winter star
When you think “accessible one-design racing”, the International Star is unlikely to be the first thing to pop into your mind. Not that the Olympic era is over though, you might be shocked at just how inexpensive and accessible this classic is, whether you’re 22 or 72 years old.
What’s more, less than $1500 gets you entry and dockage for five full regattas in Miami, FL this winter – more sailing for less money than anywhere else. Check out the details of the Star Winter Series right here. From their intro PR:
Most yacht racers know the Star boat as the proving ground for legendary sailors like Dennis Conner, Lowell North, Buddy Melges, and dozens more. But few realize that this high performance classic is also home to some seriously youthful talent as well. More than 20% of the fleet at most US events is under 40, with even more young racers on European entry lists. 23-year old Massachusetts sailor Tomas Hornos bested a 30-boat fleet to win the 2012 Western Hemisphere Championship in Annapolis, MD this past spring, and he says there are great reasons for people to get into the Class. “Everyone knows the competition in the Star is second to none, with more legendary sailors in every big championship than in any other fleet,” he said. “What lots of them don’t know is that it’s extremely inexpensive to sail in, and that makes it a lot more appealing to both young sailors and those looking to downsize from more expensive one-design classes.”
Hornos took the Championship title in an 11-year old boat, and the young skipper weighs just 170 pounds, dispelling the common wisdom that only giants can win in a Star. Hornos said the boats’ value holds up well, and that competitive boats can easily be found for under $10,000. With just two sails and a two-man crew, costs of competing are also a fraction of a bigger boat’s budget. But value and competition aren’t the only reasons young sailors like Hornos love the Class. “Sailing a Star will teach you more about racing than any other boat; both because the boat is a technological wonder and because the Class is full of the most generous and helpful people you’ll ever meet,” Hornos said.
