While the sun shone and temperatures hit the mid-20s, sadly, the wind gods did not smile on day two of the 75th Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix 2023 in Cowes.

Rob Brown and his Royal Yacht Squadron Race Committee initially announced a two-hour postponement to see if a sea breeze would develop and then extended it to three hours when signs of cumulus clouds began to develop over the mainland shore. But sadly, it was not to be, and at 12.30, the decision was made to abandon racing for the day and allow everyone to enjoy a good lunch instead.

Whilst sailing might not have been possible, the sailors nonetheless enjoyed a wonderful day. Football fans were able to watch England’s Lionesses beat Australian Matilda’s in the Women's World Cup, refreshing swims were enjoyed from the beach, boats were tweaked, and tours of some of the Island’s attractions were organised.

And at 3pm everyone reconvened on the Royal Yacht Squadron lawn to enjoy “Not” Après Sailing drinks. Having been postponed the previous evening, the Day One Prize giving was also held with overall race one winner Lawrie Smith and Corinthian race winners Dun Laoghaire's Martin Byrne and Jono Brown amongst those receiving engraved glassware and bottles of Hendricks Neptunia Gin.

Lawrie Smith, sailing Alfie for the Glandore Harbour Yacht Club in West Cork, gave a sailing masterclass in perfect Solent conditions to claim twin victories on the opening day of the 75th Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix in Cowes. Andy Beadsworth’s Provezza Dragon from Turkey claimed a fourth and a second, while Grant Gordon’s Louise Racing took a pair of thirds, leaving the two boats tied on six points, with Beadsworth standing second overall and Gordon third on countback.

Chris Grosscurth leads the Corinthian (all amateur) fleet from Royal St. George's Martin Byrne of Dublin Bay and Poul-Richard Hoj-Jensen.

For the 42-strong fleet, conditions really could not have been better, with hot sun and a lovely sea breeze that built from around 10-12 knots at the start of racing to the mid-teens by the end, gently clocking from south-west to west as the day wore on. The Royal Yacht Squadron’s Race Committee, led by Race Officer Rob Brown, used their well-rehearsed course “walking” technique, which involves moving the marks for each leg to counteract the tide's influence, on an approximately two-mile course over the Bramble Bank.

After racing Nigel Young, tactician aboard Ron James’ Fei-Lin’s Flirtation, summed up the day perfectly saying, “Today the conditions were a typical sea breeze enhanced wind and the sun was shining. A regatta that’s run by the Royal Yacht Squadron is always really sweetly run, and the Race Committee were fantastic today. And the socials organised by Gavia are always going to be good, so it’s hard not to enjoy yourself!”

In both races the fleet was initially over eager, and the general recall flag got a workout, but they got away cleanly on the second attempt each time. The fleet was well spread along the line, although the pin was clearly favoured. Smith did a great job of both starts and led from the outset, seeing off the only real challenges to his supremacy before the first marks. Having established dominance in the early stages of each race he went on to extend and take both by an impressive margin.

Whilst Smith may have been off and away, there was no lack of action in the chasing pack, with both races seeing constant place changes. Ireland’s Martin Byrne followed Smith around the first mark of race one, closely followed by Switzerland’s Dirk Oldenburgh, Peter Gilmour and his Japanese YRED Yanmar Racing team and Cowes-based Gavia Wilkinson-Cox in Jerboa. By the first leeward mark, Gilmour had made his way up into second and there he stayed, but the fight for third was still on. Gordon had rounded the first mark in eighth then worked his way up into third, but it was Andy Beadsworth, helming the Turkish Provezza Dragon, who surprised everyone with a spectacular recovery from a decidedly mediocre start, dragging himself from well buried in the pack up into fourth with Sweden’s Jan Secher in Miss Behaviour fifth, Wilkinson-Cox sixth and Byrne seventh.

The Race Committee did an excellent job of turning the races around quickly, and once again Smith dominated from the outset, winning by an even bigger margin than race one. Whilst neither particularly shone on the first beat, by the end of the first run Beadsworth was up into second place with Grant hard on his heels. On the second beat Gordon had got through into second, but Beadsworth kept pressing and overtook him again on the final beat. Following Gordon home for fourth place was Germany’s Hannes Hollaender in Grace, with Martin “Stavros” Payne sailing True Story fifth and Gilmour sixth.

In the overall standings Lawrie Smith counts two points and has a four-point lead over Andy Beadsworth and Grant Gordon, who both have six points. In fourth place overall on eight points is Peter Gilmour with Gavia Wilkinson-Cox rounding out the top five.

