Dragon Gold Cup at Medemblik, The Netherlands - Day 4
by Diana Bogaards 11 Sep 2014 07:18 BST
7-12 September 2014
The 86 Dragons start in one fleet during the Dragon Gold Cup at Medemblik, The Netherlands © Sander van der Borch
The leading pack is beginning to show after four races at the Dragon Gold Cup in the Dutch city Medemblik. With two more races to go it already is a valid championship, with defending champion Markus Wieser leading so far. Despite the mild wind of the last days the event is on schedule. Up to the closing day on Friday there are six races scheduled. In total 86 Dragons participate in this unique event that annually takes place in another country.
Wieser, who sails for the United Arab Emirates, is no longer as unapproachable as Monday after two races. The first and second race of the event he sailed two first places which immediately made a huge gap between him and the other participants. But because of a 25th and a fifth place in today's races he let the competition come much closer. Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen is now provisionally second with only five points behind, Yevgen Braslavets is in third place with 11 points difference with Wieser. The best Dutch sailor is Pieter Heerema in tenth place.
Black Flag
During the Dragon Gold Cup the contestants sail, according to tradition, daily one long race, six in total, which all will count for the final classification. Today, Wednesday, it was great sailing weather with twelve knots of wind. In contrast to yesterday, when the race had to be aborted because of calm. Thereby today the participants sailed a resail of yesterday and in addition the planned race, making it a long day for everyone.
The resail began with a black flag, the same as at yesterdays start. Which led to a number of disqualifications, because several boats started too early. Because there is no discard in this event, a bfd (black flag disqualification) weighs heavily in the overall standings. According to the Chairman of the Dutch Dragon Class, Huib Bannier, at this event there generally is very sporty sailing: "That is also the Mission in the Dragon Gold Cup. Because all 86 boats start at the same time, there is a large starting line. That makes it particularly difficult for the Committee to see who is over the line too early. After a general recall normally a black flag follows. Anyone who then starts too early will be disqualified."
Festivities
Also in the evening there is plenty to do for the sailors. There is a hustle and bustle on the quay at the Oosterhaven, where all the Dragons are docked. Bannier: "Last night we had the traditional Gold Cup dinner. We served an Indonesian meal, which of course is the Dutch pride, and which was widely appreciated. Afterwards there was live music until late hours."
About the Dragon
In 1929 the Norwegian Johan Anker designed the one design Dragon for three people. This now 85-year-old lady is charming, competitive and challenging to sail. Soon afterwards the Dragon sailed around in various European countries. In 1948 the class got the Olympic status, which she held until the 1972 Games. In her post Olympic years the class kept on growing, partly thanks to the introduction of sustainable materials. Especially in the last twenty years more and more professional sailors stepped into the Dragon, with which the sailing level even further increased.
Fred Imhoff so far is the most successful Dragon sailor from the Netherlands. He and his team won the European title in 1998 and in total he won the Dragon Gold Cup three times. Ad Bakker was the very first Dutchman who won a Dragon Gold Cup (1987).
About the Dragon Gold Cup 2014
This season the post Olympic Dragon celebrates her 85-year anniversary with the 70th edition of the Dragon Gold Cup. This festive event takes place from September 7 to 12 2014 in Medemblik, Netherlands.
For results and more information see www.dragongoldcup2014.com.