Pollard Retains SB20 UK Title in Solent Championship

30th July 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Solent Sprint — The SB20 fleet powers downwind during the 2026 Rovika UK and Open Nationals on the Solent, where John Pollard's XCELLENT retained the UK title Credit: Paul Wyeth

Defending world champion John Pollard successfully retained his SB20 UK National title after leading XCELLENT to victory at the 2026 Rovika UK and Open SB20 Championships on the Solent.

The four-day championship, hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club, attracted 31 teams from five nations and delivered everything from 25-knot winds to light-air tactical racing.

Pollard, sailing with Henry Wetherell and David Chapman, topped both the Open Championship and the UK National standings after a consistent series that included six race wins.

Sunday's scheduled racing was abandoned before boats left the dock when gusts exceeded 25 knots. Race officer Peter Taylor kept the fleet ashore, allowing competitors to regroup before racing resumed in more manageable conditions on Monday.

Monday provided classic Solent sea-breeze racing, with Pollard's crew establishing a narrow overnight lead after three races.

SB20 2026 UK Nationals Photo Gallery by Paul Wyeth

The championship concluded on Tuesday in lighter winds. Taylor's race management team completed four races before the final warning signal deadline, using Vakaros RaceSense technology to identify individual boats over the start line and avoid general recalls.

Although XCELLENT dominated the series, the fleet remained highly competitive. Singapore's Glasgow Kiss claimed one race victory and finished second overall in the Open Championship, while Australia's Porco Rosso completed the podium.

Reflecting on the victory, Pollard said the fleet featured "plenty of champions on the line" and praised both the standard of racing and the atmosphere ashore.

"Super pleased to take the win in a tight fleet with plenty of champions on the line. A fantastic event and what a fleet with a great dockside atmosphere."

The championship also recognised standout performances across the fleet. Australia's Ares won the Top Female Team award, while Belgium's youth sailors impressed throughout the regatta.

UK SB20 Class chairman Charlie Whelan said the turnout demonstrated the class's continued growth.

"To see 31 boats on the start line supported by world-class race management showed just how strong, friendly and inclusive this fleet has become," he said.

Overall Open Championship

XCELLENT (GBR) — John Pollard, Henry Wetherell, David Chapman
Glasgow Kiss (SIN) — Nils Razmilovic, Marcus Tressler, David Salembier
Porco Rosso (AUS) — Paul McCartney, Will Sargent, Sam Tiedman

UK National Championship

XCELLENT — John Pollard, Henry Wetherell, David Chapman
PBTwenty II — Mark Gillett, Paul Hine, Richard Anderton
Reservoir Bod — Charlie Whelan, Richard McAdam, Patrick Whelan

Published in SB20

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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