Sailing Shack Racing

SB20

The Laser SB3 looks to be going through a name change with designer Tony Castro renaming the boat the SB20. The following is from the SB20 Class Association website.

Tony Castro today announces that the global sales and marketing of the hugely successful sportsboat is to be carried out by a new organisation Sportsboat World. The boat which will now be known as the SB20 has over 650 boats sailing in 20 countries worldwide, and it achieved ISAF recognition in 2007.

Sportsboat World is founded by SB20 designer Tony Castro.

In partnership with Jerry Hill, Alan Hillman and Mark Richards, Sportsboat World will promote the design and manufacture of sportsboats. Jerry is a former UK Class Chairman and 2010 SB3 world champion, whilst Alan and Mark are the partners of the SB3 specialists firm Rigging Gurus.

Tony Castro has appointed White Formula in the UK, who built the first 50 boats in 2002, as the licensed SB20 builder. New boats have been ordered and are due for delivery from 1st August 2012. Parts are available with immediate effect from www.sportsboatworld.com and via a revised dealer network.Sportsboat World will work with the SB20 World Council and National Associations to provide an event circuit to appeal to sailors internationally.

President of the SB20 World Council, Edward Russo (FRA) expressed his pleasure in the announcement of the developments for the SB20 class. “This is extremely good news for the SB20 class which is currently experiencing strong growth in several countries. I am especially pleased to see the SB20 production being moved back to the UK. The promise of quality new boats, a steady supply of spares as well as technical support means the SB20 will continue to provide cost effective, international one-design competitive sailing for a long time to come.”

Glenn Bourke current Australian National Champion and 2012 Worlds host, is in full support of the new structure. “I am delighted to hear that the SB20 class is in the hands of people who have been racing in it since it’s inception. Like everyone who loves this class, I look forward a seamless transition to the production of new high quality boats. We’re ramping up for the Worlds in Hamilton Island in December and 2012 is shaping up to be yet another great year for the SB20!”

A really bad pitchpole leads this team to shore… and the bank.

If you are looking for a second hand Laser or Laser SB3 Sportsboat check out the classifieds on Sailing Shack Racing. There are number of these boats that we know the backgrounds too that represent great buying. We also have a range of secondhand Laser spares from carbon tillers and extensions to second hand spars. Check the classifieds out.

Laser SB3 For Sale see classifieds

The Laser 2012 4.7 Worlds have finished in Buenos Aires Argentina. The 117 competitors from 29 countries experienced varied conditions from light and variable winds to 15-16 knot winds with 35 degree shifts.
The winner of the boys was Hungarian Benjamin Vadnai followed by Nahhuel Perez Rodriguez from Spain in second and Maximillan Kuester from Italy in third.

Sailing Shack Racing's Ben Hartnett

In the girls Therese Herud of Norway won followed by Yolanda Logue of Spain with Anja Hamerlitz of Croatia third.
In the 46 boat girls fleet Tasmanian sailor Anna Vaughan finished a sensational sixth overall and included heat wins.
In the 71 boat boys fleet current Australian Laser 4.7 Champion Victorian Jack Felsenthal sailed a fantastic qualifying series to finish every race in the top 10 and qualify for Gold Fleet and his score line included a fantastic heat win in big wave conditions. Jack went onto finish a very impressive eighth overall.
Other Victorian sailors Ben Hartnett and current Australian Girls Laser 4.7 Champion Anna Phillip sailed very with Anna 10th overall and her scoreline included a brilliant heat win and fourth and fifth in her score line.

Ben Hartnett qualified for the Gold Fleet and finished 35th overall and second Australian. Ben’s results included a third and eighth in his score line.

The 11 boat Australian team has taken away a lot of experience from the regatta and in every race the Australians put in some impressive performances.

Further Australian results were Boys, Silver fleet Harry Morton (NSW) 14th, Shane Conly (NSW) 18th and Lachie Gilham from W.A. 22nd.

In the girls, Jacinta Ainsworth (Qld) 16th, Cassandra Schimbach (ACT) 20th, Madeleine Salter (Tas) 30th and Elyse Ainsworth (QLD) 39th.

The European teams were especially fast and also very fit both physically and mentally. The fleet included many past Optimist World, European and National champions.

The Laser 4.7 Australian Championship will be in Hobart over December 2012 to January 2013 and the 2013 Laser 4.7 Worlds will be in Hungary.