International Dragon Class to celebrate 90th Anniversary in Italian style
by Fiona Brown 22 Aug 2019 15:54 BST
5-11 October 2019
HM King Juan Carlos Trophy 2019 - Day 1 © Elena Razina
Dragon 90th Anniversary Regatta to be hosted by the Yacht Club Sanremo from 5 to 11 October 2019: Already more than 150 crews from 24 nations are entered to participate and entry remains open. Gala celebrations to feature special races and a dazzling social programme.
The International Dragon is one of the oldest, largest and most successful International keelboat classes in the world and 2019 sees the class celebrate its 90th anniversary.
This very special birthday is being marked with an extraordinary Dragon 90th Anniversary Gala Regatta, hosted by the International Dragon Association in partnership with the Yacht Club Sanremo, Italy, from 5 to 11 October 2019. They are creating a truly exceptional event, bringing together Dragons and Dragon sailors from all four corners of the planet and across the eras.
Afloat the programme will include a number of special races such as a Lady helmsman's race, a race for Junior crews where the total age of crew is to be under 100 years and the skipper must be born after 1986, a Masters race where the total age of the crew must be over 180 years, a Family crews race in which all crew members must be related, and a Champion of Champions race for winners and medallists of Olympic Games, World and European Championships and World Cup in any class, plus the Dragon Gold Cup.
For the series racing, the fleet will be split into groups for a preliminary round-robin series, followed by finals for Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets and there will be a separate fleet for the Classic Dragons. There will also be one spectacular 90th Anniversary Grand Celebration Race in which all 150+ entrants will come together in a breath-taking massed start.
Ashore the extravagant social programme will feature daily post sailing parties featuring typical Italian produce, music and fun, a spectacular Gala Birthday Party and very special closing prize giving.
For friends of the Dragon fleet attending the event but not racing, spectator boats will be available, there will be a variety of shoreside activities to enjoy and the Yacht Club Sanremo will provide a superb base from which everyone can participate in the regatta.
The event will be supported by the City of Sanremo, the Royal Hotel Sanremo, Paul & Shark apparel and Glenfiddich scotch whisky as well as regular Dragon regatta sponsor Yanmar.
dragon90.com