The Star Class....in Australasia

by Andrew (Dog) Palfrey on 31 Oct 2009 People often ask why the Star is so enduring in it's popularity. After all, the design and the class celebrates in one-hundred year old milestone in 2011. It remains an Olympic class and is regarded by many as the best one-design keel-boat to race, as the following quotes attest.

Hamish Pepper in Feb. 2009, when asked the proudest moment of his sporting career: 'Probably winning the Star worlds in 2006'.

Robert Scheidt, 2007 Star World Champion, four Olympic medals (Laser & Star), said in Sail Magazine (May 08): 'There are so many sailors at a high level in the Star and the way we sail these boats now is very physical. This is a boat for the athletes, for the young.'

Dennis Conner's favorite boat?: 'It's the Star boat!' (from Sailing Anarchy in 2008)

What makes the Star so popular and enduring for a wide range of sailors young or old, male or female, elite or novice? For sure the chance to race the best is a big attraction. However, the class is huge in numbers in Europe, the USA and South America. 90% of the sailors in the class just simply love the challenge of sailing and racing this 98 year old design.

I guess you need to try sailing a Star to find out why we love the boat and the class.

This message is sent to you to promote the activities of a newly formed Star fleet in Pittwater, Sydney, Australia.

So far I have been privileged to be able to sail in the Star class with Iain Murray for eight years. This has included many championships across several countries, seven World Championships in great ports and an Olympic Games.

My prime motivation for being involved in the Pittwater Star Fleet is to endeavour to give a little bit back to a class and a boat that has been so rewarding to me in many areas. Maybe I can help to introduce some new people to the magic of the Star? Who knows?

I hope you get something out of keeping abreast of our new fleet's activities.

Big names to compete at the first Pittwater Star event

December 5th and 6th sees Royal Prince Alfred host the first event of the newly formed Pittwater Star Fleet.

Competitors will include 2006 Star World Champion, Hamish Pepper of New Zealand and his crew Craig Monk.

Hamish and Craig also placed a close second at the recent 2009 Worlds in Sweden. Also in attendance will be six time Olympian and 1998 star World Champion, Colin Beashel and 2008 Olympians Iain Murray and Andrew Palfrey.

Chris Nicholson, the Australian Olympic 49er class representative from the 2004 and 2008 games is also expected to race, in what will be his debut in the Star class.

In addition to this, the fleet contains two father-son teams: Joe and Rob McMillan and Tom and Peter Burton. One interesting thing about both teams is that both of the sons are the helmsmen. Joe McMillan is only 15, but he is one of the standout talents in the Laser class. Tom Burton is a member of the Australian Sailing Development Squad and is a former Australian Youth Champion in the Laser class. At a time that Club's are promoting sailing as a family activity and a low entry cost sport, the Star class fits the bill perfectly.

In all, we hope to have in excess of eight Stars racing, which will be the biggest number of Stars racing in Australia for decades.

New boats to the fleet!

Both Rob McMillan and Rob Fielding have purchased Folli Star boats from the USA. This is wonderful news for our fleet, as we strive to grow. The new arrivals are hull numbers 7942 for Rob Fielding and 7982 for Rob McMillan. Both boats were built at Folli in the late 1990's, which was a great vintage for Folli Stars. For both of the 'Robs', these are their second boats. This shows an amazing level of commitment to building the fleet. As such they are offering boats for sale as per the For Sale notices below.

7942 and 7982 are expected to arrive in Australia any day now.


First Pittwater Fleet meeting.

During September, the Pittwater Star Fleet held it's inaugural meeting. the following office bearers were elected

Fleet Captain: Andrew Palfrey
Fleet Secretary: Rob Fielding


Boats for Sale

Star Class Racing Yacht #7082
Built by Folli, Italy.
Ready to Race.
Fully modernised in 2009 by Andrew Palfrey
Great condition
2 sets of Quantum Sails in good condition
2 Masts
Aluminium road trailer
All covers
Great value at $13,500.00
Contact Rob McMillan on rob.mcmillan(at)optusnet.com.au or 0407 671 193


Star Class Racing Yacht #7942
Built by Folli, Italy in 1998
Trailer with 2 storage boxes

Boat is complete and ready to race with
3 Masts
2 Booms
3 Mainsails
4 Jibs
Safety Equipment
Miscellaneous spares

Contact Rob Fielding on fielding(at)unwired.com.au or 0417049681


Upcoming Events
31st Oct: One Design Sprint Series Racing at Royal Prince Alfred
7th Nov: Star training day at RPAYC
5th and 6th Dec: Pittwater Star Regatta
AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS - Feb/Mar 2010 - Dates TBA


Want to get involved? Interested in sailing Stars?

Contact:
Andrew Palfrey: andrew.palfrey(at)iinet.net.au or 0417 433 449
or
Rob Fielding: fielding(at)unwired.com.au or 0417 049 681


More general info on the Star Class

Check out the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association's website. It is the best resource for everything Star Boat.