Nils Razmilovic and Glasgow Kiss secured a SB20 double at the 200th edition of Cowes Week, winning both the Grand Slam and Mini Slam as more than 20 boats contested one of the class’s largest Cowes fleets in almost a decade.

The milestone edition of North Sails Cowes Week brought more than 640 boats to the Solent, with racing ranging from classic keelboats to modern grand prix yachts.

For the SB20s, the regatta followed the UK Open Nationals, which drew more than 30 boats and offered another sign of renewed strength in the class.

Three Races a Day

The Grand Slam comprised three races a day over four days, mixing starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron line with Solent round-the-cans courses and windward-leeward racing. After a light-wind delay on the opening day, Razmilovic quickly established himself as a leading contender.

Kiss And Fly: Nils Razmilovic’s Glasgow Kiss powers through the Solent during the SB20 competition at the 200th Cowes Week. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Race 1 produced a congested finish when the leading SB20s caught the back of the J/70 fleet. Five boats remained in contention approaching the line before Razmilovic broke clear to take the win.

Glasgow Kiss then won the next two races to complete a clean sweep of the opening day's racing.

Reservoir Bod Responds

Charlie Whelan, Craig Burlton and Richard McAdam aboard Reservoir Bod applied the pressure on Day 2. After Jono Shelley edged them at the finish of the opening race, Reservoir Bod recorded a 2-2-3 scoreline to take the day's honours.

Bod Identity: Reservoir Bod’s distinctive hull branding cuts through the Solent during the SB20 racing at the 200th Cowes Week. Photo: George Vaan

Stronger conditions arrived on Day 3 and produced a close contest between Razmilovic and Mark Gillett. Glasgow Kiss and Gillett's PBII ORO Racing Team finished the three races level on points, with Razmilovic taking the advantage on countback.

Shelley and Saturn Sails then produced their strongest performance on the final day, recording back-to-back race wins to secure third overall in the Grand Slam.

Eyes Forward: Jono Shelley and his Saturn Sails crew concentrate on the next move during close-fought SB20 racing at Cowes Week. Photo: Paul Wyeth

The fleet also used the Vakaros RaceSense system, intended to provide automated start-line management and reduce delays caused by general recalls.

Glasgow Kiss Takes Two Titles

Razmilovic ultimately secured the Grand Slam before adding the subsequent Mini Slam title to complete the Cowes Week double.

“We’re just enjoying the sailing,” Razmilovic said. “It’s been a super week out on the water. Having friends and family around — it’s just been absolutely fabulous. You really couldn’t ask for a better week of Solent racing.”

Full Send: Glasgow Kiss charges downwind under spinnaker on its way to securing the SB20 Grand Slam and Mini Slam titles at Cowes Week. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Gillett, sailing with Richard Anderton and Paul Hine aboard PBII ORO Racing Team, provided the closest challenge.

Shelley finished third with Jamie Hilton and Ben Schooking aboard Saturn Sails, while Whelan, McAdam and 2009 SB20 world champion Burlton took fourth aboard Reservoir Bod. Phil Tilley and Rosie Povall completed the top five aboard Tân Gwyllt.

Making Waves: Jono Shelley’s Saturn Sails powers through the Solent, where two final-day race wins helped secure third overall in the Grand Slam. Photo: Paul Wyeth

International and Youth Crews Join Fleet

The fleet included two Australian entries, Porco Rosso and Ares, the latter helmed by Eirini Marios. Ares won the opening Grand Slam race and posted a series of top-10 finishes during the week.

Female participation was also prominent, with at least four female helms alongside women competing as crew throughout the fleet.

Seven boats from Sussex Yacht Club made the trip from Shoreham to compete, while youth entries included crews from Radley College, Sussex Yacht Club's Shark Bait and Cokethorpe School.

School’s Out: Radley College flies its distinctive red spinnaker as the youth crew races downwind with the SB20 fleet at Cowes Week. Photo: George Vaan

The international contingent also included the mixed RSZV CAMPAGNE team from Rotterdam aboard Den Boer CCI.

Dutch Courage: The visiting RSZV CAMPAGNE mixed team from Rotterdam races Den Boer CCI under spinnaker during the SB20 programme at Cowes Week. Photo: Paul Wyeth

The turnout at the 200th Cowes Week, following the 30-plus-boat UK Open Nationals, further showed growing participation in the SB20 fleet.