The 2023 Star Class South American Championship in Rio de Janeiro has come to an end, yesterday Sunday, December 3rd. Seven races completed over four days at the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, from Thursday November 30th until yesterday with 23 teams, mostly coming from Brazil, but also Argentina and The Netherlands. It was a great win by Lars Grael and Mauricio Buenos with double net points on the second classified, Antonio Moreira and Arcelio Moreira tied on points with Alan Adler and Arthur Lopes, who finished third. Grael and Buenos won four out of the six races they sailed and did not need to race on the last day. This is Lars Grael's sixth South American title in the Star Class.
In addition to the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, the championship was supported by Lyra Navegaçao Marítima and Cerveja Império, which ensured that competitors were hydrated throughout the event. On Saturday it was held the annual Star Class Brazil gala dinner, with the presence of big names for the Class both in Brazil and around the world, such as Harry Adler, Peter Siemsen, Gastao Brun and even Ross Macdonald
The teams from the Netherlands and Argentina joined the party, with 8 boats registered and the commitment to increase the participation of their flotillas at the end of 2024 in Rio De Janeiro, when the Brazilian Star class championship will be held.
Day Two of South Americans in Rio de Janeiro was raced with a nice south-southeast winds ranging from 10 and 14 knots of speed, providing great disputes, with different winners.
In the first regatta, the team Admar Gonzaga and Ronald Seifert won head to head. In the second regatta, the bullet went to Lars Grael and Mauricio Bueno who opened up the lead in the championship.
Highlight for the young sailor Antonio Moreira, together with his father Arcelio, they sailed very well and are now placed second in the championship.