The SB20 Class made a triumphant return to the Italian sailing scene as the long-awaited SB20 Italian Championship 2025 concluded in the Gulf of Anzio and Nettuno from 28–30 November 2025. After nearly a decade of absence the rebirth of the Class became a reality – an ambitious vision brought to life by a passionate team.
Anzio and Nettuno have been at the heart of Italian sailing for decades, hosting top Finn, Laser and one-design competitions, making it a fitting stage for the SB20 Nationals. Hosted by Nettuno Yacht Club with the support of Marina di Nettuno the event attracted nearly 20 boats!
The combination of experienced sailors, new teams and enthusiastic amateurs created a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. From the moment the first SB20s rolled into the marina, it was clear that the “Rinascita” was more than a slogan – it was really happening.
Luca Devoti, CEO & Owner of Devoti Sailing:
“Seeing nearly twenty SB20s racing again in Italy was deeply emotional. This Class has always had the spirit, the people and the potential. All it needed was a spark. What happened in Nettuno, shows what passion and collaboration can achieve. This is just the beginning.”
Strong start, tight racing
Day 1 delivered perfect racing conditions: 8–10 knots from the NNE, flat water and autumn sunshine. Two races were completed, with Edoardo Martinelli’s Superbella showing immediate strength by scoring back-to-back wins. Close behind were Alessandro Lotto and Roberto Rinaldi, setting the stage for a tight championship.
Day 2 brought another dose of classic Anzio sailing – sunshine, medium-light breeze and two tactically demanding races that reshuffled, but did not destabilise the leaderboard. With four races completed, the discard came into play. Martinelli maintained the lead, while Luca Domenici’s Notaro Team climbed into striking distance following a 1st and 2nd place. Anzio local – Roberto Rinaldi on team Geneva – remained firmly in the hunt chasing the leaders.
No wind finale, podium confirmed
The final day dawned calm and despite the Race Committee’s patience, the breeze never arrived. With no further races sailed the standings froze after four races – crowning a deserving and popular podium:
Superbella – Skipper: Edoardo Martinelli
Notaro – Skipper: Luca Domenici
Geneva – Skipper: Roberto Rinaldi
A championship built on passion
Behind the scenes, the event was the result of extraordinary commitment. The revival of the SB20 in Italy owes much to four key figures: Luca Devoti, Valerio Taveri, Luca Domenici, and Alessandro Lama – whose belief in the project made this event possible.
Luca Domenici, a long-time advocate of true one-design sailing. After a decade in the J/70 fleet, Domenici made the deliberate choice to return to the SB20—drawn back by the class’s purity, accessibility, and the renewed energy sparked by Devoti Sailing. Racing this season with his brand-new Devoti-built boat, he spoke passionately about what makes the SB20 unique and why its future looks so bright.
“Starting again with the SB20 has been incredibly satisfying,” Domenici explained. “It’s the right boat at the right time—simpler, more affordable, and impossible to ‘trick.’ That’s what a real one-design should be.”
He praised the new Devoti-built SB20s for their precision and performance: “The boat is finished down to the smallest details. It’s more solid, stiffer, and definitely faster. You feel the quality as soon as you hoist the sails.”
For Domenici, the strength of the class lies not only in its technical fairness, but also in its culture:
“The SB20 creates a family atmosphere. You can sail it at 20 or at 70, and you can sail it with your family. Keeping the class strict and unchanged means everyone can be competitive.”
Racing in Nettuno with long-time teammate Diego Negri and Francesco Gabbi, Domenici finished the championship strongly – recording a first and a second on Day 2 to secure second overall. But his ambitions go far beyond the national title. With Hyères hosting the 2026 SB20 Worlds, he is already looking ahead to a fleet of unprecedented size: “When you’re on a starting line with a hundred boats at the Worlds… it will be an incredible sight. That’s the level this Class deserves.”
Watch full video interview with Luca Domenici, team Notaro:
Plans for the future
The awards ceremony captured the mood of the weekend: smiles everywhere, renewed friendships and a shared certainty that the SB20 is back to stay. The Gulf of Anzio and Nettuno – steeped in sailing history – proved once again that it is an ideal stage for world-class one-design racing.
The Class now looks ahead to the 2026 Italian event series scheduled from February to November, culminating with the Nationals. These regattas will offer both local and visiting teams a great lead-in to the SB20 Worlds in Hyères.
A special mention goes to Peak Production team for the exceptional photo and video coverage that made it exciting to follow and allowed to share the spirit with the international fleet. Follow the new SB20 Italian Classon Instagram and on Facebook.