Service description
Fifty yachtsmen, along with their families and friends, gathered on this warm Sunday afternoon in Paphos’s old harbour to take part in a sporting event organised by Sail First. Thanks to the organisers’ initiative, a new format of sporting events has emerged, bringing together seasoned professionals and amateurs alike under snow-white sails – all those who value freedom, love the sea and are not afraid of the new and the unknown.
Pavlos Kontides, the silver medallist in the Laser class at the 2012 London Olympics, took part in the competition. However, it was by no means the participation of this star medallist that gave the regatta its name. The stars were all those who, on that Sunday, chose sport and an active lifestyle. Stars were kindled in the hearts of the boys and girls who took part in sailing races for the very first time, discovering the world of yachting for themselves.
Ten snow-white J80 beauties – modern racing yachts – were preparing to welcome the competitors on board when the Mayor of Paphos, Savvas Vergas, arrived at the old harbour. The mayor congratulated the participants, wishing them victory and the traditional fair wind.
Despite the light wind, it was a thrilling race! Five yachts converged at the windward mark, with the team of newcomers in second place. They managed to hold on to that honourable position until the next mark. Shortly before the end of the race, the wind picked up, and the yachts raced towards the finish line. It was a fierce battle with the lead changing hands several times. In the end, the prize of one thousand euros and the winner’s trophies went to the young team of sailors from the Famagusta Nautical Club, whilst the team led by the Olympic silver medallist took silver. And this is symbolic, as in competitions of this nature there are no 
winners or losers; it is a love of sailing and friendship that prevail.
The joy of victory, champagne and laughter served as an additional reward for the prize-winners and all those taking part in the competition.
It is also symbolic that Sailing Stars did not become a run-of-the-mill commercial event. All funds raised were donated to the Archangel Michael Hospice in Paphos.
The regatta on 27 October was the first in a series of Sailing Stars sporting events to be held across Cyprus. The final of the next regatta is timed to coincide with Christmas and will take place at the end of December. The final race will be preceded by two qualifying rounds.
The management of Sail First would like to thank all participants and guests of the regatta, as well as the Cypriot yachting community, for supporting this new competition format, which helps to promote yachting in Cyprus.
