The Corinthian Room was buzzing on Friday evening as Club members gathered in numbers to celebrate the success of John Pollard and Team Xcellent in winning the SB20 World Championship 2025.
On display were the SB20 Nations Trophy and the magnificent cut glass SB20 World Champions trophy, together with John’s winners medal and memorabilia from the event.
John shared his story from Junior sailing at the Royal Torbay Yacht club to competing at international events around the world over many years. He paid tribute to his crew members, to both those who sail regularly with him in club racing in Torquay and those who compete with him internationally. John was joined by his wife Kate and daughter Emily who are both key members of the support team, both were in Singapore and there to welcome John and his winning team Henry Weatherell and Dave Chapman ashore.
Winning the SB20 World Championship is a dream come true for John Pollard, a moment that brings both immense pride and the weight of future expectations. Next up, Team Xcellent will compete at the SB20 European Championship in Ostend, Belgium, before heading to Hyères, France, to defend their World title in 2026.
The ultimate goal? To bring the trophy home to Torquay in 2027 when the Royal Torbay Yacht Club will host the SB20 Worlds. The event is back to Torquay for the first time since 2011.
The victory wasn’t just personal for the Pollard family. With eight UK teams having competed at the Worlds, the British contingent also won the Nations Cup, awarded to the best-performing nation. The Royal Torbay Yacht Club now proudly displays the trophy.
The club looks forward to welcoming the SB20 class back to Torquay for their World Championship in 2027.
