SB20 Class UK Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

SB20 Inlands at Rutland © Doug Innes

This was the last event of the SB20 Class UK 2019 National Series. The event was attended by teams from 8 clubs across England and Wales and the class welcomed three new teams to the UK SB20 circuit.

On Saturday the PRO (Nick Beck) ran 4 races back to back in developing pressure, racing was short and sharp and kept crews warm with plenty tactical tacking as they played the shifts upwind and hunted for more pressure.

Race 1 got off on time. with, class newcomers Who dogged the buoys taking an early lead. they were closely followed by Herbie These two boats finished in these two places.

Blue Jay was late for the start but by the end of the 2nd lap had worked her way from last to third. Race 2 followed a few minutes later and Blue Jay was not going to be late this time, she had a good start, took an early lead and maintained it through the two laps to the finish. A large shift pre start resulted in a very biased course and those boats that spotted this faired better. Who Dogged the Buoys, H2 Racing and local team Growler swopped places a few times before finding 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

By race 3 there was a little more wind and the boats enjoyed 3 laps. Blue Jay started well and held the fleet of for much of the course, but a kite warp on a hoist let three teams through and Who Dogged the Buoys bagged her second bullet followed by H2 Racing and then Herbie.

Race 4 was another 3 lapper and saw Growler break into the top 2, ahead of Blue Jay (3rd) and behind Who Dogged the Buoys (1st) Overnight, Ropes4Boats carried out repairs to put themselves in the mix for day 2. Most teams had dinner at the Club and stayed onsite overnight. Photos of the evening will be kept behind the firewall Day 2 dawned with 1st (Who Dogged the Buoys) and 2nd (Blue Jay) separated by 4 points and 2nd and 3rd (Herbie) separated by a further 3 points.

Blue Jay took an early lead and extended it considerably to win. H2 Racing 2nd followed by Who Dogged the Buoys.

SB20 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Doug Innes

Race 6 enjoyed some large shifts and Blue Jay again took an early lead and extended it considerably, from 2nd place (Who Dogged the Buoys) who also extended well from 3rd placed Herbie.

Going into the final race there were only two boats that could win the Championships, Blue Jay and Who Dogged the Buoys. Despite having just scored two bullets Blue Jay was the underdog of the two and needed to score a third bullet and ensure at least one boat was between her and Who Dogged the Buoys. The two boats matched raced the 5 minute start sequence until they finally both crossed the start in 4th and 5th and went opposite ways.

A wind shift made an early gybe seem the sensible option for Blue Jay and she overtook several boats to move up-to 2nd. Meanwhile Who Dogged the Buoys (5th) went down the other side of the run and found a puff of wind that eluded Blue Jay. Who Dogged the Buoys took the lead and Blue Jay fought of H2 Racing for 2nd place.

The SB20 Warsash Marine Trophy was awarded to Who Dogged the Buoys (Tom Neilson, James Neilson & Ben Swyer), with Blue Jay (John Reekie, Rory Yardley & Doug Innes) in 2nd o and H2 Racing (Oliver Hill, Megan Farrer, Peter Dill & Randall Jackson 3rd.

SB20 Inlands at Rutland - photo © Doug Innes

It is 7 years since the SB20 fleet last met at Rutland SC for the SB20 UK Inland Championships but it won't be a 7 year wait until we return again! Thanks to the Club and their team for a smoothly run event.

Overall Results: