THE RUSSIAN SB20 FLEET IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD AND IS CONCENTRATED IN ST. PETERSBURG AND MOSCOW WITH A NUMBER OF BOATS IN EKATERINBURG. THE RUSSIAN SB20 ASSOCIATION IS BASED IN ST. PETERSBURG, WHERE TOGETHER WITH ST. PETERSBURG YACHT CLUB ALL MAJOR REGATTAS ARE ORGANISED. IN MOSCOW YOU WILL FIND SPORTFLOT, A COMPANY THAT OWNS A FLEET OF AROUND 15 BOATS, AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE LAST DECADE CHARTERING BOATS TO INDIVIDUALS, ORGANISING EVENTS FOR SB20 AND OTHER SAILING ENTHUSIASTS ETC. THE RUSSIAN FLEET IS VERY ACTIVE IN PARTICIPATING IN HOME EVENTS AS WELL AS OVERSEAS REGATTAS, DUE TO THEIR SHORT SAILING SEASON.

What is it like to sail SB20 in Russia?

Sailing areas in Russia include the Baltic sea in St. Petersburg, where racing is held in the Gulf of Finland with a beautiful panorama of the city, and some of the Moscow’s large water reservoirs and lakes in Pirogovo region. In Ekaterinburg the fleet is racing on Tavatuy lake with a couple of events fixed on the Class calendar annually. Tavatuy sailing is led by the Russian sailor Evgeny Neugodnikov who won the SB20 Worlds in St. Petersburg in 2014. Weather conditions vary depending on the region – from mild sunny summers with light to strong winds to windier and cold days on the Baltics, when the fleet might face temperatures down to 10-12 degrees even if the calendar still shows summertime. The lakes are generally milder in conditions, but some windy races have been held there as well. The season usually starts in May and lasts until October, if the weather permits.