Philip Doran's 'Lofly' Wins SB20 Easterns at Howth Yacht Club

10th May 2019

SB20 Eastern winners - Paul Doran, Bella Moorhead, Simon Doran, Neil Murphy HYC and Philip Doran (Helm)

There were so many crew changes at the SB20 Easter Championships in Howth Yacht Club last weekend, the fleet was barely recognisable. Ridgefence, missing Peter Kennedy, was helmed by Emmet Ryan, Bad had Michael O’Connor on the back, venuesworld.com moved Ger Dempsey forward and gave Justin Burke the helm, the Dorans tried a four-man combination for the first time, John Malone was replaced by Alistair Kissane in his new boat, with Diana Kissane on the helm.

It was clear from the start that the podium at this seven-boat championship was open to all.

Race officer, Richard Kissane, delivered six races over the two days with incredible efficiency. Conditions were shifty, but the 20-degree shifts were consistent and the results at the end of the event would suggest the race course remained fair. If you wanted tight racing you got it, the first 4 boats finished within a point of each other after 6 races, with the podium decided on countback.

There is a theory that consistency is the key in a race series, however, this proved wrong for Ridgefence on this occasion. Despite 6 good race results and equal points with Bad and venuesworld.com, they were pushed off the podium on countback. Lofly (12), Bad (13) and venuesworld.com (13) shared the bullets with 2 each and took the prizes.

Thanks to ProvidentCRM and UK Sails Ireland for sponsoring the prizes.

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Published in SB20, Howth YC

Published in SB20

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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