Star fleet returns to Pittwater

by Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey on 3 Apr 2009 Well, the headline sounds good and it might even be true! For sure it has been many years since the Star class has raced in Australia with any regularity.

Last Saturday saw five boats race in the Pittwater Regatta (itself an event that goes back 100 years). We had three races under clear skies in a light and fickle easterly. Pefect Star weather.

The fleet included Gold Medallist, Nathan Wilmot and Star Olympians Iain Murray and myself. Quietly spectating was six-time Olympian and Bronze medallist, Colin Beashel. Other skippers were talented young sailors Tom Burton, Josh Chant and Joe McMillan.

Results are here: http://www.cmsexample6.com/images/stories/Results/pittwater_regatta_2009/pittr09odrps.htm

Whilst rigging the boat on the hardstand at RPAYC last week, I lost count of the amount of old-timers saying that they used to sail Stars on Pittwater or remembered their Dad racing Stars etc etc.

We all had a great time sailing this wonderful class of boat and talking about it later in the Alfred's bar. For the Big Fella and I, it was very unique to sail at 'home' on Pittwater with other Stars around. For seven years, we spent many hours training solo.

There is actually a Pittwater Star Fleet still listed in the Star class yearbook. We need to take steps to re-register it as 'active'.

The resurgence in the Pittwater fleet has come about through the enthusiasm for Star Boats by Peter Burton (Star number 7836), Rob Feilding (7867) and Rob McMillan (7097).

Peter and Rob purchased their boats from the stable of Iain Murray last year and took delivery from Iain and myself after the Olympics. Rob imported his boat from Europe. Other boats currently at Pittwater are 7800 (Simon Reffold), 8315 (Australian Sailing Team) and 7221 (Josh Whitaker and Paul Montague).

There are some old, competitive boats around the country and Iain also has a couple of newer model Lillia's in storage up at Newcastle.

The next targeted date for the RPAYC Pittwater Star Fleet to convene is the weekend of Apr 18th and 19th. Get involved!

The Star Class website is www.starclass.org