Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
Author: Rachele Vitello - June 14, 2025Chieffi and Colaninno crowned champions as
Cayard and Iverson take final race win
Viareggio, Italy — June 14, 2025 – The curtain has come down on the 2025 Star Class European Championship with the seventh and final race sailed today off the coast of Viareggio in light air and calm seas. Despite just 5 knots of breeze and glassy conditions, the Race Committee delivered an excellent performance – trusting the wind would settle in, and successfully completing the race to close out a remarkable week of sailing.
The final race was dominated from the start by Paul Cayard and George Iverson (USA), who rounded the top mark with a comfortable lead and steadily extended their margin over the hour-long course. Holding second throughout the race were Renato Conde (POR) and Taavi Taveter (EST), newcomers to the Star Class who have shown impressive skill and consistency all week. Finishing third were Giovanni Coppo (ITA) with German crew Frithjof Kleen, while Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi closed out the race in fourth after a thrilling duel to the line, edging out Tonči Stipanović and Tudor Bilic by just one second.
With today’s result, Star World Champions Negri and Lambertenghi climbed to fifth overall, a strong comeback after a challenging start to the series.
“All week I've watched Enrico Chieffi just own the left and finally today I said I think we should own the left…so we started at the pin, great on start and it was the left that paid, so we just kind of followed that all the way around and the race was pretty simple after that. We had a great last day, it's my crew’s birthday, George Iverson's 66th birthday, I'm already 66, our bow number was 66, there was a lot of sixes in our destiny… We had a lot of fun!”, commented Paul Cayard at the end of the day.
The final podium sees Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno (ITA) at the top – having secured the title yesterday with a race to spare – followed by Stipanović / Bilic (CRO) in second and Conde / Taveter in third. Cayard / Iverson finish fourth overall, just ahead of Negri / Lambertenghi in fifth.
The week in Viareggio was marked by steady thermal breezes, highly competitive racing, and a strong international turnout, reaffirming the Star Class’s enduring prestige and the city’s reputation as a premier Star sailing venue.
Hosted by Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina, under the authority of ISCYRA, FIV, and CONI, and supported by the Municipality of Viareggio and title sponsors G&B Ropes, Slam Telemar, and CTN, the championship closed with a warm and well-attended prize-giving ceremony at the Club, celebrating the sailors, organizers, and partners who made the event such a success.
January 30, 2025Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina welcome you to the 2025 Star Class European Championship. Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina are pleased to welcome you in Italy for the 2025 European Championship, an event that is organized, under the aegis of the FIV, together with the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association and Class sponsor G&B Ropes.
The Star Class, in fact, returns once again in Viareggio which hosts one of the most important Star Fleets in the world: the event will be ensured by seven regattas of the highest technical level that will take place on a race course considered optimal for the crews of this Class, and by collateral events on land designed to celebrate the spirit of competition and conviviality that has always characterized the Star Class.
CNV President Roberto Brunetti, SVV President Paolo Insom, ISCYRA Vice President Diego Negri, XIV District Secretary Massimo Canali, Assistant District Secretary Silvio Dell’Innocenti and CNV Sports Director Muzio Scacciati will work in synergy to guarantee you maximum assistance and hospitality, both at sea and on the shore, with the aim of making your stay in Versilia and participation in this 2025 European Championship, an unforgettable memory.
Alongside them will also be the local section of the LNI, the Municipality of Viareggio, iCare Viareggio Porto 2020, Navigo scarl, and the host Fleets - Viareggio, Perla della Versilia and Forte dei Marmi - who will collaborate with the Organizing Authorities.
Remembering that on the website https://euro.starchampionships.org/ you can find all the useful information. The registrations will close on May 10th, the Club Nautico Versilia and the Società Velica Viareggina will meet you from June 9th to 14th in Viareggio!
Il Club Nautico Versilia e la Società Velica Viareggina sono lieti di darvi il benvenuto in Italia in occasione del 2025 European Championship Star Class Open, evento che sarà organizzato, sotto l’egida della Fiv, insieme all’International Star Class Yacht Racing Association e al title sponsor G&B Ropes.
La Star Class, infatti, torna ancora una volta a Viareggio che ospita una delle più importanti Flotte Star di tutto il mondo: lo spettacolo sarà assicurato da sette regate di altissimo livello tecnico che si svolgeranno in un campo di regata considerato ottimale dagli equipaggi di questa Classe, e da eventi collaterali a terra pensati per celebrare lo spirito di competizione e convivialità che da sempre caratterizza la Star Class.
