Star Midwinters in Miami

Miami, FL (January 5, 2017) – The third event of the Miami Star Winter Series got underway today with 26 teams vying for the Walker Cup and Midwinters Championship.

After a postponement on shore, the sailors were able to get in two races before the breeze died on Biscayne Bay. The light breeze made for tough conditions and consistent sailing was difficult. Jack Jennings and Germany’s Fritjof Kleen, were the most consistent with a 3, 4, finishing the day one point behind George Szabo and Roger Cheer.

Augie Diaz and Arnis Baltins found their groove in the second race of the day, pulling them up to third overall just a point behind Jennings. Argentina’s Alberto Zanetti and American Mark Strube, struggled in race one after an unfortunate start at a crowded boat end, but lead wire to wire in the second race.

Charlie Buckingham, the US Laser Class representative in Rio, had his sights on beating his father, Jim Buckingham but fell short. Despite a good performance around the track and being well accompanied by 2008 Star Olympian, Austin Sperry, young Buckingham ended the day with a respectable 8th place finish, three places behind his father who sits in fifth overall.

Paul Cayard, sailing with young crew Josh Revkin, started the day out with a fourth, but was called over the line early in the second race and could not work his way through the fleet in a dying breeze.

Event details – Scoreboard

Star Winter Series 2016-17
Nov 19-20, 2016 – Schoonmaker Cup (up to 5 races)
Dec 3-4, 2016 – Commodores Cup/District 20 Championship (up to 5 races)
Jan 5-6, 2017 – Walker Cup (up to 5 races)
Jan 5-8, 2017 – Star Midwinters (up to 8 races)
Feb 11-12, 2017 – Levin Cup (up to 5 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 weekend regattas plus the Midwinter regatta place multiplied times two will determine the winner of the Winter Series. Ties will be broken in favor of the best finish at the Midwinters.

Source: Kathleen Tocke, Scuttlebutt