The
event is open to all sailors with racing experience and
the programme will incorporate a range of shoreside
and sailing activities designed to give participants
a good general introduction to the Cowes
Daring and Dragon fleets. Administration and
shoreside events will take place at the Royal London
Yacht Club on The Parade in Cowes, whilst sailing
activities will be run from the splendid new Trinity
Landing directly opposite the clubhouse.
Participants will take part in a variety
of training and racing activities afloat and in
addition there will be both a Daring and
an International Dragon moored on the Trinity
Landing so they can get up close and personal
with the boats and quizz class members on what has
kept these classes at the top of the keelboat
popularity polls for so many years.
Those taking part can decide whether they
would prefer to attend on both or just one of the days -
Saturday 16 or Sunday 17 June. Each day's
activities will start with an initial informal get
together and briefing session over coffee at
the Royal London Yacht Club at
approximately 10am. The club will also
provide a shoreside base between sailing sessions
and will be serving lunches and afternoon
tea. The Daring and
International Dragon fleets look forward to
welcoming sailors interested in keelboat
racing from Cowes to this unique event.
To take part please urgently contact Gavia
Wilkinson-Cox on Mobile 07973 165888 or e-mail
events@eventnetwork.demon.co.uk to
request an application form. A high level of
interest is anticipated so potential participants are
recommened to book early to avoid disappointment.
Further information about the event can also be found at
www.solent-dragons.org and
www.daring.org.uk.
Registered participants will also be invited to
attend the Cowes Keelboat Fleets "Nearly Midsummer's
Night Party" on the evening of Saturday 16 June at the
Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. Further details of
this event are also available from Gavia
Wilkinson-Cox as above.
The
Daring is based on the Arthur Robb 5.5m "Vision",
the silver medal winner at the 1956
Olympics. The special one-design rules allow
the class continuously to improve the sail and
rigging plan by adopting the latest designs and
materials. Most yachts are owned by small
syndicates that provide the very best value for
money racing and good fleet turnouts. There
are now more than 30 boats and a membership list
exceeding 200. Visit 
The
Dragon was designed in 1929 and was an Olympic
class from 1948-72; it is raced around the
world. The Solent Fleet is active from
Easter into October, and many boats travel to
regattas across the UK and internationally.
Carefully controlled class development means that
racing success is dependent on boat handling and
crew work, so competent crew are in
high demand on the circuit. Dragons are
also well known for their post-racing social
activities! Visit