12/09/2025
SB20 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
Race Officer Michael Tyrrell demonstrated his skills and experience in delivering 7 super races for the SB20 Nationals in wild and wet conditions. The window to complete the race programme was shrinking fast and ultimately Sunday racing was cancelled, but not before a successful and competitive championship had been raced. The Royal Irish Yacht Club hosted the event to their usual level of efficiency, both on the deck and in the bar, and the foreshortened event combined Saturday night entertainment with the prize-giving. A welcome relief to the exhausted fleet.
Michael O’Connors Ted brought all the fitness and tuning from their recent European Championships success, counting a clean sweep of bullets to win this event. Recently crowned European Masters Champion, Ger Dempsey, moved to the other end of the age spectrum fielding a crew of Under 21s and taking the bronze. Tadgh Donnelly made a guest appearance and secured the silver medal.
Incoming DBSC class captain Nick Doherty sailed a great event to win the much coveted Silver Fleet trophy, with Rebecca O’Shaughnessy taking the Lady’s trophy and Conor Duffy was awarded the Under 18 trophy.
Full results here
SB20 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
RIYC are delighted to once again welcome the SB20 Class for their National Championships, taking place on 12–14 September. RIYC has a longstanding connection with the class, having previously hosted the SB20 European Championships in 2018 and the World Championships in 2022.
This year, we anticipate a competitive fleet of 20 boats, with strong representation from the host club. RIYC members Colin Galavan, Ger Dempsey (SB20 Class President), and Jerry Dowling will be among the key contenders vying for the national title. Ger Dempsey and Colin Galavan will be back from their joint campaign at the SB20 European Championships in Ostend later this month, and are expected to return finely tuned and race-ready for what promises to be a thrilling Irish Nationals.
UPDATE 10TH SEPTEMBER 2025
Twenty SB20s will contest their National Championships in RIYC next weekend 12-14 September. The 10 race programme kicks off this Friday at noon in a blustery SW forecast.
The Royal Irish Yacht Club will be represented by four boats including recently crowned European Masters Champions Ger Dempsey and Colin Galavan, now set to compete against each other, Stefan Hyde and Aidan O’Connell.
The après-sail hospitality includes BBQ and music by Arthur, and we look forward to welcoming all members to join the fun.
MEDAL HAUL FOR SB20 TEAM IRELAND
The podium makes it all worthwhile, and both Irish teams at the SB20 European Championships in Belgium last week were well rewarded for their efforts.
RIYC SB20 team venuesworld.com with Ger Dempsey, Colin Galavan and Artem Basalkin delivered a super performance, posting race results in the top 3 throughout the week. Gear failure resulted in an unfortunate retiral and an expensive 12pt penalty, but ultimately they finished the week as European Champions in the Masters Category and 8th overall in a tough 45 boat fleet.
RStGYC’s SB20 TED carried a BFD through the week and mixed it with 2 races wins. They finally emerged on the podium with the bronze medal secured on countback against the French Youth Team.
Congratulations to both teams on an exceptional performance in a world class fleet and tough conditions.
Full Results here.
SB20 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
As they leave the dock for day 4 of the SB20 European Championships in Ostend, RIYC sailors Ger Dempsey & Colin Galavan on SB20 venuesworld.com are fighting hard to climb back up the leader board to their high of 5th position on day 2. Despite a consistent performance in the top 10, and some great race results in the top 3, they have been plagued by some misfortune.
The North Sea is a challenging sailing ground, and as expected the increasing winds combined with strong currents result in big seas topped with a chop. The boats are taking a pounding and gear failure has been a factor in two of the races, ultimately resulting in a retiral from race 3 on day 1.
A solid performance on the water on Day 2 and the DNF being discarded left them in a comfortable position overnight Tuesday at 5th overall and leading the Masters Category. Further misfortune on Day 3 with a job car blowout meant they were deemed to have gybed late in a port/starboard scenario and incurred a 12 point penalty which can now not be discarded. However with 5 more races to go there is plenty of work to be done and they are fit for battle.
Ireland is also represented by Michael O’Connors SB20 Ted from RStGYC. They are sailing hard for a podium finish but picked up a BFD on Day 2. With that discarded they are now in 4th position with no further room for error.
An exciting 2 days to follow. Full results are here.
Photo credits to Anna Zyk