Star Worlds - Carl Williams & Hamish Pepper report

by Carl Williams and Hamish Pepper on 8 Oct 2006 Carl and I have just won the Star world Championships over a highly rated field.

In what only seems like yesterday when we were jumping in the Star for the first time in Miami last January, to now be accepting the trophy at the World Championships.

It all seems hard to believe. The Star is the oldest lasting Olympic class, since 1936 and has been having World Championships from 1923! For Carl and I to have our names engraved along side some of the Worlds greatest sailors is a great pleasure and an honour. Names such as Dennis Conner, Paul Cayard, Mark Reynolds, Tom Blackaller, Pelle Petterson, Paul Elvstrom and Torgen Grael, just to name a few and all with equally good crews.

Obviously this regatta went extremely well for us. Still we have a lot of hard work ahead of us to continue at the top of this competitive Olympic class. So we certainly won’t be easing up after this victory. We both realise that we still have much to learn and will continue developing as a team towards Beijing. Next step is the North Americans in November in Miami and we also have a new Lillia star boat to build which is due in the New Year. So much still to do.

We have a few people to thank.

Andy Estcourt for his excellent coaching support during the last couple of months. Also to David Giles for all his coaching and crewing when Carl has been busy with BMW Oracle Americas cup campaign.

Harken for sponsoring and supporting us right from the beginning of this campaign.

Line 7 who has sponsored me in the past and is also supporting Carl and I in this new campaign

Penny Whiting (Carl’s mum) for rallying up some donations to buy new sails for this regatta.

Doc Williams for also buying the winning mainsail for us.

Also to family and friends for their awesome support over this last week.

Thanks again

Regards,

Carl Williams, Hamish Pepper