Volume 2, No. 12 December, 2001 Class Newsletter for the 1st, 2nd and 12th Districts DECEMBER REGATTA SCHEDULE Master’s division. Other than some wakes from other 5th District boats the weak flood tide kept the Bay relatively Dec. 8-9 Kriss Kringle Regatta (OD) (SDB) smooth. There was a lot of tide guessing during the first race on Saturday, but then everybody kind of 20th District found the right area to sail in and played the wind Dec. 1-2 Commodore’s Cup shifts. The course for all races was a twice around windward-leeward finishing on the run. CALVIN PAIGE This series was first raced for in 1963 when the series St. Francis Yacht Club was called the “West Coast Fall Championship”. Then October 20-21, 2001 in 1974 the series’ name was changed to Calvin Paige. Twenty Stars from seven fleets and two continents The original purpose of this series was to bring th th competed in the Calvin Paige Regatta held at Saint together sailors from the 5 and 6 Districts. Over the Francis Y.C. The races took place in 15-18 knots of years the list of winners has been more or less a who’s west wind off the city front right in front of the yacht who of West Coast Star . The first winner in club. There were three races each day. After the first 1963 was , who went on to win the day Doyle / Meireles and Sperry / Higgs were tied. series three times. In 1964 Bill Buchan took top Sperry / Higgs faltered in the last race which gave a honors and has won the series five times. Other series decisive victory to / Rodrigo Meireles. Bill winners include (four times), Vince Buchan with Mark Brink up front once again won the Brun (twice), (twice), (twice), and Ross MacDonald. What current? Oops! No. Sail # Skipper Crew Fleet R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Total 1 7956 Eric Doyle Rodrigo Meireles SDB 3 1 3 1 4 6 18 2 7995 Austin Sperry Andrew Higgs WSFB 4 2 1 2 7 11 27 3 7955 Ben Mitchell Rick Peters LB 9 4 5 5 2 4 29 4 8043 George Szabo Andy Vare SDB 5 5 2 7 9 2 30 5 8077 Howie Shiebler Darryl Hyatt WSFB 2 9 6 4 1 10 32 6 7836 Iain Murray Andrew Palfrey LMac 6 7 4 6 5 7 35 7 7972 Peter Vessela Ken Kazeski WSFB 1 12 11 8 3 3 38 8 7405 Bill Buchan Mark Brink PS 8 8 7 3 11 1 38 9 7631 Doug Smith Mike Moore SBC 7 6 9 9 6 5 42 10 7310 Rod Hagebols Paul Erikson WSFB 11 3 10 12 12 8 56 11 7042 Steve Brown Chris Eid NH 13 10 8 11 8 9 59 12 7437 Nedko Vassilev Martin Helliell NH 14 14 14 10 10 12 74 13 7570 Chuck Driscoll Jim Oberg SDB 10 13 13 13 13 13 75 14 7951 Will Bacon Jon Rogers WSFB 15 17 17 14 14 14 91 15 7931 Jeremy Davidson Jessica Costa NH 12 11 12 21 21 21 98 16 6968 Rob Gewecke Kevin Mullen WSFB 16 15 15 16 15 21 98 17 7611 Greg Dyer Aaron Heirs WSFB 18 16 16 15 16 21 102 18 4103 Scott Merrick Don Taylor WSFB 17 18 18 21 21 21 116 19 7635 Norm Quadros Dawson Klemp NH 19 21 21 21 21 21 124 Off the city front. 20 7952 G. Brooks Sperry Chris Shepara WSFB 21 21 21 21 21 21 126 (From the 1965 Log) 1 STARDUST December, 2001 Michelob Cup carbon copy of the first race with the race committee West River Sailing Club adding another weather leg. Doug decided to stick Galesville, MD with the same game plan as the first race. Most of the October 20-21 2001 fleet worked left, but John Lecourt played the right By John Jenkins side and had a nice lead at the weather mark, with Doug and me in second and Barbara Vosbury a close In an effort to revitalize the Michelob Cup, Mike third. Doug cut into Lecourt’s lead on the down wind Lovellette, Barbara Vosbury and Bert Collins went on leg and was able to take the lead on the second beat. an email campaign to promote this year’s regatta and Doug went on to win the race, while Barbara Vosbury give the Western Shore Fleet a boost. Through their and Trapper Lippincott were able to work into second efforts the Michelob attracted 13 boats, which almost on the last beat, passing John Lecourt who finished doubled last years fleet. Every Fleet from the district third. was represented with Steve Rubinkam from Paw Paw Lake joining us on his way to Florida, and Mike After Saturday Doug and I were leading the Christman racing his recently purchased star for the first