Say what you like about the SB20s, but you have to commend the class and its President John Malone of Lough Ree YC for always being game to have a go. Back in September 2020, when everyone else reckoned they’d squeezed in just as much sailing as was possible with COVID-19 sweeping in over all horizons, the SB 20s' hopes for a short and sweet series on Lough Derg in the second weekend of October was probably the last tattered banner to be shot away.
Now they’re showing a fresh new pennant or two above the rims of the bunkers to which they retreated for the duration, with these replacement banners signalling hopes for doing the business afloat during 2021. They anticipate that training sessions may be under way from May 10th onwards, and beyond that the programme (subject to the pandemic regulations of the day) is posted as follows:
- 2-4 July Westerns (DL Regatta One Design Event, 3 Day Event)
- 24-25 July Northerns (Carlingford Lough Sailing Club)
- 31 July-6th Aug LRYC Annual Regatta (3 or 7 Days Entry Available)*
- 14 – 15 Aug. Southerns (Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven)
- 29 Aug- 3 Sept. Cascais Worlds (Clube Naval de Cascais, Portugal)*
- 4-5 Sept. Gortmore Bell (Lough Derg, Iniscealtra SC)*
- 17-19 Sept. Nationals (Lough Ree YC)
- 24-26 Sept. UK Nationals (Royal Torbay YC, England)*
- 9-10 October. Midlands (Keelboat Regatta, Lough Derg YC)
* items not part of traveller series
In online conferences during the dark days, the international class has introduced some new rules, including one which allows a 3:1 block arrangement on the jib sheets, which should widen the crewing options to less powerful individuals.
As for anyone interested in joining the class as an owner, it seems that SB20 folk would never resort to anything so vulgar as advertising their boats for sale, but if you contact John Malone at [email protected] he might point you in the right direction.
