Title image: Team SportsboatWorld in Hyères at the 2013 SB20 Worlds © Kathie Ashworth
Registration is officially open for the 2026 SB20 World Championship, paving the way for a “Battle of the Titans” this October in Hyères. Known for its demanding breeze and legendary open-water racecourse, this iconic sailing venue is preparing for a spectacular SB20 Worlds from 19th to 24th October.
The ghosts of 2013 and 2019
The Class history in Hyères is split into two chapters. In 2013, the fleet was treated to a spectacular three-days of the famous Mistral wind. It was a championship to remember where the intense, high-speed battles on the water were later debated, laughed over and relived at the bar long into the night.
SB20 fleet at the 2019 SB20 World Championships in Hyères © Pierrick Contin
By contrast, 2019 was a tactical chess match. The conditions were tricky and unpredictable, demanding a level of patience that tested even the most experienced teams. The Race Committee’s ability to deliver a full championship is still celebrated today, setting a high bar for the 2026 return.
The return of the heavyweights
As the registration list opens, two names have already sent a ripple through the fleet, setting up an extraordinary heavyweight rematch nearly a decade in the making. Jerry Hill (GBR), a two-time World Champion, is returning to the international stage for the first time since 2017. For this campaign, Hill has historically reunited his 2010 Lake Garda World Championship-winning crew, Joe Llewellyn and Grant Rollerson, matching a legacy crew with a brand-new campaign.
Team 3 Sad Old Blokes of Jerry Hill at the 2010 Torbole Volvo Laser SB3 Worlds © Carloni Grasso
“There is something about Hyères that stays with you,” – says Jerry Hill. “I haven’t done a Worlds since 2017, but the chance to get the 2010 crew back together – with Grant flying in all the way from Perth – was too good to pass up. We’re coming back with a brand-new Devoti boat. Not sure we have the same energy as sixteen years ago. Joe and I were racing against each other in 2013 SB20 Worlds in Hyères; being on the same deck this time feels right.”
Team SportsboatWorld (left) snapping the victory from Export Roo (right) at the 2017 SB20 World Championships in Cowes © Jennifer Burgis
The plot thickens directly below him on the grid. The man Hill narrowly defeated to claim his 2017 World Championship Gold on the Solent was none other than Australian powerhouse Michael Cooper (AUS). He burst onto the SB20 scene in 2015 as a new SB20 owner, instantly making waves with a second-place finish at the Australian Nationals aboard Export Roo. Alongside a high-caliber crew that initially included Tasmanians David Chapman and Matthew Johnston and later UK sailor Gerry Mitchell, Cooper charted a successful international trajectory. His World Championship record speaks for itself: debuting with a 10th at Lake Garda in 2015, climbing to 5th in Cascais in 2016 and ultimately capturing the Silver Medal at Cowes in 2017.
Team Export Roo at the 2015 SB20 World Championships in Lake Garda © Elena Otekina
Following a nine-year absence Cooper broke his silence this April crowning the SB20 Australian Nationals:
“Securing the 2026 Australian Nationals was a great milestone for our return, but heading to Hyères is where the real work begins,” – says Michael Cooper. “The ultimate goal is simple – we want to put an Australian boat at the top of the pedestal on the world stage. Aussie teams have a fierce history of punching above their weight in this Class and we want to prove that our fleets are still the global benchmark.”
SB20 & Devoti: shaping the future
The return of these stalwarts is mirrored by the growth of the Class behind the scenes. Devoti Sailing has been instrumental in this resurgence, particularly in Italy, by attracting high-profile talent and new boat owners. Luva Devoti’s commitment to the Class is a primary reason the 2026 SB20 Worlds is expected to see a high-caliber turnout. With the energy building, the Class has set an ambitious, yet highly achievable benchmark for the starting line.
SB20 fleet on the final day of the 2019 SB20 World Championships in Hyères – calm after the storm
“Despite some international headwinds, we’re firmly on target to meet our goal of 90 boats on the starting line in Hyères,” – says Ed Russo, the SB20 France Class President. “This is a realistic and exciting number for us, driven in large part by a significant renaissance of the Class in Great Britain and Italy. Consequently, the UK will have their strongest showing at the Worlds since 2019. Furthermore, Belgium is on track for a record year with 9 participating boats, thanks to the fantastic momentum built by the Royal North Sea Yacht Club following the 2025 Europeans. Hyères 2026 SB20 Worlds is going to be unforgettable.”
While it is still early to pinpoint exactly who will fill every slot on that 90-boat grid, the picture will rapidly come into focus. As registration goes live, the entry list will begin to lock in and the Class will soon reveal more details about the contenders heading to France this October.
Secure your place on the starting line here: Official Registration Link