regatta, but there was a virtual three-way tie for time. Everyone that attended was treated to almost second between Barbara Vosbury, Tom Price, and perfect sailing conditions with temperatures in the 70s Elliott Oldak. Bert Collins had slipped off the pace in and wind in the 5-15 range. The race committee, headed the second race and was mystified by a sudden case of by Peter Mignerey, set three perfect courses making for the slows. When the bow of his boat failed to clear the an ideal weekend of sailing. water while he was hauling out, he realized an inspection port he had forgotten to close had allowed Looking for an opportunity to crew in the regatta, I many gallons of water to accumulate in the forward hooked up with Doug Schofield in 7876. Doug’s tanks of his boat. Wouldn’t it be nice if all the slows regular crew, brother Bob, was crewing for Bert could be solved so quickly! Collins and checking out the new Mader (8063) Bert bought last spring. Bert’s regular crew Guy Avellon Sunday morning was even lighter then Saturday hooked up with Elliott Oldak (7939) and Joe morning so we towed out. By time we reached the Balderson left his boat at home and crewed for John starting area the wind was filling in from the south Avis. These changes gave several of us an opportunity fairly quickly and it appeared we would have 10- 15 to see how the other guy does it. or more for the third race. With the wind building and several close to max weight crews in the fleet, I Saturday morning, while crews were rigging their sensed Doug was longing for his younger 40 lb boats, the West River looked pretty calm, but by race heavier regular crew, but I reassured him there was time a nice southerly was building on the bay and the still some juice in this baby boomer, and three upwind race committee set us up with Course 4 finishing legs of mini hiking wasn’t a problem. Before the start downwind. After studying the wind and currant Doug Doug sensed some right shifting in the wind, so we decided he wanted to sail left out into the bay on the decided to try the right side this race. Starting near first beat. Doug started at the pin end and stayed on the pin again, Doug was able to jump out ahead of starboard tack until most of the fleet had tacked onto John Avis and force him to bear away and sail to port, when he tacked to work back to the middle. leeward of us. Most of the fleet was tacking to port, Elliott Oldak and John Avis continued to the left and thinking like us that the right was favored. Doug were rewarded with a little more pressure and a port tacked to cover the fleet, while John Avis and John tack lift. Elliott rounded the weather mark first, with Lecourt continued to the left. John Avis had figured John Avis second and we were a close third. Oldak left was the way to go and went to the port tack lay went low on the downwind leg while Avis and us line John was right and had a considerable lead at the stayed high and were able to just edge out Elliott at weather mark. John Lecourt was second to the mark the leeward mark. John Avis stayed in the lead on the and we were third. John Avis was able to win the race second beat, but allowed Doug to get by when he had easily and Doug and I were able get a comfortable to back track after forgetting to go around the offset second to win the series. Barbara Vosbury, Elliott mark. Working to the right on the downwind leg John Oldak, Tom Price, and Bert Collins had a close race was able to regain the lead, but failed to get the gun at for third, with Barbara nipping Elliott at the finish for the finish. John had violated the one-minute rule, series second and Elliott getting series third. which was in effect for all the races. John sailed a great race but his misfortune allowed us to finish first Back at the club, the consensus was that this series with Elliott Oldak second and Tom Price was third. was as good as any we have had all summer, and was a good way to end the season in the Second District. The afternoon race on Saturday appeared to be a Hopefully the Michelob Series will get a boost and 2 STARDUST December, 2001 grow from this year’s success.

