By Andre Gray, SB20 Cascais Fleet Captain
Anzio, Italy – March 2025
“Warning: the author suffers from an acute SB20 sailing addiction. Fortunately, the condition is treatable with one to two weekly sailing sessions or regattas. Side effects may include stress relief and intense satisfaction.”
In late March 2025, I travelled to Anzio, Italy, to meet the Devoti Sailing team and test the first SB20s produced in Poland by Class new licensed builder. I wasn’t just curious, I was ecstatic. What I experienced felt like déjà vu from 2002 in Cascais, when we first discovered the magic of the SB20.
Back then, we were a group of club sailors looking for a fun, fast, and affordable one-design. The SB20 fit the bill perfectly and two decades later, thanks in part to SailCascais and the leadership of Vasco Serpa, our local fleet has grown to nearly 50 boats.
Fast forward to 2025, and a new chapter is being written in Anzio. Hosted by the charming pre-war Anzio Liga Velica, this open test weekend introduced Italian sailors from Anzio, Ostia, and Rome to the SB20—and it was love at first tack.
“They couldn’t believe how easy and fast the SB20 was,” I laughed. “At one point someone asked if I was a professional from the America’s Cup. That made my day!”
With brand-new sails generously donated by the 2025 SB20 World Champion John Pollard and the perfect spring breeze, we hit 15 knots downwind. The smiles said it all:
“Bellissimo! Bravissimo!” echoed across the water as we planed with the kite up, the Italians mastering their “strombatas” with growing confidence.
Technically, the new boats are superb. Composite bulkheads, solid interior backplates on all fittings, smart V-shaped main bulkhead design, and new Selden masts – it all feels premium and race-ready. Even small improvements, like the simple screw-on hatch cover, show attention to detail. The boats felt solid and responsive, just as a true one-design should.
Behind this new momentum is Olympic silver medallist Luca Devoti, a legend in the sailing world. Together with his wife Dina, daughter Viola, and experienced hands like Chris Caldecoat, Marius from Poland, and Mike from Czech Republic, they’ve brought passion, precision, and professionalism to the SB20 project. In Anzio the man behind re-building the SB20 in Italy is a J70 European champion, also addicted to the SB20 since 2010s, skipper of team Notaro – Luca Domenici.
As we say in Portugal, people don’t stop sailing because they get old—they get old because they stop sailing. This weekend in Anzio reminded me why the SB20 has endured: it brings people together through shared joy on the water.
Two new Devoti-built SB20s now remain in Anzio, kicking off what could be a thriving new Italian fleet. I only wish I could’ve brought one home to Cascais.
Fun. Fast. Affordable. The SB20 spirit lives on!
This summer, join Devoti SB20 Clinics in Anzio – no boat, no crew needed. Just sign up, show up, and sail. Devoti will take care of the rest!
📍 Location – Anzio, Rome
🗓️ Dates: 27–29 June / 18–20 July / 29–31 August
🔗 Book your spot here
Photo credits: Devoti Sailing