Close racing in Cowes at the BDA Southern Championship

Five BDA Championship events are scheduled for the 2024 season. The first regional event got underway over the weekend of 1st and 2nd June, nine Dragon teams completed five races on the Solent for the 2024 BDA Southern Championship. Hosted by the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, racing was organised by Solent Dragon Fleet Captain and Race Officer, Andrew Millband.

The fleet included classic, modern and vintage Dragons, new sailors, past champions and first-time racers.

A breezy Northerly wind greeted the fleet as they started race one from just outside Cowes.

GBR 753 Fit Chick started well and led into the first downwind leg, followed by GBR 831 Gavia Wilkinson-Cox sailing Dreki and GBR 763 Bertie. The three lead boats increased their position into the finish followed closely by GBR 192 Bluebottle, with GBR 753 claiming the first win.

As the tide turned and the Northerly wind settled, race officer Andrew Millband adjusted the course starting from the Bramble Bank. A second clean start by the fleet saw the Dragons split in half up the beat, with GBR 831 taking first place.

Solent chop and high gusty conditions saw the fleet reduce in numbers. GBR 831 once again achieved the lead which opened up to a sizeable gap to GBR 763 and GBR 753 in second, and third respectively.

Thanks to the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club Dragon teams, family and friends enjoyed an evening together celebrating Dragon achievements in the Solent fleet in 2023 and 2024 so far.

A beautiful Cowes day greeted the fleet on day two with significantly lighter conditions.

After an initial AP and move to the Bramble bank the wind filled in and Dragons were away at 1110.

The only Individual recall of the event went to GBR 831. While they doubled back to the start the fleet split, choosing left and right of the beat up into Southampton water.

GBR 192, having a better day in the light airs, led into the first downwind mark. They were followed by GBR 763, GBR 831 and GBR 753. GBR 192 held on to their lead but positions continued to change further back. GBR 831 overtook to claim second place behind Bluebottle.

Home turf experience was a key skill for the final race of the regatta. GBR 831 took a commanding lead of the race, while back in the pack the places changed hands. It was a close finish between GBR 192 and GBR 763.

Race Officer, Andrew Millband said; “It was a pleasure to see such a great turnout for this event and to witness them sailing competitively. “

RESULTS

2024 BDA SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Overall Winner Jerboa/Dreki GBR 831

Corinthian Winner Fit Chick GBR 753

Boat No.	Boat Name	Skipper	Crew	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Points	Ranking
831	Jerboa / Dreki	Gavia Wilkinson-Cox	Mark Hart, Abi Tuttle, Nick Oldroyd	2	1	1	2	1	5	1
192	Bluebottle	Graham Bailey	Julia Bailey, David Heritage	4	2	4	1	2	9	2
753	Fit Chick	Jono Brown	Chris Grosscurth, Andrew Norden	1	3	3	4	7	11	3
763	Bertie	Simon Barter	Donald Wilks, Harriet Norden	3	4	2	3	3	11	4
768	Glaurung	Richard Cullen	Jack Peyke, Chris Limpert-Peers, Carl Feeney	5	5	5	5	4	19	5
825	Anarchy	James Mansell	Paul Bennett, Andy Ludburg	6	6	DNS	8	8	28	6
754	Fanfare	Michael Issaias	Owne Pay	RTD	RTD	RTD	6	5	31	7
734	Ithaca	Michael Cover	Jacques Miller, Jenny Stutley, Bella Hall	DNF	RTD	RTD	7	6	33	8
39	Aurora	Adrian Green	Patrick Cunningham	DNS	DNS	DNS	9	RTD	39	9