3 STARDUST December, 2001 friends he enjoyed competing against. He Michelob Cup Results was extremely proud of his three silver chevrons that he received for his third place Sail # Skipper Crew Fleet R1 R2 R3 Total finish in the 1958 Star North American 7876 Doug Schofield John Jenkins AN 1 1 2 4 Championship sailed in Oxford, Maryland. His accomplishments did not stop there, he 7425 Barbara Vosbury Trapper Lippincott AN 5 2 3 10 won a number of HB Fleet Championships, 7939 Elliott Oldak Guy Avellon AN 2 6 4 12 as well as a number of other regattas too numerous to mention. However, I think one 7313 Tom Price Wil Wagner AN 3 4 6 13 his most precious and proud sailing 8063 Bert Collins Bob Schofield AN 4 7 5 16 accomplishments was when he loaned his last Starboat to his long time crew, Chris 7786 John Lecourt Chris Harding AN 7 3 7 17 Arleo. Chris along with Seth Hiller, went 7307 John Avis Joe Balderson AN ocs 5 1 20 out and used everything that Ken had taught 7688 Larry Parrotta Andy Brasmer NCB 6 8 9 23 them and won the First District’s Green Star and placed second (three blue chevrons) in 7566 Steve Rubinkam Mike Lovellette PPL ocs 9 8 31 the First District Championship. Tears of 7318 Mark Welles Harold Shuster MES 8 11 12 31 pride were streaming down Ken’s face at the award ceremony because his protégé had 6729 Walter Risse Lee Meadows AN 9 12 10 31 done so well. This pride continued to his 6313 Mike Christman Chris Oliver AN 10 10 11 31 death, as Ken held court on Saturday mornings in his kitchen, with anyone that 6117 Sam Hopkins Bart Kaplan MES 11 13 dnf 38 was having speed problems. Even on the water (from his powerboat) or at the bar at CYC following each race, Ken would provide advice, primarily to the newer members of the IN MEMORIUM fleet, in order to help everyone go faster. When anyone Kenneth R. Smith wanted to buy a new boat they would always go to Ken and By Larry Cole ask his advice on the pros and cons of this boat or that boat, The Star Class lost a very close friend and intense and then Ken would perform his research so this person competitor on October 25 with the passing of Kenny Smith. could have the best boat possible. He did not usually make a lot of noise; in fact a couple of True, Ken will be sorely missed by his many friends and the nicknames used for him were Captain Mumbles and family. However, we all can be reassured that Ken is being Whispering Smith. Most of the time he was so quiet most reacquainted with his adored wife Betty and all of his Star people just did not hear him. However, for those that knew friends that are already racing and waiting for him to join him well they always knew where they stood with him and them. he was always trying to help the members of his beloved

