International SB20 Fleet Prepares for World Championship in Hyères

19th October 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Worlds Warm-Up – Nearly 70 SB20 teams from 17 countries have gathered in Hyères, France, for the 2026 World Championship, with Irish crews among the international fleet preparing for racing Credit: João Saraiva Mendes

The international fleet enjoyed a steady six-to-nine-knot breeze on Sunday, 18th of October, as crews completed final preparations for championship racing on the Mediterranean coast.

Despite morning showers, conditions improved for the 2 pm practice session, with sunshine breaking through as competitors familiarised themselves with the race area.

Seventeen Nations Represented at SB20 Worlds

The championship, running from 16 to 23 October and organised by COYCH, brings together sailors from Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

Countries represented include Australia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Morocco, Mozambique, Portugal, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

Seven women-led teams are among the entries, including a crew from Vietnam, reflecting the one-design keelboat class's broad international and generational appeal.

Global Gathering – Seven women-led teams are among the entries from 17 nations competing at the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France. Photo: João Saraiva Mendes

GPS Tracking Available for Championship Racing

Every competing SB20 has a GPS tracker, allowing followers to monitor the fleet's progress throughout the championship. The official race tracking platform will let you follow the racing remotely as the international fleet contests the world title.

Sunday's practice session also gave crews a chance to assess local conditions, check boat settings, and complete their preparations before competitive racing begins.

World Championship Updates from Hyères

The official SB20 World Championship website provides event information, while the SB20 Class website will publish daily racing reports. Further coverage, including videos and updates from the racecourse, will be available through the class's Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.

Final Preparations – Nearly 70 SB20 crews used Sunday's practice session to fine-tune their boats in six to nine knots of breeze ahead of the World Championship racing in Hyères. Photo: João Saraiva Mendes

The championship continues until Friday, 23 October.

Irish Interest at Hyères

Two Irish entries are listed for the championship: Ger Dempsey, sailing Venuesworld.com (IRL 3739), and Ben Graf, aboard Bango GF (IRL 3065).

Dempsey arrives in Hyères after a successful 2025 season, in which he claimed the Masters title at the SB20 European Championship. His crew also finished third at the Irish National Championships.

The Irish entries were confirmed earlier this month, with the championship returning to Europe after the 2025 Worlds in Singapore, which attracted 53 boats.

The Irish class has a longstanding connection with the world championship, having hosted the inaugural event in Dún Laoghaire in 2008 and another edition on Dublin Bay in 2022.

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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