SB20 Tasmanian Schools Championship at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania - Preview

The Fahan School powered up in the 2026 Storm Bay Apparel SB20 Australian Championship in Hobart © Jane Austin

Sixty sailors and 15 boats will be on the water in Hobart this Saturday competing in the inaugural SB20 Tasmanian Schools Championship hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT).

The event has drawn 14 local crews and one interstate entry in what is anticipated to become an important fixture on the annual SB20 Australian sailing calendar, especially in the lead-up to the 2029 SB20 World Championship which is on in Hobart in January of that year.

The Fahan School and The Hutchins School team, both regular competitors in the local SB20 pennant series, will have two and four teams on the water respectively, while The Friends' School has entered three teams.

The Hutchins School has four teams competing in the 2026 SB20 Tasmanian Schools Championship - photo © Jane Austin

Hobart's St Virgil's College will also have their boat back in the water for the event after an extended break.

In a positive move for the Class, entries have also been received from new schools including Kingston High School, St Mary's College (two entries) and a combined entry from Woodbridge High School/Hobart College.

Additionally, a team from Scots College will be flying in from Sydney to test their skills against the local youth sailors in a new class of boat to the Pacers and skiffs that the team members usually sail.

Building the interest and skills of youth sailors is a key focus for the SB20 Association of Australia who, in partnership with host clubs the RYCT and the Derwent Sailing Squadron, are already laying the foundations for the 2029 SB20 World Championship.

SB20 Association of Australia Class President, Paul McCartney, is excited about the new Schools event and where it may lead for these young sailors.

"As we look towards the 2029 World Championship in Hobart and beyond, growth of the Class is our priority.

"Introducing enthusiastic youth sailors to sportsboat sailing, and to the SB20 in particular, is an important avenue for us to build the SB20 Class here in Australia.

"The support from existing and new schools for this inaugural championship has been very promising; we are looking forward to an exciting event, with many opportunities for participation to flow from this," said McCartney.

While the competitive spirit will always be alive and well, the event is focusing upon presenting the SB20 as an excellent option for sailors transitioning from dinghies into keel boats, with the added attraction of a world championship on home waters.

Racing gets under way in the one-day event at 10:15 with the racing format a series of up to eight (one or two lap) short windward/leeward races, with spinnakers.

One adult is allowed onboard per team, with a maximum of four crew in total.

The event has been brought to fruition through the generous support of local SB20 owners who have made their boats available for schools that do not currently own an SB20.

For regatta results, go to: ryct.org.au/2026-sb20-tasmanian-schools-championship