Olympics 2008 Sailing - The STAR CLASS

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The first one-design class, the Star has the best in technology and demands the best of racing skill, yet remains one of the most fun boats to sail anywhere.

Unlike most modern racing boats, it does not use a spinnaker when sailing downwind. Instead, when running downwind a whisker pole is used to hold the jib out to windward for correct wind flow.Design -
Designed in 1911 by Francis Sweisguth, it has proven to be a classic in every sense. It is the oldest Olympic class, having first been used in competition in 1932, and still at the heart of that competition today.

Supported by a worldwide association the Star as a class is one of the best organized in sailing, with over 7,500 yachts built over its 80 year history, and 2000-plus actively racing today. The Star is reached Worldwide in over 170 fleets by thousands of sailors.




Olympics -
The ten preliminary races are scheduled for the afternoons of August 15, 16, 17, 19, & 20. The final Medal Race is scheduled for the afternoon of 21 August 2008. 16 teams of two sailors each competed in this Star sailboat competition.

Quick Facts -

Crew Two
LOA 6,922 mm (22 ft 8.5 in)
LWL 4,724 mm (15 ft 6.0 in)
Beam 1,734 mm (5 ft 8.3 in)
Chine: 1,372 mm (4 ft 6.0 in)
Draft 1,016 mm (3 ft 4.0 in)
Hull weight (with fittings) 671 kg (1,480 lb)
Mast height (above deck) 9,652 mm (31 ft 8.0 in)
Main and Jib area 26.5 m² (285 sq ft)
Mainsail area 20.5 m² (221 sq ft)
Jib / Genoa area 6.0 m² (65 sq ft)
Official website - http://www.starclass.org/




About the boat
Adjustable Jib Leads
The four-way action of the deck-mounted jib leads allow you to carve the shape of the sail, keeping a good shape to match changing conditions.

Hiking Vest
A simple harness allows the crew to get his or her weight out of the boat more efficiently. Made legal by class rules in 1981, the vest must be equipped with a quick-release to ensure safe exit in an emergency. The vest eliminates alot of the exertion and gymnastics traditionally associated with extended periods of hiking.

Suction Bailers
Developed by Star sailor Duarte Bello, sailors quickly discovered that several strategically placed bailers can quickly and safely drain any excess water in the cockpit Most Stars generally have 4, two in the center of the cockpit, and two located near the chines.

Circular Boom Vang
Also developed by Duarte Bello for Stars, this innovation reached popularity in the 1960's, having proven to be a safe and efficient way to control the high loads of the long boom. This development later spread to other classes, among the 12-meters of America's Cup fame.

Whisker Pole
The simple sailplan utilizes a whisker pole to sail wing-on-wing off the wind, thus making the most of the generous sail area.