Irish SB20 Sharkbait up to Fifth at Hyeres World Champs

10th September 2013

#sb20 – Day 2 of the SB20 Worlds 2013 brought lots more big wind action for the 15 Nation, 90 boat fleet. It was hard sailing again today in the short steep chop with the forecast breeze gradually increasing to 30 knots. On the leader board Craig Burlton has overtaken Rodion Luka for pole position with a very impressive 1,2,3 today with Luka dropping down to 4th overall. Kiwi-Irish interest NZL 3287 Sharkbait being sailed by Ben Duncan for his home nation is being crewed by Ireland's Joe Turner and Aidan MacSweeny. The combined Kiwi-Irish crew are lying a very impressive 5th overall up from their 9th place following day 1.

Mel & Killian Collins were happily back on the water today following yesterday's dismasting however Mel was one of 14 boats deemed over the start early and earned a Black Flag disqualification for the effort. The Cork crew which includes Killian's wife Mary, did better in the subsequent 2 races of the day and scored very well in the final race managing a 5th. The PRO called the fleet back twice in the first two races before allowing them cleanly away in race 3. Race 3 was then finished at the second top mark as the PRO wisely chose not to send the fleet downwind once again.

Ronan Downing (Manamana) dropped some places overnight and is lying 19th and lost a protest lodged against him by a French competitor for an incident at the leeward mark on race 3.. Manamana which is helmed by Graeme Grant from HYC, placed 12th on race 2 today.

The punishing conditions have inflicted yet more damage on the fleet with another two masts broken. Conditions for the next two days are not set to moderate at all. COYCH organisers may opt to keep the fleet ashore Wednesday and rehash the race schedule accordingly. Chris Nolan and Ger Dempsey broke their kicker in race 3 but managed to finish the race in 39th position.

Irish SB20 sailor Marty Cuppage (Seriously Bonkers 3) from the Royal St. George YC leads in the Masters division overnight having scored 1,4,2,1 in the first two days of racing. He is on joint 8 points Monaco entry Athos.

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SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France