Speaking after racing Andy Beadsworth commented, “Obviously Lawrie did very well today with two bullets, we had a fourth and a second and Grant had two thirds so it’s pretty tight at the front, but it’s still wide open I think. It’s the first day of the regatta, you can’t win it but you could lose it and we’re in the hunt so we’re pretty happy.”

In the Corinthian Fleet for all amateur crews, Chris Grosscurth’s Fit Chick from the Medway put in an excellent showing taking two ninth places overall and a second and first in the Corinthians. Second Corinthian overall and Corinthian race one winner is Martin Byrne’s Jaguar Sailing Team, with Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen third overall, Simon Barter’s Bertie fourth and William Swigart’s Full Speed from the Royal Hong Kong YC fifth.

The Dragon fleet is famed as much for its fun and camaraderie as for its world-class sailing, so after racing, the crews repaired to the Royal Yacht Squadron for Après Sailing Drinks. After that, it was on to the Island Sailing Club for a Celebration Cocktail Party.

The forecast for the second day of racing is for more beautiful sunshine, but much lighter wind, particularly in the morning. By early afternoon there is the possibility of 7-11 knots from the eastern quadrant and so the race committee remains hopeful of achieving racing, although an initial postponement is quite likely. Two of the eight scheduled races have now been completed and the regatta continues until Friday 18 August. A single scoring discard will be introduced once five races have been completed.

Provisional Top Ten After Two Races

• 1 - Lawrie Smith - GBR815 Alfie - 1, 1 = 2
• 2 - Andy Beadsworth - TUR12 Provezza Dragon - 4, 2 = 6
• 3 - Grant Gordon - GBR820 Louise Racing - 3, 3 = 6
• 4 - Peter Gilmour - JPN56 YRED - 2, 6 = 8
• 5 - Gavia Wilkinson-Cox - GBR831 Jerboa - 6, 7 = 13
• 6 - Hannes Holleander - GER1075 Grace - 11, 4 = 15
• 7 - Jan Secher - SWE800 Miss Behaviour - 5, 11 = 16
• 8 - Chris Grosscurth - GBR753 Fit Chick - 9, 9 = 18 (1st Corinthian)
• 9 - Torvar Mirsky - AUS551 Yeahnah - 8, 12 = 20
• 10 - Martin Payne - GBR818 True Story - 18, 5 = 23

Ireland's Tony O’Gorman, winner of four Edinburgh Cups between 1978 and 1984, was a special guest at the Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Party at the Royal Yacht Squadron to mark the official start of the 75th Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix. 

The sailors and their guests enjoyed champagne and canapes as Regatta Chair Gavia Wilkinson-Cox welcomed the competitors and thanked everyone involved in making the regatta possible and the many sponsors for their generous support.

Defending 2022 Edinburgh Cup Champion Andy Beadsworth, who was racing earlier this summer in Dun Laoghaire, will be racing with his Turkish Provezza Dragon team of Simon Fry and Enes Çaylak.

L-R - 75th Edinburgh Cup Regatta Chair Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, 1963 Edinburgh Cup winner Martin Parry and reigning Edinburgh Cup Champion Andy Beadsworth. Photo: James Tomlinson

41 teams from 12 nations and 4 continents will race for the honour of having their name engraved on the historic Edinburgh Cup, which has been awarded to the winner of the Dragon Open British Championship since it was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1949. With the event also incorporating the UK Dragon Grand Prix, one of just four European Grand Prix Circuit events in 2023, it has attracted an exceptionally high calibre entry.

Ireland’s Martin Byrne, owner/helm of Jaguar Sailing Team and winner of the 2011 Edinburgh Cup is looking forward to the competition. "It’s the 75th Anniversary this year but the Edinburgh Cup is an event we would not want to miss at any time. Clearly, the competition is at its highest in this Anniversary year and that will be our biggest challenge. We enjoy the welcome we receive each year when we travel over from Ireland to compete. The Edinburgh Cup has always been a must-do event for us, but Irish Dragons have a long and successful history in this competition, and we are proud and privileged to continue this tradition."

Fresh from victory in the Dragon Class at Cowes Week 2023 comes 1999 Edinburgh Cup winner Martin Payne who has been impressed with the organisation so far. “We have all the ingredients for a fantastic event. Huge thanks to Gavia Wilkinson-Cox for the exceptional organisation, to the measurement team led by our IDA measurer Bence Toronyi, and to all the Cowes Yacht Haven Staff for helping launch the boats. The registration at the RYS has been a delight and we all look forward to a great 75th Edinburgh Cup.”

