Postponed again at Star Worlds

Oxford, MD (October 9, 2018) – After winds yesterday failed to arrive for the opening day of the 2018 Star World Championship, today proved equally frustrating.

After a one hour shoreside postponement, the Race Committee tried for a noon start but the wind never properly settled, and after a two hours waiting under the unusually (for the season) warm sun, PRO Bill Stump sent everyone back ashore postponing the first race of the 2018 Star World Championship to tomorrow, yet again.

Local legend and 2013 Star World Champion John MacCausland is no stranger to the dynamic conditions on the Choptank River. “I think there is some weather in the area that seems to be slow moving,” explained MacCausland. “It seemed that as the clouds began to rise and ‘burn off’ with the heat we thought that was going to be the end of the breeze and it was.”

MacCausland sees the forecast as more of a guideline. “We prepare each day by checking the weather forecast which might give you an idea what to look for and of course just try to go as fast as possible. There are tell tale signs like breeze on the water and knowing how deep the water is on certain sides of the course then using that as leverage through out the race as the variables change.”

In addition to John, eight other Star World Champions are competing this week for the 2018 title. For over a century now, the mere depth of talent in the fleet for which the Star World Championship is internationally recognized.

John MacCausland’s 2013 Star World Championship crew Phil Trinter is also racing this week in Oxford. Phil has been a member of the International Star Class for over 30 years now and with his two Star World Championships, and several Silver Star titles, he is one of the most successful crews on the water.

“More than anything the key to success in the Star is time in the boat and learning what it takes to make it go fast,” said Trinter. “With the controls on the mast and the backstays you learn how to shape sails. With it also being a very physical boat, being big and athletic is the next step. Campaigning to work on boat development, sail development, and mast development is all part of it.

“It is a physical boat and it’s a boat that requires both the skipper and the crew to know how to make it go fast and it is honestly the baseline for me for learning how make all the other boats I sail go fast. So for me, coming back to the Star is always checking back in with the fundamentals. Sailing Star’s is the best sailing.”

The only crew to rival Trinter with his accolades is Brazilian sailor Bruno Prada. With his 2 Olympic Medals, 4 International Star Class World Championship, and 4 Silver Star titles, Prada is the most winning crew in the 107 history of the International Star.

“I spent so much time trying to understand the boat and perfecting my crew work to get to this level. This is for sure the boat I like to sail most,” said Prada. “I first tried to find a good skipper to learn from because they know a lot about the boat, then I began sailing with many different skippers. My advice is to find a good skipper to teach you about the boat and to sail with different skippers to learn new perspectives and ideas.”

Prada, sailing with Augie Diaz (USA) this week, says racing Stars takes priority over all other boats. “I love the boat and sailing the boat. It is still very competitive especially because we have the Star Sailors League and we were able to hold a lot of the top sailors in the Class after it was removed from the Olympics. I love sailing against the best.”

Tomorrow, on Race Day 3 of the 2018 Star World Championship, the Race Committee and competitions will make another attempt at racing. First warning for Race 1 will be at 12:00 and Race 2 is scheduled to follow. Local sailor Alan Campbell seems optimistic that racing will finally begin tomorrow. “I think it will still be a bit light tomorrow but the cloud cover should hold and we will see a gradient breeze throughout the day. I think it will be sailable conditions.”

The 6-race series for the 62 teams is planned from October 8 to 13 with reserve days on October 14-15.

Event details – Entry list – Facebook

Source: Laura Beigel