Star South American Championship, close duel between Robert Scheidt and Jorge Zarif

The Star class event runs until Monday, the 15th, and is organized by the Yacht Club de Ilhabela, Brazil

The opening day of the Star South American Championship at the Yacht Club de Ilhabela, on the northern coast of São Paulo state, saw a fierce battle between the two Olympic athletes Robert Scheidt, here with Ubiratan Matos, and Jorge Zarif, here with Arthur Lopes. Two races were sailed and both won one race. The races were held with light to medium wind on São Sebastião Channel. The competition runs until next Monday, the 15th, and in the fleet there are Olympic, World, South American, and National champions and medalists.

The 2021 Star South American Championship starts tomorrow in Ilhabela, Brazil

The 51st edition of the Star South American Championship brings together big names of the Brazilian sport, such as the greatest Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt

The first two races of the Star South American Championship will take place tomorrow, Friday November the 12th at the Yacht Club de Ilhabela (YCI), on the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil. The competition counts on 32 athletes, 16 teams, and the races will be held until November the 15th, a national Brazilian holiday. The Continental event will have big names such as the greatest Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt, Star World Champion Jorge Zarif and other national legends of the sport.
 
The Star South American Championship has been held since 1952, and this is the 51st edition of the traditional competition. The last edition was held in 2019, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the title went to the duo Tomás Hornos (USA) and Pedro Trouche (BRA), here as crew for Marco Szili. Pedro also won the SSL Finals in 2018 with Olympic Finn sailor Jorge Zarif. 

Tomás Hornos and Pedro Trouche are the 2019 South American Champions

It was a very hot last day in Buenos Aires with clouds covering the skies over Rio de la Plata and the top teams anxious for the last races of the 2019 South American Championship. The first, and eventually only, start was at 1pm with a light northerly wind.

Daniel Della Torre and Fernando D´Emilio (ARG) were over the line early and had to discard the last race, a real pity for them as they were leading the overall championship and had a real taste of the win. Tomás Hornos and Pedro Trouche didn’t miss the chance and aimed right at the finish line: with the Argentinian out of the game, winning this race would mean claiming the overall championship.

On Sunday 17 the championship enters its defining stage

At 1 pm the 21 Stars skated the starting line. A very hot day, with light winds from the northern sector and little wave set the conditions of the field. The two scheduled races of the day were run. In the second, the wind calmed almost completely demanding crews a lot of concentration and good crafts. With 5 races completed throughout the championship, the discard is crucial when measuring positions.

Today, it was a bright day for the Argentines Daniel Della Torre and Fernando D 'Emilio. This pair won the two battles of the day achieving an incredible recovery, in the second, after a bad start. With these two victories, discounting the discard, they manage to add 8 points and, position themselves in the first place displacing the Americans Tomas Hornos and Pedro Trouche who with just 9 points remain in second place. A head-to-head duel not to be missed!

2019 Star South American Championship Day 2

On Saturday morning the weather was rainy. Dense clouds over the Río de la Plata foreshadowed a storm. The postponement was inevitable and the crews had to wait 2 hours before going into dispute. At 3 pm the sun appeared and the 21 stars prepared for the only possible regatta of this day. ​With 15 knots wind from the northern sector, 5 legs and 5 dropouts were run due to breakage.

Tomás Hornos and Pedro Trouche of the American flag imposed themselves and defended the tip adding only 7 points so far in the championship. ​Meanwhile, Argentines Julio Labandeira and Julián Garazi Barroso who yesterday also played first place fell to eighth after suffering a penalty. ​For their part, Argentines Leandro and Lucas Altolaguirre crossed the finish line sixth and with 13 points are in second place. ​Daniel Della Torre and Fernando D 'Emilio, yesterday fifths, climbed to third place, placing themselves on the podium after adding 17 points thanks to a very good performance in the last two races run so far (seconds and quarters respectively).

2019 Star South American Championship Day 1

Today, Friday, November 15, the championship started. At 1 pm, the first regatta was launched. 21 Stars crossed the starting line. The day was warm and clear. The light northeast wind with intensities of 6 to 11 knots inflated the sails and all crews concentrated on giving their best effort. The race course was not easy and the current that under all day complicated things even more.

The two planned races were run. In both, the competitive and partner fleet gave no respite. Here mistakes cost… After this first day, two crews lead the competition with a total of 6 points. It is the Argentines Julio Labandeira and Julián Gazari Barroso of the Yacht Club Olivos and the North Americans Tomás Hornos and Pedro Trouche.