Slow start for Star Junior Worlds

Miami, FL (February 4, 2019) – Sunshine and light breeze welcomed the 36 teams on the opening day of the inaugural Star Junior World Championship. One race was concluded on Biscayne Bay with the wind blowing around 6-8 knots from West at the start at 12:10 pm and then dropping to 4-5 knots towards the end of the race one hour and 15 minutes later.

It was American Star sailor Luke Lawrence, with crew Alexey Selivanov, who took an early lead at the first windward mark and kept gaining on the way down to the gate and through to the finish. Behind them, the Italian Laser Radial Youth World Champion, Guido Gallinaro with German Star World Champion crew Firthjof Kleen fought for second against Irish brothers Robert and Peter O’Leary.

“It was great out there,” said Lawrence. “A bit shifty but after a good start on the pin side, clean and easy, the wind went our way and we could put the bow down. There are a lot of fast guys on the racecourse, even among the newcomers. I’ve been sailing in the Star class for five years now, I love it and this 30 and under World Championship is a great idea!”

American Olympic Laser sailor Charlie Buckingham is familiar with the venue after finishing fourth yesterday in the World Cup Series event. “I am quite tired, but I am lucky to sail with Austin Sperry who makes my job much easier and it is a lot of fun to be on the boat with a friend instead of racing alone like in the Laser.”

Racing is scheduled to start one hour earlier tomorrow (at 11am EST) to try to get three races done and get back on track with the program.

Day One Results (Top 10 of 36; 1 race)
1 – USA – Luke Lawrence – Alexey Selivanov
2 – ITA – Guido Gallinaro – Frithjof Kleen
3 – IRL – Robert O’Leary – Peter O’Leary
4 – ARG – Facundo Olezza – Frederico Melo
5 – BRA – Nick Pellicano Grael – Samuel Gonçalves
6 – MEX – Juan Ignacio Perez – Mark Strube
7 – USA – Tomas Hornos – Pedro Trouche
8 – USA – Charlie Buckingham – Austin Sperry
9 – AUS – Luke Payne – Torvar Minsky
10 – CAN – Alex Baker – Rick Burgess

Rules limit skipper’s age to 30 and under but do not limit the crew’s age. Racing is planned for February 4 to 6.

Event details – Results – Facebook

Source: Rachele Vitello