Earlier this month, the 2025 SB20 Open Portuguese Nationals brought three intense days of racing to Cascais. While the fleet numbers were smaller this year, the calibre of competition made it a standout event, confirming once again why this Atlantic venue holds such a strong reputation among international SB20 sailors.
Hosted by Clube Naval de Cascais, the regatta offered a mix of light and heavier conditions, with classic westerlies early on and challenging, shifty northerlies later – particularly inside the bay. The overall win went to John Pollard and his team Xcellent, sailing with Olympic 49er Jorge Lima and already regular John’s Portuguese crew Santiago Sampaio. It was the first time this trio had raced together, and their chemistry showed across the nine-race series.
John Pollard highlighted the level of racing in Cascais:
“It was a tough regatta, probably one of the toughest recently. We were a bit too light on the weight in stronger winds, but we had to deal with it. Cascais is still a quality place for racing and the depth of sailors here is amazing. The Club does an outstanding job!”
Friday’s racing opened with 6-8 knots of Westerly breeze and increasing, favouring those with better skills in the lighter conditions with currents, the playground Pollard was familiar after wining in Singapore. Team Xcellent came out fast, notching 1-2-3 in the day’s three races:
“It was very sensitive sailing,” said Jorge Lima. “The level was high straight away and we felt good right from the start. John is a top sailor and very methodical. As tactician, I felt fully supported.”
On Saturday, the breeze built to 14-17 knots from the North with gusts hitting 20 in Race 6. Racing inside the bay was tricky as ever. “It was inside the bay and shifty, as usual,” – said Gonçalo Lopes, bowman aboard HelloNext. “John was more consistent that day – two bullets and a fifth. We got a bullet too, but we had been early on the line twice and forced to re-start.”
Going into Sunday, the points in Top 3 were tight – Xcellent held a three-point lead over HelloNext and five over Bravo. But a strong 1-4-3 score secured the overall win for Pollard before the final race. HelloNext, skippered by Nuno Cabral with Tiago Morais calling tactics, finished second on countback, tied with Bravo skippered by young Henrique Brites.
“It was super competitive, especially between the top three boats,” – said Lopes. “It’s a shame we only had 11 entries, but the level was really high.” Despite a smaller fleet, the enthusiasm in Cascais remains high:
“This place is a breeding ground for sailing talent,” – says John Pollard. Jorge Lima adds: “We’re always being pushed – by each other and by international teams. That’s how the standard stays so high.”
Fleet captain André Gray echoed the sentiment:
“It was a really great National championship with 9 races sailed. Cascais has delivered again! We were happy to compete at high level with the presence of international sailors. Racing against SB20 national and world champions as well as Olympians always contributes to the development of our own fleet. It’s great to have the talent of this calibre here in Cascais!”
With the SB20 European calendar heating up, Pollard now turns his focus to the UK SB20 Nationals in Weymouth. But his message to fellow SB20 sailors is clear: “Portugal is still the place to be. Don’t miss out!”
Next event in Portugal – already this weekend, the annual Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy on 4th to 6th July. This year marks the 6th edition of one of Portugal’s premier sailing events, with a strong commitment to ocean conservation and sustainability, where the SB20 Class has been making waves since the beginning of this fantastic regatta.
Photo gallery – credits João Saraiva Mendes
