Class Representative:  Colin Rodgers  5338446  corkey@xtra.co.nz

The Starling was first designed by Des Townson in 1969 as a step-up from the P Class. Skippers must be under the age of nineteen to compete for the National title, otherwise there is no age limit.

The Starling is 3 metres long and is a particularly attractive boat built of timber frames and ply. GRP boats were approved in the year 2000. The class is governed by strict one-design rules that also specify both mast and sail manufacturer.

It was not long after its introduction around 1970 that boats were being built by Howick Club members, notably Bob Steward, Ross Agnew, Clive Greenbank, Ross Williams, Chris Ostermeyer, Wally Parks and Geoff Entrican.

The National contest was sailed at Howick in 1972, and at that time enthusiasm for the class was very strong at the club. Top club boats were Sirdar sailed by N. Ostermeyer in 1971/72, Hustler sailed by John Steward in 1972/73, and Spectrum sailed by Ross Williams in 1974/75.

During the late 1970's however, the class declined at Howick as the early supporters grew out of their boats and when Club member Mark Oliver progressed from P Class to Starling in 1978 he had to sail at Kohimarama to get competition. Mark became a top Starling skipper and was one of the "form horses" for the 1980 Nationals, but suffered gear damage and finished 4th. The value of the Starling as a training boat was demonstrated by his subsequent success in the Laser where he became one of the top skippers in New Zealand.

The Starling class began a revival at Howick in the 1981/82 season when Troy Woods, Richard Deverson, Trent Cornwall, Phillip Muldoon and Greg Wilshire purchased boats and began to race regularly. This once again attracted interest in the class, particularly from some of the Sunburst for'ard hands who were getting the motivation to do their own thing. The class became the largest fleet of boats of any class in the Club. History repeated itself and when these lads outgrew their boats, the class disappeared yet again.

In the 1999/2000 season, the Starling fleet appeared for a third time and has continued to thrive. Brett Sellers came 4th at the 2002 Nationals in Wellington. In the 2003 event, Howick had three sailors in the top 15. Brett Sellers came 11th Ivan Raos 12th and Nick Christensen 14th.

Howick Sailing Club was well represented at 2004 Nationals held in Lyttleton. Prior to the National Fleet Championships, the National Match Racing event is held.