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Laser SB3 Volvo World Championships 2010

Three men in a boat, went to Garda … went to Garda sailing. It is difficult to put into words the idea of three soldiers who tend to sail for a bit of sport enjoyment, being given the opportunity to sail in the Laser SB3 World Championships. The event took place in Torbole, Lake Garda in Italy. With a field of 108 boats entering from the best of 16 Nations around the world all coming together for this prestigious event.

The Laser SB3 is a three/four man high performance keel boat. Ours was crewed by WO2 Johnny Johnston PARA at the helm, SSgt Shane Grimes RLC in the middle and LCpl Simon Chester REME at the front. The “Valkyrie” as it is called is the Army Sailing Association Germany (ASA (G)) flag ship. With only really one week training together in the boat, we went there with no great expectations except to not come last and to beat the other Army entry, the UK based REME boat. We managed both in spades.

After travelling from the Möhnesee Sail Training Centre, through the night, south down Austria and into Italy, straight away we made friends by setting up our boat at 0430 in the morning, funny how everyone was now awake and rigging their boats too. We had a practice race on the Sunday, getting to know the spectacular scenery and sailing venue, with the famous Ora wind arriving at midday from the South. In nice sunny days in Lake Garda this is caused by the cold air rushing towards the Dolomite mountains. This is what makes it such a fantastic place to sail. Nice relaxed mornings sorting out the boat and great sailing for four/five hours in the afternoon, followed by some friendly hospitality and the chance to sample the local restaurants and bars.


The racing got serious on the Monday with three races planned per day for the rest of the week. The local knowledge tells you to head for the cliffs and join the conveyer belt towards the windward mark. I was watching the wind building in the middle, so decided to take a gamble. We must have been doing something right because by race three, after starting, we led the fleet to the windward mark “woo hoo” (see youtube) it did not last as then they all went this route. Still we did manage a 22nd.

Racing is never without its ups and downs. Our down, was trashing the brand new spinnaker on the Thursday of race one. But we did manage to get back to the Yacht club, re-rig and make the start line for the second race. And finish 21st. Our highs, … lots. The camaraderie of other sailors from around the world, the amazing location and Mecca for sailing, never coming last and beating the REME boat in every race.

I would like to thank all those who allowed and helped the three soldiers’ race in this event. Some people would say that sailing is not adventurous! This was nothing but and adventure for us. Fighting for a position on the start line in a one ton boat or blasting down wind with the spinnaker flying at 20 mph, certainly gets the adrenaline pumping. After too short a week our overall position was 30th in our class. We were chuffed to bits and still smiling from the experience every day.

WO2 Johnny Johnston.