Huntington Bay Star Fleet (HB), especially the younger members to do better by recommending tuning tips based on their performance. Ken was not a founding member of the Huntington Bay Star Fleet but he was a founding member of Centerport Yacht Club where HB now resides. He started his sailing career on Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn in Comet Class sailboats, and then later moved to racing in and around Huntington, Long Island, New York. When that class waned he began sailing Starboats at the suggestion of Hartwell S. (Bucky) Moore, and never looked back. His first year in Stars, he came in second in every race except the last, which he won. This feat caused him to obtain the name “Bride’s-Maid” from the HB Fleet and around the First District. Ken had numerous Starboats, some very fast and a few not so fast. Most of his Starboats were named Gerry Swanton on the left and Ken Smith on the right at the Sirene, because of the sheer pleasure he received from 1960 Star World Championships at the Yacht Club of Rio being on the water with his many crews and the many de Janeiro. 4 STARDUST December, 2001

5 STARDUST December, 2001 THE COST OF RACING THE STAR Larger Car? “You Americans and your big cars!” In Recently on the Star Class Forum there appeared the Europe they tow Stars with pretty small cars with no following comment: problem at all. We have towed at pretty high speeds in Europe, much higher than you could legally drive in “The Star now has the distinction of being the most the US, in “small” cars with no problems. We have expensive Olympic Class. Add the expense of a larger even driven over alpine passes when we were in car to tow, plus the need for brand spanking new sails tourist mode! The German and new Italian trailers are at any major regatta, and you have a far bigger hurdle really good, and the brakes are much better than any for a young sailor than the 15-30 lbs they're arguing American trailers for Solings or Etchells I have seen. I over weight and the 1-3 days in terms of regatta know of people who have towed Stars with sub length. Bring the cost down and the class will grow.” compact cars with engines of less than 1100cc. We , who has been active in the on-going have used 1600cc Diesels. You DO NOT NEED a discussions on the Forum, especially about the Suburban or a Truck to tow a Star! (Maybe your proposed weight-limit rule, responded to this towing regulations are different, but I doubt it) comment as follows: Sailing is an expensive sport; there is no way around Just how do we make the racing / boats cheaper? that. Olympic Sailing is so expensive in campaign terms because of time and travel (overseas). I guess you could build the boats out of cheaper Equipment costs as part of a campaign probably don’t materials, but then you would have boats that don’t represent as much as foregone wages and the cost of remain competitive for a long time and you would airfares, accommodation, shipping etc. Teams talk throw them away for little resale and get new ones about US$100,000-$250,000 for the four year every couple of years. You wouldn’t have the current campaign. Some probably spend a lot more. The boat situation where the last World’s was won by a 9 year on a trailer at US$25,000 with a resale of maybe $18- old boat (Log says it’s a 92 Folli) and the 2000 20,000 with some used gear sounds pretty good. Ask Olympics were won by a 5 year old boat. And don’t the top 470 teams what they get for their boats after a they hold their value well! few seasons. Same goes for the 49er. We don’t have carbon rigs like some dinghy classes that cost 2-3 times what a Star rig costs (fully rigged) If you looked at the campaign costs across all and are subject to quite a bit of breakage. So I guess Olympic classes you would find that there wouldn’t we can’t do much there. Colin & I sail with rigs that be a huge difference in overall cost at the end of the are over 6 years old and they are as good as new with four years between most 2-person boats. They all need the only maintenance being occasional replacement of the same level of infrastructure. Shipping costs may the standing and running rigging plus the jib halyard be a bit better in smaller boats, but unless you get “sheave”. The standing rigging has only been replaced organized with others to share containers, you don’t as a precaution. (Going into the 2000 Games, we used save much. A 49er on a road trailer takes up as much the same rig in the 1996 Games, plus a lot of regattas room as a Star in a container. between ) However they have been not left rigged for A Star can never be as cheap to sail as a Laser. But if months on end. you look at the equipment and how well it lasts it New sails at every regatta? If it isn’t howling you represents good value. And as a class you can’t beat it should easily get 2-3 regattas out of a set. And if you for fantastic racing against a great group of people. buy second hand from the guys who only use their sails for 1-2 regattas they will probably be fine for a couple more. (The mains seem to get better with a bit ROB MAINE LEAVES POST AS TREASURER of use, but not ABUSE). For a season you could get away with one heavy air main and a couple of light air We would like to express a THANK YOU to Rob mains, plus maybe 4 jibs. Most classes have similar or Maine for all of his contributions to the class over the greater requirements. Some classes it’s a lot worse, as past 4 years as Treasurer. It's a thankless job that they need to develop sails to suit the individual. In the requires countless hours, and he has over the past 4 Stars there are enough “funded” teams & Sailmakers years given it his all. to do the development for the class. Rick Burgess & John M. MacCausland

