It has been an impressive year on the water for the 2022 winners of the Citron Trophy, with the renowned BDA prize now heading back to Cowes.
During the BDA AGM and dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on 20th January 2023 it was Graham Bailey, Julia Bailey and David Heritage who were announced as winners of 2022 Citron Trophy.
This marks his third win as skipper, making Graham Bailey level with Julia Bailey on three wins and a remarkable combined total of six.
The Citron Trophy* win for the Baileys and Bluebottle’s restoration expert David Heritage of David Heritage Yacht Design came as no surprise after a podium-filled year of racing at both national and international level. It started with an edge-of-the-seat 5th place finish at the World’s in Kuhlungsborn and a brace of second places in Falmouth at the BDA South West Championship and Edinburgh Cup.
Bluebottle took the overall Dragon fleet win at Cowes Week followed by a 6th place at the Gold Cup in Oostende that also saw them join fellow British Dragons to win the Nations Cup 2022. A packed season of racing culminated in the Solent as Graham helmed Bluebottle to another win, taking the BDA South Coast Championship title.
Congratulations to Graham, Julia and David and to all the crew including Katie Cole, Will Heritage and Will Bedford who have contributed to Bluebottle’s racing successes.
You will see Bluebottle back on the Dragon racing circuit this year at the 75th Edinburgh Cup taking place in Cowes in August and at the Dragon Gold Cup in Torquay in September.
* The Citron Trophy is traditionally presented each year by the BDA to the Dragon with the best cumulative performance at BDA events in the preceding year. Click here to see all of the past winners of the Citron Trophy >>>