Defending world champion John Pollard successfully retained his SB20 UK National title after leading XCELLENT to victory at the 2026 Rovika UK and Open SB20 Championships on the Solent.
The four-day championship, hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club, attracted 31 teams from five nations and delivered everything from 25-knot winds to light-air tactical racing.
Pollard, sailing with Henry Wetherell and David Chapman, topped both the Open Championship and the UK National standings after a consistent series that included six race wins.
Sunday's scheduled racing was abandoned before boats left the dock when gusts exceeded 25 knots. Race officer Peter Taylor kept the fleet ashore, allowing competitors to regroup before racing resumed in more manageable conditions on Monday.
Monday provided classic Solent sea-breeze racing, with Pollard's crew establishing a narrow overnight lead after three races.
The championship concluded on Tuesday in lighter winds. Taylor's race management team completed four races before the final warning signal deadline, using Vakaros RaceSense technology to identify individual boats over the start line and avoid general recalls.
Although XCELLENT dominated the series, the fleet remained highly competitive. Singapore's Glasgow Kiss claimed one race victory and finished second overall in the Open Championship, while Australia's Porco Rosso completed the podium.
Reflecting on the victory, Pollard said the fleet featured "plenty of champions on the line" and praised both the standard of racing and the atmosphere ashore.
"Super pleased to take the win in a tight fleet with plenty of champions on the line. A fantastic event and what a fleet with a great dockside atmosphere."
The championship also recognised standout performances across the fleet. Australia's Ares won the Top Female Team award, while Belgium's youth sailors impressed throughout the regatta.
UK SB20 Class chairman Charlie Whelan said the turnout demonstrated the class's continued growth.
"To see 31 boats on the start line supported by world-class race management showed just how strong, friendly and inclusive this fleet has become," he said.
Overall Open Championship
XCELLENT (GBR) — John Pollard, Henry Wetherell, David Chapman
Glasgow Kiss (SIN) — Nils Razmilovic, Marcus Tressler, David Salembier
Porco Rosso (AUS) — Paul McCartney, Will Sargent, Sam Tiedman
UK National Championship
XCELLENT — John Pollard, Henry Wetherell, David Chapman
PBTwenty II — Mark Gillett, Paul Hine, Richard Anderton
Reservoir Bod — Charlie Whelan, Richard McAdam, Patrick Whelan
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