6 STARDUST December, 2001 TIPS ON WINTER STAR BOAT STORAGE FROM STARLIGHTS by John MacCausland Sr. September, 1940 It is very important that a Starboat is stored properly Woodbridge Metcalf has done enough Star racing around the for the winter. Ideal storage is a dry warm area. world to make his comments at any time of real interest. So Unfortunately this type of storage is not available to his remarks as follows in a letter to STARLIGHTS add much many of us. So, we must take steps to protect our Star light to a situation on the minds of many Star members. "The in a less than perfect environment. I have found the victory of the Cowie brothers in a Douglas built boat several years old which they overhauled and outfitted themselves is following steps are important: another good example of the fact that it is virtually impossible 1 - The boat must be thoroughly washed with soap. to buy the title. There were at least Remove all salt residue, especially from the under- six Hubbard boats in the series which were much more deck wire and fittings. recently built and Lehman in Scout II has everything in the way of gadgets, equipment and sails that a boatbuilder and 2 - Boat must be thoroughly dry with all ports open so sailmaker could provide. In spite of which he never finished that the boat can breathe. (Check all tanks for water.) better than fourth in any race." 3 - After the boat is thoroughly dry it should be It should be added that the Cowie brothers sailed the entire covered with a tight cover. Place the boom or some series at with ONE SUIT OF SAILS, the mainsail substitute such as a 2 x 4 on the deck before covering of which was new and the jib a couple of years old. We to support the cover. Or alternatively cover the mention this because of the increasingly prevalent idea that cockpit area with plywood before covering the boat. because a lot of people have gone out and bought expensive Stars, you better stop racing unless you can do likewise. There 4 - Do not apply the brake on the trailer, as the brake never has been and never will be any substitute for ability to shoes might stick to the brake drum causing the tune and handle a Star and winning a series depends far more brakes to be locked up next spring. on that than on the diamond studded gadgets you may be sold in the hope of making a boat go faster. In many fleets the 5 - Wash mast and boom. Remove salt from all wire majority of the members have taken the backwash from one rigging. Make sure that the copper nicro-press on the of these super-Stars but in how many eases would the skipper bottom of the wire halyard is not touching the halyard of the perennial winner have led the fleet no matter what boat lock as this cause corrosion of the lock fitting. This is he sailed. a good time to apply beeswax or paraffin to the halyard wires both for extra protection and to have the halyards well lubricated for the beginning of the next HIKING TECHNIQUES season. THROUGH THE AGES 6 - Remove tiller extension to preserve the life of flex The importance of getting crew weight over the side on a coupler. Star has been recognized since the earliest championship events. Here we see Bill Inslee with crew R. Nelson on NOTE - In preparing your boat for storage remember their way to win the 1923 World’s. water turns to ice which can be very damaging to a Starboat, causing delamination of the fiberglass. Whatever you can do to keep the boat dry will extend its life. Proper covers and a good dry storage area will keep your boat race-ready for next year.

THIRD GENERATION STAR SAILOR BORN A third generation Star sailor was born to John A. and Kathy MacCausland on October 24. Alexander John MacCausland will join the list of MacCauslands who have sailed in and contributed to the Star Class. 7 STARDUST December, 2001

Walter von Hütschler had his crew Egon Beyn carry this hiking technique to another level with the crew hanging onto the side of the boat. Here they are on their way to win the 1939 World’s. Question: what’s Walter doing sitting inside the cockpit?

Even greater athleticism was shown by Lowell North and Jim Hill on their way to win the 1957 World’s. Still no hiking aids.

8 STARDUST December, 2001 Hiking straps were first allowed in 1969. Here we see Dennis Conner with his Menace in 1971 doing a double mini-hike. Check out the crew: not exactly the sort of beef which is represented by most top-level crews today.

The hiking vest was allowed in 1981. The combination of hiking straps and hiking vest have changed completely the physical attributes of the premium Star crew. Paul Cayard observed that at 205 lbs. he was a standard sized crew when he sailed with Bill Gerard in the 1978 World’s. Now 250 lbs. is considered to be a little on the light side. The team of Mark Reynolds and , seen here on their way to win the 2000 Olympics, epitomizes the top flight crews of today.

9 STARDUST December, 2001 NEW BOATS AND SAILS 9381(day), 603 763 2208 (evening) [email protected] Web sites for new boats and sails which are presently up 7938, 1998 Mader Star for sale. This is an excellent racing and running: Star. Comes with one 1999 Spartech mast, practice suit of sail (other sails negotiable) and Balbi trailer. This boat was fully Mader Boats: http://www.bootswerft-mader.de/ faired for the 2000 Star World’s and is absolutely race ready. In the U.S. contact John MacCausland: 856 428 9094 $22500 USD for a race machine. Please contact Paul Sustronk Fritz Sails: www.fritz-segel.de at 905-825-6463 or [email protected] (4-01) North Sails: Boat covers for sale: one new mast-down cover built by http://www.northsailsod.com/class/star/star.html Thomas. Has been on the boat only 6 days - $150.00. This covers the deck and drapes over the topsides down to the Quantum Sails: chine. It is light colored. One trailing deck cover, blue http://www.quantumsails.com/star/index.htm acrylic - $50.00. Call Jane Pegel, 262-245-6242 / 262 245 Other contacts: 6241 fax. [email protected] Emmeti Spars: UNDER 7000 BOATS WANTED e-mail: [email protected] If you have or know of an under 7000 boat which wants to Folli Boats, Lariovela Boatyard: get out onto the racecourse again please contact the 5th e-mail: [email protected] District Secretary Ed Sprague at [email protected] Lillia Boatyard: (619 224 8454). (4-01) e-mail: [email protected] In the U.S. contact Joe Zambella: 617 839 0992 Star-Rigg Service : e-mail: [email protected] Spar Tech: In the U.S. contact John MacCausland: 856 428 9094

