Four–in–a–Row for Sharkbait at SB20 Westerns on Lough Ree

12th May 2013

Four races, Four potential winners. That's how it played out today on Lough Ree for the SB20 Westerns at LRYC. Ful results downloadable below as a jpeg file.

No racing on Saturday meant PRO Richard Kissane and team had to get 4 races completed on Sunday to make a series, which they managed to do expertly. Conditions were blustery on the lakes with gusts up to 25 knots.

Mel and Killian Collins on "who's the Boss" set an early marker by winning race 1 but it was down to the final split at the leeward gate that decided it, Collins opting for the right hand mark and Ben Duncan opting to go left. It was the sprint to the finish that decided the race in favour of Collins with Duncan second.

Race 2 was won by Peter Kennedy and team on "Ridgefence" who gambled with an early gybe to go down the middle of the course, a move that was in itself a gamble as he split from the fleet into a zone that hadn't yet favoured. 3 boats finishing within 5 seconds of each other with Collins second and Duncan third.

Race 3 had 4 boats OCS, only Mel Collins returned to recross and eventual race winner Sharkbait didn't get a hooter to give John O'Driscoll on "Boomchickawahwah" the win, Ridgefence second and Dingy Supplies third. Speeds up to 16 knots in the gusts made for exciting downwind action across the fleet.

Incredibly that left 4 boats going into the final race with a chance of winning the event. Collins, Duncan, Kennedy & O'Driscoll each with a fighting chance of lifting the Rose Bowl. However it was John O'Driscoll and team who led the course by 15 boat lengths with Duncan and then Collins chasing. Sharkbait with Commodore's Cup winner Eoghan Leahy of Antix onboard, somehow managed to not only cling on but reel in Boomchickawahwah to neck and neck at the final hoist. Duncan just had to keep his bow just inside O'Driscoll's leeward quarter and deny him a free gybe to the final gate. Duncan put in a clean gybe on a gust and took the necessary lead to give him the final race and the event. This is the fourth time In a row Sharkbait has won this event.

Downloads

SB20_Westerns_2013.jpg (599 Downloads)

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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