Going into the final two races of the 2022 Edinburgh Cup in Falmouth on Thursday it was close at the top. Just one or two points were in it for four of the Dragon and it quite literally was all to play for!
The Royal St. George Yacht Club Jaguar Sailing Team of Martin Byrne, Adam Winkelmann and John Simms led overall by three points and were hopeful of a repeat of their 2011 victory but unfortunately, things did not turn out that way for the Dublin Bay crew.
Wind, waves, and sun was on the menu for the first race but after a general recall the wind started to dip. Instead of the three sitting on the side, teams were adapting to the conditions sailing towards Pendennis Castle.
The conditions further tested the fleet with many choosing to hit a hard corner before turning to the upwind mark. Gains were made downwind for many of the Dragons, but it was the final beat to the finish that determined the outcome.
Provezza TUR 1212 claimed their second race win with Bluebottle GBR 192 in second and, Jaguar Racing Team IRL 201 taking third. Burnham-based Dragons Flotation GBR 790 and Still Crazy GBR 827 came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
The final race was an exciting culmination of the week. The Dragons were away on a clean start, and it was a 50/50 split choosing the far left or right of the beat. The first windward mark was a melee of Dragons as several converged from port and starboard resulting in penalty turns and rapid avoidance.
The final beat to the finish saw GBR 192 and TUR 1212 exchange covering tacks and a fast GBR 761 edged ahead. As the Dragons neared the finish and the entrance to Carrick Roads, the wind became unpredictable with pockets across the bay.
In a remarkably close finish, it was Jerboa GBR 761 to cross the line with their first race win. TUR 1212 got in front of GBR 192 to take second place forcing Bluebottle to settle for third.
In another brilliant display of racing expertise, Ron James’ Fei-Lin’s Flirtation GBR 633 came from the back, choosing a hard right on the final beat to take fourth place over the line. Followed quickly by Andy Moss’s Hands Off GBR 760.
The 2022 Edinburgh Cup was won by Provezza Dragon TUR 1212, Andy Beadsworth, Simon Fry and Edward Salter. A first win for helm Andy Beadsworth but not his first Edinburgh Cup win.
Edinburgh Cup Results Overall (Sailed: 6, Discards: 1, To count: 5, Entries: 24)
1st Provezza Dragon TUR 1212 Andy Beadsworth Bodrum Offshore SC 2.0 1.0 (11.0) 5.0 1.0 2.0 11.0
2nd Bluebottle GBR 192 Graham Bailey Royal Yacht Squadron 1.0 7.0 1.0 (12.0) 2.0 3.0 14.0
3rd Jaguar Racing Team IRL 201 Martin Byrne Royal St George YC C 7.0 2.0 4.0 3.0 3.0 (10.0) 19.0
4th Jerboa GBR 761 Gavia Wilkinson-Cox Royal Torbay YC L (19.0) 3.0 2.0 2.0 17.0 1.0 25.0
5th Fei-Lin’s Flirtation GBR 633 Ronald James Royal Forth YC 5.0 (9.0) 9.0 1.0 8.0 4.0 27.0
