Vice Admirals Cup - Team Russia victorious in SB20 Solent Series 1

by Katie Ashworth on 21 May 2012 At the 2012 Vice Admirals Cup, the SB20 class made up eighteen entries in the 71 team strong event hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes. This event marked the first of three Solent based multi race weekends sponsored by Zhik for the re-launched SB20 class.

Three races were delivered on Friday off the Hill Head shore, in dismal weather conditions and a shifty 6 - 12 knots. Team Russia, regular UK fleet competitors, sailed by Oleg Zherrebtsov and Rodion Luka made a strong start on day one, notching up a 2, 1, 1. Jerry Hill's Sportsboatworld.com (ex 3 Sad Old Blokes) had a similarly encouraging opening day, finishing with 3, 2, 2 on the results sheet.

Day two dawned with brighter conditions and the Race Officer did an excellent job of getting three races away in a timely fashion. Joe Llewellyn, Nigel Wakefield and Jerry Vigus on board Henri Lloyd/Forelle Estates put the previous day’s recall behind them and made their presence known to overnight leaders Team Russia. Although Henri Lloyd/Forelle Estates were winners of day two, Team Russia held onto their overall lead by a single point but didn’t manage to take a single race result from Llewellyn, Wakefield and Vigus.

The 'tussle at the top' continued on day three. Team Russia and Henri Lloyd Forelle Estates took a first and a second each in the final two races of the series leaving Team Russia the overall winners with just eleven points after eight races. Jerry Hill, Sportsboatworld.com, finished in third place rounding off the podium positions. These three boats took all of the first place positions over the three day event!

The SB20 class welcomed Mark Irons, Alan Harris and Nicky Flook to the fleet for in their first year in the class. This weekend was the eighth edition of the Vice Admirals Cup. The SB20 class hope to be invited to return for the ninth edition in 2013 following the great race management and warm welcome of the staff and members at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

Racing in the SB20 Zhik Solent Series continues on 2nd/3rd June at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble as part of the Clubs 175 year anniversary celebrations.

SB20 Class website