2022 SB20 World Championships at the Royal Irish Yacht Club - Day 1
by SB20 Class 6 Sep 2022 07:13 NZST
5-9 September 2022
2022 SB20 Worlds at Dun Loughaire day 1 © Anna Zykova
This morning the fleet gathered at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in anticipation of a breezy day. The Race Committee held skippers briefing on time and was planning to start the first race as scheduled at 12H00. During the meeting Chief Umpire Cxema Pico took time to clarify some doubts and answer the questions and the fleet was ready to rock.
Shortly after this an AP flag was displayed leaving the sailors to wait on the dock all dressed for a
wet ride. The waiting game continued for about 1,5 hours until N over A was displayed at 12:45
signalling the abandonment of all races for the day. The sea state on Dublin bay this morning after
a stormy night together with gusty wind up to 32 knots made PRO David Lovegrove take this
decision. Better safe than sorry!
According the amendment on the sailing instructions the fleet will be facing 3 races per day
planned for the rest of the week if of course the weather permits to do so. The starting time for all
races remains the same - 12h00.
While sailors enjoy a pint of Guinness and a barbecue there are some news to share!
This weekend it was announced that the current Class President Jerry Dowling will be stepping
down after three years in this role handing over to our first Southern Hemisphere appointment,
currently our Australian Association chairman - Scott Glanville.
"It's been a pleasure to serve the Tony Castro designed SB20 Class over the last three tumultuous
years. The Class has proved to be resilient, to say the least. We've grown in Australia, Singapore
and the UAE, as well as in Malta & Finland. I am very proud that my club RIYC, is hosting this
year's World Championships with an entry of 58 boats from 12 nations," - said Jerry Dowling at
the announcement. He added: "This is an incredible number considering what has happened over
the last years, and is a testament to the strength of Class. In my tenure as president I have
secured the hosting of the world championships for the next three years. The class is in a very
good place despite the challenges ahead. May I wish Scott the very best during reign as class
president."
With the Class expanding the appointment of Australia-based president seems perfect. After the
next year's World Championship in the Netherlands (17th-23rd June 2023) the fleet will travel
south, to Dubai, in February 2024. Later that year in late September/early October the Maltese
SB20 Association will host the European Championship together with the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Another great news for the SB20 Class is that the SB20 Singapore World Championship is back
on the agenda, having won the bid to host the event in January 2025! Dates are still to be
announced, but with three years ahead it leaves enough time for planning. The event will be
hosted in partnership of ONE degrees15 marina, the Singapore Sailing Federation and the local SB20
Class Association.
Magnus Ekbom, incoming SB20 Singapore Class chairman is delighted to welcome the international fleet to Singapore, he stated: "We are very happy to welcome all the SB20 sailors to Singapore and to host this landmark event! A lot of efforts will be put into securing a smooth logistic of the boats and local charter so that everyone can focus on sailing and enjoying the place. We are working together with SB20 UAE team on boat transfer and we are sure that everyone will be impressed by the hospitality and beauty of Singapore."
All the latest news and announcements can be found on the official website of the SB20 Class, www.sb20class.org
Find out more at www.sb20worlds2022.com