Cayard closes strong for Star win

The third event of the Star Winter Series – the Bob Levin Memorial regatta – completed five races January 6-7 on the pristine, blue waters of Biscayne Bay in Miami, FL.

Winter’s first real blast in quite some time had the entire Eastern US in a deep freeze, with snowfall recorded as far south as northern Florida, and air traffic remaining disrupted due to extreme cold temperatures throughout.

The fleet, while small, was highly competitive, with three Gold Star (World Champions), at least two Silver Stars (continental Champions) helmsmen on the course, and numerous other luminaries of the class throughout the fleet. It was clear early on that some reigning in of the aggressiveness was called for.

In a fresh, crisp, 14 knot northerly, the PRO brought out the U flag on Saturday, and the second attempt was a go with only two UFDs. That flag stayed out for the remainder of the day, and the fleet behaved as true Corinthian sailors, in fact there were no further UFDs in the regatta.

Midway thru the second race of the day, a lingering rain squall descended on the race area. This was not in the forecast. The breeze came in before the rain, dropped out during the rain, came back in with authority after the rain, shifted thru at least 40 degrees (depending on who you ask!), then back again and settled in to a steady course axis and velocity for the remaining racing.

Three good races were finished on Saturday with some of the usual suspects at the top of the fleet, and very few breakdowns ruining anyone’s day.

Sunday morning arrived with the two remaining races on the schedule with breeze from the northeast at a fairly steady 14 knots.

The first start occurred on time, a 4 leg course sailed in somewhat shifty conditions, with some pressure variations that separated the fleet as the race wore on. Paul Cayard and Magnus Liljedahl won the race, putting them in a tie with SWS leader Jack Jennings and Frithjof Kleen – recently the SSL Finals-winning crewman – going into the final race. Close racing ensued for the first lap of the race, and Paul and Magnus opened up on the second to win the race over Jack and Frithjof in second to seal the regatta victory.

The next SWS event will occur with the Harry Walker Cup / Midwinters regatta February 8-11.

Final Results (Top 10 of 19; 5 races)
1. 59, Paul Cayard / Magnus Lijedahl , USA – 5 -1 -2 -1 -1 ; 10
2. Pied Piper/National Marine, Jack Jennings / Frithjof Kleen , USA – 1 -5 -1 -2 -2 ; 11
3. DANILU, Augie Diaz / Bruno Prada , USA – 3 -3 -10 -3 -3 ; 22
4. 8440, Jim Buckingham / Mark Strube , USA – 4 -6 -5 -6 -4 ; 25
5. Stella, John MacCausland / Roger Cheer , USA – 7 -4 -6 -4 -5 ; 26
6. Rachel, Andrew Macdonald / Brad Nichol , USA – 20 -2 -3 -5 -7 ; 37
7. 111, Kevin McNeil / Arnis Baltins , USA – 8 -9 -8 -8 -8 ; 41
8. 8246, Shane Zwingelberg / Arthur Ansov , USA – 6 -10 -9 -10 -9 ; 44
9. Ant, William Swigart / Brian Fatih , Hong Kong – 20 -7 -7 -7 -6 ; 47
10. Barakablue, Larry Whipple / Austin Sperry , USA – 2 -8 -4 -20 -20 ; 54

Star Winter Series – Levin Cup – Levin Cup results

Star Winter Series 2017-18
Nov 11-12, 2017 – Schoonmaker Cup (up to 5 races)
Dec 2-3, 2017 – Commodore’s Cup (up to 5 races)
Jan 6-7, 2018 – Levin Cup/District 6 Championship Cup (up to 5 races)
Feb 8-9, 2018 – Walker Cup (up to 5 races)
Feb 8-11, 2018 – Star Midwinters (includes Walker Cup; up to 8 races)

Scoring for the Star Winter Series: Points shall be determined from the finishing place at each regatta. The sum of the best three of the four 2-day regattas, plus the Mid-Winter regatta place multiplied by two, will determine the winner of the Winter series.

Source: L. Carl Schellbach, Jr. (words), Julie Hanrahan (photo)