2024 Star World Championship, windy and tactical day one in San Diego

San Diego delivered incredible conditions on Day One of the 2024 Star World Championship. With sunshine, 12 to 15 knots of northwesterly breeze, and chop mixed with ocean swell, the 64 teams participating had it all. The eager fleet couldn’t wait to get going, and after two general recalls PRO Tom Duggan had to hoist the Black Flag to get a clean start, and they were off for the five-leg race. The wind was gusty and shifty; today was all about being in the right place while maneuvering and managing the boat in the chop and strong wind. Six teams couldn’t handle the conditions and did not finish the race.

At the first top mark, the "old newcomers" to the class, America’s Cup legend John Kostecki and Star Olympian Austin Sperry, were leading ahead of Will Stout and Danny Cayard, followed by Danny’s father, Class President, and one of the most eclectic sailors in history, Paul Cayard, with Star World Champion with his Olympian crew, Frithjof Kleen. They arrived at the top mark all very close, and by the gate, Cayard/Kleen rounded the right gate just a few seconds ahead of Kostecki/Sperry, who split and went left. A tight battle on the second upwind between the two American sailing superstars saw Kostecki/Sperry arrive first at the second top mark, with Cayard/Kleen in second, Stout/Cayard in third, and the Altolaguirre brothers, Leandro and Lucas from Argentina, in fourth, just centimeters ahead of local legend Eric Doyle with Payson Infelise. The Altolaguirres had a great downwind leg and rounded the gate in second behind Cayard/Kleen, whose speed downwind was truly impressive with Kostecki/Sperry in third. This order was confirmed at the finish, with Cayard/Kleen conquering the first of six races to take the lead in the 2024 Star World Championship.

“It was a great race; we just kept it super simple. Although we didn't have a great start because I had to bail out at the pin end and gybe around, that end was so favored that eventually we got through and had a decent lane. But I think mainly we were fast, and we sailed pretty smart. We were able to work our way through, so it feels good to have the speed. We've been training for quite a while for this race, so I think we're in a good position for the rest of the week,” commented Paul Cayard. “We had really good speed, picked the right shifts, chose the right gates, and were always sailing in good pressure. I think we did pretty well. The Argentinians kept on pushing, and they were pretty quick, so we had to watch them and felt the pressure. Paul did a fantastic job helming the boat, always very fast. It was great and fun!” added crew Frithjof Kleen.

Tomorrow’s racing will start at 1300, and the forecast suggests it should be lighter than today, providing a nice change of scenario and opening up opportunities for light breeze enthusiasts.