#DRAGON – The Irish Dragon fleet have probably their biggest season this year in their 85 year history. Not alone are they hosting the Gold Cup in Kinsale but the Edinburgh Cup is to be held in Belfast Lough in July. With these two famous competitions anchoring a series which includes the British Northerns, the Irish Nationals and the South Coasts, a GRAND SLAM series has been established, sponsored by new fleet sponsor Brewin Dolphin.
Since the 80s Irish Dragon sailors have been frequent participants at overseas regattas, and in recent years they have consistently been winning major titles. Don O'Donoghue and Martin Byrne have both added their names to the Edinburgh Cup, and sailors such as Peter Bowring, Simon Brien and Andrew Craig are frequent top-scoring visitors at the top European and international events. This has helped the Irish Dragon Association to bid successfully to host the Dragon Gold Cup – the open world championship - in Kinsale this September.
Private Client Investment Managers Brewin Dolphin, who recently entered the Irish market with their acquisition of Tilman Asset Management, are continuing their recent history of sport sponsorship by backing one of sailing's most prestigious championships – the Dragon Gold Cup – which is to be held in Ireland in September - and are also sponsoring the Grand Slam Series.
Jamie Matheson, Brewin Dolphin Executive Chairman commented:
"We are very proud to add such a great event as the Dragon Gold Cup to our portfolio. We are not newcomers to the world of sailing, having successfully sponsored the Scottish Series for the past 11 years and more recently the Commodores' Cup. Sailing has provided us with an excellent platform to increase awareness of our brand to a wider audience and we are confident that the Grand Slam will develop this."
With the Edinburgh Cup and Gold Cup being held in Ireland in the same season, added to the normal Irish series of championships, this Grand Slam series is already attracting the attention of many top European and International crews. The GRAND SLAM is focused on Corinthian sailors with major prizes, thanks to the support of Brewin Dolphin, and is already attracting the attention of many top European and International crews. There will also be prizes for the professional teams, pre-2000 boats and wooden boats.
After the Edinburgh Cup in Belfast Lough in July, the focus moves to Dunlaoghaire where the Royal St George Yacht Club will host the National Championship – immediately after the ISAF Worlds.
The season culminates with the Dragon Gold Cup – which is the Dragon Class Open World Championship and one of sailing's most prestigious trophies. This is being hosted by Kinsale Yacht Club, renowned for its excellent sailing conditions and top-class restaurants and hospitality.
Cameron Good, Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club said:
"We are striving to make it as easy as possible for sailors to participate in the Grand Slam and have negotiated discounted ferry crossing rates with Stenaline. Arrangements are also in place to tow visitors' boats between events so that they can just fly in to participate. There are also 'warm up' events strategically timed before for both the Edinburgh Cup (the Northern Area Championships) and the Gold Cup (the South Coast Dragon Championships)"
The Grand Slam events 2012:
• British Northern Area Championships
Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
1st July – 3rd July
• Edinburgh Cup
Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
4th July – 7th July
• Irish Championships
Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
26th July – 29th July
• Irish Southern Coast Championship
Kinsale Yacht Club
1st September – 2nd September
• International Dragon Gold Cup
Kinsale Yacht Club
6th September – 14th September
