#SB20 – Just because this coming Sunday is the last in the DBSC SB20 Sunday series on Dublin Bay does not mean the newly elected class captain is going to pack the boats away for winter. Far from it. 

The fleet is celebrating a recent Dun Laoghaire world masters win in Hyeres, France and new fleet boss Michael O'Connor is capitalising on this international success and a buoyant domestic season by having an open day in Dun Laoghaire (National YC) on October 5th 2013.

The primary purpose is to attract new crew into the class because O'Connor says a constant bugbear with all classes and a common reason for boats not making it onto the start line is simply lack of crew.

The SB20 fleet are addressing this problem by demonstrating to prospective crew how exhilarating the SB20 can be and giving those sailors an opportunity to try one out.

'We would also welcome helms/prospective new owners on the day and we will be able to give them a taste of what it is like to sail in the largest sportsboat fleet in the country' O'Connor adds.

There will be several existing boat owners and experienced crew on hand on the day to answer any questions and help put the boats through their paces.

A pdf poster is downloadable below.

#sb20 –In a week that saw mixed results for the Irish fleet, it was Marty Cuppage, Peter Lee and Michael Galvan that will bring home the silverware as newly crowned SB20 World Masters. Entry into this prestigious band of brothers is dictated by combined age of 150 years or more. The crew representing the Royal St. George Yacht club scored an impressive 1,1,2,1,2,2,,1 and dropped a DSQ and a 2 in the 10 race series which offered the two discards. In the overall series Marty was 58th overall.

Ben Duncan, Joe Turner and Aidan MacSweeny on Sharkbait racing for New Zealand were 14th overall in the series. Sharkbait had dropped from 5th overall on Wednesday following a set of results in the mid-twenties despite being in the top tier of the fleet. On Thursday racing, Sharkbait came from about 80th position and benefited from a shift on the last downwind and ended 6th. However, despite being in the top 4 at the first weather mark, Ben was infringed at the leeward gate and quickly lost places to finish the final race 24th. In this fleet, even the slightest mistake will cost heavily.

Best placed Irish Entry was Ronan Downing, Graeme Grant and Breffini Jones on ManaMana. The Kinsale Yacht Club entry was showing considerable pace in the heavy breezes earlier this week but was unfortunate to lose a protest and an ultimate disqualification. On Thursday's race 3 in 30 knots of wind Ronan was involved in another incident that brought down the mast of an Italian entry but happily the protest panel found in Ronan's favour and the all-female Italian crew withdrew from the competition. Up to that point Ronan was lying mid-teens but had to endure a 62nd which was later discarded after race 10. In race 2 Friday which was sailed in more likeable 10-12 knot conditions, ManaMana which was helmed by International Moth sailor Graeme Grant scored a 19 to solidify his 31st overall.

Mel and Killian Collins can only be described as having an unlucky week. After a most unfortunate dismasting on Mondays race 1, the Cork crew went on to have a series of high scoring results including a Black Flag, however their best result was a 5th on Tuesday Race 3.

Other Irish interests hovered in the mid fleet with Venues-World.com, Milvus & the bear occupying the 44th, 45th & 48th respectively.

Craig Burlton (GBR) with his crew of Adam Heeley and Stephen 'AB' White are Audi SB20 World Champions 2013. The result was secured after one race on Friday 13th September in the Baie des Iles d' Or. This is the second time Burlton and Heeley and White have held the class title.

The Race Committee attempted to get the 90 strong SB20 fleet racing on schedule at 10.00 hrs this morning; the fleet were recalled twice. The second recall was made under the black flag. Fourteen competitors were called over the line and were forced to wait for the start of a second race; which never came. The 'AP' was raised as the wind pressure deteriorated and the direction had no stability.

Almost three hours later, the fleet were underway to the windward mark of the tenth race that would ensure the application of the second discard.

With the Championship still up for grabs in what was to be the final race, the arrival of the fleet at the first windward mark rounding was tense for all involved. Edward Russo (FRA) sailing his beautiful 'Black Magic' emerged at the lead of the fleet and maintained his lead to the leeward mark. Championship contender Roger Hudson (RSA) arrived in fourth position ahead of Craig Burlton (GBR). Hudson called a foul on Burlton, who promptly took his penalty turn on the spreader leg, which provided the opportunity for Rodion Luka (UKR) and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz (FRA) to pass him.

At the leeward mark not much changed in the rankings, other than the addition of Iain Ainslie (RSA), sailing ITA 3099, to the mix of top placed boats.

