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Kissane's 'Serafina' Takes Volvo Dun Laoghaire Dragon Title by a Point

14th July 2025
Alistair Kissane's Royal St. George Yacht Club Serafina crew secured the Dragon class Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta title by just one point.
Alistair Kissane's Royal St. George Yacht Club Serafina crew secured the Dragon class Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta title by just one point. Credit: Bob Bateman

Three race wins in a seven-race tally all in the top four (1,2,4,1,3,1,1) were enough for Alistair Kissane's Royal St. George Yacht Club Serafina crew to win the Dragon class Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta title by a single point from clubmate Peter Bowring in Phantom on 13, the recently crowned south coast champion.

Third in the nine-boat fleet was Royal Irish Yacht Club's Sir Ossis of the River, Denis Bergin on 15.

Dragons race downwind under spinnaker at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael ChesterDragons race downwind under spinnaker at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael Chester

The fleet enjoyed more champagne conditions for the final race on the North course.

Speaking on the conclusion of the regatta, VDLR event chairman Don O’Dowd said: “We’ve had four days of stunning conditions and unforgettable racing. The sight of hundreds of boats out on the bay under blue skies, along with the ceremonial start and wide public participation, has made this a truly special 10th edition.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the sailors, the volunteers and the entire Dun Laoghaire community for their support.”

Race Results

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Published in Dragon
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The Dragon was designed by Johan Anker in 1929 as an entry for a competition run by the Royal Yacht Club of Gothenburg, to find a small keel-boat that could be used for simple weekend cruising among the islands and fjords of the Scandinavian seaboard. The original design had two berths and was ideally suited for cruising in his home waters of Norway. The boat quickly attracted owners and within ten years it had spread all over Europe.

The Dragon's long keel and elegant metre-boat lines remain unchanged, but today Dragons are constructed using the latest technology to make the boat durable and easy to maintain. GRP is the most popular material, but both new and old wooden boats regularly win major competitions while looking as beautiful as any craft afloat. Exotic materials are banned throughout the boat, and strict rules are applied to all areas of construction to avoid sacrificing value for a fractional increase in speed.

The key to the Dragon's enduring appeal lies in the careful development of its rig. Its well-balanced sail plan makes boat handling easy for lightweights, while a controlled process of development has produced one of the most flexible and controllable rigs of any racing boat.