Flannigan takes control at SB3 Nationals

5th September 2010

What a difference a day makes in sailing! On day one of the Investwise SB3 Nationals at HYC, Ben Duncan and his crew on 'Sharkbait' reigned supreme, with two bullets and a sixth to head the 48-boat fleet by four points. Three more races on Saturday in blustery south-easterlies yielding three poor results by their high standards and three top drawer performances by the pre-event favourite Gareth Flannigan and crew on 'McCready's Gill Team' have seen the complexion of this championship change completely.

The Royal Ulster YC team won the day's opening race and then notched two second places behind Ross Vaughan ('Toucan 3') and Andrew Algeo ('Flutter') respectively, results which have leapfrogged the Ballyholme men from fifth overnight to a handsome 8-point margin over 'Sharkbait'. The Howth crew had a real off-day, with a sixth followed by an 11th and then a 7th. They effectively now share 2nd overall with the consistent Sean Craig ('Yeti') whose 3/5/10 scores keep him very much in the hunt.

It was a good day for northern crews. In addition to 'McCready's' opening race win, race two went to Ross Vaughan with the next three places also going north and they filled four of the top six places in race three for good measure. Stefan Hyde sailing 'Bad' will probably feel the name was appropriate on the day. Like Duncan, he had a day to forget, with three results in the mid-teens dropping him to seventh overall, twenty points adrift of even the runners-up spot at present.

As it stands, northern boats hold 1st and 5th overall while Royal St. George YC entries fill three of the top six spots. Two more races are scheduled for the final day, with 'Sharkbait' and 'Yeti' the most serious contenders to 'McCreadys Gill Team' ambitions of lifting the title.

Investwise SB3 National Championships (after 6 races and one discard):

1. McCready's Gill Team (Gareth Flannigan – RUYC) 13 points

2. Sharkbait (Ben Duncan – HYC) 21 points

3. Yeti (Sean Craig – RStGYC) 21 points

4. Flutter (Andrew Algeo – RStGYC) 34 points

5. Toucan 3 (Ross Vaughan – RNIYC) 38 points

6. Monkey (Aidan O'Connell – RStGYC) 38 points

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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