Racing in his first Edinburgh Cup will be Australia’s match racing legend Peter Gilmour, at the helm of the Yanmar Racing Team’s Y-RED with crew Jasuhiro Yaji and Sam Gilmour. “The 75th Edinburgh Cup is going to be a tremendous event. It’s exciting for the Yanmar Racing team to be a part of it and for the Yanmar Group to be a supporting sponsor. The amazing prestige and heritage of the Edinburgh Cup goes hand in hand with Yanmar’s long history. There is a tremendous field of sailors, and it will be interesting once again to take on the tricky and challenging conditions of the Solent. A big thanks from Yaji san, Sam and myself for letting us be a part of it.”

Very much looking forward to the competition is Graham Bailey, current Turkish Open Dragon Champion, Bronze Medallist at the 2023 Dragon Worlds and three-time Edinburgh Cup winning helm, who will race the 75-year young Bluebottle with Julia Bailey, Will Heritage and Mark Lees. “It’s wonderful to be here for the double celebration of Bluebottle and the Edinburgh Cup’s 75th birthdays. There are some strong teams entered and we’ll put our best foot forward, but one thing we are certain of is that we are going to have fun!”

Also racing will be British Olympic Bronze Medallist Lawrie Smith, top French sailor Gery Trentesaux, Danish double Olympic Gold Medallist and five-time Edinburgh Cup Champion Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen, Australian World Match Racing Champion Torvar Mirsky, TP52 and MOD70 veteran Peter Cunningham from the Caymen Islands, top Hong Kong Dragon sailor Marc Castagnet, and a host of other top names from across the UK and Europe.

Racing will take place from Tuesday 15 to Friday 19 August with up to eight races scheduled over the four days with a first warning signal at 10:55 daily. Racing will take place on windward-leeward courses in the central Solent under the supervision of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Race Officer Rob Brown, himself a past Edinburgh Cup winner.

The forecast for the opening day is promising plenty of sunshine with a light 3 to 8-knot westerly breeze in the morning, which is expected to back to south-westerly and build to 10 to 15 knots with gusts into the low twenties during the afternoon. With Wednesday's forecast threatening very light winds, the Race Committee has announced that it intends to run three races on the opening day.

Ireland will be represented at The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes this month when the club hosts the 75th Edinburgh Cup and International Dragon UK Grand Prix starting this Sunday, August 13th.

Royal St. George's Martin Byrne of the Jaguar Sailing Team in Dun Laoghaire, who is a past winner of the event, will be Ireland's sole representative at what promises to be the biggest in over a decade, with participants from 12 different countries, including Scandinavia, Turkey, Australia, Japan, and the Cayman Islands. See entries here.

Championship racing will take place from Tuesday, August 15th to Friday, August 18th, with a social program that includes an Opening Ceremony sponsored by Yanmar and a Gala Prizegiving Dinner sponsored by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. This year, the trust is presenting a new perpetual trophy for the Edinburgh Cup, which is a maquette of a Royal Yachtsman's statue commissioned in 2011 in memory of all who served aboard BRITANNIA. The trophy will be awarded to the top-scoring Dragon, counting all race results.

Bluebottle, the legendary Dragon built by Camper & Nicholson and presented to Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at their wedding in 1947, will be present at the event. The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust rescued Bluebottle after it fell into disrepair and she will be raced by past Edinburgh Cup winners Graham and Julia Bailey. The duo recently won the Turkish National Championship and claimed third place at the 2023 Dragon World Championship in Bodrum, making them a team to watch during the Edinburgh Cup.

The Edinburgh Cup's rules allow for a single race discard in the overall score for the regatta, but in the early years of the competition, all races counted towards the overall result. The new Britannia Trophy will be awarded to the top-scoring Dragon, counting all race results. With so many countries represented and top-performing teams vying for the coveted trophy, the 75th Edinburgh Cup and International Dragon UK Grand Prix is set to be an exciting and competitive event.

Royal St. George Dragon ace Neil Hegarty sailing Phantom and crewed four-up, has moved straight into the lead of the 12-boat Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

The local crew of Hegarty with David, Hillary and Emma Williams scored 2,1,1 in the three races on the Salthill course to lead the national champions Cameron Good, Henry Kingston and Simon Furney sailing Little Fella from Kinsale overall by four points. 

Racing was in strong southerly breezes up to 20 knots that moderated slightly in the afternoon and went left to 160 degrees. 

Cameron Good, Henry Kingston, and Simon Furney sailing Little Fella from Kinsale lie second overall after three races sailed in the Dragon class at the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman

Lying third is Hegarty's clubmate Alistair Kissane in Serafina. 

