McDonald and Nichol Win Star Eastern Hemisphere Champs

Viareggio, Italy (June 4, 2017) – The 2017 Star Eastern Hemisphere Championship regatta was held May 30 – June 4, 2017, hosted by Club Nautico Versilia. Six races were completed over 5 days.

The port of Viareggio is located on the Tyrrhenian Sea at the mouth of Burlamacca, the channel that separates the coast from Viareggio in Poniente Beach, in the north-west, and Levante beach, south-east. The city of Viareggio is famous worldwide thanks to the production of many jewels of its shipyards, among which the masterpieces Perini, Azimut-Benetti, Codecasa and FIPA.

It sits just steps away from the beautiful Lido di Camaiore, a few kilometers from Forte dei Marmi, the famous tourist destination known worldwide for its mild climate, the coast frequented by the jet set and the historic center dedicated to luxury shopping. Viareggio is located in a strategic position, thanks to its geographical proximity to some of the most important Tuscan towns: Pisa, Lucca, Livorno and Florence.

Sixty seven International Star Class teams sailed representing 15 countries – Austria, Brazil, Croatia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, and Italy.

Americans Andy Mc Donald and Brad Nichol, sailing their brand new boat, won the regatta with 26 points (8,29,7,1,3,7), followed by the Irish team Peter O’Leary and Robert O’Leary in second place with 26 points, losing the tiebreaker to the American’s.

In third place from Italy are Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (36 points; 2,16,12,3,29,3) who beat the world champion Augie Diaz (USA) with crew Arthur Lopes (BRA) (37 points; 1, 10,10,14,2,37) and the Swiss Jean Pascal Chatagny and Serge Pulfer (41 points, 4,18,1,20,4,14) finished fifth.

Event Website – Results