SLE Fleet Miami Report

For about half of the LSYC Star fleet members, October 2010 did not signal the end of the sailing season.  Instead, it was simply a time to get excited about the possibility of racing Stars on beautiful Biscayne Bay, overshadowed by the Miami skyline and warmed by the Florida sun.  The Star Class is fortunate to have a seven event winter racing series based out of the Coral Reef Yacht Club that begins in November and runs through March. The 2011 winter series in Miami saw four LSYC Star sailors travelling south on various occasions to compete against some of the best competition the class, as well as the world, has to offer.  And what an incredible experience it was for rookies Ray Peters, Jim Peters and Thad Brej as well as for three year veteran, Mike Phinney.  While on Biscayne Bay, it is common to be racing side-by-side with past/present Star World Champions, Olympic medalists, as well as numerous sailors involved in America’s Cup campaigns.  There are few venues that allow weekend warriors to rub elbows with the sailing elite.  This year’s entry lists included sailors from four continents and included sail numbers beginning with AUS, DEN, GER, ITA, BRA, IRL and CRO.  While the competition on the racecourse is often fierce, the camaraderie amongst this international brotherhood is arguably stronger than that in any other class.  The memories that I have taken home with me from Miami will last a lifetime.  Additionally, the memories are allowing this Northeast Ohio native to brave out the remaining days of winter and look forward to spring cleanup day and then the beginning of the sailing season.

Although he was unable to make a trip this year, Brad Balmert has distinguished himself as a premier Star crew while sailing in Florida with Jud Smith the previous two or three years.  Also in attendance at a number of the events was non-resident LSYC Star Fleet member Phil Trinter.

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