The strong southerly winds are expected to continue for Saturday's races before moderating for Sunday's conclusion of the biennial event.

The Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, and Royal St. George Yacht Club are organising the ninth Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

Glandore Harbour Yacht Club Commodore Tim Forde reports on success in a very sociable event by the thriving local International Dragons against a cross-channel challenge:

“The Celtic Challenge 2023 against Royal Anglesey Yacht Club from the Menai Straits opened with dinner for the teams at the GHYC Clubhouse on Friday, June 16th, courtesy of our sponsors and the dedication of Social Secretary Myriam O Connor, assisted by Sally Wyles and team.

“Racing started on Saturday 17th with a coastal course to Castletownshend. An excellent start and skilful sailing saw Moonshine helmed by Welsh sailor Alistair Dickson, former RYA Director of Sport Development, show a clean pair of heels to the fleet from the off, to lead all the way to the beacon at Castletownshend.

Close start with team covering as the sun starts to work its way through. Photo: Kathleen Hayes

ALL CHANGE AT CASTLETOWNSHEND

“The notoriously fickle conditions on entering Castletownshend saw the run quickly transition to a beat. Shore hugging tactics and quick drills saw GHYC’s Aphrodite and Pongo break Welsh hearts by sneaking through inside in the final few hundred metres to steal 1st and 2nd place and Race 1 victory. Both teams adjourned to the familiar welcome at Mary Ann’s, where host Fergus presented with his customary cheer and generosity to the competitors.

BOAT-SWAP AFTER LUNCH

“Swapping boats after lunch, the crews set themselves homeward following the start by Race Officer Diarmuid O Sullivan. Alistair Dickson, now helming Zu, and determined to overturn the morning’s disappointment, tacked away early onto a long port tack in clear air to secure his exit from Castletownshend, hunted all the way by GHYC’s Ian Woolward on Supremacy. Dickson showed his class however, and crossed the line in Glandore with over two minutes lead on the fleet. Royal Anglesey’s 1,3,5 securing Race 2 victory and leaving the event tied after two races.

Great sport towards building up a healthy appetite for the next feast. Photo: Kathleen Hayes

“Day One of racing was concluded with a great dinner for both fleets at the Glandore Inn. With a win for each fleet on Day 1, Sunday’s in-harbour racing effectively meant a clean sheet start for each side. Four races windward/leeward using the permanent marks - were planned and achieved. Grim forecasts of torrential thunderstorms and similar did not dare materialise with the fleets carving their way into the freshening southerly breeze in a scene that looked more akin to the Greek Islands than West Cork as witnessed by the great racing images of Kathleen Hayes (aka Beken of Roury Glen) and the amazing drone footage of Heather Mahmood.

EARLY STRIKE FOR GLANDORE

“Round the cans maestro Diarmuid O Donovan on Pongo struck early for GHYC with Race 3 victory seconds ahead of second-placed Leah with RAYC Helm Martin Hartley. Isle of Wight G.P. and RAYC sailor Dr. Dominic Breen Turner had excellent race wins in races 4 & 5 helming both Magic and Aphrodite in sequence.

While substantial leads occasionally opened up, it was often neck-and-neck. Photo: Kathleen Hayes

“These sequential wins gave competitors afloat a strong impression that the result would come down to the wire but ashore the numbers were resolving themselves conclusively into a solid GHYC victory which was sealed by Race 6 victory for Ian Woolward on Supremacy, two minutes ahead of the second-placed RAYC boat.

“The competitors retired immediately to a prize-giving graciously hosted by Patrick Casey and Family at Casey’s Bar. It was here that Sailing Secretary Hal Andrews revealed the full picture on the scoring, with GHYC securing The Challenge by a margin of 4.5 to RAYC’s 1.5 and RAYC Fleet Captain Alistair Dickson presented the Celtic Challenge Trophy to Dragon Class Captain John Wyles.

The perfect sailing day is enjoyed by the Dragons at Glandore Photo: Kathleen Hayes

CHALLENGE AT BEAUMARIS NEXT YEAR

“Both teams, friends and family reunited later for a beautiful meal on the terrace at Hayes Bar to close out an incredibly competitive and enjoyable weekend. The genuine friendship that has developed between the Clubs was much in evidence, with conversation frequently drifting to talk of Celtic Challenge 2024 and plans for the Glandore Dragons crossing the channel to the scenically magnificent Beaumaris next summer.

“Congratulations and well done to all the race management and safety personnel - without whom the event would not have been possible - and to the Dragon owners for turning over their prized possessions to their Welsh competitors. The boats used were Aphrodite, Leah, Magic, Moonshine, Pongo, Phyloong, Supremacy and Zu".

