Star Class Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
Miami, Florida (October 19, 2026) – The countdown is on for the 2026 Star World Championship Presented by Schoonmaker, with some of the biggest names in international sailing preparing to gather in Miami for one of the most prestigious events on the Star Class calendar.
Hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, the championship will bring together an extraordinary fleet combining Olympic champions, America's Cup veterans, multiple Star World Champions and a new generation of talented sailors, all competing for one of sailing's most coveted titles.
Among the leading contenders are the reigning Star World Champions Paul Cayard (USA) and Frithjof Kleen (GER), returning to defend the title they claimed in 2025. Cayard, whose remarkable career spans the America's Cup, offshore racing and decades of success in the Star Class, will face a formidable field of past champions and established rivals.
Five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt (BRA) returns to Miami fresh from winning the 2026 Star European Championship in Medemblik. He will be sailing with Austin Sperry (USA), together they won the Star European title in Medemblik at the end of August.
Also on the entry list are two-time Star World Champions Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA), Olympic gold medalist Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) sailing with five-time Star World Champion Bruno Prada (BRA), and former World Champions Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski (GER).
The German contingent also includes Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr, who impressed throughout the European Championship before finishing second overall and claiming the U30 title. Their performance in Medemblik confirmed that the next generation is ready to challenge the established stars of the Class.
The depth of the fleet extends well beyond the headline names. George Szabo and Guy Avellon (USA), Eivind Melleby (NOR) and Christian Nehammer (AUT), Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise (USA), Jack Jennings and Pedro Trouche (USA/BRA), and Ross MacDonald (CAN) and George Iverson (USA) are among the experienced teams preparing for the championship.
The entry list also features Olympic medalists Max Salminen, sailing with John Dane III, and Ingo Borkowski, competing alongside Michael Illbruck, as well as Bermudian Olympian Peter Bromby with Myles Pritchard.
Beyond the competition, the championship promises another memorable gathering of the international Star community, bringing together sailors from different countries, generations and backgrounds, united by their passion for one of the most demanding and enduring one-design classes in sailing.
SIX DAYS OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACING
The event officially opens on Thursday, November 5, with registration and boat inspections continuing through Sunday, November 8. Team weigh-ins are also scheduled during the registration period.
On Saturday, November 7, competitors will complete the Vakaros RaceSense check-in, while Sunday, November 8, will feature the practice race at 12:55, followed by the official Opening Ceremony.
Championship racing begins on Monday, November 9, with the first warning signal scheduled for 12:55. Racing continues daily through Saturday, November 14, for a total of six scheduled race days. On the final day, no warning signal will be made after 15:00.
As always, the program ashore will be an important part of the week, with daily social gatherings after racing, a special Midweek Dinner at The Cruz Building on Wednesday, November 11, and the traditional Prize Giving Ceremony on Saturday, November 14.
With an exceptional fleet, a challenging racecourse and the World Championship title at stake, Miami is preparing to host another memorable chapter in the history of the Star Class.
The 2026 Star World Championship Presented by Schoonmaker runs from November 5–14, with championship racing from November 9–14 at Coral Reef Yacht Club, Miami.
