On the picture we could note the running backstays attachements that are located aft of the helmsman, which allows the crew complete freedom of longitudinal positioning for optimum balance, and reduces compression in the spar.

After taking the European title in 2007 and fifth place at the 2008 Olympics in Qingdao – winning one of the 11 races – the Swiss duo of Flavio Marazzi and Enrico De Maria is another top team to have joined our Star ‘family’, the latest recruits being Greek skipper Aimilios Papathanasiou and German Robert Stanjek who will sail Wilke Stars for the next major championships.

The boat has then sailed until Cannes for the boat show in september where she has been presented officially for the first time.

During the cruising back to Antalya where she will be available this winter for customers trials, she often maintained mean speed over 10 kts (240 miles per 24 hours) and reached 20 kts and even more of top speed.

Next meeting in the Salon Nautique de Paris in december. See you there !

The class is still honoured by the presence of some faithful skippers:

Luc Dubois (Class A, IACC, ...) and his America's cup team
Tanguy Cariou (Tornado, ORMA)
Loick Peyron (ORMA, ...)
Eric Monnin (match race, ...)
Daniel Souben (ORMA, TFV)
Franck Camas (ORMA, ...)
Pierre Pennec (Tornado, ORMA)
Alain Gautier (ORMA, Figaro)
Michel Desjoyaux (ORMA, IMOCA, Figaro)
Billy Besson (Tornado)
Fred Le Peutrec (Tornado, ORMA)
Karine Fauconnier (ORMA)
Stève Ravussin (ORMA)
Pascal Bidégorry (ORMA, Figaro)
Yvan Ravussin (ORMA,...)
Dimitri Deruelle (ORMA TFV)
Jérémie Béyou (IMOCA, Figaro)

Construction of the first six units began in early January 2009 in Sweden. All plugs are fully 3D milled by Volvo.

Along with Jean Psarophagis's Syz & co (another Psaros 40 yacht), Alex Schneiter set sail early this morning (Tuesday 4 September) to benefit from the strong northerly breeze. This attempt, his fourth, was to be the one! "This is the best out of all the attempts we have made. The wind angles were particularly good; we took several risks but everything we tried came right."

After reaching le Bouveret around lunchtime, the canting-keel monohull started the long return leg towards Geneva under full spinnaker while Syz & co opted for a fractional. Fully powered, the 40-footer surfed her way towards the finish line and a new, historic record of 7h 32m 10s.

Bernard Schopfer – MaxComm.ch

Meanwhile, an association of owners was created this winter, along with statutes, class rules, etc. Alain Hofer is its first president and the class is from now on to be recognised by the ACVL on Lake Geneva.