One week to go: the 2026 Star World Championship presented by Schoonmaker takes centre stage in Miami
In one week, the first warning signal will sound on Biscayne Bay as the 2026 Star World Championship Presented by Schoonmaker gets underway in Miami. An impressive fleet of 97 teams representing 17 nations is preparing to compete. The countdown is entering its final days for one of the most anticipated events of the season.
Hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, the championship will bring together some of sailing's most accomplished competitors, from Olympic gold medalists and America's Cup veterans to multiple Star World Champions and ambitious young talents for six days of racing, from November 9 to 14. Founded in 1911 and part of the Olympic sailing program from 1932 to 2012, the Star remains one of the oldest and most competitive international one-design classes still actively racing. More than a century after its creation, its ability to attract nearly 100 boats to a World Championship is a remarkable testament to the Class's enduring appeal and extraordinary competitive spirit.
All eyes will be on defending World Champions Paul Cayard (USA) and Frithjof Kleen (GER), who return to the racecourse determined to retain the title they claimed in 2025. Their victory last year added another chapter to Cayard's extraordinary Star career, which began in 1978, with his first World Championship title in 1988. Earlier this year, Cayard and Kleen claimed victory in the 99th Bacardi Cup on these very waters, in Biscayne Bay, confirming their excellent form and proving once again how comfortable they are racing in Miami.
Among their strongest challengers will be Robert Scheidt (BRA) and Austin Sperry (USA), arriving in Miami as the newly crowned 2026 Star European Champions. The pair secured their title in Medemblik at the end of August after a dramatic final day, winning both concluding races against a highly competitive fleet. Scheidt, a five-time Olympic medalist and three-time Star World Champion, will be looking to add another major title to his remarkable record. The pair also finished runners-up at the 99th Bacardi Cup earlier this year, following a week-long battle with eventual winners Cayard and Kleen on the very same waters.
Another formidable partnership is that of Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) and Bruno Prada (BRA), combining the experience of an Olympic gold medalist with the most successful crew in Star history. They will face stiff competition from Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA), two-time Star World Champions, and Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski (GER), who have already proved their ability to compete at the highest level.
The championship will also provide another opportunity for the younger generation to make its mark. Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr (GER), runners-up at the European Championship and winners of the U30 title, arrive in Miami with the confidence of a breakthrough season. Their presence among the leading contenders reflects the growing strength of young sailors within the Star Class.
The depth of the fleet promises close competition throughout the standings. Eivind Melleby (NOR) and Christian Nehammer (AUT), George Szabo and Guy Avellon (USA), Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise (USA), and Jack Jennings (USA) and Pedro Trouche (BRA) are among the experienced teams capable of challenging at the front.
The entry list also includes Jørgen Schoenherr (DEN) and Rob Scrivenor, Ross MacDonald (CAN) and George Iverson (USA), and Olympic medalists Max Salminen, sailing with Olympian John Dane III, and Ingo Borkowski, competing alongside Michael Illbruck.
With so many accomplished sailors sharing the same racecourse, consistency, tactical decisions and teamwork will be crucial over the six scheduled races. Biscayne Bay's conditions will add another dimension to a championship where every point can make the difference.
THE COUNTDOWN TO THE FIRST START
While championship racing begins on Monday, November 9, exactly one week from today, the event opens on Thursday, November 5, with registration and boat inspections at Coral Reef Yacht Club.
Competitors will spend the following days completing inspections, team weigh-ins and final preparations, with a practice race scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 12:55, ahead of the Opening Ceremony that evening.
The first championship race is scheduled for Monday, November 9, with a skippers' meeting at 10:00 and the warning signal at 12:55. Racing will follow the traditional Star World Championship format of one race per day through Saturday, November 14, when the new World Champions will be crowned.
Beyond the competition, the championship will once again celebrate the friendships and traditions that make the Star Class unique. Social gatherings are planned throughout the week, including the Midweek Dinner at The Cruz Building on Wednesday, November 11, and the Prize Giving Ceremony following the final day's racing.
As sailors from around the world prepare to arrive in Miami, anticipation is building for a championship that promises an exceptional combination of experience, talent and fierce competition.
