Ger Dempsey and Ben Graf are listed among the entries for the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, where a larger fleet than last year's Singapore event is expected.

Two Irish entries are listed for the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France, where more than 70 boats are expected to compete from 16 to 23 October.

Ger Dempsey, sailing Venuesworld.com (IRL 3739), and Ben Graf, entered aboard Bango GF (IRL 3065), are named on the championship entry list.

The event returns to Europe following the 2025 World Championship in Singapore, which attracted 53 boats.

Organisers say the Hyères entry will be the largest for the SB20 World Championship since 2017, when the event was held in Cowes.

The championship website currently lists 65 boats, while the organisers' latest announcement puts the expected fleet at more than 70, representing 18 nations across five continents.

European Venue Attracts Larger Fleet

The increase in entries comes as the championship returns to a European venue, where travelling to the event is more straightforward for the class's established fleets in Britain and continental Europe.

Hyères, on France's Mediterranean coast, is a regular venue for international sailing events, including the Semaine Olympique Française.

The area is known for the Mistral, which can produce challenging racing conditions. The wind featured during three days of the 2013 SB20 World Championship at the same venue.

Thirteen Races Scheduled

The championship begins with registration and measurement on Friday, 16 October, followed by a practice race and opening ceremony on Sunday, 18 October.

Thirteen races are scheduled between Monday, 19 October and Friday, 23 October, with a maximum of four races planned each day.

The event is being organised by COYCH – Espace Nautique.

The SB20 is a one-design sportsboat raced by crews of three or four, with national and international fleets competing in closely matched racing.