#PERTH2011– Today's Star medal race gave an invaluable glimpse at the make up of next Summers Olympic fleet. It's a point that won't be lost on Irish pairing Peter O'Leary and David Burrows who, although they didn't make the medal race cut, are qualified for the London Olympics and tipped by the Irish Sailing Association as medal prospects.
Brazilians Scheidt and Prada maintained their points lead on the final day of the Star event to secure their second World Championship title. It was a world class performance that sent out many messages to any would be rivals, not least O'Leary and Burrows, and demonstrated just how difficult it will be to take Olympic Gold next Summer.
Sheidt and Prada retained their Star title at the ISAF Worlds today in Perth. Photo: Richard Langdon
The Brazilian's also won at the last ISAF Worlds in Cascais in 2007.
"To be Star world champion I think is the biggest achievement that a sailor can have," Prada said. "To win two times is to be a part of the story of Star class, it means a lot. The Star class is very special. It's the class of all the biggest names.''
The Brazilian duo were also presented with the 100-year-old International Star Championship Trophy, described as one of the most prestigious in world sailing, and the Mary Etchell's Bowl for world championship Star crew.
The silver medal went to Robert Stanjek and Frithjof Kleen (GER), while Mark Mendelblatt and Brian Fatih (USA) won bronze after an exciting and close Medal race fought out on Centre course.
Scheidt and Prada (BRA) started the day with a 20-point lead over the USA crew, who faced a tough battle for the silver medal against teams from Germany and Sweden.
Poland led the fleet in a 13-knot sea breeze for most of the race and crossed the finish line first, followed by Norway and the two German crews.
Fifth across the line in Bather's Bay, the Brazilian team had gained just 10 points which kept them within the margin needed to secure gold at the end of the Medal Race.
The duo, who won a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, raised their country's flag after crossing the finish line to the cheers of delight and applause from fans in the grandstand.
After making its debut at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Star has a long history in Olympic sailing but will bow out after the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"It's a big achievement because all my life when I was sailing Laser I was dreaming about sailing the Star and winning the World Championship one time, so managing to do it twice is a really big thing for me," Scheidt said.
"This year we have improved a lot in our sailing and our main goal was always to do well here in Perth, so coming through this year and managing to peak at this moment is very special.
"It means that we are on the right track for the 2012 Olympics."
German skipper Robert Stanjek said he was pleased with his silver medal after coming up against the Brazilian team.
"Yesterday we qualified for the Olympics and that was the aim of coming here. Now we are even happier. The silver medal is just a little extra on top."
"To sail against Scheidt is amazing because he is a legend in sailing," crew member Frithjof Kleen added.
Commenting on his bronze medal, American skipper Mark Mendelblatt said he had faced "tough competition" in Scheidt.
"I have been sailing against Robert Scheidt for 20 years," he said.
"The thing about him is he is very difficult to beat when he is at his best. Everyone has great regattas and not so great regattas. All we can do is improve our level."
