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'Xcellent' Leads in SB20 Asia Pacific Championships

3rd February 2024
33 teams are competing in the SB20 Asia Pacific Championships in Dubai
33 teams are competing in the SB20 Asia Pacific Championships in Dubai

Day two of the Dubai Duty Free SB20 Asia Pacific Championships, hosted by the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, saw turbulent winds ranging between 18 to 20 knots.

As regular Afloat readers know, despite every effort, Irish boats were thwarted in their bid to attend the event that precedes next week's World Championships.

On February 3 the event continued after a successful first day. As 33 teams embarked from the DOSC harbour, expectations were high for better wind conditions than the initial day.

Team Xcellent from the United Kingdom, helmed by John Pollard, took the lead position. Following closely are Desert Eagle and Kidzink in second and third place, wearing blue and red bibs.

The unmistakable backdrop of Dubai for the SB20 Asia Pacific ChampionshipsThe unmistakable backdrop of Dubai for the SB20 Asia Pacific Championships

Team Xcellent’s skipper, John Pollard, expressed his delight in winning the lead position, "It was a great day. I've sailed all over the world, and here at the SB20 Asia Pacific Championships, It was as good as anywhere. The sun and the wind, what more do we want? Big chop, wind shifts, and a fantastic backdrop add extra joy to this sport."

Addressing the weather conditions, Race Director Alan Ruigrok of Skerries in County Dublin commented, "We saw a consistent 18 to 20 knots held for today's three races and some excellent but full-on conditions for the sailors onboard. Credit to the race management team led by Roger Wilson for starting the race early, considering the weather conditions."

Alongside the thrilling races, families enjoyed the post sailing celebrations in the newly renovated Tentola Village - Activities included Henna art, face painting, a bouncy castle, as well as Six Nations Rugby viewing.

SB20 Asia Pacific Championship 2024 Day 2 Highlights below

Published in SB20
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SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France