2024 SB20 Tasmanian Championship at the Crown Series Bellerive Regatta - Preview
by Jane Austin 9 Feb 16:40 NZDT
23-25 February 2024
The SB20 fleet in the 2023 Banjos Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive Regatta © Jane Austin
Tasmania's Nick Rogers, sailing Karabos, will begin his campaign to take two major SB20 titles in 2024 when he hits the water in the Banjo's Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive Regatta.
The Bellerive Yacht Club is hosting the 20th anniversary of the local regatta, from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 February, with the event incorporating the 2024 SB20 Tasmanian Championship.
Rogers, and his experienced crew of Cole Dabner and Simon Burrows, have been the in-form boat over the last few years in the Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series, and will be looking to take yet another state title before chasing down the elusive SB20 Australian Championship four weeks later.
Rogers, one of Australia's top one-design sailors, is certainly in the mindset to achieve the 2024 title double after winning the prestigious Prince Philip Cup in the Dragon Class at Metung Yacht Club in Victoria in January with crew Lucas Upton and Leigh Behrens both of Hobart.
However, Rogers won't have it all his own way with Will Sargent, the current Tasmanian, Australian and World championship title holder likely to be participating in the regatta following his win (as crew) in the Youth Division of the SB20 Asia Pacific Championship last weekend in Dubai.
Paul McCartney (Porco Rosso) is also lining up for the Tasmanian championship and will be primed for the event following the World Championship in Dubai next week where he will be sailing with Ed Snowball from Hobart and David Chapman from Sydney.
SB20 World Council and Australian President Scott Glanville expects close racing in the regatta noting the rivalry across the fleet.
"I think we have four or five teams that could potentially win the title.
"We have world class sailors like Will Sargent, Ed Reid, Nick Rogers and Matt Bugg in the mix and with the SB20 Australian Championship just over a month away, the teams will be looking to impress in the States. Phil Reid (Mind Games) and Steve Catchpool (Rebellion] are both regulars on the River [Derwent] and also have their boats sailing fast," said Glanville.
Matt Bugg, who won silver in the 2.4mR Class in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, is all set for the 20th anniversary event with his crew of Robert Jacobs and Ben Goldfinch sailing Stormtrooper.
"I'm looking forward to this year's Crown Series as it's going to be our first serious regatta with our newly refitted SB20.
"We are hoping that a few changes to the boat will help us stay in touch with the faster boats in the Class and a multi race weekend event is always a good opportunity to improve our skills and gauge our performance against the rest of the fleet.
"I've been racing in the Crown Series on and off (mainly on) for the last 20 years and it always provides challenging conditions and a fun atmosphere at the Bellerive Club afterwards.
"It also usually has the added benefit of being held on my birthday, so I automatically get a leave pass from the family to go sailing," said Bugg.
The SB20 fleet will sail up to eight windward/leeward races in the Championship.
Follow the 2024 Banjo's Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive Regatta official website here and via Facebook here.