Daily Archives: 31st August 2021

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Edinburgh Cup 2021 Day One

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Granton Harbour greeted the Dragon sailors with a gentle Easterly breeze on day one of the Edinburgh Cup 2021.

Racing was unable to get underway on time as the wind had not filled in as predicted across the Firth of Forth and the morning was spent under AP.

A post-lunch increase in wind offered some optimism and soon the fleet was heading to the racing area for the start of race one.

All 16 Dragons sailed away from a clean start with GBR 761 Jerboa taking the clear air at the pin end of the start line to inch ahead of the fleet. The team of four, led by Gavia Wilkinson-Cox kept to the left of the course from the start as the fleet split going up the first beat.

Jerboa led around the first windward mark followed by GBR 810 Badger. While the wind remained light Jerboa continued her lead of the fleet and for the second time around the windward mark went through ahead of Badger, GBR 633 Fei-Lin’s Flirtation, GBR 515 Basilisk and GBR 192 Bluebottle.

Just behind the leading Dragons the pack, starting with FRA 428 Bande a Part, GBR 731 Kestra, GBR 763 Bertie and GBR 764 Naiad made their way down the final spinnaker run.

The final downwind gate was an opportunity for several Dragons to make up ground before the hook to the finish. One such Dragon was Gery Trentesaux’s four-up team onboard Bande a Part we sailed well to claim third overall.

On taking the race one win, Jerboa skipper Gavia commented “it is always good to win the first race.”

Part of Gavia’s four-person team is 18 year old, Royal Forth Yacht Club sailor, Kate Angier. Stepping in at the last minute to join the team, this is Kate’s first Edinburgh Cup and the youngest sailor at the event. Talking excitedly after their win, she said “Sailing a Dragon is always something I have wanted to do, there are so many Dragons in the harbour and I have seen them sailing and racing and I have always wanted to get into it. This has been a really great opportunity and with such an experienced crew with Gavia I have learnt so much so quickly. I am absolutely loving it.”

Edinburgh Cup Race One Results

  1. GBR 761 Jerboa
  2. GBR 810 Badger
  3. FRA 428 Bande a Part
  4. GBR 633 Fei-Lin’s Flirtation
  5. GBR 731 Kestra – 1st Corinthian Winner
  6. GBR 192 Bluebottle
  7. GBR 515 Basilisk
  8. GBR 764 Najad
  9. GBR 763 Bertie
  10. GBR 818 Harry
  11. GBR 402Meteor
  12. GBR 790 Flotation
  13. GBR 508 Kismet
  14. GBR 489 Red Kestra
  15. GBR 343 Wiz Too
  16. GBR 509 Stargazer

Further racing was abandoned for the day. Day Two is scheduled for racing to start at 1055. Follow the BDA Facebook page for live-stream race reports.

To view images from the event visit the Ed Cup Gallery.

For more on the Edinburgh Cup click here >

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Preview Edinburgh Cup 2021

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The 72nd British Dragon Nationals, the Edinburgh Cup follows on from the thrilling racing of the Scottish Dragon Championships on the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh.

This year’s event is hosted by Granton Harbour’s Royal Forth Yacht Club who previously held the Edinburgh Cup in 1997. Between 1964 and 1997 Royal Forth sailors won the Edinburgh Cup a memorable seven times.

One’s to watch out for

Coming off the back of winning the Dragon fleet at Cowes Week and putting in solid top two position-winning races leading into the Edinburgh Cup Graham Bailey and team sailing the iconic Bluebottle should not be overlooked.

Reigning Edinburgh Cup Champion Mike Budd is back with Harry, crew Mark Greaves and joined by Chris Brittain. Consistently appearing in the top six and a win in race three of the Scottish Championship secured the team third place overall. An encouraging place to be going into the Nationals.

There is a promising increase in female Dragon helms at this year’s event. Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, Cathy Ogden, Helen Horsfall and Mariangela Bonavita joining the Dragon line-up are also sailing for the Seagull Trophy, awarded to the first placed lady Corinthian helm.

Travelling North from Brussels Gery Trentesaux has bought his Dragon Bade a Part from La Baule to take part “I wanted to come here because it is a very important race in Great Britain and in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. I am a French Squadron member so for me it was important to come. Also because I like to discover new destinations, I like Scotland, it is a great pleasure to come here.”

Local Royal Forth Yacht Club sailor Peter Cook’s Meteor upset a few Dragons with an excellent finish in race four of the Scottish Championships “We have learnt a lot, its nice to see how the top boats do. We were thrilled on the first day that we came out 10th overall so to get a third in one of the races was even better.”

Tom Vernon’s South Coast Dragon Championship winning crew added another title to their CV’s by securing the Scottish Dragon Championship on day two. Tom is joined on Badger with previous Edinburgh Cup champion crew Adam Bowers and Ollie Spensley-Corfield. Can they together continue their winning streak to take the Edinburgh Cup?

The British Dragon Association and the Royal Forth Yacht Club are very grateful for the generous support of the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, which has made this event possible.

Find all information, details and results from the Edinburgh Cup here >