#sb20 – Northern Ireland's Darren Martin, Roger Pannel and Simon Murray were popular winners of the SB20 Western Championships in Galway at the weekend. Results available to download below.
The 'Wild West' obliged with most races in more than 14 knots–18 knots on Galway Bay. Although number were down (13 boats) due to sailors of the SB20 class competing elsewhere at the weekend there was still plenty of post race festivities at McSwiggins Yacht Club on Galway docks. Of the four SB20 regattas so far this year, it is the first time teams that have been on the podium twice, an indication of a good spread of winners over the season's events.
Martin's Strangford Lough crew won on count back from Graeme Grant, Ronan Downing and Breffini. Third was Dave Taylor with Marty O'Leary, Lisa Neary and Rachael Mc Williams. Dave Barry won the silver fleet and took a few notable gold fleet scalps in the process.
SB20 president Justin Burke concluded that 'Galway Bay was a fantastic place to race with Galway Bay Sailing Club offering superb organisation'. Burke maintains more classes should consider Galway with the 'wind and waves and McSwiggins YC supporting the social side!'