The last quarter has been full of Dragon activity, much of it involving Classic and Vintage boats. Although rather parochial, the BDA Classic Championship took place within Cowes Classic Week and was won by Crispin Blyth in Ran. Three Classics, Ran, Aurora and Mistress, actually raced. Unfortunately, Polly, Snap and Penguin were prevented from racing by launching problems caused by the weather. This was a real shame. Six Classics racing together would have been by far the biggest turnout for many years. Ran finished fifth overall in the event, which had eleven starters. It was won by Fit Chick, a Vintage boat, helmed by Jono Brown.
The Vintage Championship was sailed within the Aldeburgh Dragon Open Meeting. There were eight competitors, four of whom were Vintage boats. Three of them filled the top places, led by Quentin Strauss in Whistle, followed by Rick Gillingham in Navaho and Tim Hannon in Basilisk.
In the major European events, Blue Haze and Bluebottle both distinguished themselves. Bluebottle, helmed by Graham Bailey, won the Edinburgh Cup in Cowes, which was also a Grade 1 event this year. She was also 3rd in the Marblehead Trophy, also sailed in Cowes, and 4th in the European Championship in Helsinki. Blue Haze, helmed by Ivan Bradbury, was second in the Europeans and fourth in the Marblehead Trophy. Pete Cooke, normally the helmsman of Meteor, was the 2026 Marblehead Trophy runner-up, but he was sailing Torvar Mirsky’s GRP boat. Meteor might have done just as well. Fourteen Classic boats also competed for the wooden open meeting staged by the Union Yacht Club, Wolfgangsee.
An indication of the participation level by Classic Vintage Dragons can be gleaned from the Edinburgh Cup. Four Classics and six Vintage boats took part, equal to just over 20% of the competitors. At present the rate at which boats qualify for Vintage status comfortably exceeds the rate at which newly built boats are joining the fleet. If well maintained and updated, it seems that the Vintage and Classic boats can be competitive. It is much less clear how to assess the market for them.
Martin Payne’s Full Speed, now for sale, represents an interesting test of the market. She is in impeccable condition and has an excellent record. More generally, the market still seems better for buyers than sellers and the biggest problem is the relationship between the cost of any work or fittings and the value of the whole boat and equipment. Perhaps a change in the view of what is a consumable and what is a capital item would help. The reality in the sport is that the consumables dominate!
Patrick Gifford, 30th August 2026