Category Archives: News

BDA Statement Edinburgh Cup 2020

Posted on by

In the light of the latest Government announcement the British Dragon Association (BDA) along with the Royal Forth Yacht Club (RFYC) has taken the decision to cancel this year’s Scottish Dragon Championship and Edinburgh Cup event on the Forth.

BDA Chairman Simon Barter said: “After hearing the latest public health instruction about COVID-19 we have made the inevitable decision to cancel the 2020 Scottish Championship and Edinburgh Cup. This has been done to secure the safety and health of our members, competitors, volunteers and spectators.

“This year’s event was to feature the famous International Dragon Bluebottle previously owned by HRH Prince Philip and currently undergoing a full restoration on the Isle of Wight. But while this would have been a historic event for the national Dragon fleet it would not be responsible for us to continue when we must all need to be complying with Government instructions.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the RFYC team and the Scottish Dragon fleet who have put so much time and effort into planning for a great event this year. We now look to focus on 2021 for an outstanding national event.

“I urge you to stay safe, follow government health guidelines and please do everything you can to reduce the risk of infection to yourself and those around you. The BDA sends you all the best wishes in these difficult times and we look forward to seeing you all on the water soon.”

The provisional plan is to hold the event on the Forth in 2021. Full details will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.

post

Royal Yacht Bluebottle to Feature at 2020 British Open National Championship Edinburgh Cup

Posted on by

The British Dragon Association (BDA) is proud to announce that this year’s Edinburgh Cup fleet will include the famous International Dragon Bluebottle. Hosted by the Royal Forth Yacht Club (RFYC) from 30 June to 3 July 2020 Dragon sailors from across the country and further afield will head to Edinburgh to compete for the National Championship title.

Built by Camper and Nicholson in 1948, Bluebottle was presented to HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Island Sailing Club of Cowes, Isle of Wight. She is the only British Dragon to have won an Olympic medal, picking up a bronze at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

The beloved keelboat spent 40 years as a sail-training vessel at the Britannia Royal Naval College and more recently was resi (opens in a new window)ding on the pontoon at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in Falmouth. Now at the age of 72 – Bluebottle is undergoing a full restoration by David Heritage Racing Yachts on the Isle of Wight in preparation to be sailed and raced in Edinburgh this coming summer.

The Edinburgh Cup has been the British Open National Championship since 1949 when it  was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh to the British Dragon class. In 2020 the annual event returns to its eponymous home on the Firth of Forth, where it was last held in 1997.

 

 

 

BDA Chairman Simon Barter commented on the upcoming National event for the class; “It is a privilege for the class to be able to showcase this most famous Dragon at our National Championship regatta, being held this year at its namesake venue .

“The Edinburgh Cup is a coveted trophy and attracts some of the biggest international names in Dragon racing from Olympic medallists, round the world race veterans and amateur sailors who are at the top of their sport.”

 

 

 

 

Bluebottle is part of the Royal Collection made up of 13 historic royal residencies and over 1 million objects including thousands of images, ceramics, books, jewellery, art and other vessels. She joins the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Flying Fifteen Cowslip and the ocean yacht racing winner Bloodhound.

 

EDINBURGH CUP | EVENT INFORMATION | EVENT SCHEDULE |