SB20 World Championship Registration Opens For Hyères

22nd May 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Colour Charge — SB20 crews race under bright asymmetric spinnakers during championship racing in Hyères, where up to 90 boats are expected for the 2026 SB20 World Championship Credit: Pierrick Contin

Registration has opened for the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France, with organisers predicting a major international turnout for the October regatta. The championship will run from 19–24 October at the Mediterranean venue, long regarded as one of the class’s toughest and most respected racecourses.

Spray Games — SB20 crews battle through heavy conditions during racing in Hyères, venue for the 2026 SB20 World Championship this October. Photo: Pierrick Contin

Hyères previously hosted the SB20 Worlds in 2013 and 2019. The 2013 edition was dominated by strong Mistral winds and fast racing, while lighter and more tactical conditions shaped the 2019 championship.

Several former world championship contenders are already confirmed for the event. Two-time world champion Jerry Hill of Great Britain will return to international SB20 racing for the first time since 2017. Hill reunites with his 2010 world championship-winning crew of Joe Llewellyn and Grant Rollerson for the campaign.

“There is something about Hyères that stays with you,” said Hill. “The chance to get the 2010 crew back together was too good to pass up.”

Winning Return — Former world champion Jerry Hill reunites with his championship-winning crew for the 2026 SB20 Worlds campaign. Photo: SB20

Hill’s former rival, Michael Cooper of Australia, is also returning to the class after a lengthy absence. Cooper finished runner-up at the 2017 Worlds in Cowes and recently won the 2026 Australian Nationals.

“The ultimate goal is simple — we want to put an Australian boat at the top of the pedestal on the world stage,” said Cooper.

Class officials say momentum is building internationally, with growing fleets in Britain, Italy and Belgium expected to boost entries. SB20 France Class President Ed Russo said organisers remain confident they can attract around 90 boats to the start line. “Hyères 2026 SB20 Worlds is going to be unforgettable,” Russo said.

The resurgence of the class has also been supported by Devoti Sailing, which has expanded participation and ownership, particularly in Italy. The entry list is expected to grow rapidly over the coming weeks as teams finalise plans for the championship.

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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