Star Sailors League Finals - Update from Cayard Sailing

by Cayard Sailing on 7 Dec 2013 Star Sailors League 2013 - Update from Cayard Sailing:

Two races were held today in 10-12 knots out of the east. Austin and I went into todays races at the back of the leader board, but had a good day and managed to climb up a few positions.

We got off to a great start leading race one around the first lap, losing the lead to Mark Mendleblatt at the second windward mark, and then regaining the lead only to be finally overhauled by the king, Robert Scheidt, on the final run.

At that point we were in 11th place, five points out of 10th, which we needed to be in in order to move on to tomorrows racing.

We had a decent start in the second race but didn't do so well up the first beat and were near the back after the first lap. We tightened things up on the second lap and came home with a 13th.

That put us 12th overall, eight points off the cut for the semi finals tomorrow. Honestly, I don't deserve to be better than 12th in this fleet right now and I didn't deserve to beat Robert in race one today. He works very hard to be as good as he is. There is no way a guy who hasn't sailed in four years should be able to walk into this class and win a race in this fleet. That's why I race Stars.

Since concluding the Cup last summer, it has been my plan to get back into the Star. I was thinking of starting out with some regattas in Miami this winter and working up to the Bacardi Cup in March. But I jumped in to the deep end instead and I am leaving Nassau better for it. I feel energized to be out competing again and looking forward to more soon.

I think the SSL is a great concept and Michel Niklaus has made an innovative step forward in sailing at the highest level. The format, having several 'cuts' is exciting and tomorrow's semi-finals and finals races will be a first in sailing. Robert is definitely the torch bearer at the moment, however as the points get zero'd out at every stage, it will take just one good race by someone else to take the top prize of $40k.

Forecast for tomorrow is the same...more perfection in paradise.

Paul