SB20 class at the Vice Admiral's Cup
by Charles Whelan 24 May 2021 15:51 BST
21-23 May 2021
Stephen Procter's SB20 Class Xcellent scored their fourth win of the regatta to take the title by a handsome margin in the RORC Vice Admiral's Cup © Rick Tomlinson /
www.rick-tomlinson.com
RORC's Vice Admiral's Cup usually marks the start of summer sailing for the SB20's. For 2021 it did not, it served up cool damp conditions with wind speeds ranging from 8 to 28 knots, often into a difficult wind over tide seaway. A real tester for the fleet, which included visitors from Torquay and the Lake District.
It was also a bit of a baptism of fire for new fleet member Adrian Padro. Adrian was certainly on the pace in leg one of race one as he led the fleet up the first beat and the whole fleet arrived at the same time at the windward mark. It was team Xcellent (in their brand new boat) who emerged into first place at the bottom mark and led to the finish, Breaking Bod snuck in to get second.
Race 2 was a story of the boys from Torquay showing the Solent sailors the way round our own backyard with Xcellent first and Doris Relaoaded second, ahead of the rapidly improving Lizzie Farrington in third.
Race 3 saw Xcellent leading the fleet from the Northern contingent on 3086 until a shift and the change in tide allowed 3086 to take the win. Team excellent ended up in a wayward 7th that was not to be repeated!
After a delay as the wind all but disappeared we had a sparkling 20 knots plus for Race four and Xcellent was back where she feels most comfortable and won ahead of 3086 and Bod. The scoring was very tight as we went into day 2.
The forecast was BIIG for the second day and it did not disappoint. With a knot or two of tide shoving the fleet up into 20-25 knots with gusts topping 28 the race was always going to be a challenge. Well for everyone but Xcellent who sailed immaculately to win by a country mile, finishing as the remainder of the fleet rounded the final windward marks. The 2nd and 3rd boats did not fly their kites as huge rain squall came through.
Team Bod needing a second to get second in the event threw caution to the wind and stormed down the run into the second place until a hooked up mainsheet in the gybe resulted in a very big soggy mess with the kite around the keel. They observed through the maelstrom Boomerang sailed by Lizzie Farringdon sailing beautifully with the kite to secure a second in the race and very well deserved first podium at an SB20 event. 3086, helmed by Tom Nielson had done enough on day one to keep the 2nd whilst Team Xcellent, helmed by John Pollard won counting 4 bullets. In the end just 3 points separated 2nd from 5th - What great racing! #Sendit!
Next on the Calendar is the Southern area championships hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club on 12-13 June. There are boats available to charter and teams looking to crew, we can't promise sun but we can promise great racing. If you want to get involved please email