All on for Final Race at Star Worlds

Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk have retained their top spot at the 2009 Star World Championships in Sweden. But extremely close points at the top of the table and the nature of this event, means that it all comes down to tonight’s final deciding race.

The kiwis returned a 4th place in last night’s race which was just enough to keep them at the top of the table on a total of 26 points. Both Szabo and Peters (USA) as well as Marazzi and DeMaria (SUI) are on equal points just one point adrift of Pepper and Monk on 27 points. Loof and Tillander (SWE) sit a further two points back on 29 points in 4th.

“Pepper and Monk go into the final race with the most consistent scores and the lowest discard (11 points) and are assured of a finish of seventh or better overall,” states the official regatta report.

The entire 86 boat fleet will sail tonight’s sixth and final race of the series, with another day of light wind and sunshine forecast in Varberg, Sweden.

The Star is the Olympic keelboat discipline and the list of Olympic and World Champions in the Star class features some of the biggest names in the history yachting.

See below for a profile of the New Zealand pair. Visit the regatta website for full results, images and news.

2009 Star World Championships
Top Ten Standings after five races

1st Pepper/ Monk (NZL) – 26 points
2nd Szabo/Peters (USA) – 27 points
3rd Marazzi/De Maria (SUI) – 27 points
4th Loof/ Tillander (SWE) – 29 points
5th Campbell/ Liljedahl (USA) – 34 points
6th Polgar/Kroeger (GER) – 35 points
7th Kusznierewicz/Zycki (POL) – 37 points
8th Mendelblatt/Strube (USA) – 40 points
9th Schlonski/Kleen (GER) - 42 points
10th Grael/Seifert (BRA) – 46 points