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SB20 Sportsboat Class Announces 2013 European 'Grand Slam' Sailing Circuit

4th December 2012
SB20 Sportsboat Class Announces 2013 European 'Grand Slam' Sailing Circuit

#sb20 – Sportsboat World promoters of the SB20 one design sportsboat announced the launch of a SB20 Grand Slam circuit that will take place in Europe in 2013. The SB20 Grand Slam will consist of three events that have been scheduled to take place at three favourite SB20 sailing locations giving Irish crews an extra travel incentive in 2013.

The SB20 Grand Slam will kick off in Hyeres at the beginning of May (3rd – 5th) with three days racing before heading to Malcesine, Lake Garda for the second Grand Slam event (24th – 26th May). The third SB20 Grand Slam will take place at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week (3rd – 6th August), where a special race format has been agreed with the organisers.

The SB20 Grand Slam events are aimed at those in the class that enjoy sailing in beautiful places and enjoy a lively social scene; which will be set up to support each of the Grand Slam events. Each SB20 Grand Slam will have a winner in its own right and while sailors will be encouraged to take part in as many events as possible, there will not be an overall Grand Slam Champion.

"One of our missions when we formed Sportsboat World was to provide events that would appeal to sailors internationally; in top locations with great socials" explains Alan Hillman. "The SB20 Grand Slam will do just that and we're really looking forward to kicking these events off in 2013."

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