the same steady wind conditions as previous days—16-20 knots from the same direction and accompanied by a steady current. These consistent conditions set the stage for another round of tight, tactical racing that thrilled competitors and spectators alike.
Club Náutico Olivos once again proved to be an outstanding host, offering world-class race management and warm hospitality. The Argentinian Star Class continues to impress with its efforts to grow the class and develop young sailing talent. Their commitment and passion for the sport ensured another successful championship, building on Argentina’s strong tradition in the Star fleet.
International Competition Highlights
The championship also highlighted the international appeal of the Star Class, with teams from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, and the USA joining a strong Argentine contingent. Among the notable international competitors were Dani Fritz (GER), an Under 30 sailor, and Giovanni Coppo (ITA) with crew Frithjof Kleen (GER). Coppo and Kleen showed great potential, frequently rounding the top mark in the top three positions. However, downwind challenges with their new boat revealed areas for improvement as they look ahead to future events.
A Bright Future for the Star Class
The 2024 Star South American Championship showcased not only the enduring appeal of this classic racing class but also the efforts of the Argentinian fleet to expand participation and develop the next generation of sailors. With a mix of seasoned champions like Paul Cayard and promising young talent, the event was a testament to the strength and vitality of the Star Class.
“We just finished the South American Championship 2024 here at the Yacht Club Olivos”, commented Paul Cayard, President of the International Star Class and newly crowned 2024 Star South American Champion. “Buenos Aires is a windy venue, you need a lot of power to beat the Altolaguirre brothers who are a very good local team, and we managed to do it. Pedro is obviously a strong young guy and I'm so grateful to him for crewing for me. The Argentinian fleet is very strong, we had over 30 boats with a lot of young people, they have Alberto Zanetti as a godfather, who's helping grow the fleet and building new boats for them. Star sailing is alive and well in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I'm very happy I came down to see this and the whole Class can be happy about the quality of the sailing down here”.
Final top three:
July 23, 2024The Club Nautico Olivos is thrilled to receive once again the Star Class fleet at the 2024 South American Championship next November in Olivos, Buenos Aires. For the young star sailors, we are proud to tell you that we were host of two Gold Star events, 1988 when the current class president, Paul Cayard, and Steve Erickson were able to get the first position in the regatta. The second one was in the new millennium, more precisely in 2005 when the French team formed by Xavier Rohart and Pascal Rambeau achieved their second Gold Star.
Great social events during sunsets and hospitality is guaranteed by the 18th district and club members. So, we invite all the Star Class members from all over the world to come south and race to get a Silver Star in the Rio de la Plata and have serious fun.
As we said in 1988 “come to the Silver river, and race for a Silver Star”
Eduardo Homps
Club Nautico Olivos Commodore & Chairman for the S.A. Championship
Author: Star Class office - September 18, 2024District 18 is pleased to announce that it will sponsor U30 teams from other districts to participate in the 2024 South American Championship, to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The district has competitive boats for use at no cost, is offering free accommodation and a 50% discount on the registration fee (=$175USD)
The South Americans start on the 20th of November and ends on the 23rd.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to consult Martin Ferrero (whatsapp +54-9-11-3456-3101) for more information.
P.S; If you are no longer u30, and you are interested in coming to the championship, do not hesitate to contact us and we will see how we can help.
Author: Rachele Vitello - November 20, 202431 Teams Ready to Compete from November 20-23 on the Rio de Plata
Buenos Aires, Argentina - November 20, 2024 - The 2024 South American Championship is set to kick off in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from November 20 to 23, bringing together 31 teams from around the world. Hosted at the beautiful coastal venue in Buenos Aires, the championship will feature a strong representation from Argentina as well as international teams from Chile, the Netherlands, the United States, Italy, Croatia, Brazil, and Germany.
District 18 is excited to announce its support for U30 teams from other districts, offering competitive boats for use at no cost, complimentary accommodation, and a 50% discount on the registration fee. This initiative aims to foster greater participation and development within the sailing community by welcoming young, emerging talents from across the globe.
Event Schedule
The championship will begin with registration, measurements, and crew weigh-in on Wednesday, November 20, followed by the Opening Ceremony. Racing will commence tomorrow, Thursday November 21, with two races scheduled, starting with the first warning signal at 13:00, and so on until Saturday November 23 when the Prize Giving Ceremony will close the regatta. After each day of racing, a social event will provide an opportunity for competitors to connect and celebrate.
The championship promises three days of competitive racing, with each day offering two races designed to test skill, strategy, and endurance. The final day of competition will conclude with the awards ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the top-performing teams.
The 2024 South American Championship will reflect the vibrant sailing culture of Buenos Aires while fostering camaraderie and competition among sailors from across the region and beyond. The District 18 initiative to support U30 teams emphasizes the commitment to youth development and accessibility within the sport, contributing to a stronger and more diverse future for competitive sailing.