By the second windward rounding, Ainslie had taken the lead. Hudson was ahead of Luka, who was ahead of Burlton.

On the race to the finish, the result was still open. The winner only became clare after some quick calculations from the press boat that the winner emerged. Burlton had done enough, he was three points clear and the 2013 World Champion.

When the result was confirmed, the Gill Race Team crew gasped with relief, Burlton's first comment after the result was confirmed, "I can't believe it....! It's been such a good week. When we came round the top mark and Roger [Hudson] called a penalty on us, we had to take it...all the time we were trying to close in on the twelve or so boats ahead of us. It was really hard. It's been a tough week of racing in a really tough fleet. We've absolutely loved it."

Roger Hudson complimented Burlton's success, "This win for Craig sets him apart; all the other boats in the top five have professionals sailing on them; Craig's crew have been together for a long time, they sailed really well; they were awesome this week." Praise indeed.

SB20 sailing doesn't stop there for 2013, with Autumn and Winter racing scheduled throughout Europe there will be plenty of competitive racing to enjoy ahead of 2014.

#SB20 – Another fabulous day of racing was enjoyed by the 90 entrants at the Audi SB20 World Championships 2013 in the Baie des Iles d' Or, Hyeres. Today produced three different race winners in conditions that started off gentle and finished up in a "full foam up" as wind conditions climbed from five knots up into the mid twenties.

The first race was lead by Sebastien Col (FRA) from start to finish. On each leg Col was able to extend his lead, delivering a compelling performance to take the first race win of the day. Vladimir Prosikhin (RUS) had a somewhat different experience of the race. After rounding the first windward mark in 88th position, there were just two boats behind him, Prosikhin and his crew managed to pull their way back to finish eighth. This was a similar story for Roger Hudson (RSA) and his Race Ahead crew who rounded in 82nd position and managed a recovery of seventy two places, finishing tenth.

The Race Committee raised the AP while they reset the course, shortening the beat to 1.2 nautical miles with a bearing of 275º. By the time the second race was under way, after a couple of SB20-style general recalls were dealt with, the wind had freshened providing fantastic conditions for the fleet. Thomas Rouxel (FRA) sailed a strong first leg, and found himself in a competitive dual with Vladimir Prosikhin. Rouxel and Prosikhin played cat and mouse with each other and switched positions at each of the mark rounding's of the race, but it was Rouxel that emerged the winner. When asked about his day on the water, Prosikhin grinned, "I am so happy, today we have a 8,2,5. I have a good feeling for this class, but my crew do not stop quarrelling, we are like three Hyenas in a boat! It's the biggest fleet I have ever sailed in, it's serious fun."

For the third race, the wind had reached its peak and the fleet were set course type two; a standard two lap windward leeward with the addition of a third beat and a finish at the top of the race course. Rodion Luka (UKR) looked set to add another race win to his Championship tally, but Roger Hudson had other ideas. After a strong start and a good first beat Hudson had rounded the windward mark second to Luka. But it was downwind where the Race Ahead team were able to reel Luka in to take control of the final race. Luka was then shut out at the second windward mark rounding by Col and was knocked into third position, from which he did not recover. Asenathi Jim, helm of Race Ahead explained, "We crossed Rodion downwind where we found some good pressure, we soaked and that was it, we were ahead." Hudson added, "We've had a few knocks this week, but today was a great day and we were able to cash in during races two and three." When asked if they were performing well due to the stronger wind, Hudson grinned, "Of course we are, we're from Cape Town!"

Nine races are now complete at the Audi SB20 World Championships. Craig Burlton has a comfortable over night lead with 35 points in first place, Hudson is second with 52 points and Luka lies third with 59 points. When one more race is complete the second and final discard will be applied to the overall results. Burlton will certainly be looking to focus on his consistent performance while Hudson and Luka will be on the attack from the get go on the final day of racing. As predicted by Luka earlier in the Championship, the result is bound to go down to the wire.

Full results can be viewed here 

#sb20 – It was another early start for the 90 strong SB20 fleet at the Audi World Championships in Hyères, France. The Race Committee set the course even further to the right hand side of the Baie de Iles d' Or to shelter from the "Big Wednesday" forecast of 30 plus knots of wind.

