Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

2024 Star World Championship at San Diego Yacht Club - Day 1

by Rachele Vitello, International Star Class 8 Sep 2024 20:28 PDT September 7-13, 2024

San Diego delivered incredible conditions on Day One of the 2024 Star World Championship. With sunshine, 12 to 15 knots of northwesterly breeze, and chop mixed with ocean swell, the 64 teams participating had it all.

The eager fleet couldn't wait to get going, and after two general recalls PRO Tom Duggan had to hoist the Black Flag to get a clean start, and they were off for the five-leg race. The wind was gusty and shifty; today was all about being in the right place while maneuvering and managing the boat in the chop and strong wind. Six teams couldn't handle the conditions and did not finish the race.

At the first top mark, the "old newcomers" to the class, America's Cup legend John Kostecki and Star Olympian Austin Sperry, were leading ahead of Will Stout and Danny Cayard, followed by Danny's father, Class President, and one of the most eclectic sailors in history, Paul Cayard, with Star World Champion with his Olympian crew, Frithjof Kleen. They arrived at the top mark all very close, and by the gate, Cayard/Kleen rounded the right gate just a few seconds ahead of Kostecki/Sperry, who split and went left.

A tight battle on the second upwind between the two American sailing superstars saw Kostecki/Sperry arrive first at the second top mark, with Cayard/Kleen in second, Stout/Cayard in third, and the Altolaguirre brothers, Leandro and Lucas from Argentina, in fourth, just centimeters ahead of local legend Eric Doyle with Payson Infelise. The Altolaguirres had a great downwind leg and rounded the gate in second behind Cayard/Kleen, whose speed downwind was truly impressive with Kostecki/Sperry in third. This order was confirmed at the finish, with Cayard/Kleen conquering the first of six races to take the lead in the 2024 Star World Championship.

"It was a great race; we just kept it super simple. Although we didn't have a great start because I had to bail out at the pin end and gybe around, that end was so favored that eventually we got through and had a decent lane. But I think mainly we were fast, and we sailed pretty smart. We were able to work our way through, so it feels good to have the speed. We've been training for quite a while for this race, so I think we're in a good position for the rest of the week," commented Paul Cayard.

"We had really good speed, picked the right shifts, chose the right gates, and were always sailing in good pressure. I think we did pretty well. The Argentinians kept on pushing, and they were pretty quick, so we had to watch them and felt the pressure. Paul did a fantastic job helming the boat, always very fast. It was great and fun!" added crew Frithjof Kleen.

Tomorrow's racing will start at 1300, and the forecast suggests it should be lighter than today, providing a nice change of scenario and opening up opportunities for light breeze enthusiasts.

More information at worlds.starchampionships.org

Related Articles

2025 Star Worlds at Split, Croatia Day 2
Negri and Lambertenghi win Day Two after tactical duel on the Adriatic The second day of racing at the 2025 Star World Championship in Split, Croatia, saw the full 101-boat fleet return to the water for Race 2 after a 90-minute wait ashore. Posted on 9 Sep
2025 Star Worlds at Split, Croatia Day 1
Swiss team leads after a tactical opening race in light conditions The 2025 Star World Championship officially got under way today in Split, Croatia, with 101 boats from 20 nations lining up on the starting line for Race 1 of the six-day championship. Posted on 8 Sep
2025 Star Worlds returns to the Adriatic Sea
Sailing legends set course for Split The historic city of Split is preparing to welcome the sailing world for one of its most iconic events: the 2025 International Star Class Worlds, organized by Sailing Club Mornar in cooperation with the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association. Posted on 4 Sep
Announcing the SSL Gold Cup 2026 in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro to host the battle between the top 40 nations Save the date! The second edition of the Football World Cup in Sailing will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2026. The top 40 nations from five continents will compete for the title of Sailing World Champion. Posted on 3 Sep
Sailing's Lost Olympic Dream
Honouring the 1980 Yachting Team In an era where politics overshadowed sport, the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow became a defining moment of sacrifice for many Australian athletes, including the 12 sailors who were selected to represent their country but never got the chance to compete. Posted on 30 Jul
2025 Star Class European Championship overall
Chieffi and Colaninno crowned champions as Cayard and Iverson take final race win The curtain has come down on the 2025 Star Class European Championship with the seventh and final race sailed today off the coast of Viareggio in light air and calm seas. Posted on 14 Jun
2025 Star Class European Championship day 3
Chieffi and Colaninno clinch the title with a race to spare A masterclass in consistency and control has crowned Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno as the 2025 Star Class European Champions, with one race still to sail. Posted on 13 Jun
2025 Star Class European Championship day 2
Chieffi-Colaninno hold overall lead; McKenzie-Faucheaux best team of the day. Day two of the 2025 Star Class European Championship delivered another round of high-stakes, high-skill racing on the waters off Viareggio, with two more races completed in conditions very similar to the opening day. Posted on 12 Jun
2025 Star Class European Championship day 1
Stipanovic and Cayard share the spotlight The Star European Championship 2025 got underway today in the waters off Viareggio, with two races sailed in light and tricky conditions. Posted on 11 Jun
2025 Star Class Europeans opens in Viareggio
70 elite teams gather in the historic sailing hub The 2025 Star Class European Championship officially opened this evening in Viareggio with a vibrant ceremony hosted by Club Nautico Versilia. Posted on 10 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignZhik 2024 December