No races, but great news on the first day of SB20 Worlds 2022!
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 questions, after that the fleet was ready to rock.
Shortly after this the AP flag was displayed leaving sailors to wait on the dock all dressed for a wet ride. The waiting game continued for about one and a half hour 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˚15 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.”
More news and dates will follow in due course, meanwhile we hope for fair winds on the second day of the World Championship in Ireland, where another breezy day is on the forecast. Follow our news!
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