#sb20 – An international SB20 World Championships kicked off in Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy today with three races completed in demanding conditions. None of the 11 Irish boats competing figure in the top ten overall to date with the best Kieran Dorgan's Cove Sailing Club entry from Cork Harbour lying in 24th. Full results are HERE.
Ninety-two boats took to the water on Day 1 of the World Championship, Monday July 6, 2015, after all boats were launched and measured.
Lake Garda turned on the sunshine with temperatures of 35 degrees C, and a shifty 15-18 knots of wind with patches of variable pressure, which made for a challenging start. Rising to the top of the leaderboard on a difficult first day was Ian Ainslie, sailing the Italian 'Protect Tapes' team, with Paulin Gian Matteo and Adam Martin. They took a fourth in the first race before going on to win the next two, leaving them with just 6 points overnight.
In second is the South African 'Race Ahead Spirit of Cape Town' team, skippered by Roger Hudson, who put in a consistent third and fourth, before also taking a third race win in their fleet. Chris Dare's Australian team is in third overall with two second places, while fourth is held by the Russian entry of Vladimir Prosikhin, who scored an opening race win before a fifth and seventh.
Two British boats are tied on 16 points in fifth and sixth, with Joe Llewellyn's 'Forelle Estates' and Jerry Hill with 'SportsboatWorld.com' just one point ahead of the first French boat, SB20 World Council Class President Ed Russo's 'Black Magic' in seventh.
Consistency is likely to be key if the shifty conditions continue, with some of the pre-regatta favourites already getting some high scores. British team 'F5 Synthesis Team Gul' had a flying start with a second and first place, before scoring a 17th. Ukranian Olympian Rodion Luka took a first race win before scoring a 12th, while three-times Laser World Champion Glenn Bourke (AUS) is lying in 14th place.
The event is hosted by the Circolo Vela Torbole. There was universal praise for the Race Committee, who did a great job of ensuring all six races were completed on the first day, with the huge turnout split into blue and yellow fleets, each completing three races. Racing was help on an inner and outer loop configuration, which met with the full approval of the SB20 fleet. After racing all the crews enjoyed some complimentary post-race pasta and a cooling beer in the sunshine at the club, with many opting for a refreshing dip in the lake.
Racing continues for the seventh SB20 World Championships until July 10, with up to 14 races scheduled.
