p. 24
BEING IN THE
RACE Peter Valentino sits with Adrian Gauci Borda, one of the SB20 Malta Association members, to discuss the Sport Boat 20 and the Association. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than
from dinghies to Superyachts. A person who
seeing the introduction and the development
started his career under Ron Holland’s wing
of a class of one design boats on the island.
and who designed boats for dignified boat
It’s a reminder of the good old days when Paul
builders like Royal Huisman, Jongert, Palmer
Ripard, who, through his love for the sport,
Johnson and Jeanneau, amongst others.
had introduced the H-Boat Class. In those
Tony’s portfolio comes with a list of awards
days, we had gone from two boats to six to
and winning boats; it’s a beautiful tribute
eventually 13 identical boats, all locally built
to his life as an engineer as well as that of a
in the most meticulous of manners. These
naval architect. I can tell you how Tony, one of
were raced every single weekend; without the
Portugal’s best talent sails – he does it with
complications of running rating certificates
a smile; and rightfully so because 8,000 Tony
or working out results around a time factor
Castro boats have been launched so far.
because one of the benefits of one design is that the first across the line wins, the second is
In choosing a boat, any organisation that
second; and so on.
wishes to develop a class locally ought to look at several aspects. Generally, the stimulus
Time passed, boat design changed, and
ignites after seeing a boat afloat or by being
eventually, the inclination pivoted toward the
introduced to the Class through an event or
Sport Boat, a lighter and faster concept that
boat show. Still, then things to consider are
offered sheer fun. The SB20, conceived in
those of finance and cost, number of crew
2002 out of Tony Castro’s pen was a sudden
it takes, does it need to be available or not
success.
and does it meet the weather conditions of
association; because the future of the Class
your home sailing area. To me, one intrinsic
depends on that.
First, I can label Tony Castro as a round
element that is often overlooked when making
character, a person who designed anything
this choice is the strength of the international
International associations are there not only to
