Altolaguirre brothers claim opening race of the 2026 Star World Championship in Miami

The 2026 Star World Championship Presented by Schoonmaker got underway today on Biscayne Bay, with Argentina's Leandro and Lucas Altolaguirre claiming victory in the opening race after more than two hours of close and tactical competition.

The first race started at noon in a light northeasterly breeze of around seven knots. Throughout the afternoon, the wind gradually shifted left and built to approximately 10 knots, challenging the fleet over the traditional long-course format, with 2.4-nautical-mile legs and a race lasting two hours.

Three former Star World Champions were among the early leaders. Eric Doyle (USA), sailing with Payson Infelise (USA), rounded the first windward mark in the lead, followed by Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA), with Jorge Zarif and Arthur Lopes (BRA) in third.

Doyle and Infelise established a comfortable advantage on the opening leg, but Negri and Lambertenghi fought back on the first downwind, taking a very small lead at the leeward gate. Meanwhile, the Altolaguirre brothers had moved into third from fourth, positioning themselves for a decisive attack on the second upwind leg.

By the second windward mark, Leandro and Lucas Altolaguirre had taken control of the race, ahead of Doyle and Infelise, with Negri and Lambertenghi in third. The three teams maintained those positions to the finish, giving the Argentine brothers the first victory of the championship.

“We had a good start in clear air, which allowed us to stay with the leading group on the first upwind leg. We rounded the first mark in fourth and gradually worked our way forward. We were third going into the final downwind, where we had a great battle with the Italian team. On the last upwind, we managed to take the lead and hold it all the way to the finish. It feels fantastic to win this race, especially because it's only my second race win at a Star World Championship. My first was in San Diego in 2024, in what was actually the last race I sailed at a Worlds before coming back here to Miami. So winning again in my very first race back makes it even more special”, commented Lucas Altolaguirre back at the Coral Reef Yacht Club.

It was a more challenging opening day for several of the pre-event favorites. Defending World Champions Paul Cayard (USA) and Frithjof Kleen (GER), Robert Scheidt (BRA) and Austin Sperry (USA), and Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) and Bruno Prada (BRA), all struggled with their starts and the opening upwind leg.
Cayard and Kleen managed an impressive recovery to finish ninth, Scheidt and Sperry crossed the line in 15th while Kusznierewicz and Prada finished 40th.

With one race completed, the championship is only just beginning. The Star World Championship's traditional format of one long race per day leaves plenty of opportunities for the standings to evolve, with consistency, endurance and tactical decisions playing a crucial role over the six scheduled races.

Racing continues tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10, with another long-course race planned on Biscayne Bay.

RACE 1 – TOP FIVE

Leandro Altolaguirre / Lucas Altolaguirre (ARG)
Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise (USA)
Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA)
Hubert Merkelbach / Markus Koy (GER)
Peter Bromby / Myles Pritchard (BER)