Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

Dragon Prince Philip Cup at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club - Day 3

by John Roberson 8 Jan 13:33 GMT 4-10 January 2025
Dragon Prince Philip Cup Day 3 © John Roberson

Classic good looks, no I'm not talking about Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot or Princess Grace, I mean the Dragon class. The pointy bow and long overhangs, reminiscent of the metre classes era, the smoothly sculped sheer line, the overlapping genoa and triangular mainsail, the Dragon is the sort of shape that non-sailors would draw if asked to sketch a sailing boat.

This class is one of the survivors, a boat that will never go out of style and is kept going by a dedicated band of faithful devotees. Classes of boat with the longevity of the Dragon are rare, like the Star class, both have survived being dropped from Olympic competition and thrived. Look at other former Olympic classes, who has built a new Flying Dutchman, Soling or Tempest since they were dropped from the Games.

The current Prince Philip Cup Regatta, the Australian National Championships, being hosted by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club on Perth's Swan River, gives a few hints as to why this class keeps rocking on. There is diversity in the age of participants, age of boats, gender, sailing experience, there is incredibly close racing and a wonderful bonhomie ashore.

The oldest boat in the fleet 24 strong fleet, and the only all wooden one, is the 60 year old Aeolus, being sailed by an all female crew which includes the youngest competitor. Skippered by Jennie Fitzhardinge a devoted Dragon sailor and wooden boat enthusiast, the team includes Celina Trinh a 13 year old Optimist sailor.

Celina commented on her experience, "I enjoy a challenge and have been loving the opportunity to sail the beautiful Aeolus, while learning new skills from the experienced helm Jennie and crew Alex & Steff. I hope I can keep sailing these interesting and fun boats."

Jennie is one of three female skippers and leads one of two all female crews, while there are plenty of other women throughout the fleet. Grant Alderson is skippering French Connection with the owner, Emma Shand, on mainsheet.

At the other end of the scale is 83 year old Charles Stanton, the oldest competitor sailing on Tarakona with Hugh Howard as skipper, and by a strange quirk of coincidence happens to be the newest boat in the fleet, at just 12 years old. There are also two 79 year old skippers, Rob Campbell, whose Penny Farthing is currently in 9th place overall, and Rod Williams sailing Georgia.

Meanwhile Stephen Locke is following in the family footsteps, relating his Dragon sailing experience he said, "my Dragon sailing journey started at the age of six months in 1988 with a gentle sail across to Applecross in my father's newly purchase Solvieg AUS173. Many years later in my early 20's I again joined my father Andrew Locke and Mark Cubitt onboard Solvieg, competing in numerous state championships and the occasional Prince Philip Cup."

After several year of ocean racing Stephen came back to Dragons because of, "the love for the close racing and the technical aspect of the Dragon." With crew Christian Gallagher and John Suriano the newly refurbished Taranui is currently in 8th place in this regatta.

rfbyc.asn.au/dragon-australian-championship-2025

Related Articles

Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura overall
NONO wins Corinthian division, and FEVER the Masters title After an incredible week of high-stakes competition and unforgettable on-and-off- water moments, the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts wrapped Posted on 17 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura day 5
'Provezza Dragon' has already secured the title Day 5 of the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brought light winds and only one race, but it was enough to make history: Provezza Dragon, led by Andy Beadsworth, has secured the 2025 Dragon World Champion title, ahead of the final da Posted on 16 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura day 4
Leaderboard shake-up Day 4 of the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts delivered picture-perfect "Champagne sailing" conditions, thrilling spectators and teams alike just 3 nautical miles off the coast of Vilamoura. Posted on 15 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura day 3
Consistency and competition Day 3 of the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brought another day of top-level competition in Vilamoura, as the international fleet completed two races as scheduled. Posted on 14 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura Day 2
Vilamoura delivers outstanding sailing conditions Day 2 of the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts delivered everything sailors could hope for: fair racing, seamless organisation, and a warm community atmosphere. Posted on 13 May
BMW Spring Regatta 2025 at RHKYC
Attracting 88 boats - a lucky number in Chinese culture The BMW Spring Regatta attracted 88 boats - a lucky number in Chinese culture - across four Big Boat divisions & eight one-design classes including Dragons, Etchells, Flying Fifteens, Impalas, J/80s, Pandoras, Ruffians, and Sportsboats. Posted on 13 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura Day 1
Ideal conditions for competitive racing in Portugal The highly anticipated Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts officially kicked off today in Vilamoura, welcoming some of the world's finest Dragon sailors for the first day of racing. Posted on 12 May
Dragon Worlds Sets Sail in Vilamoura
50 boats and 160 sailors representing 17 countries have gathered in Portugal The highly anticipated Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts officially sets sail today in the stunning waters of Vilamoura. Posted on 11 May
Dominant British Dragons Make Their Mark
World Cup warm-up in Portugal The road to the 2025 Dragon World Championship is heating up, and this week's warm-up event in Portugal proved to be the perfect curtain-raiser. Hosted by Vilamoura Sailing from 6th to 8th May, the event saw 25 Dragons take to the waters. Posted on 9 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela overall
A breezy finale in the Bay of Palma A thrilling and intense final day at Sandberg PalmaVela was enjoyed with choppy seas and wind conditions ranging from gentle airs to gusts of up to 23 knots. Several broken masts are evidence how tough the day was for some. Posted on 4 May