2019 SB20 Grand Slam in Hyeres, France - Preview
by Jane Austin, SB20 Australia Media 2 Oct 2019 06:54 PDT
19-25 October 2019
Day 4 - Spinnakers power the SB20 downwind – SB20 World Championship © Jane Austin
The tension is building in Hyeres as the international SB20 fleet descends on the pretty seaside village on the French Riviera for the 2019 SB20 Grand Slam. This event is a serious hit out before the 2019 World Championship, which will be sailed from the same location later in the month (19-25 October 2019).
The classy Grand Slam fleet has 52 entries pre-registered, however the final number is likely to be closer to 45, with teams from France, Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, Australia, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Singapore, Ukraine, Ireland, Germany, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates.
SB20 World Council President, Ed Russo, expects another fantastic weekend of sailing. "Hyeres will put on its best face with bright sunshine and 24 degrees. Winds should be close to those of the French Nationals with 10 to 15 knots most of the time," said Russo. However, the teams will also be keeping an eye out for the mysterious Mistral wind.
Russo predicts that the fleet will step up this weekend as the World Championship looms closer. "What you'll see more than anything else is the French teams getting up to speed. The good teams have taken time between the French Nationals and the Grand Slam to get their boats ready and have their Worlds teams ready for a serious pre-Worlds regatta," said Russo.
If Russo's summary of the regatta is accurate, finishing amongst the top five places points to a strong Worlds performance. "I would summarize the Grand Slam saying that if you can get into the top five spots you will have a good chance of getting into the top ten at the Worlds," said Russo.
The Grand Slam fleet will be strengthened with more entries from Russia, Portugal, Belgium and the United Kingdom, however the Australian contingent can't be under-estimated and will be pressing for podium placings. Owner and main trimmer on Porco Rosso (AUS), Paul McCartney, acknowledges the Grand Slam will be a challenging series, but is quietly confident of a good performance, especially after compatriot Brett Cooper (Aeolus) second placing in the recent French National Championship. "We were very impressed with Brett's performance. It gives us a lot of confidence knowing that the level of competition we have in Hobart [Tasmania], is on par with anywhere in the world," said McCartney.
Cooper will be back on the water as he continues his campaign for the 2019 Worlds and will be joined by Andrew Smith (The Imp), who will sail in Hyeres for the first time. Smith will sail with highly regarded Australian Lewis Noye (brother of Porco Rosso helm Elliott Noye), and will take advantage of local knowledge with the team picking up Hyeres-local Micka Fra, for the Grand Slam, due to the unavailability of David Chapman for the pre-Worlds event.
The PRO for the Grand Slam is Jean Diaz, who was also PRO for the French Nationals.
The first warning signal of the two-day Grand Slam is 1100 on Saturday 5 October. Nine races are scheduled with a drop after four races and a further drop after 8 races. No warning signal can be given after 1500 on Sunday 6 October 2019.