FOR SALE / WANTED 6000 series boats in various conditions for sale. Boats are located at Milford Y.C., Milford CT. Contact Dick Hovey. Tel: 203 795 3008 / e-mail: [email protected] 6719 Melges is for sale for US $3,200.00 or best offer. The boat comes equipped with sails, f-section Spartech mast, 2 Tactical compasses, all Harken, and mast-up boat cover. The boat has an excellent aluminum road trailer, radial tires, and surge brakes. The hull was completely faired and finished with nine coats of Interlux two-part epoxy paint (Ontario Yachts). This boat has all the go-fast equipment as well as under deck (3 to 1) kevlar running backs, and double bottom with four auto bailers. The boat is a fast club racer and has performed well at the local level. The boat is presently in Toronto and can be delivered. Call 416-465- 8207 or e-mail [email protected] (4-01) 7248 - Mader. Boat is in good condition and has thru-deck backstays. Keel from 7510. Two SparTech F section masts, At the 1988 North American’s at Ithaca in the third race four suits of sails, and boat cover. This is a solid boat which is closing in on the final leeward mark Vince Brun and still very competitive at fleet level and would make an in # 7209 get hit by a 35-40 knot puff with excellent starter boat/fleet racer. Boat located in Milford, CT. a shift. Bear Hovey and Neil Foley in # 6474 got their $7,000. Contact David Chittick (203) 261 0283 (office) / 203 intermediate taken out by Vince’s boom but managed to 268 7815 (home). [email protected] (07/11) finish the race with a second place. The impact of the roll 7731, 1993 Folli. Balbi trailer, keel faired, excellent broke Vince’s mast. In the lower photo Marcelo has condition, practice sails: $14500. John Chiarella 800 530 reached up to grab onto the leading edge of the keel. Bear 10 STARDUST December, 2001 was already out of the picture. (Photos: 1989 Log.)

11 STARDUST December, 2001 REGATTA SCHEDULES EMIL’S CORNER

5th District Star Race Calendar

Dec. 8-9 Kriss Kringle Regatta (OD) (SDB)

20th District Nov. 17-19 Schoomaker Cup Dec. 1-2 Commodore’s Cup Jan. 5-6 Levin Memorial Jan. 26-27 Biscayne Trophy Regatta Jan 29-Feb 2 Olympic Classes Regatta Feb 16-17 Masters’ Regatta Mar. 3-8 Bacardi Cup Apr. 24-30 Spring Championship, Tampa, FL

Videos available: Mystic Seaport has two World’s videos available in VHS: the 1977 World’s (AV 74:77-1) and the 1981 Marblehead World’s (AV 74-81-1). For further Cartoon by Emil Karlovsky details call Suki Williams, video archivist, at 860 572 5379 / [email protected]

Star Class videos available: the following videos are available through the Central Office: “Star Class Tuning Guide”, Suggested donation for an annual hard copy “Fine Tuned for Excellence”, 1999 World's: “The World of subscription to Stardust: $18. the Stars”, 1987 World's: “Sail against the Best.” Also available from the Central Office are Stan Ogilvy’s book David Bolles Tel: 203 882 9428

“A History of the Star Class” and a biography about 133 Castle Lane

Durward Knowles, “Driven by the Stars”. For further Milford, CT 06460 information on these items of Star Class merchandise plus E-mail: / [email protected] an order form please contact Diane Dorr at the Central

Office: SEND US YOUR MATERIAL [email protected] ISCYRA To submit material to this newsletter please contact: 1545 Waukegan Rd. David Bolles Glenview, IL 60025-2185 133 Castle Lane Fax: 847 729 0718 / Office: 847 729 0630 Milford, CT 06460-7515 203 882 9428 / [email protected] A reminder about reporting regatta results: please try to give the information in the following format: Place/ Boat #/ Skipper/ Crew/ Fleet/ Daily positions/ Score Please contact the editor about any corrections to race results. While this cannot undo what has already been printed, it would be helpful in avoiding errors in the future. Thanks to all of the contributors who have submitted material for this month’s issue.

Thanks to Harry Walker for his generous support of this publication

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