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Dubai SB20 Makes a Splash on Dublin Bay Before World Championships Begin (Video)

4th September 2022
Get the message - The UAE SB20 spreads the word on Dublin Bay about the 2024 World Championships at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club Credit: Afloat

The 'Kidzink' United Arab Emirates SB20 entry from the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) was making waves on the Dublin Bay race track on Sunday ahead of the first race of the class World Championships at the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire on Monday.

Kidzink is a new boat and one of three UAE entries in next week's Championship.

Kidzink' United Arab Emirates SB20 entry from the Dubai Offshore Sailing ClubKidzink' a United Arab Emirates SB20 entry from the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club sailing on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat.ie

The boat is sailed by Libby Greenhalgh, Charlotte Borghesi, Leonie Bonaparte and Thomas Cracknell, who certainly know a thing or two about sailing in big winds and waves, as our video below shows.

The other UAE boats are Supersonic sailed by Justin Burke, Michal Pajak, Rosemary Tyrrell, and Emily Conan and Poor Buoy, crewed by husband and wife team Rachel and Jonny Blackburn, along with Bekky Britton.

Kidzink is a new boat and one of two UAE entries in next week's ChampionshipKidzink is a new SB20 and one of two UAE entries in next week's Championship Photo: Afloat

In 20-knot southerly winds and some bright sunshine, the UAE crew were making no secret of the fact that the 2024 SB20 Worlds will be hosted by their club in 2024 by sporting a massive kite with a 'See you in Dubai' message emblazoned across it. 

The DOSC has facilities enjoyed by over 700 members, a marina with 152 berths, a welcoming Clubhouse and a busy social calendar, so things are looking good for the SB20 class.

It wasn't all plain sailing for the UAE visitors, though, as a heavy air gybe posed some problems, but the crew soon recovered and hit top speed again, as the video below shows.

Read Afloat's preview of the SB20 Worlds at Dun Laoghaire here.

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