“The Boats of the Ever-Young”. The Dragon Class’s Great Great Grandfather, nonagenarian Don Street, continues to be active with the Glandore fleet. Photo: Kathleen Hayes

Dragons and Squibs raced the At Home Regatta of Glandore Harbour Sailing Club in West Cork, where the second of the two-day event decided the overall outcome.

Supremacy, helmed by former British Olympian Iain Woolward, with crew Kevin Hayes and Eolann Miles, won the Donie O Sullivan Memorial Cup just ahead of Jamie Frame’s Moonshine. “Iain has retired to Castletownshend and the club are delighted to see him on the water, passing his considerable skills to a new generation,” GHYC said.

Sailing Secretary Hal Andrews won all four races in a depleted Squibs fleet, with crew Margaret Potenz/Rory Doyle. Second was Barry Speight’s Nimble.

In Bodrum, Turkey, two clear starts under a black flag saw 24 teams from ten nations racing in the most amazing conditions on the first day of the 2023 Dragon World Championships.  Blue sky, 12 knots of wind in crystal clear water.

Grant Gordon helming GBR 820 leads after recording a 2nd and 4th place. 

Close behind is Portugal's Michael Zankel, and in 3rd position is the late Queen of England's "Bluebottle" GBR 192, helmed by Graham Bailey.

There are no Irish boats competing. 

More here.

James Matthews, David Good, Harry Lewis and Fergal O’Hanlon of the host club were the overall winners by three points of the O'Leary Life Irish South Coast Dragon Championships sailed at Kinsale Yacht Club from 26th – 28th May.

A fleet of thirteen boats took part, including visitors from the Royal St.George YC, Glandore Harbour YC and Royal Irish YC.

The prevailing high-pressure system resulted in great racing with easterly winds for the three days under the direction of PRO, John Stallard.

Going into the final race, only one point separated Phantom (Neil Hegarty, Peter Bowring & David Williams) from TBD (James Matthews, David Good, Harry Lewis and Fergal O’Hanlon).

TBD (James Matthews, David Good, Harry Lewis and Fergal O’Hanlon) were the overall winners of the Dragon South Coasts at Kinsale Photo: David Cullinane

Following the start of the final race, Phantom remained on a starboard tack and head inshore, whereas TBD tacked early onto port and headed further out to sea.

The port tack proved to be the winning tack for TBD as the was ahead of Phantom at the weather mark and held her lead for the rest of the race. The final results were TBD in first place (11 points),Phantom in second place (12 points) and Little Fella in third place with 15 points.

Overall results are below

Kinsale Yacht Club will host the “O’Leary Life South Coast Dragon Championships” from the 26th – 28th of May. The event, which is the first regional event on the Irish Dragon class calendar, will mark the start of an exciting 16 months for Kinsale Yacht Club, which host the Nationals in August this year and then the Gold Cup in September 2024.

Commodore Matthias Hellstern, who is sailing with long-time Dragon sailor, Anthony O’Neill for the South Coasts, commented, “Firstly, thank you to Brian Goggin and all at O’Leary Life for sponsoring the event; we simply can’t run the event without sponsors. Kinsale Yacht Club has such a fantastic history with this wonderful class, and we are really looking forward to showcasing to all Dragon sailors what Kinsale has to offer over the months ahead”

Brian Goggin of O’Leary Life commented, “This month, O’Leary Life celebrates being 50 years in business. As part of our 50th-year celebrations, for the next 12 months, we will support various community organisations and give back to those who have supported us throughout the years. For the month of May, we are thrilled to sponsor Kinsale Yacht Club for the South Coast Dragon Championships”

Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) with Brian Goggin of O’Leary Life at the South Coast Dragon Championships for the West Cork port later this month

Although the sponsor may be celebrating 50 years in business, they are still some years behind the Dragon Design, who will turn 94 this year, having been conceived in 1929!

The class continues to reinvent itself, with Glandore now home to the largest fleet in Ireland, with many of their youth sailors looking like future dragon champions. Of course, the legendary dragon sailor Don Street has been one of the major backers of youth dragon sailing in Glandore, sharing his knowledge for decades in the West Cork harbour

The event will be an early season indicator of who has “wintered” the best, with stalwarts like Peter Bowring and his team on Phantom and Cameron Good with Little Fella among the early entries. James Matthews, fresh from winning the recent Keelboat regatta in Kinsale, are the early favourites but other local boats such as Whisper and Ghost will also be battling at the sharp end in what is shaping up to be a seriously competitive fleet.