Il Presidente CNV Roberto Brunetti, della SVV Paolo Insom, il vice presidente ISCYRA Diego Negri, il Segretario del XIV Distretto (District Secretary) Massimo Canali, l’Assistant District Secretary Silvio Dell’Innocenti e il Direttore Sportivo CNV Muzio Scacciati lavoreranno in sinergia per garantirvi la massima assistenza e accoglienza, sia in mare che a terra, con l’obiettivo di rendere il vostro soggiorno in Versilia e la partecipazione a questo 2025 European Championship, un ricordo indimenticabile.
A loro fianco anche la locale sezione della LNI, il Comune di Viareggio, iCare Viareggio Porto 2020, Navigo scarl, e le Flotte ospitanti - Viareggio, Perla della Versilia e Forte dei Marmi- che collaboreranno con le Autorità Organizzatrici.
Ricordando che sul sito https://euro.starchampionships.org/ sarà possibile trovare tutte le informazioni utili e che le iscrizioni chiuderanno il 10 maggio, il Club Nautico Versilia e la Società Velica Viareggina vi danno appuntamento dal 9 al 14 giugno a Viareggio!
Author: Rachele Vitello - June 10, 202570 elite teams gather in the historic sailing hub for a week of world-class racing
Viareggio, Italy, June 10, 2025 – The 2025 Star Class European Championship officially opened this evening in Viareggio with a vibrant ceremony hosted by Club Nautico Versilia. Held against the stunning backdrop of the Versilia coastline, the event was marked by a stirring performance from the La Spezia Naval Band and attended by sailors, organizers, and local authorities.
This year’s championship has attracted 70 top-tier teams from around the world, all set to compete in one of the most prestigious events on the international sailing calendar. Organized by Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina under the aegis of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), ISCYRA (International Star Class Yacht Racing Association), and CONI, and with the support of the Municipality of Viareggio and title sponsors G&B Ropes, Slam Telemar, and CTN, the regatta runs through Sunday, June 14.
Racing begins tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11, with the first start scheduled for 1:00 PM following the Skippers’ Meeting at 10:45 AM. Seven races are planned across the week on a racecourse long regarded by the Star Class as one of the finest in Europe.
“Viareggio is a truly special place for the Star Class, and we’re thrilled to return for this championship,” said Paul Cayard, President of the International Star Class. “From its competitive racecourse to its rich sailing heritage, it’s the perfect setting for an event of this level.”
As the fleet prepares for the first day of racing, the atmosphere in Viareggio is already electric. With perfect early summer conditions and a stacked lineup of legendary sailors and rising talents, the 2025 Star Class European Championship promises a week of exceptional racing and unforgettable moments.
Author: Rachele Vitello - June 11, 2025Two races completed in light winds.
Stipanovic and Cayard share the spotlight.
Viareggio, 11 June 2025 – The Star European Championship 2025 got underway today in the waters off Viareggio, with two races sailed in light and tricky conditions. As expected, the level of competition is extremely high, and several top contenders have already made their mark on day one.
The first race saw a light westerly breeze of 7–8 knots, demanding precise tactics and fine boat handling. Croatian Tonci Stipanovic, Olympic medalist and seasoned Star sailor, with Tudor Bilic, showed great control and tactical awareness to take the win in the opening race.
In the second race, the wind dropped further, settling around 6/7 knots. The best to read the course was American sailing legend Paul Cayard, who capitalized on every shift and pressure line to take a well-earned victory, for the first time sailing with George Iverson.
“The conditions are pretty steady out here, it's a sea breeze situation and the Star Class is very competitive, 70 boats on the starting line, so the fleet stays pretty tight and it's difficult to find clear air. The racing is challenging and for George and I we managed to win the last race, which was very very fun, and in the first race we were a little too far back to know exactly how I did.. but three more days of racing here and we're really happy to be in Viareggio”, commented Paul Cayard, sailing legend and President of the International Star Class.
The provisional ranking is lead by Enrico Chieffi with Nando Colaninno, but with two different winners in the first two races it remains wide open going into tomorrow’s schedule, which features two more races and slightly stronger winds forecasted.
