UON SB20 World Championships -- online registration ends on Saturday

2011 Zhik SB20 Worlds Day 1 credit Brian Carlin Cube Images Brian Carlin | Cube Images

image001 © Brian Carlin | Cube Images

The field of competitors for the upcoming UON SB20 World Championships at Hamilton Island next month is almost set with late entries having until 5 pm Saturday, 1 December, to register online for the prestigious racing event. The 2012 UON SB20 World Championship will feature champions and contenders coming from Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as they gun for the overall crown.

Sailors planning to contest the UON SB20 World Championships at Hamilton Island next month have until 5pm this Saturday, December 1, to submit an online entry.

So far the event has attracted a classy fleet of 30 plus with final applications expected to take the tally to 45 one-design sports boats.

One of the event organisers, Rod Jones, says there are no surprises on the starters list with all the serious contenders, including current and former world champions, competing members of the SB20 World Council and the many other local and international crews contesting the title either signed up or planning to sign up before the deadline.

image008 © Brian Carlin | Cube Images

The 2012 UON SB20 World Championships is shaping up to be a Whitsunday battle royale, the might of the UK and Europe taking on Australia’s would-be heroes, including Nick Rogers from Tasmania and Victorian Chris Dare, both flying low on the radar but likely top ten finishers.

International entries read like a UN gathering; countries represented include Australia, Italy, New Caledonia, UK, Ukraine, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands and France.

The first lot of containers used to transport the SB20s that have been shipped from overseas will arrive at balmy Hamilton Island this weekend for unpacking, with the rest to follow next week.

Most SB20 crews are expected to arrive at Hamilton Island in time for the Pre-Worlds Regatta, December 8-9. Designed as an opportunity to expose crews to the likely courses and local conditions and to practice starts, the race management team is banking on five or six race starts each day for the non-pointscore world’s appetiser.

There will be time for individual team training and enjoying the tropical island’s many delights up until and over the course of official registration, on December 12 and 13.

The chequered flag will drop on Friday December 14 for the watery six-day arm wrestle that will include one layday, Monday 17, and finish Thursday 20 with the crowning of the new SB20 world champion.

The 2012 UON SB20 World Championships will be the first time the class has held its world title in the southern hemisphere.

Entry and entry list at Hamilton Island