SB20 Australian Championship 2025 at Bellerive Yacht Club - Day 2

Competition was tight in the SB20 Australian Championship with the lead flicking between Porco Rosso (Paul McCartney) and current champion, Karabos (Nick Rogers) throughout the afternoon.

Race Four started in a north, north-westerly breeze of eight to ten knots with Karabos, Rebellion (Stephen Catchpool) and Nutcracker (Rob Davis) going west and Porco Rosso taking the eastern side of the course.

It was tough going at the bottom mark with several large performance cruisers coming through the SB20 course on the way to their bottom mark which made things a bit hard going for the 20-foot sports boats.

'Nutcracker' - SB20 Australian Championship at Bellerive day 2 - photo © Jane Austin

Nutcracker demonstrated their skill in the lighter airs taking the win after leading throughout the race.

Davis, from Sandringham Yacht Club, is enjoying the racing in Hobart.

"It's always a pleasure to sail on the Derwent, albeit very fickle conditions today - there were times when everyone looked like they were in the lead at some point and it was just as easy to go to the back of the fleet, but it was great, tight racing," said Davis.

'Rebellion' won Race 6 - SB20 Australian Championship at Bellerive day 2 - photo © Jane Austin

Race Officer Ian Ross started Race Five in light conditions, but the race was abandoned after one lap due to a dying breeze, with the fleet taking the opportunity for an onwater lunch break, and for some a quick swim, while waiting for the breeze to fill in.

Race Five was re-started but the fleet was caught out by the outgoing tide resulting in a general recall.

Following the restart, the unstable breeze swung more towards the east and freshened to about 10 to 12 knots which suited Porco Rosso, Karabos and Silver Gull, skippered by Scott Glanville.

Nutcracker had a handsome lead at the top mark but gybed early back to the middle of the River and missed out on freshening breeze from the east which saw much of the fleet beat them to the bottom mark.

Rebellion, skippered by Stephen Catchpool, had a great start in the final race of the day and lead from the start to the finish, redeeming themselves following a disappointing 11th place in the previous race.

Nutcracker had a second place while Porco Rosso slipped in to third.

Eddie Reid and Will Sargent hoisting the kite on 'Porco Rosso' - SB20 Australian Championship at Bellerive day 2 - photo © Jane Austin

After one discard, Porco Rosso leads the championship on eight points, one point ahead of Karabos and a further three points ahead of Nutcracker on 12 points.

Four more races are scheduled in the SB20 Australian Championship which is being sailed as part of the Banjo's Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive Regatta.

Results after day 2:

'Red and Black' lead the fleet downwind - SB20 Australian Championship at Bellerive day 2 - photo © Jane Austin