Big Irish SB20 Fleet Contest World Champs in France

6th August 2013

#sb20 – Up to 14 Irish teams are expected to travel to the upcoming SB20 World Championships to be held in Hyeres, France and hosted by internationally renowned COYCH,recent host to the ISAF Sailing World Cup. As Afloat reported earlier, racing begins on September 9th in the Southern French venue that will see 5 days of intense competition for the 100 boats expected to compete. 14 Races are scheduled including the qualifier series over 2 days after which the fleet will be split between Gold and Silver over two separate race courses.

The combined Dun Laoghaire clubs are travelling in strength with James Gorman (Odin), Ger Dempsey / Chris Nolan (Venuesworld.com) Marty Cuppage / Peter Lee (Seriously Bonkers 3), Dave Barry (Lia) with Irish Class President Justin Burke leading by example and heading south for the event. Venuesworld.com have combined forces with Davy Taylor (Boatmec.com) from Carrickfergus Sailing Club for the series.

Cork crews led by Southern Rep Mel Collins are also well represented. Mel and brother Killian were 11th at the last UK hosted World Championships in Torquay in 2011. This was the best ever placing for an Irish Crew at any of the Sportsboat worlds series. Previously, Ballyholme sailor Gareth Flannigan came 22nd overall in Gold at the 2010 Lake Garda series. The Cork duo are well used to stiff one-design competition with years of success in 1720's, J109's and Olympic Star class and will be seeking a repeat of their earlier performance. Kieran Dorgan (The Bear) who crewed with the RCYC pair in Torquay, is representing his own club (Cove Sailing Club) this September. Kieran recently showed a good turn of speed at the SB20 Irish Nationals in Galway. Kinsale Yacht Club's Ronan Downing (Manamana) has recruited Howth Yacht Clubs Graeme Grant and Irish Class Silver Medallist Breffini Jones. Monkstown Bay Sailing club is represented by Rob Howe and Joanne Sheehy (Milvus Milvus).

Although based in Ireland and representing the ISA at the regular Irish regional events, Three times SB20 National Champion Ben Duncan (Sharkbait) has opted to represent his native New Zealand in Hyeres. Duncan along with regular crew Joe Turner will be heavier than normal with substitute Aidan MacSweeney travelling and is hoping to better his 13th score at the 2011 Worlds.

The Irish teams are up against some stiff competition this year. Three times World Champion Geoff Carveth will be there to defend his title along with Jerry Hill (2010 Champion). A serious threat to the championship comes from Russia where the fleet has seen a steady growth. Some of the Russian teams including current European Champion Rodion Luka, have been using Portugal as a winter training base and are keen to bring the title home. In all, 14 countries will be represented in Hyeres. Recently, World Council President, Ed Russo who came 2nd in the Grand Slam series in Hyeres visited Galway for the Irish Nationals but had to be content with a 5th place overall as a result of a late black flag.

The Irish Fleet travel to Bangor this coming weekend to take part in the Northern Championships which will be the final preparation event before travelling to France.

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