Across two days, 10 teams completed 30 races in barely 10 degrees on the River Crouch for the 2024 Keelboat Endeavour.

The teams represented several of the one-design keelboat classes using five 707’s. The Dragon fleet was represented by Mark Wade, Heath Puxley, Rene Nel and Chris Brittain.

The short-sharp (10-15 min) races were sailed in windy (15 gusting 20+ kts) conditions in Burnham, meaning every team completed a tiring 15 races each.

On Saturday there were no spinnakers and Sunday, no spinnakers and one reef which levelled the playing field keeping the emphasis very much on racing skills rather than crew/boat handling.

Nearly every race was too close to call until the finish line and the smallest of errors would bounce a team to the back of the fleet. However, as always, some were better at it than others and congratulations to the Flying Fifteen Class who were the clear winners. But all the following places were very close, after 15 races only 4 points separated 3^rd to 6^th place.

Our thanks to all the volunteers and staff at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club who, as always, laid on a great weekend both on and off the water.

“I am thrilled the Dragon Class was represented at the Keelboat Endeavour event held at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. Mark Wade and his team competed against some of the UK’s top keelboat sailors, demonstrating the strength and ability within the British Dragon fleet.”

Andy Moss, BDA Chairman

RESULTS

1. Flying Fifteen
2. Sonata
3. 707
4. J24
5. Sunbeam
6. International Dragon
7. National Swallow
8. Squib
9. K6
10. International 2.4m

Photo credit: Roger Mant, RCYC

The 76^th Edinburgh Cup, the annual British Dragon nationals and Northern championship will be hosted by the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club who is celebrating their centenary year.

The BDA Northern championships and Edinburgh Cup return to the waters of North Wales from 7^th – 12^th July 2024. Early bird entries for the 2024 event are now open along with notice of race information. 

British Dragon Association Chairman Andrew Moss said: “We are looking forward to heading back to Abersoch for this year’s Edinburgh Cup. This championship is steeped in history and is a challenging regatta to win. I personally look forward to seeing and sailing with many of the Dragon teams travelling from the UK, Ireland and further afield.”

The Edinburgh Cup has successfully been held in Abersoch at the SCYC in 1962, ’69, ’76, ’82, ’88, 2011, 2016, 2019. And now this July.

Following the two-day BDA Northern Championship, Cardigan Bay will see local experts race together against regional champions and past national champions in the four-day event.

The South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club (SCYC) established in 1924 is one of the UK’s premier yachting and sailing destinations with an active sailing programme. Positioned atop a cliff with stunning views of Cardigan Bay, St.Tudwal’s islands and the Snowdonia mountain range, SCYC provides a breathtaking venue for this National event.

The 76^th Edinburgh Cup sponsored by The Warren resort & Spa will take place from 7^th – 12^th July 2024 with championship racing from Tuesday 9^th to Friday 12^th July. Follow the latest news from the regatta via the Event Website and the British Dragon Association’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

To enter and download Notice of Race information visit www.britishdragons.org/edinburgh-cup-2024