The Star European Championship 2025 is organized by Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina, in cooperation with the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association (ISCYRA) and the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), with the support of the City of Viareggio.
Stay tuned for more top-level racing tomorrow along the Tuscan coast.
Author: Rachele Vitello - June 12, 2025Chieffi-Colaninno hold overall lead;
McKenzie-Faucheaux best team of the day
Viareggio, Italy — June 12, 2025 – Day two of the 2025 Star Class European Championship delivered another round of high-stakes, high-skill racing on the waters off Viareggio, with two more races completed in conditions very similar to the opening day.
Races 3 and 4 of the series were both preceded by general recalls and ultimately started under black flag, a reflection of the competitive intensity on the start line. Race 3 saw two teams disqualified under the black flag rule, while Race 4 claimed five.
The highlight of the day for local fans came in Race 3, with a brilliant win by Giampiero Poggi and Davide Mugnaini, sailing under the burgee of Club Nautico Versilia. The Viareggio-based team took full advantage of their local knowledge and sharp tactical sailing to claim their first bullet of the series.
Race 4 belonged to Australia’s Paul McKenzie and Florian Faucheaux, who backed up their win with a third-place finish in the earlier race, making them the best performers of the day. Their consistent performance has vaulted them into contention going into the final stretch of the regatta.
“We had a great day, we had the feeling it might be good, but you never know. Yesterday we felt like we were getting better because we haven't sailed for a while in the Star and today we just had nice starts and made the boat go and it worked out. Yesterday we felt like we were getting a bit better because the starts weren't good, but we were coming through and learning things or remembering things and today with the good starts it made the difference”, commented Paul McKenzie.
At the top of the provisional leaderboard, Italy’s Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno (ITA) remain in first overall after posting a solid 2nd and 4th today. Just behind them are Olympic silver medalist Tonči Stipanović and crew Tudor Bilic (CRO), who secured a tight second-place finish in Race 4. Moving into third overall are Portugal’s Renato Conde and Taavi Taverner, showing impressive form at this stage of the championship.
With two races scheduled for Friday and the final race set for Saturday, and the discard coming in after five races, the battle for the European title is still wide open.
The Championship is hosted by Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina, under the authority of ISCYRA, FIV, and CONI, with the support of the Municipality of Viareggio and title sponsors G&B Ropes, Slam Telemar, and CTN.
Author: Rachele Vitello - June 13, 2025Consistent performance secures title ahead of Saturday’s final race
Viareggio, Italy — June 13, 2025 – A masterclass in consistency and control has crowned Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno as the 2025 Star Class European Champions, with one race still to sail. The Italian duo secured the title on Day Three of the regatta after another strong performance in the steady thermal conditions that have characterized the week—6 to 8 knots of sea breeze, flat seas, and blue skies off the Tuscan coast.
Today’s first race (Race 5) was a defining moment, with Chieffi and Colaninno claiming their second bullet of the series, extending their lead and mathematically securing the championship. Their rock-solid scoreline throughout the week showcased not only speed and tactical precision but also a calm, focused approach under pressure.
Race 6 went to the American-Brazilian pairing of Jack Jennings and Pedro Trouche, who added a crucial win to their campaign and jumped into the mix for a spot on the podium.
“We are so happy to have won and with a day to spare!! Tomorrow we can come out and enjoy the race as spectators! It was so difficult, there is such a great fleet, but it was definitely our week.. so glad!!”, commented from the water an ecstatic Enrico Chieffi. “I would say it's nice to win almost at home, I believe we had an advantage because we sail here every weekend, and it was as usual very tough, tricky and light wind, shifting everywhere.. so we are very happy about this win!!”, he concluded.
With just one race remaining tomorrow, the battle for second and third overall is heating up. In contention are Tonči Stipanović / Tudor Bilic (CRO), Renato Conde / Taavi Taveter (POR/EST), Paul Cayard / George Iverson (USA), Paul McKenzie / Florian Faucheaux (AUS/FRA), Jack Jennings / Pedro Trouche (USA/BRA), and Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA) – all within striking distance and eager to finish strong.
The championship is hosted by Club Nautico Versilia and Società Velica Viareggina, in collaboration with ISCYRA, FIV, and CONI, and supported by the Municipality of Viareggio and title sponsors G&B Ropes, Slam Telemar, and CTN.
The final race of the championship is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, June 14, and will be followed by the official prize-giving ceremony at the Regatta Village.