Anticipating the arrival of the mistral, racing was underway on time; even the fleet managed to behave themselves and stay behind the start line for the first race of the day. However, the forecast wind did not arrive and the fleet tacked their way up the course in a very gentle six knots. Stephen Fries (AUS) arrived at the top mark at the head of the fleet with Phil Plumtree (GBR), Pietro Negri (ITA) and Edward Russo (FRA) in tow. In the light conditions and a spreader mark set too low, a number of the fleet hoisted their gennakers early. By the leeward mark a shuffling of the fleet saw Russo in the lead with Rodion Luka (UKR) hot on his heels followed by Sebastien Col (FRA) in third place. Assuming normal form, Luka picked his way through the fleet to emerge the victor of the fifth race of the Championships. Thomas Rouxel (FRA) muscled his way into second position, leaving Col third and Russo fourth.

Following a break in racing to reposition the course, the mistral, as promised, arrived in full force. In the increased pressure, the fleet were recalled twice before a start was got away. Andrew Oddie (GBR) grabbed the premium pin position at the port end of the line in a fabulous manoeuvre that saw him shoot off the line with great boat speed.

But again it was Luka rounding the first mark in poll position, with Adrian Peach (GBR) and his junior crew of 29er sailors in hot pursuit. Luka defended his lead and went on to win what was to be the final race of the day as the pressure increased to beyond sailable conditions.

"I'm hungry and I'm tired," said Luka as he returned to the dock. "It was a hard day today, really tactical racing. On the first downwind leg [of race one] we ripped our kite on the drop, Andre did a great job changing the sail. We are really happy with our results and our boat speed." When pushed for his thoughts on where the overall result might go, Luka said, "To the wire, the last race of the event will decide the Champion."

So there we have it, five races down in the Audi SB20 World Championships. The competition is impressive. With one discard now applied, Craig Burlton (GBR) still leads the fleet with 12 points, but Rodion Luka has closed the gap with today's double bullet performance.

Full results can be viewed here

#sb20 – Following yesterday's Mistral wind conditions, the COYCH Race Committee brought the start of racing on day two of the Audi SB20 World Championships 2013 forward by one hour to take advantage of the lesser wind conditions in the early morning.

The 90–boat fleet left the marina and made their way to the race course. Again, the competitive, pushy nature of SB20 sailors meant the fleet were recalled twice before the first race of day two was underway. Nine competitors were caught on the black flag start of the second race, including Roger Hudson's (RSA) Race Ahead crew and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz (FRA) who sails with his father Laurent and Xavier Leclair of Marçon Yachting. The Race Committee set the course further to the right hand side of Baie de Iles d' Or (Golden Island Bay) where the wind conditions were slightly less than the course position of the previous day. The left hand side of the course looked like the favourite for the first start.

While many of the fleet over stood the layline, Craig Burlton (GBR) arrived at the windward mark in first position, with Joe Llewellyn (GBR) hot on his heels. Burlton and Llewellyn enjoy competitive racing in their home waters and have bought their rivalry to the World Championships. Burlton extended his lead and by the leeward mark of the first lap, taking control of the race; he went on to win in style. Llewellyn returned ashore to discover to his disappointment that he too had be black flagged on the first race of the day.

Vladimir Prosikhin (RUS) sails his maiden SB20 World Championships in Team Nika. Prosikhin joined the SB20 class to increase his time spent at the helm, in training for his RC44 campaign. Coached in the RC44 by Rodion Luka (UKR) he will be smiling tonight knowing that he finished sixth in the first race today; while Luka finished eighth.

Just one boat was caught over the line in the second race today; Italian entry "Alghero" sailed by Pietro Fois was forced to sit out the second race while the fleet departed to the top of the race course in increasing pressure.

"Mary Vicky" helmed by Niccolo Bianchi (ITA) popped out at the windward mark in first place, Burlton was in hot pursuit in second place. Despite his exclusion from the first race of day two, Roger Hudson was back in the picture, rounding in third position, just ahead of Edward Russo (FRA), President of the SB20 Class. Rounding positions after the first windward leg were maintained to the end of the race, delivering the first bullet of the Championships to the Italian fleet. Other notable finishing positions include "Piscine Desjoyaux" sailed by Jean-Baptiste Bernaz in eleventh position and Phil Plumbtree (GBR) in PP Projects in thirteenth.

After claiming to feel "the boat slow" at the windward mark, Charlie Whelan's (GBR) "Here Comes Bod" suffered a dismasting on the second leeward leg of the race due to failure of a spreader bracket. A huge disappointment for the crew as the start of the third race was in sequence, they were recovered from the race course.

With increasing pressure, the race committee started the third race of the day but were forced to shorten the course and finish the fleet on their second rounding of the windward mark. A good decision as the Mistral had returned in full force and attrition of the fleet had begun. Joe Llewellyn took the bullet, Jean-Baptiste Bernaz second, Craig Burlton third and Vladimir Prosikhin fourth.

