Paul Cayard Takes on International Star Class Presidency
News of Bay Area sailor Paul Cayard has been quiet since his resignation from his role as US Olympic Sailing’s executive director earlier this year. But now he’s back in the sailing spotlight with the announcement of his new role as International Star Class president. We received the following news from the Star class:
“Cayard began sailing Stars in 1977 and has served as the International Vice President – Western Hemisphere since 2020. Well known to many in the Star Class, he competed in his first World Championship as crew, finishing 4th in 1978, then as skipper in 1984 finishing 3rd and winning the Star Worlds in 1988 in Buenos Aires. He’s a 10-time Silver Star winner, 2-time Olympian, 7-time America’s Cup sailor and winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup and Whitbread Round the World race. In addition, Paul is a member of the US Sailing Hall of Fame, and a Rolex Ambassador. He is a dual citizen of France and the United States and speaks three languages.” [We didn’t know that!]
Upon accepting his new role, Cayard delivered the following speech:
“It is my honor to accept the role of President of the International Star Class. My time spent in the Star has been the most influential, challenging, and satisfying in my 56 years in the sport of sailing.
“Six years ago, I began serving the Star Class as an officer, to give back to the class that has given me so much since 1977. The commitment, respect, and integrity I observed from our leaders contributed to my formation as a young man.
“Now, as I take the role as President of our beloved Star Class, I am committed to make those who served before me proud, by working hard, listening, and using all my ability to improve something that is already great.
“The Star class today is a wide and diverse community. We sail on five continents, in 35 countries with 1700 active members. We have three great boat builders in Europe with a fourth coming soon in South America. We have had a very loyal Italian mast builder for over 30 years and recently a new one in Canada. Sailmakers all over the world want to make sails for the Star. The best sailors in the world compete in our World and Continental Championships. Yet the heart and soul of the class lives on lakes in Germany and Austria and Michigan, in the small clubs and local fleets. Our future is in the hands of our growing U30 sailors. We must nurture and mentor them just like the previous generation mentored us.
“Sailing is a sport; it is for fun and friendship and camaraderie, which are the priceless trophies of life. Thanks to great leadership for over 100 years, Star sailors today have so much to be grateful for. Now we, the current custodians of the world’s greatest class of sailboat, have much to do. Like life, the Star class is a journey that is in constant evolution.
“I look forward to working with all of you to honor the past and build the future of the International Star Class”.
Cayard has numerous sailing credits to his name, including competing in multiple ocean races, Olympic sailing, coaching professional sailors, and being the first in the sport to be recognized by the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHOF). Congratulations, Paul Cayard, on your new position!