Laser SB3 Inaugural World Championships 2008
The inaugural Laser SB3 World Championships concluded last Friday and the event held at the National Yacht Club in Dublin attracted some 135 entries.
Winner was Geoff Carveth and his crew from Hayling Island Sailing Club from Craig Burlton 2nd, Mike Budd 3rd, Tim Fells 5th and ex-Restronguet sailor David Lenz back in 6th spot.
Carveth, Budd and Burlton have all raced in Falmouth over the past few years in 1720s, Melges 24s and J80s and Tim Fells is the current B14 dinghy World Champion a title he won at Restronguet last year.
Given the British domination of the event the portents are for a stunning SB3 UK Nationals to be held in Falmouth next June with close on 70 boats expected and so extremely talented crews in the mix.
RCYC member Peter Knight competed in Dublin and together with Mike Miller and Roger Ford finished 40th in the silver fleet but with the Nationals coming to town next year hopefully more members will be encouraged to jump aboard these fabulous little sportsboats.
Penryn dentist Donal O’Halloran nearly won the inaugural SB3 Nationals when the event was last held in Falmouth in 2003 and Jonathon Money also competed in the regatta before selling his SB3 to Geoff Carveth.
It promises to be one of the highlights of the 2009 sailing season and certainly something to look forward to over the winter months.