John Pollard on top

The SB20 Grand Slam circuit spent three days on Lake Garda over the bank holiday weekend

The second event of the SB20 Grand Slam circuit took place over 24-26 May at the beautiful location of Malcesine, Lake Garda. This small town, approximately 5km south of the better known sailing centres of Torbole and Riva, has excellent facilities. It is a lovely historical waterside town and enjoys the same stunning views and weather conditions; an absolute top venue for the SB20 Class.

25 competitors from the UK, Russia, France and Germany joined the Italian fleet for three days of racing. Europe has not enjoyed the best of starts to its summer season, and while we rigged up in warm sunshine, the forecast was not looking promising for the classic sunny and windy conditions that we have all enjoyed at Garda over the years. The evening before racing began delivered a huge thunderstorm accompanied by an impressive lightening show which illuminated the fabulous mountains!

The rain had cleared by morning, but it had been snowing on the top of the mountains surrounding the lake; it was a great sight! The fleet launched in a windy, cold northerly breeze of 22 knots. The pressure steadily decreased through the day to 8 knots by the end of the third race.

John Pollard set the tone with consistent starts, and very solid decision making to record a 2,1,2 despite throwing away an impressive lead in race 1 by missing out the last mark and crossing the finish line to silence. Pollard realised his error and returned to the leeward mark to finish correctly. Alexey Murashkin's M Team, winner of the SB20 Grand Slam in Hyeres, gratefully took the first race, and Jerry Hill's Sportsboatworld.com took race 3.

The fleet enjoyed a complimentary dinner at the Speck Stube restaurant, which was much appreciated.

Day 2 was sunnier and lighter, but still cool as the southerly Ora breeze fought to establish itself. After a short delay three more races were held and again Pollard’s team put in a strong performance, winning the first two and taking the shortened third where in a declining breeze Hill's team and Nicolo Bianchi's Coldline team in a comfortable 1,2 only 100 yards from the finish fell into a hole and watched a large group of boats sail past them.

The final day saw warm weather and classic Lake Garda conditions bringing smiles all round as the fleet sailed three races in warm sunshine and 15-20 knots of breeze.

Pollard’s team had a healthy lead and sailed conservatively to wrap up the series with a race to spare. Bianchi and Hill's teams were the consistent performers of the day notching up 4,2,1 and 5,1,2 respectively, the other race winner being Luca Domenici, the local Melges 20 star.

The fleet will regroup for the third and final event of the SB20 Grand Slam circuit 2013 at Cowes, UK for the first four days of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Windward-leewards will be replaced by two round the cans courses per day with all the tidal and wind vagaries the Solent can throw at you! The fleet will all be based at UKSA and we have a lively social program in store; it promises to be a great event.

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