SB20 World Championship Countdown Begins in Hyères

11th July 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Countdown Builds: Fewer than 100 days remain until the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, with sailors from 13 nations preparing for the class's return to the famous French venue Credit: Pierrick Contin

Less than 100 days remain until the 2026 SB20 World Championship gets underway in Hyères, France, with entries already confirmed from 13 nations across four continents.

The championship returns to the renowned Rade de Hyères for the third time, following previous editions in 2013 and 2019. Hyères is one of sailing's best-known venues, regularly hosting Olympic-class competition and renowned for its strong winds and tactically demanding race area.

Interest in this year's championship continues to build, with crews from around the world securing their places on the starting line for October's event. Charter boats remain available for overseas competitors.

Racing will feature live online tracking, allowing followers ashore to monitor every race throughout the championship. Competitors can also expect full technical support at the venue as they prepare for one of the SB20 class's premier events.

Before the world championship, attention turns to the UK National Championship in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, beginning on 25 July. French crews are expected to contest the event against a strong British fleet, providing an important test ahead of October's world championship in Hyères.

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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