Royal St. George's 'Ted' Triumphs Again at SB20 Nationals on Lough Ree

15th September 2023

Winners Michael O’Connor (RStGYC), Davy Taylor and Ben O’Donoghue in 3809 and runners-up Stefan Hyde (RIYC) and Jerry and Jimmy Dowling in 3741 at the SB20 National Championships on Lough Ree

Michael O’Connor (RStGYC) and his crew mates Davy Taylor and Ben O’Donohoe won the Lough Ree Yacht Club hosted SB20 National Championships last weekend.

An eight-boat-strong local fleet also saw entries from RIYC, RCYC, NYC, RStGYC and HYC.

Six out of 10 races were completed on Saturday, the only day of racing under varying wind conditions (8 knots and building steadily to 14 knots) no racing on Friday or Sunday as conditions proved challenging with temperatures in the high 20’s but gusting barely 2 knots! Racing was postponed as with other events around the country suffering similar conditions.

Wind direction on Saturday was incredibly shifty but the race officer David Dickson and his support team, Alan Algeo, Oonagh Reid and Liz McGrath, took the situation in their stride as each race started in rapid succession.

\SB20s converge on a mark at the National Championships on Lough Ree

Racing was very exciting with lots of jostling for pole position, saw TED helmed by Michael O’Connor (RSGYC) and his crew mates Davy Taylor and Ben O’Donohoe winning Gold Fleet sailing consistently over the six races (10 points, same points as previous Northerns in April at LRYC) closely followed by Stefan Hyde (RIYC) and his team (Jerry and Jimmy Dowling) on Bad Kilcullen (15 points), in third place Carpe Diem (18 points) helmed by Colin Galavan (RIYC) and his team (Aran Jones and Kein O’Rourke), Silver fleet saw the local LRYC boat Sharkbait helmed by Mark Rafter and supported by Stan Bradbury and Rory Walsh winning top place closely followed in second place for Silver fleet Sea Biscuit helmed by Chris Helme and his crew (Barry Galvin and Niall O’Riordan). Third place in the Silver fleet was secured by James Delaney helming (Under 25 Squad in a sponsored boat for the event) Provident CRM, James and his team really demonstrated great sailing technique and a serious contender for future events.

Six out of 10 SB20 National Championship races were completed on Saturday, the only day of racing under varying wind conditions (8 knots and building steadily to 14 knots)

Overall results for the National Championship Event at LRYC saw TED outright winner and taking home the National Trophy; second place went to Bad Kilcullen Stefan Hyde Helm, with Jerry and Jimmy Dowling, Carpe Diem secured 3rd Place Helmed by Colm Galvin Carpe Diem and his team Aran and Kein.

2023 SB20 National Champions - TED helmed by Michael O’Connor (RSGYC) and his crew mates Davy Taylor and Ben O’Donohoe

2023 SB20 National Championship runners-up - Stefan Hyde (RIYC) and Jerry and Jimmy Dowling

Silver fleet pole position went to Mark Rafter, local man on Sharkbait, 2nd Sea Biscuit and 3rd Provident CRM (Under 25 Squad).

2023 SB20 National Championships Results at Lough Ree Yacht Club

Published in SB20, RStGYC, Inland Waterways

Published in SB20

Tagged under

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