2025 Star World Championship in Split, Croatia - Overall
by ISCYRA 13 Sep 2025 17:52 BST
7-13 September 2025
After six fiercely contested races across the waters of the Split Channel, Paul Cayard (USA) and Frithjof Kleen (GER) have been crowned 2025 Star World Champions, sealing the title on the very last race of the championship in one of the most thrilling finishes in recent years.
The final day dawned with anticipation, clear skies, and a classic Croatian sea breeze. By 2.20pm, the Race Committee had the 101-boat fleet under way in a steady 8-10 knots from 260 degrees, setting the stage for a showdown between the top four teams, with the added pressure of the young U30 Germans Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr also in the mix.
As expected, strategy played a key role right from the start. Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA) chose the left side of the course, sailing closely with Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada (POL/BRA). Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise (USA) held the middle, while Cayard and Kleen took it out to the right.
At the first top mark, it was Negri/Lambertenghi leading, followed by home favorite Tonci Stipanovic with Tudor Bilic (CRO) and the Italian duo Enrico Chieffi and Nando Colaninno. Doyle/Infelise rounded fourth, Heuwinkel/Spehr fifth, and Kusznierewicz/Prada sixth. Crucially, Cayard and Kleen were back in 14, a dangerous position given the championship on the line.
But the veteran pair showed their resilience, picking off boats on the first downwind to close the gap. They knew they had to limit the number of boats between them and their closest rivals: no more than 11 behind Negri, 4 behind Doyle, and 7 behind Kusznierewicz.
At the gate, the pressure mounted. The margins were razor-thin. But by the second top mark, it became clear, they had done just enough. The buffer was narrow, but it was there. The championship was within reach.
As Negri and Lambertenghi powered ahead to win the race, followed by Stipanovic/Bilic, Kusznierewicz/Prada, and Chieffi/Colaninno, the eyes of the fleet turned toward the battle further back. Cayard and Kleen crossed the line in seventh, securing the title by a slim three point margin.
"Big emotions for sure," said a visibly moved Paul Cayard at the dock. "You know, it's really hard to believe. We made it very difficult on ourselves, and of course that's kind of the way I do things. But we stuck together through the tough times. Every team here had to deal with challenges, and we had a few yesterday and today, but we came back because we sailed smart and trusted each other. It's surreal to win 37 years after my first title. With a long career in sailing, America's Cups, Round the World races, the Star has always been a constant for me. Winning it again is incredibly special."
"It's very special to win this with Paul," added Frithjof Kleen. "This whole journey has meant so much. I want to thank our amazing team, our training partners, our coach, and especially our families. I'm very happy, and I think we're ready to celebrate tonight!"
It is Cayard's second Star World title, 37 years after his first, and Kleen's third as a crew, a well-earned reward for a team that has fought hard over the last three seasons, finishing close in 2022 and 2024, and now finally taking the top step of the podium.
The Prize Giving Ceremony will take place tonight in Split, where the 100+ year-old Star World Championship Trophy will be raised once again, this time by two sailors from different nations, united by teamwork, determination, and a deep love for the Class.
The 2026 Star World Championship will be held in Miami, Florida, from November 12-21, continuing the legacy of one of sailing's most historic and prestigious titles.
Full results, photo and video galleries available at worlds.starchampionships.org