Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
Gibson Island delivers classic Star conditions for one of the five Continental titles of the year
The 2025 Star Western Hemisphere Championship came to a close on Sunday after three days of tight and tactical racing hosted by the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron on the Chesapeake Bay. The regatta, part of the historic Star Class calendar, attracted many of North America’s finest teams, culminating in a well-deserved victory for George Szabo and Guy Avellon.
Szabo and Avellon delivered an outstanding performance across the seven-race series, counting five top-2 finishes, including four bullets, and discarding only one mid-fleet result. Their consistent dominance secured them the championship with a total of 8 points after discard — a commanding lead over the rest of the fleet.
In second place, John Loe and Olympic veteran Phil Trinter sailed a solid series with a string of top-5 finishes, closing out the regatta with 17 points. Rounding out the podium were Arthur Anosov and David Caesar, who took third overall with 23 points, including a win in Race 3 and strong early performances.
The event featured classic Chesapeake Bay conditions — light to moderate breeze, tidal strategy, and close mark roundings — offering a true test of skill and experience in the one-design fleet.
Final Top 5 Standings:
The championship began with a practice day and welcome ceremony, followed by three days of racing under the guidance of a professional race committee. Post-race socials and the final prizegiving ceremony capped off a spirited and competitive event.
The Star Class now turns its attention to the upcoming World Championship in September with more than 100 entries, as the global fleet continues to build momentum.
