'Pre-Worlds' fever hits Cowes for Rovika SB20 Open UK Nationals
by Anna Zykova 24 Jul 06:50 PDT
25-28 July 2026
2025 SB20s at Cowes Week © Rosie Turtle
With 30 high-calibre boats packed onto the entry list and the British summer delivering in full force, the stage is set for an unforgettable edition of the Rovika SB20 Open UK Nationals.
Curated cycling brand rideROVIKA.com joins as proud title sponsor, uniting two sports driven by the exact same pursuit of precision, performance and high-caliber kit - where reading the wind on a start line demands the very same sharp instincts as reading a trail at dawn.
Hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club in already buzzing Cowes ahead of its bicentennial Cowes Week, the UK Class brings together yacht clubs from both sides of the Solent facilitating the event management paired with RLYC's legendary après-sail hospitality.
Unofficially christened as "Pre-Worlds", this year's Nationals have attracted top international teams eager to scout the venue. The 2026 SB20 Worlds organiser Ed Russo (Skin in the Game) and another top French contender Pierre-Yves Lambert (Lynx) lead the overseas contingent, coming to test the Solent waters and dive into the famous UK fleet competitive racing.
A stellar fleet ready to battle
The entry list is showcasing a mix of international talent, rising youth stars and strong female representation, including at least four women taking the helm. Australia is making its presence felt with two teams, as 2023 World Champion Will Sargent calls tactics for Paul McCartney on Porco Rosso, and fellow 2023 winning crew member Eirini Marios helms Ares.
Flying the Singapore flag, owner of The Incident Daire O'Reilly has recruited two British sailors Alex Hughes and Arran Holman following their 2025 European campaign, while Nils Razmilovic's Glasgow Kiss arrives riding high after victories at the 2025 Cowes Week Grand Slam and the 2026 Portuguese Nationals.
Not to be outdone, the local fleet is loaded with talent ready to defend home waters. Reigning National title holder and 2025 World Champion John Pollard on Xcellent leads the home charge with his mastery of light winds, alongside Charlie Whelan's Reservoir Bod, constantly locked in the leaderboard battle with Mark Gillet on PB20 II. Adding to the excitement, solo ocean racing star Ollie Hill is reuniting with his old mates to get back to sportsboat basics, heading up a deep and competitive line-up of sailors coming from all over the UK.
Sizzling weather, action-packed racing and shore hospitality
Conditions promise a proper summer to the joy of the visiting Tasmanians! Expect hot summer conditions with temperatures reaching 24-25°C. Light morning breezes of 5-9 knots from the Northwest will build into a solid 10-18 knot Southwesterly sea breeze each afternoon. High water around mid-morning means racing will coincide with a strong westward-flowing ebb tide, creating a classic tactical Solent chop as the afternoon Southwesterly wind punches against the tide.
On-water racing precision will get a high-tech boost as the SB20 Class UK will utilise Vakaros Race Sense and tracking technology, delivering pin-point start line accuracy so no time will be wasted on general recalls.
To ensure everyone stays on the water, the UK SB20 dealer Sailing Chandlery will be on-site with a fully stocked spares van to keep the fleet running smoothly.
Race Schedule:
- Saturday: Sprint Series (First Warning Signal: 12:55)
- Sunday - Tuesday: Open UK Nationals Fleet Racing (First Warning Signal: 10:25)
Generous support from title sponsor Rovika
Title sponsor Rovika is outfitting all competitors with high-performance SOLR UPF50 Moisture-Wicking SPF tops. Rovika is also bringing a fleet of test bikes to Cowes and offering competitors an exclusive 10% off across their range or 15% off bike accessories (excluding Cycle to Work schemes).
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About Rovika
rideROVIKA is a new high-end cycling brand built around a curated product offering, tailored personal service and a developing network of independent partner bike shops across the UK. We exclusively work with the brands and equipment we would use ourselves and are changing online cycling retail's relationship with local shops and customers alike.