SB20 Class UK - what a season the 2025 has been!
- Nov 5
- 5 min read
2025 has delivered a blend of fleet growth, competitive racing and memorable socials for the UK Class. From new regional activity to a tight national regatta and international participation we have seen a resurgence in numbers and a clear sense of momentum heading into 2026.
This year the SB20 UK Class welcomed new fleets and teams with renewed enthusiasm across the country. Sussex Yacht Club joined the class in style launching five boats that made an impressive debut at Cowes Week 2025 and Weymouth SC hosted the Nationals and purchased a couple of boats Further north, Ullswater Yacht Club welcomed boats in the famous Birkett weekend and hosted the Inland Championships in early September, won by Phil Tilley’s Tân Gwylt travelling up from Wales. Meanwhile in Torquay's Royal Torbay YC an active local fleet of seven boats has been racing regularly in home waters and recently launching their own Blue-White Challenge. With three blue-hulled and three white-hulled boats vying for bragging right the competition has become a highlight of Sunday sailing - with the Blues currently leading. The UK National Champion John Pollard continues to anchor the Torquay group inspiring close, competitive racing every weekend that will continue through to the New Year.
Season Highlights:
Warsash Spring Series
Always a good opportunity to blow the winter cobwebs away and get out in the Solent. A couple of owners had changed their boats and were looking competitive for the season. Charlie Whelan and Richie McAdam had left their new Devoti boat (Reservoir Bod) back in Europe for the season and sailed Breaking Bod well to win the first weekend.
Royal Thames 250th Anniversary Regatta (Cowes, June)
The summer season opened with a prestigious celebration - the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary Regatta - where the SB20 fleet joined the festivities in the Solent. Racing was tight across all classes and after a weekend of shifting breezes and tactical calls, Mark Gillet, Paul Hine and Richard Anderton on PBII Twenty clinched overall victory.
UK National Championships – Weymouth (July)
Hosted by the Weymouth Sailing Club, the 2025 UK Nationals delivered four days of near-perfect conditions and top-quality racing. An event hosted with a traditional club atmosphere of volunteer race teams and great food and welcome bar, only only 15 minutes sail from the race area. John Pollard’s Xcellent returned to reclaim the title with close battles across the fleet right down the order. At the prize-giving, outgoing UK President Paul Hine was recognised for his long-standing contribution to the Class. Paul has received his trophy in Hamble at the final event of the season.
Cowes Week 2025 (August)
Cowes Week 2025 saw the biggest SB20 fleet here since the Worlds, largely thanks to a lively gang from Sussex Yacht Club. Most were fresh to the Class, eager to jump in and make waves. The Class showed its true diverse spirit - four youth teams, family crews and two female helms - you’ve got a fleet ticking all the boxes for variety! The conditions threw up a proper handful, with gusts nudging 25 knots in a packed fleet. There were bruises, banter and plenty of boats trading places at mark roundings. Boats were skimming along at over 15 knots, leaving crews battered, buzzed and grinning at the end of each race. Ashore, those who could still hold a glass after a day of kite trimming, enjoyed pontoon parties that stretched well into the night.. Overall results can be found here.
Excitement is already building for Cowes Week 2026, when the regatta celebrates its 200th anniversary. Organisers are promising heightened entries, enhanced entertainment and a few spectacular surprises - from fireworks and visiting classics to, rumour has it, even a Red Arrows display. It’s shaping up to be a truly unmissable edition!
The most committed International fleet
The SB20 UK fleet has continued to travel internationally this year with boats competing and winning at the SB20 World Championships in Singapore, the SB20 Europeans in Belgium and no fewer than four different National Championships abroad - in Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and France. As UK Class Secretary Phil Tilley summed it up:
“There is no more committed or competitive fleet in the SB20 Class!”
Six UK teams travelled to Belgium this summer with competitive ambitions for the Brugse Zot Cup - Pre‑Europeans and the European Championships at the Royal North Sea Yacht Club. The British, including reigning World champions Xcellent (skippered by John Pollard) and Class veterans PBII Twenty (Mark Gillet and Paul Hine joined in Belgium by George Povall and Paul Roberts) were prominent amongst the 40-plus-boat fleet, tackling serious North Sea tides, chop and shifting conditions. Xcellent sailed impressively leading all week, meanwhile PBII Twenty celebrated a race win on Day 3, a “proud moment for our team” - noted Paul Hine.
Leadership transition
This season marked the change in the UK Class president as Paul Hine stepped down after many years of service. His steady leadership through challenging times - including Covid restrictions and industry changes - earned him widespread respect. Reflecting on his tenure, Paul said:
“It was a pleasure to be your UK Chairman. I believe we have the best small keelboat to sail and an inclusive, friendly class. I’ll remain the go-to person and continue supporting Charlie and Phil as they’ve supported me.”
From the Ullswater fleet, Mark Brammer added:
“Thank you Paul and Dave Atkinson for welcoming me and Mutts Nuts into the class. I have other boats, but I honestly feel the SB20 is my forever boat. It is the people that sail them and the likes of the impromptu pontoon party at Cowes week”.
The new UK Class President Charlie Whelan has already stepped into the role with fresh energy working on a vibrant 2026 calendar and early plans for the 2027 World Championships in Torquay.
Season results and looking ahead
Congratulations go to Mark Gillet, Paul Hine and Richard Anderton on PBII Twenty for winning the 2025 UK National Series after another consistently strong season. The final event of the year saw Charlie Whelan’s Breaking Bod with Richard Macadam and Craig Burlton claim victory at the Hamble One Design Championships, rounding off a great season of competitive racing. With new fleets thriving, packed events and a full 2026 calendar already live, there’s every reason to join the action. As Charlie noted:
“The 2026 calendar includes a great range of events - from Sunderland Yacht Club through the South Coast and Solent to Torquay and abroad, giving four great series that, we hope, as many of you as possible can get out on the water and join us at.”
The SB20 UK Class Association thanks every sailor, volunteer and club who contributed to this season. Here’s to another year of close racing, new friendships and one-design fun in 2026!
Adding to the momentum, Sailing Chandlery joined the SB20 family this year as the new SB20 UK dealer, keeping the fleet supported. They backed the Class as sponsors of the Nationals in Weymouth, where they introduced a new Youth team to the fleet investing in the next generation of SB20 sailors.
— SB20 UK Class Association
Featured image credit - © Paul Wyeth
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