Star European Centennial Celebration a great success

by International Star Class on 26 Oct 2011 Star European Centennial Celebration was held in St Tropez, France from Friday 21st October to Sunday 23rd October 2011. Six races were completed.

Report of October 21:
For the first day of racing, this Friday, October 21, 2011, it took time and patience, both for the race committee and for the 93 yachts in the race. After six attempts to start, with a wind of 19-20 knots up to 110 degrees (east-southeast), the first race started at 2:43 p.m.

It must be said that the wind, extremely variable by 30 degrees, gave a hard time to the race committee and competitors. Indeed, after several general recalls due to many boats over early, several 'black flags' have been launched meaning the temporary exclusion for several boats at fault.

To the delight of all, and after 'only' two restarts, a second race been launched with a finish at 17:18. With also some dismastings, competitors who missed the mark, arrival of boats that affected the committee boat, a wave that never ceased to dig, numerous complaints, etc.., we can say that these two races were very hectic.

No surprises in the first results since two favorites are at the top of standings, Swedish Fredrik Loof, double world champion in the series, bronze medalist at the Beijing games in 2008 on the Star SWE 8450 and the Italian, Diego Negri European champion title star, vice world champion, here on the boat ITA 8266. Not far behind is Guillaume Florent on constant watch Star FRA 8270 and can still go for first place on the podium.

Report of October 22:
Second day for many Star sailors in Saint- Tropez, France. Unlike yesterday, the wind of 15 to 20 knots was stable which allowed the committee to launch three good races this Saturday, October 22 in the Gulf of St. Tropez. With a total of five races completed, Sweden's Frederik Loof on the Star SWE 8450 leads position in front of his formidable opponent, Italian Diego Negri (ITA 8266) and Robert Stanjek on the yacht GER 8340. The French Guillaume Florent (FRA 8270) which is in fifth position, can still claim the podium in the final rounds.

In Saint-Tropez, visitors were able to watch the Star, an Olympic sailing boat since 1932, where no improvisation is possible and where errors are sometimes paid for by a dismasting, sometimes by the loss of several places ... Tomorrow is the last race before the Star awards at 5pm for this 'European centennial celebration regatta.'

Victory to Loof and Salminen
The 'European Regatta Centennial Celebration' in honor of 100 years of the Star, was a great success in both sea and ashore events. A unique event in France it was attended by about 100 teams from 14 different countries for three days of racing in St. Tropez.

Competitors enjoyed the usually good conditions with ideal racing for the final, Sunday, October 23. It is indeed beautiful sailing with the wind 14 to 17 knots and flat seas for last race. In the end, and after six races conducted in all, the Swedish champion Frederik Loof and Max Salminen SWE 8450 prevailed by only two points ahead of the Italian Diego Negri and Enrico Volton of ITA 8266. The Star GER 8340 with Robert Stanjek and Frithjof Kleen took third place.

In Saint-Tropez, the Star was a sensation, the Olympic sailing boat requires a lot of agility, technique, concentration, physical fitness and a great confidence in his team-mate. The star that represents the class is not nearly out!

During the awards ceremony, attended by elected officials; Andrée Anselmi, Jeannine Serra, Lawrence Small, officials of the class Jean-François Puisségur, the Chairman of the race, Jean-Pierre Mannetstatter, the President of the Nautical Society, André Beaufils, presented the trophies to the first three and the special prizes such as the first mixed crew won by Xavier and Nathalie Rohart.

A trophy was awarded to the yacht built entirely of wood by its owner - the Polish Star 1152 'Rozpior' with Raubo Marcin and Lukasz Lesinski. Not to mention the trophies for the youngest to not so young competitors. The City of Saint-Tropez was keen to give the winner a wonderful overall photo of the race taken by Jean-Louis Chaix.

Special Prizes:
- Exhalted Grand Master (more than 70 ans): GER 8407 - Walter and Xaver Soellner
- Grand Master (between 60 and 70 ans) : ITA 8467 - Guido Sodano and Andrea Folci
- Master (between 50 and 60 ans) : SWE 8351 (6th overall!) - Tom Lofstedt and Hakan Lundgren
- Youngest: FRA 8137 - Clément Brillaud and Maurice Pflumio
- Wood Boat: POL 1152 - Raubo Marcin and Lukasz Lesinski.
- Mixed crew: FRA 8337 - Xavier and Nathalie Rohart

They said:
Jean-Francois Puisségur, Secretary General of the ASPROSTAR 'It was an incredible race, a thunderous applause to the race committee and Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Thank you to its president, André Beaufils for believing in us and organized the event despite the busy schedule of club!'

Frederik Loof, winner of the Star 'Berg Propulsion' SWE 8450: 'It's great to see everyone here and have had good sailing conditions. All the world has made a 'great job'. I'm happy! It's cool to win, but especially since it is a unique event!

Max Salminen, teammate 'Berg Propulsion' SWE 8450: 'It's really impressive to see so many Star boats on the water (about 100)! We have had beautiful sailing and there was a good atmosphere to the ground. It's a good place to sail!

Andrée Anselmi, municipal elected official: 'Thank you for choosing St. Tropez to organize the centenary of the class Star'. We are honored and pleased that this gathering was held in conjunction with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and that their team ... '

Guillaume Florent, was the fifth overall and the top French finisher (FRA 8270): 'It was a great regatta with great conditions and a good organization to match this centenary! We will come back for another anniversary of the class! In sporting terms, we are below the targets with my teammate, but our best equipment is in Australia where we will compete in the Star World Championship in the month of in December 2011. Then it will be preparations for the Olympics 2012!'

Insom Paolo, President of the Star Class Europe: Thank you for organizing this race which reflects the continuity of the Class Star. Moreover, we have here the presence of Valentin Mankin, a gold medalist in the Star class at the 1980 Olympics.

Results: (Top Ten)

International Star Class website

Place	Boat	Skipper	Crew	Sail #	Fleet	1	2	3	4	5	6	Total
1	Berg Propulsion	Loof Fredrik	Salminen Max	SWE 8450	Bk	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	4.0	2.0	6
2	Ita 8266	Negri Diego	Voltolini Enrico	ITA 8266	Ve	2.0	2.0	4.0	2.0	1.0	1.0	8
3	Audi Sailing Team	Stanjek Robert	Kleen Frithjof	GER 8340	BF	6.0	3.0	2.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	15
4	Jeanneau	Kusznierewicz Mateusz	Zycki Dominik	POL 8417	ISOL	3.0	5.0	3.0	5.0	2.0	4.0	17
5	Pantaenius	Florent Guillaume	Rambeau Pascal	FRA 8270	VF	4.0	4.0	5.0	3.0	6.0	5.0	21
6	Swe 8351	Lofstedt Tom	Lundgren Hakan	SWE 8351	RS	8.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	15.0	11.0	37
7	Sui 7252	Chatagny Jean-Pascal	Ducommun Patrick	SUI 7252	G	14.0	8.0	10.0	8.0	5.0	12.0	43
8	Lara	Merkelbach Hubert	Bartel Gerrit	GER 8331	UB	7.0	7.0	8.0	13.0	13.0	8.0	43.0001
9	Starnatic	Hagen Alexander	Hasche MA	GER 8093	KF	18.0	19.0	9.0	7.0	9.0	14.0	57
10	Fra 8237	Rohart Xavier	Rohart Nathalie	FRA 8237	NI	27.0	10.0	13.0	21.0	8.0	13.0	65