BRIT1Sf DRAGON ASSOCIATION DRAGON NEWS 2011 At Aberdeen, we all pull together. In our experience team work is important. Delivering To discover more about Aberdeen Asset Management successful performance takes dedication, technique and Cowes Week visit: attention to detail. That's why we're proud to sponsor www.aamcowesweek.co.uk Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week one of the UK's longest running and most successful events. With up to 40 races daily for around 1,000 boats it is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world and a key fixture in the British sporting summer calendar. A Aberdeen Issued and approved by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, 10 Queen's Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YG. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom. Telephone calls may be recorded. Table of Contents Page Chairman's Thoughts Forthcoming Fixtures, BDA Officers, Notes To Members 2 Solent Fleet Report 3 The Worlds 20 I 3 4 Abersoch Fleet Report 6 BDA Accounts 8 Medway Fleet Report 9 Dragonfly - Classic Restoration Part 11 10 Aldeburgh Fleet Report 12 From The Archives 13 Burnham Fleet Report IS Edinburgh Cup 20 12, Belfast 17 Cover Picture: 20 I I Dragon Edinburgh Cup supported by Aberdeen Asset Management held in Abersoch from I 3-16 July 20 I I - Photo: Fiona Brown be sorted out so that the fleet spreads rather than endure a Chairman's Thoughts 20 I I gradual reduction in the number of participants. lt now seems a long time since January, however, that was The other regional championships were both won by when, for the first time, a British team won the Dragon World visitors. Jorgen Schonherr showed that the mud of the Championship in Melbourne. Lawrie Smith, Ossie Stewart Crouch was no more of a problem than the Medway had and Tim Tavinor prevailed over Markus Wieser on countback been last year. The event featured short tacking up the Roach after a nail-biting need to climb up the fleet in the last race. which is certainly not much practised in Denmark. May be Many congratulations. British sail numbers had in fact won the more crack Danish helmsmen will now feel the urge to learn previous Worlds in 2009 in Medemblik. However, they were previously unnecessary skills. In July Andrew Craig showed being sported by Poui-Richard Hoj-Jensen, Lars Jensen and very conclusively that visitors can succeed in the Solent by Theis Palm who all speak Danish, even now, slightly better winning the South Coasts. Overseas the best result was than English . As an aside, I'm not actually sure whether, or Graham Bailey 's fourth place in the Gold Cup at Ostend. how, the class should enforce nationality rules in its major He was leading the event going into the last race but sadly events, though it is clear that many National Associations was unable to hold his position. However, he did win the have strong views on the subject. The BDA is the host for Corinthian Trophy, thus maintaining a perfect record for the next Worlds in 20 13 and we very much want all the best British four-person mixed-sex crews. This certainly flies in helmsmen to be there with the crews with whom they like the face of much conventional wisdom about Dragon sailing to compete. and opens it up to wider participation. On the domestic scene, the Edinburgh Cup was held in We have been privileged to be sponsored by Aberdeen Abersoch. This represented a massive effort by the local Asset Management for several years. They have provided fleet which was much appreciated by all the competitors. general support for the BDA and specific support for events, In particular, Rob Riddell has probably taken the rest of the especially the Edinburgh Cup. I am pleased to be able to summer to recover. There were 43 boats competing, which report that they have just agreed to extend the relationship is easily the greatest number of participants for several years. for a further three years. Even a very quick glance at our These were drawn from 6 countries, not as many as in accounts will make clear how much we depend on their Cowes in 20 I 0, but then Abersoch is considerably further goodwill towards us. We have been in discussion with them from foreign lands other than Ireland (some of us think it is about ways in which we could deepen the relationship which itself in a foreign land). The biggest influences on the turnout may require more participation by BDA members. I am sure were the enthusiastic participation of the relatively new or that will be forthcoming. revived Abersoch fleet and the Irish w ho fielded 7 boats. The furthest travelled were Gordon lngate from Australia and Over the next two years the BDA faces two very different Bocci Aoyama from Japan, w ho was exercising his brand­ challenges. The first is to run the World Championship in new boat for the first time. For the second year running the Weymouth in 20 13 so that it is an event memorable for the Muratov/White Russian combination fielded two boats and quality of the competition and the standard of the racing. serious competition. The Edinburgh Cup itself was won by The second is to build on the success we have had in raising Martin Byrne on countback from Mikhail Muratov and Klaus participation in the Edinburgh Cup over the last five years Diederichs. Simon Brien was fourth and therefore won the so that we get recognition as a class providing excellent Corinthian Trophy for the second year running. Martin himself racing in a wide variety of places and at different levels both was entering into a family tradition. His brother-in-law, Rory domestically and internationally. There is still a problem of Bowman, won the cup six times between 1987 and 2004 perception that Dragons are excessively expensive and old­ and is still an active Dragon sailor. Conditions were generally fashioned. We all need to get the message across that cost is good for the event and much easier than for the preceding competitive and the quality of competition is unrivalled. Northerns which were won by Julia Bailey. The Corinthian Trophy for the Northerns went to Mike Holmes. I will be retiring as Chairman in January and handing over to Martin Makey. I have very The two events in Abersoch were among several in Europe much enjoyed the role, this year which ins pired a vigorous debate among sailors above all because I have about the use of the Black Flag. lt is obviously a problem for been supported by a team competitors if they find that they spend a lot of money to of officers and a committee compete but are ruled out by over-zealous use of the Black who have made it possible Flag. Suffice it to say that the approximate consensus which to achieve changes that has emerged is that it depends on the reason causing a lot of could not have been done premature starters. If the fleet is evenly distributed along a by any one individual. I long-enough line the race officer has done his job and woe know that the BDA will be betide an over-eager fleet. However, if, for any reason the fleet in excellent hands going is only using a part of the line, thereby shortening it, because forward and will enjoy everybody really wants to start in the same place the problem again the position of one of in fact rests with the race officer and a postponement, even the rank and file. at the last moment, is the best answer. The problem may be a biased line, a wind shift or a perception that there is only Patrick Gifford one way to go. lt doesn't really matter which it is but it has to Your Cha~rman tn a more formal mode Forthcoming Fixtures 2012 2013 The South (oast Championships Cowes S May- 7 May The Gold (up (ascais 6 April- 12 April The East (oast Championships levington 29 May- 31 May The Northern Championships Abersoch TBC The European Championships Attersee, Austria 8 June- IS June The East (oast Championships Medway 25 May - 27 May tbc The Northern Championships (ultra 30 June- 3July The Edinburgh Cup Weymouth 28 June - I July tbc The Edinburgh (up (ultra 4 July- 7July The South (oast Championships lymington tbc TBC The Gold (up Kinsale 8 Sept- 14 Sept The European Championships Douarnenez 16 Aug- 24 AugThe World Championships Weymouth S Sept - 13 Sept BRITISH- DRAGON ASSOC IATION BOA Officers Chairman - Patrick Gifford Aldeburgh Fleet Captain - Rufus Gilday 07930 558737 07900 681542 [email protected] [email protected] Vice Chairman - Martin Makey Burnham Fleet Captain - Mark & Mandy Wade (Chairman elect) 07770 792971 07860 729804 amanda.wade5@virgin .net [email protected] Medway Fleet Captain - Julian & Claire Sowry Hon Treasurer - Charles Cronin 07836 757932 07711 589198 jsscimitar@aol .com [email protected] Solent Fleet Captain - Owen & Josy Pay Hon Secretary - Tim Wilkes 07813 963643 07720 288 I 00 owen [email protected] [email protected] Travelling Fleet Representative - Ron James (Vice Chairman elect) 07740 177038 Notes To Members [email protected] All members are asked to check that the contact details Classic Dragon Representative - Patrick Gifford published in The White Book document are up to date and 07930 558737 correct. Not all members have let us know their e-mail [email protected] .co.uk addresses and it would be helpful if those, as well as any other changes, are notified to the Secretary at admin@ PR Consultant - Fiona Brown britishdragons.org 07711 718470 [email protected] All members are reminded that BDA trophies are to be returned to the Secretary or organising club for each Abersoch Fleet Captain - Rob Riddell relevant regatta.