Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

Magic Marine SB20 Europeans at Royal Yacht Club Hollandia - Overall

by Katie Ashworth, SB20 Class Association 27 Sep 2012 17:17 BST 21-27 September 2012

What a day. What a race. What a victory. Team Russia helmed by Rodion Luka and crewed by Oleg Zherebtsov, Anna Stepanova and Andre Klochko are the 2012 Magic Marine SB20 European Champions.

"First race of the day was the most competitive race I have ever seen" grinned Mark Richards, spectating from a media RIB. "Marginal improvements in technique and tactics meant that at no point could you tell a clear leader." The final winner was Robert Greeenhalgh (GBR) by not even 2 boat lengths from Rodion Luka (RUS) who did enough to secure the title. Ben Saxton who after an ambitious left corner start and cross of the fleet always threatened to win. Fourth was Carveth, equally back at the top of his game. Mark Richards commented, "It is amazing to see 4 identical boats all being sailed at very similar speeds but all with different traveller/mainsail trim." There maybe a one design for the boat, but there are clearly different ways to sail them.

Despite having won the Championships, Luka chose to stay on the water and sail final race however the battle for this one was elsewhere. Jerry Hill picked some very good lines of breeze on the right hand side of the track, whilst Andy Oddie came from hard left with a comfortable lead. As has been the case all week, the marginal gains uphill are multiplied by a factor of ten going downhill and by the first leeward mark "The Kids", Saxton and Co had a comfortable twenty boat lead having been fourth at the windward mark. Robert Greenhalgh was also clear ahead in second of a screaming pack that followed despite a loose cover from Saxton as the breeze freshened Greenhalgh almost looked to claim the lead at the top left of the second beat and then again on the first gybe downhill. However, it was not to be and the youth of Saxton converted lines of breeze into clear ahead wind and a well deserved victory.

Describing his win, Zherebtsov explained, "We cannot believe it, we are overwhelmed, it will only sink in that we have won in a few days time. This event was tough; but it was tougher mentally than physically, the fleet is so strong and you have to stay calm and focused, we did that." Always calm, never stressed Zherebtsov has incredible focus which, with his crew, he has turned into another championship triumph.

The Magic Marine SB20 European Championships hosted by Regatta Centre Medemblik has seen some of the most competitive SB20 class racing ever. The class have also enjoyed a fantastic and international social scene. As always, we leave this SB20 event with new friends who we look forward to seeing at future events.

The attention of the SB20 Class now turns to the 2012 World Championships in Hamilton Island, Australia in December 2012 where the battle for the Waterford Trophy will begin again. It's certain, the World Championship is going to be a hotly contested event by some of the top sportsboat sailors in the world. BRING IT ON!

Full results and image galleries can be viewed at www.euros2012.SB20class.com and www.Facebook.com/SB20class

Overall Results:

PosSail noNameR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10R11R12R13Pts
1RUS 3703Rodion Luka422351731132827
2GBR 3060Robert Greenhalgh2155633312371231
3GBR 3053Geoff Carveth310111713136514645
4GBR 3065Ben Saxton5195104567283147
5GBR 3042Craig Burlton2036462221014615964
6ITA 3637Roberto Caresani146138299494513372
7GBR 3037Jerry Hill121915114161512748483
8GBR 3047Rob Gullan1387213144103121091189
9NED 3441Paul Gast2814491113611516224596
10GBR 3575Sarah Allan67281514811124811177103

Related Articles

September Regatta 2025 at Royal Southern YC
Including the inaugural UK National Championships for the new Performance 30 class Last weekend, 19-21 September, the Royal Southern Yacht Club hosted the culminating event in our flagship Summer Series - the September Regatta. Posted on 24 Sep
Torbay Royal Regatta 2025
Fierce competition as Tor Bay delivers champagne conditions Teams from across the country converged on the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, hosts of the latest edition of Torbay Royal Regatta, for three days of intense racing and socialising over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Posted on 8 Sep
SB20 Europeans 2025 at Ostend, Belgium overall
Tense last race crowns Witzmann European Champion The 2025 SB20 European Championship came down to a nail-biting final race, where the title was decided in a head-to-head battle. The top two teams fought until the very end with every shift, wave and tactical move shaping the outcome. Posted on 23 Aug
SB20 Europeans 2025 at Ostend, Belgium Day 4
Even rougher conditions than the day before Day 4 in Ostend brought even rougher conditions than the day before with the tide building quickly against the strong northerly breeze. This created steeper waves, making it tough for the small SB20s to drive through the chop. Posted on 22 Aug
SB20 Europeans 2025 at Ostend, Belgium Day 3
Hairy and Scary Day 3 of the SB20 European Championships in Ostend delivered another bruising test for the fleet with three races in 18-22 knots and a rough sea state that had crews working hard. Posted on 21 Aug
SB20 Europeans 2025 at Ostend, Belgium Day 2
Shake and Stir After two demanding days and six races, the leaderboard of the SB20 European Championship in Ostend has been shaken, but team Xcellent (GBR) still leads after a relentless day on the North Sea. Posted on 20 Aug
Cowes Week 2025 Delivers Spectacular Racing
199th event completed in fine style The 199th Cowes Week annual regatta was completed in fine style with over 400 boats finishing the last race off the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line under multi coloured spinnakers. Posted on 19 Aug
SB20 Europeans 2025 at Ostend, Belgium Day 1
Three races completed in afreshening breeze and challenging steep chop The SB20 European Championship in Ostend opened on Monday with a full-on test for the 40+ boat fleet. After a slow start with a two-hour delay ashore three races were completed in freshening breeze and challenging North Sea conditions. Posted on 19 Aug
SB20 Europeans 2025 set to sparkle in Ostend
Promising a week of exciting competition and Belgian hospitality The stage is set in Ostend as the SB20 European Championship gets under way, promising a week of exciting competition and Belgian hospitality. Posted on 18 Aug
26th Western Circuit Sailing Regatta wraps up
A resounding success, continuing the event's proud legacy The 26th edition of the Western Circuit Sailing Regatta (WCSR) concluded with resounding success, continuing the event's proud legacy. Posted on 18 Aug