In Split, Croatia, the 2025 Star World Championship heated up with the fifth race completed. Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi secured a crucial victory, maintaining their title hopes for the final race tomorrow.

The day started with a one-hour delay, as competitors awaited the sea breeze. When the wind finally arrived at 3 PM, it favoured the left side of the course. Negri and Lambertenghi, the 2022 World Champions, took full advantage, leading early on.

They rounded the first mark in first place, followed closely by Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada, both seasoned champions. After a strong downwind leg, the duo retained their lead, while Austrian sailors Hans Spitzauer and Christian Nehammer surged to third place.

Negri and Lambertenghi crossed the finish line with a confident race win. Kusznierewicz and Prada finished second, followed closely by Spitzauer and Nehammer. 

Bruno Prada expressed satisfaction with their performance, stating, “We wanted to arrive where we are now, we closed the gap." He added, “Our plan for tomorrow is to do a great regatta and try to win it.”

Eric Doyle remarked on the quality of sailing, despite facing challenges. “We have good speed upwind and sailed pretty well," he said. “Tomorrow’s a big day.”

Heading into the final race, Paul Cayard and Frithjof Kleen lead the championship by four points. Doyle and Payson Infelise follow closely behind, with only a seven-point gap. 

The championship remains competitive, and everything is still to play for on the final day in Split.