"That was a glamour day," grinned Burlton as he came ashore. "We still can't get ourselves off the start line, but we're pretty good at picking our way to the front of the fleet." Adding a 1,2,3 to the score sheet today, Burlton claimed a, "Good day at the office." And rightly so as he now lies first overall with only eight points while the second placed boat, helmed by Nicolo Bianchi, has racked up 33 points.

Full results can be viewed here

#SB20 – In big mistral breezes exceeding 32 knots at stages the SB20 fleet took to the racecourse for Race 1 today. Rodion Luka won the opening gambit of the event. Best placed Irish boat was Sharkbait in 9th but not without a bit of damage incurred with a leeward gate collision with fellow Irish boat Dave Barry (Lia) who subsequently broke their pole. Venues-World.com also incurred damage with a broken pole. Unfortunately the news of the days also brings word of Mel and Killian Collins out of day 1 with a dropped rig. Some frantic boat repairs now required shore side.

Extreme conditions today, boats are reporting submarining conditions downwind with speeds in excess of 21 knots. The fleet has been called ashore for the moment which means race 2 is on hold for the time being. The forecast for the next 2 days is for more very heavy breeze.

#sb20 – Racing has started today in the southern French port of Hyeres for the SB20 World Championship. The event is being run over five days and hosted by the International racing centre COYCH. Organisers have opted for a single start for the entire class which will see upwards of 90 boats jostling for position when the sequence commences. In the end, 10 Irish SB20s travelled which is a very impressive turnout from the Irish fleet.

#sb20 – A competitive fleet of 17 SB20's travelled to the Royal Ulster Yacht Club over the weekend to compete in the Northern Championships. With a big section of the fleet travelling the Worlds in France in a little over three weeks time, the competition was very well timed for the final tuning of boats and crews.

PRO Robin Gray was always going to have his hands full on a shifty first day in Belfast Lough. Race 1 got underway on time, but a big shift on the first beat led to the cancellation of the race, and the next 90 minutes were spent waiting for the breeze to settle enough to get racing underway again. Finally setting off in 8-10 knots of breeze, Ben Duncan with Joe Turner and Aidan MacSweeny on Sharkbait took command half way through the race to snatch the lead from Michael O'Connor on 'Should Be', with ex flying-fifteen ace Darren Martin's 'Soda Bread' rounding out the top three.

Race 2 was convincingly won by Davy Talyor's Boatmec.com, stealing the lead early on and doing a horizon job on the rest of the fleet, giving Boatmec their first regatta race win in the SB20's. Local favourites Ridgeway with James & Bob Espey and Gareth Flannigan on board sailed themselves into second place, with Aiden O'Connell's consistent Ruby Blue with Ross & Andrew Vaughan rounding out 3rd in an event which didn't see their results dip below 5th for the entire weekend. Race 3 on Saturday saw the third different race winner in this extremely competitive fleet with Ronan Downings Manamana steered into the lead by fleet newcomer Graham Grant, with Breffni Jones on the bow. Marty Cuppages Seriously Bonkers 3 held onto second place in front of Sharkbait in third.

With the delays in racing earlier in the day the fleet headed in to dinner at the Royal Ulster Yacht Club in the evening, and it was clear the difficult day on the water had fried a few brain cells including Justin Burke's Alert Packaging, Dave Barrys Lia, Rob Howes Milvus Milvus and Ger Dempsey & Chris Nolans usually consistent Venuesworld.com languishing further back in the fleet order. Ridgeway held the overnight lead tied with Ruby Blue, with the discard to kick in the following day.

Day 2 dawned with more promise of breeze and some of the sparkling downwind sailing the SB20's deliver in bucketloads when the wind is up. After the black flag appeared the fleet was a little line-shy, with Ridgeway leading the charge for the entire race only to be pipped on the finish line by Sharkbait. Dinghy Supplies with Daragh Sheridan, John Phelan and Dan O'Connell had their best result with a third. Race 5 was another black flag affair for the eager fleet, but 'Ruby Blue' capitalised and took the bullet from Ridgway, with Sharkbait fighting back from deep in the fleet to steal 3rd from Boatmec on the line.

So it was down to the last race of the regatta to decide the overalls. With a dropping breeze there was some frantic changes to rigs, and the fleet got underway dodging some big holes in the breeze on the first beat. Sharkbait eventually sealed her 4th Northern Championship crown by winning the final race, followed by Ruby Blue into a solid second overall. Manamana rounded out the top three for the final race, but it was not enough to claim the last podium spot which went to the local lads on Ridgeway.