Star Class World Championship: changes at the top on Day 2

Porto Cervo, June 18th, 2019. Uncertain conditions at the beginning of the second day at the Star Class World Championship gave way to typical Sardinian breezes later on and the day's racing got underway about an hour late. There are still four races to go, but after today's race the provisional scoreboard has changed: the Polish team skippered by Mateusz Kusznierewicz is in the lead followed by the teams with Augie Diaz and Tom Lofstedt in second and third places. The Championship is organized by the YCCS in collaboration with the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association (ISCRYA) and the support of Main Partner Audi and Technical Partners Quantum Sails and Garmin Marine.

This morning the Race Committee hoisted the AP flag at noon and there was a wait of an hour before the breeze filled in. After a first start ended in a general recall, the fleet of 63 Stars from 20 nations set out on the second race of this event in breeze from the north/ northwest at 7-9 knots.

Augie Diaz, Star Class World Champion in 2016 and Henry Boening, the current European Champion after his win in Riva del Garda, lead the race and were concentrated and determined. After rounding the second upwind mark still in the lead they headed straight for the finish in first place. With this win the American Diaz is currently in second place behind the Pole Mateusz Kusznierewicz who was in the top ten all throughout the day. With his second place in today's race along with his crew, the several time Olympic medalist Bruno Prada, is currently in the lead. Third place in today's race for Haico de Boer and Pedro Trouche who rolled the YCCS member Ante Razmilovic and his crew Brian Hammersley, who were in the lead today for a good part of the race. Currently in third place overall are the Swedes Tom Lofstedt with Anders Ekstrom, who finished seventh yesterday and sixth today.

Mateusz Kusznierewicz, the skipper who is in the lead of the provisional results, had these words: "It's too soon to talk about winning, there are still four races to go and the conditions could be shifty, but we're happy to be at the top for now. Our lead is narrow so anything could happen, Star World Championships are always special events. I like sailing with Bruno and even though this is our first event sailing together we're doing well. It doesn't hurt that we're in such a beautiful spot with such great conditions and with such a hospitable Club as hosts." 

Today's winner Augie Diaz, commented on his day's win: "I'm happy to have won this race for two reasons: the first is 'Maguila' (crew Henry Boening) this is his first win in a Star World Championship, and the second is for Bruno Prada finishing second after a great race, who is usually my crew and whom I consider like a son. Here he's sailing with Mateusz Kusznierewicz and for now they're leading the Championship."

Tomorrow, June 19th will see the third race with the first Warning Signal scheduled for 12 noon. The forecast calls for light westerly breeze at 5-7 knots.