Cagey start to the Star Worlds

There was tough conditions and stiff competition on the first day of the Star Worlds 2016 in Miami, USA for the 79 teams representing 13 nations.

The race course offered spectacular conditions on Biscayne Bay with winds of 15knots and gusts of up to 18 knots at the top of the course. The Race Committee got proceedings off to a start at the third time of asking on the very choppy course.
 
Despite starting under the threat of a black flag, third time was the charm and with that start the racing got underway. That black flag start did come in to play as several teams were penalized for being over early at the pin.
 
Competitors had to battle for a good position on the first upwind leg with the majority of the fleet sailing to the left side of the course to the windward, then following the crowd, the majority of the fleet moved to the right.
 
At first glance, it appeared as if the right side of the course was the favored side, but at the top of the windward the tricky and typical lefty of Biscayne Bay gave an advantage to the fleet that was approaching from that side, insuring the sailors reached the first mark without much separation.

Through the reach, last year’s Star World Champion, Lars Grael, made a great recovery next to Team Croatia and Team Argentina.

The wind shifted on the last second upwind Requiring the Race Committee to reset the marks.
 
This time the wind shifted right at the top of the mark and some sailors got over the lay line resulting in big changes on the positions of the sailors.
 
The second upwind was rounded by John MacCausland / Dave Caesar in first, followed by Brian Ledbetter / Joshua Revkin in second.
 
The fleet completed the downwind and by the third upwind the standings of this first race were finally established. George Szabo / Steve Mitchell led the fleet, second place was secured by Luke Lawrence / Ian Coleman who had a tight finish against Augie Diaz / Bruno Prada who ultimately finished in third place.
 
Tomorrow the regatta continues with the second race and  anything can happen as the three Top Star Sailors of the Class, Paul Cayard, Torben Grael and the team Robert Stanjek & Frithjof Kleen got BFD on this first day of racing giving the fleet a small advantage.