Silver Medal for Pepper and Monk

Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk have won silver at the 2009 Star World Championships just concluded in Varberg, Sweden. George Szabo and Rick Peters of USA secured the world title.

While disappointed to miss out on the World Championship win, the silver medal performance stands as an outstanding and exciting achievement for Pepper and Monk who have only been paired in the Star class for a few months. Their first ever regatta together was in May this year in Germany.

Last night’s sixth and final race of the hard fought series became the kiwis discard race when they finished in 25th place in light winds. Szabo and Peters took 3rd place in last night’s race which put them seven points clear of Pepper and Monk winning them the 2009 world title.

Lars Schmidt Grael and Ronald Seifert of Brazil came from 10th overall to hit the podium and narrowly take the bronze medal with a win in last night’s final race. They were no threat to Pepper and Monk who were ten points ahead in the final standings.

The Olympic Star class World Championship always attracts a star studded fleet of sailors and 2009 was no exception. This year’s 86 boat fleet included multiple former world and Olympic champions.

For full results and more information see the regatta website.

2009 Star World Championships
Final Top Ten Results

1st Szabo/Peters (USA) – 30 points
2nd Pepper/ Monk (NZL) - 37 points
3rd Grael/Seifert (BRA) – 47 points
4th Schlonski/Kleen (GER) – 47 points
5th Campbell/ Liljedahl (USA) – 48 points
6th Loof/ Tillander (SWE) – 52 points
7th Kusznierewicz/Zycki (POL) – 58 points
8th Marazzi/De Maria (SUI) – 62 points
9th Rigoni/Percossi (ARG) – 65 points
10th Polgar/Kroeger (GER) - 66 points