World champions Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada took the gold medal in Saturday’s (17 December) Star keelboat class at the ISAF Worlds to rapturous applause from the spectators stand. 

Scheidt and Prada 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. Their latest achievement follows on from winning the world title in the same class  at the ISAF Worlds in Cascais in 2007. 

Speaking after receiving his medal, Prada said: “To be Star world champion I think is the biggest achievement that a sailor can have, 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 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 on Day 15 of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships. 

The Brazilian team 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 ten points which kept them within the margin needed to secure gold at the end of the 30-minute race. 

The duo, who previously won a silver medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, 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,” said Scheidt. “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.” Crew member Frithjof Kleen added: “To sail against Scheidt is amazing because he is a legend in sailing.” 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.”