Local boat heads 48-boat Investwise SB3 Nationals after day 1

4th September 2010

The first day of the Investwise SB3 Nationals at Howth witnessed the top local boat 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan/Brian Moran/Ric Morris) enjoy a dream start to the 8-race series with two bullets in the first two races, followed by a 6th to head the 48-boat fleet by four points from the almost-as-consistent Stefan Hyde/Jerry Dowling/Jimmy Dowling) in 'Bad' from the Royal Irish YC.

Sailing in moderate to fresh south-easterlies, the big fleet started racing around 1300 hrs. and 'Sharkbait' was fast out of the blocks, winning the race from 'Bad' and with another Dun Laoghaire entry 'Yeti' (Sean Craig/Stephen Boylan/Alan Green) filling third spot.

Race two saw the Howth crew maintain their top form to register a second successive win, again ahead of Stefan Hyde et al on 'Bad' and with Ross Vaughan of RNIYC in third place.

The two leaders dropped a little in the last race of the day, with Duncan and crew in 6th and Hyde two places further behind while the line honours went to Brian/Reilly/Paul Reilly/Johnny O'Dowd on 'Boomsticks' to add to their 4th and 8th in the earlier races.

Ominously, the pre-event favourite 'McCreadys Gill Racing Team' helmed by Gareth Flannigan from Royal Ulster YC improved as the day went on, building on an 8th and 6th to finish second, a result that puts them 5th overall and within striking distance of the leaders.

Illustrating the competitive natural of one-design racing, only eight points separates the first five boats after three races and the three races scheduled for Saturday are likely to have a significant bearing on the title contenders going into the final day on Sunday.

Investwise SB3 National Championships – overall after 3 races:

1st Sharkbait (Ben Duncan) – HYC 8 points

2nd Bad (Stefan Hyde) – RIYC 12 points

3rd Boomsticks (Brian Reilly) - SYC 13 points

4th Yeti (Sean Craig) – RStGYC 13 points

5th McCready's Gill Racing Team(Gareth Flannigan) – RUYC 16 points

6th Monkey (Aidan O'Connell) – RStGYC 19 points

Published in SB20

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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