Land Union September Regatta and SB20 UK Nationals at the Royal Southern Yacht Club

Royal Southern YC's Land Union September Regatta 2020 © Louay Habib / RSrnYC

Maisie Richmond with the J70 Land Union Trophy in the Royal Southern YC's Land Union September Regatta 2020 © Louay Habib / RSrnYC

The Land Union September Regatta and SB20 UK National Championships, organised by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, concluded on Sunday 20th September. John Pollard's Xcellent is the SB20 UK National Champion. Class winners for the Land Union September Regatta were, Glyn Locke's Toucan (HP30), Dave Bartholomew's Tokoloshe 3 (IRC 1), Howell & Newell's Arcus (IRC 3), Graham Nixon's Magic (Club Class) Jonnie Goodwin's RYS Team (J/70), Gary Rossall's Little X (XOD).

A superb array of prizes was provided by title sponsor Land Union, as well as Antigua Sailing Week and North Sails. Including flights to Berlin, accommodation at world class hotels, and complimentary dockage and entry to the 2021 edition of Antigua Sailing Week. North Sails provided prizes from their excellent clothing range, as well as technical support for the regatta.

Thank you very much to all participants, club members and the Royal Southern YC for arranging a wonderful event," commented Lutz Strangemann, founder of the international real estate company Land Union Group. "We are very happy that the event could take place, despite the pandemic, it has been an unusual exercise for all of us. We are looking forward to next year, and we hope by September, that everything is back to normal. We look forward to extending our support to the Royal Southern."

Land Union September Regatta

In the HP30 Class, Glyn Locke's Farr 280 Toucan had an impressive regatta, taking for race wins from six races. Lucian Stone's Fareast 28 Vendetta had a splendid last day, winning two races to finish the regatta in second place. Mike Lewis' Lutra 30 Jester scored a podium finish in every race to place third for the regatta.

In IRC 1, the 16-strong class was won by David Bartholomew's Cape 31 Tokoloshe 3. In second place by just one point was Christopher Daniel's J/122 Juno, which was the winner of the Performance 40 Division. Rob Bottomley's Sailplane was second in Performance 40 and second overall for the Summer Series. The Sailplane crew won a trip to Berlin for the whole crew, including to stay in a world class hotel accommodation, courtesy of Land Union. Cornel Riklin's Jitterbug was the top J/111 for the regatta and third in the Performance 40 division.

Tokoloshe 3 won an impressive range of prizes, including a trip to Berlin for the whole crew, including flights and world class hotel accommodation, courtesy of Land Union. Tokoloshe 3 was also the Overall Summer Series winner taking the magnificent Antigua Sailing Week prize of free dockage and entry to the 2021 edition of Antigua Sailing Week (24-30 April).

"The trip to Berlin is going to be awesome," commented Tokoloshe's Dave Bartholomew. "Both myself and my father have been to Antigua Sailing Week before and it's a fantastic regatta. This weekend has been great racing, we were lucky enough to get excellent weather, it has been an absolute blast!"

Royal Southern YC's Land Union September Regatta 2020 - photo © Louay Habib / RSrnYC

In IRC 3, Howell & Newell's A35 Arcus scored well on the last day to win the class. Gordon Craigen's J/105 Jacana and Becky Walford's J/92 Brenda's J were tied on points after six races. Jacana was class runner-up by virtue of countback.

In Club Class, two new race winners celebrated on the final day; Dudley Stock's X-302 Xtract and Gary Fry's Xp44 MinX. Royal Southern YC Commodore, Graham Nixon, racing his Elan 40 Magic, won the class by just a point from Claire Dresser's Sigma 362 Lady Penrose, MinX was third.

In the J/70 Class, Jonnie Goodwin's RYS team was the winner, in second place was Simon Patterson's Standfast and Kai - Uwe Hollweg's Boysterous was third. In the XOD Class, Gary Roxall's Little X won all three races. Jonnie Goodwin's team was third overall for the Summer Series. By Courtesy of Land Union, Goodwin's team win a stay for five people at Mimi's Hotel, Soho, London.

"What a fantastic weekend it has been; terrific weather and outstanding racing," commented Royal Southern YC Commodore, Graham Nixon at the virtual prize-giving. "My whole-hearted thanks to Lutz Strangemann and Land Union, Antigua Sailing Week, and North Sails. 25 people made up the Race Management team on the water, many thanks to all of them especially PRO Peter Bateson and White Group RO Stephen Parry. We look forward to seeing all the competitors in 2021 Summer Series, starting with the May Regatta."

See full results for all classes in the Land Union September Regatta

Glyn Locke's Farr 280 Toucan in the Royal Southern YC's Land Union September Regatta 2020 - photo © Louay Habib / RSrnYC

SB20 UK National Championships

John Pollard, racing with Jack Wetherell and Rhos Hawes, won all but one of the ten race championship to lift the SB20 UK National Trophy. "Well done to the Royal Southern for organising the regatta," commented John. "In difficult times the club gave us outstanding racing and a great welcome on shore. Well done to all the competitors, it has been great to finally get racing and a big fleet as well. It is also encouraging to see new teams coming into the class."

Simon Russell's Sportsboatworld did manage to take a one race win and seven podium finishes to secure second overall. McAdam and Whelan showed how competitive the SB20 Class is by commenting that they were disappointed in only coming third racing SB20 Breaking Bod. Oliver Hill's Ethel was the winner of the SB20 Youth Trophy.

All of the racing, race management and facilities ashore organised by the Royal Southern Yacht Club are in line with HM Government and RYA guidance on Covid -19. All teams race with a reduced or limited crew with social distancing. For more information: www.royal-southern.co.uk

John Pollard's Xcellent, racing with Jack Wetherell and Rhos Hawes, takes the SB20 UK National Championships Trophy and UK Sprint Championships - photo © Louay Habib / RSrnYC

SB20 UK National Championships Overall Results:

SB20 UK National Championships 2020 - photo © Louay Habib / RSrnYC