The 2024 SB20 UK National Championships, hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club from July 18th – 21st, delivered an intense and thrilling three days of competitive sailing. With a fleet of 17 boats the event showcased top sailing skills of the participants in challenging conditions of light winds and tidal waters of the Solent.
Day 1 – A Battle Against the Elements
The opening day set a high bar for excitement and unpredictability. The fleet faced in shifty winds and variable tidal conditions, creating a complex race environment. The tide played tricks either pushing boats over the line or creating unexpected shallow spots.
Team Xcellent, skippered by John Pollard and crewed by Henry Wetherell and Drew Barnes, took an early lead, dominating with two bullets in the first two races and a scoring a 2nd in Race 3. This strong performance placed them at the top of the leaderboard with 4 points by the end of he day. Close behind was Breaking Bod, helmed by Charles Whelan, with a bullet in Race 3 contributing to their 7 points. PBII Twenty, skippered by Mark Gillett, rounded out the top three with 10 points. After the first challenging day the fleet enjoyed a fabulous sunny evening on the terrace with delicious barbecue from the Royal Southern YC.
Day 2 – Tricky Winds and Tactical Races
Day 2 saw even more tactical sailing with shifty SSE winds ranging from 5 to 10 knots. The fleet raced off Hill Head beach contending with a strong cross current that tested their strategic acumen. Glasgow Kiss, helmed by Nils Razmilovic, excelled by securing two consecutive wins, climbing the leaderboard. Breaking Bod continued their strong performance, with consistent podium finishes across all three races, including leading Race 6 from start to finish after a significant wind shift on the first beat.
This consistency propelled Breaking Bod to the top of the leaderboard with a two-point advantage over Xcellent, who struggled to match their previous day’s performance. PBII Twenty maintained their third place highlighted by a dramatic photo-finish second place in Race 4.
Day 3 – A Nail-Biting Conclusion
The final day’s racing was a nail-biting affair filled with tension and dramatic shifts. Breaking Bod, led by Charles Whelan, entered the day with a slender two-point lead over Xcellent. The competition was fierce, with each race crucial to the final standings.
The first race of the day saw Xcellent narrowing the gap by taking a point off Breaking Bod. The second race was a tight contest, with Xcellent just pipping Breaking Bod to first place, leaving the teams tied on points but giving Xcellent the advantage due to their extra first-place finishes.
With everything to play for in the final race, the pressure was palpable. After a prolonged wait for the wind to fill in, the race started with only minutes to spare before the timeout. Breaking Bod executed a near-perfect strategy, avoiding penalties and staying ahead of Xcellent. Despite a fierce contest, they managed to secure first place in the race, with Xcellent finishing third, clinching the championship by a narrow margin.
After racing the Club has prepared a Salcombe Gin reception for all participants that the SB20 members shared with a number of other classes sailing in this Summer Series – the Salcombe Gin July Regatta.
New SB20 UK Champions and Final standings
Breaking Bod with Charles Whelan, Will Sargent and Richard McAdam emerged as the new SB20 UK Champions. Their consistent performance and tactical prowess across all three days secured their victory. Xcellent, despite their strong start, had to settle for second place, while Glasgow Kiss from SB20 Singapore took third.
The prize-giving ceremony also highlighted the results of the SB20 UK National Sprint Championships, with PBII Twenty taking third, Breaking Bod second and Xcellent first. Special recognition was given to the youth team sailing with Andy Beadsworth and the two female skippers, Lizzie Farrington and Anna Wilson, emphasising the inclusive spirit of our Class.
Additionally, the regatta welcomed international competitors, including the top Belgian team Go with the Flow of Bart Tytgat. Fresh from the successful Nationals in Ostend, where they enjoyed strong participation from the UK fleet, they added an extra layer of competition and reminded the UK sailors about next year’s Europeans that are scheduled for August 2025 in Belgium.
The Royal Southern Yacht Club provided an exceptional venue ensuring a memorable and well-organised regatta. The SB20 Class UK continue to thrive and look forward to the upcoming Autumn series at this venue.
Image credits © Paul Wyeth