The 2024 Star South American Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion today, with two races completed under near-perfect, but challenging, sailing conditions. Organized by the Yacht Club Olivos in collaboration with the International Star Class, the event brought together some of the finest sailors in the world to compete in Buenos Aires.
The opening day delivered sunshine, a steady breeze, and thrilling competition. The wind started at 12-15 knots during the first race, building to 16-20 knots for the second, with a direction ranging from 130° to 145°. The choppy waters added an extra layer of challenge, testing the fleet's skills and endurance.
Both races had clear starts, showcasing the tight competition within the fleet. The first race was claimed by Paul Cayard (USA), partnered with Pedro Trouche (BRA). Cayard, the Star Class President and one of the most awarded and versatile sailors in the world, demonstrated he likes Rio de la Plata, where he won his Star World Championship back in 1988.
“We had a great day, Pedro and I, sailing together for the first time in about five years, it's fantastic to be teamed up with him again, he's a great partner and we borrowed this boat so we're working on it, and improving it and our speed seems pretty good” commented Paul Cayard with Pedro Trouche, provisional leaders after two races. “The winds and the current here are not straightforward, it's much trickier than I remember so it was challenging. In the first race we were 4th at the first mark, but we managed to pick our way through the leaders including the Altolaguirre brothers who are a very good team here from Rosario, not far from here, and the second race we had a bad start but could make our way back to 2nd. So fantastic day for us for day one and a couple more days of this championship to go”.
The second race saw a victory for the local Argentine duo Leandro and Lucas Altolaguirre, who are surely among the ones to watch. The pair recently tied for second on points, ending up third at the 2024 Star World Championship in San Diego this past September, confirming their status as top contenders.
The fleet remains incredibly tight, especially on top, with small margins separating the leaders, promising more exciting racing ahead.
Looking Ahead
The championship will continue tomorrow with two more races scheduled per day until Saturday, November 23, when the South American champions will be crowned. With excellent conditions expected to persist, the sailors and organizers are expecting a thrilling week of competition in Buenos Aires.