|
|
District 20 Regatta Report | Sat Nov 23rd, 2013 through Sun Nov 24th, 2013 |
Photo by Meredith Block / Star Winter Series |
| |
Philip Carlson and Frithjof Kleen sailed to a flawless result on Sunday, vaulting past Augie Diaz/Arnis Baltins to take second place for the opening regatta of the 2013/4 Star Winter Series Presented By EFG. Newport Beach, California’s Jim Buckingham finished just behind Carlson in both races, enough to hold on to a 4 point lead and earn the 2013 Schoonmaker Cup.
Buckingham finished the inaugural 2012/3 Star
Winter Series in 8th place, and he says a full 2013 Star sailing schedule helped prepare him for this winter’s racing. “Between last year’s Miami events and the San Diego Worlds we’ve really put the time in,” said Buckingham. “I think that’s the biggest difference to our performance out there."
2012/3 Star Winter Series champ Augie Diaz with crew Arnis Baltins claims all the responsibility for a less-than-ideal performance in the final race of the weekend, a 5-leg sprint in 12-15 knots of Northeasterly trade wind, especially after closing to within one point of the leader after a good Race 4 this morning. “I didn’t think hitting one mark was enough, so I hit both the upwind and downwind mark in the final race,” said Diaz, with a hint of frustration. His penalty turns contributed to an eighth place in Race 5. “This is the big leagues here, and there’s no room for those kinds of mistakes if you want to make a pass – or keep from getting passed.” But the true standout today was Sweden’s Philip Carlson, the 23-year old Viking who’s made Coconut Grove his home for the past few winters in search of as much top-level sailing he can find. After an unsuccessful Olympic bid in 2012 (his main competitor for Sweden’s spot was Freddy Loof, who won Weymouth Gold), Carlson continued to sail in the class, giving a strong performance during last year’s Star Midwinters and several overseas events. But today he surpassed all that, showing major boatspeed advantages both upwind and downwind against a deep Star Winter Series fleet. “This is really amazing, but without this very fast P-Star and without all [Series Founder] Stu Hebb’s support and his loan of the boat, I couldn’t do any of this,” said Carlson. He says his crew Frithjof Kleen deserves the praise for their performance today. “I almost felt bad for some of the other guys when the wind built during the last race” he said, because in the stronger breeze, Frithjof just locks in with perfect boathandling and trim, hikes his body out, and no one can stay with us.” The competitors’ positions for this regatta determine their standings in the 2013/4 Star Winter Series Presented by EFG, won decisively last year by Diaz and Baltins. Buckingham figures he’s got as good a chance at anyone. “It’s always good to see a few weaknesses on the other guys, and we’re looking forward to the next event in a few weeks,” he said. As he received an engraved picture frame commemorating his victory, Buckingham explained why he flew more than 2000 miles” to sail for two days on Biscayne Bay. “Biscayne Bay is easily the best place to sail in the Northern winter, and I think the Star Winter Series is, by far, the best event of its kind,” said Buckingham. “Everyone with a Star should just get down here.” |
|
|
ISCYRA Central
Office 2812 Canon Street San Diego, California 92106 USA Phone: +1 619 222 0252 Fax: +1 619 222 0528 SKYPE: star.class.office office@starchampionships.org |
Results
- Calendar
- Classified
Ads - History |
Sign up for eStarlights... |