Dragon Edinburgh Cup at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 2

Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay Day 2 © Emma York

Tor Bay turned on the charm on Day Two of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup, delivering stunning champagne sailing conditions for the International Dragon fleet. With blue skies, sparkling waters, and a steady southerly breeze, two more races were completed in style, bringing the series total to four, with no discards yet applied.

With the AP flag hoisted early, Race Officer Bill kept the fleet ashore until the breeze settled. When racing finally got underway after midday, it was Meteor GBR402 who made a bold move at the pin, attempting a port-tack start. While the risk meant dipping half the fleet, it paid off by positioning them on the favoured side of the beat.

Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay Day 2 - photo © Emma York

At the first windward mark, Magic USA325, top Corinthian boat, led the charge, followed closely by series frontrunners Provezza TUR12, True Story HKG50, Jerboa GBR831, Fit Chick GBR753, and Fei-Lin's Flirtation GBR633. After being called OCS, Sleeping Beauty GBR704 fought her way back, sailing ahead of Wild Iris IRL231 and Kestra GBR731.

The downwind run split the fleet, with Bluebottle GBR192 and Avalanche GBR722 heading right toward Saddle Rock. The breeze lightened slightly, but the action at the top mark intensified. Magic maintained her lead, with Provezza and Jerboa battling for position. On the Paignton side, Jerboa’s signature pink spinnaker surged ahead, joined by Meteor, a move that paid big dividends.

The final approach to the finish saw the most thrilling action of the race. While Magic looked set to hold onto the top spot, a high-stakes match-race unfolded 200m from the line between Jerboa, Meteor, and Provezza. It was Jerboa, helmed by Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, who found the edge and crossed first, taking the win ahead of Magic. Meteor pipped Provezza for third, in what was one of the closest finishes of the series so far. Bertie GBR763 made strong late gains, overtaking True Story at the line, while Dreki stayed ahead of Wild Iris, and Fei-Lin’s Flirtation.

Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay Day 2 - photo © Emma York

With the wind settling at 160 degrees and 10 knots, Race Four got away after a second start under the U flag. Early tacks to the right came from Vendesi GBR523, Bluebottle, Meteor, and Kismet GBR821. On the left, Fei-Lin's Flirtation found clear air and made early gains.

Jerboa, building momentum from her earlier win, was first to the windward mark, shadowed by Fit Chick. Downwind, Jerboa maintained her lead by hugging the left side of the run, followed by Meteor, Fit Chick, and Provezza. A strong chasing pack of Avalanche, Magic, Fei-Lin's Flirtation, and Dreki rounded the gate and split tactics on the next beat.

The centre of the bay proved most consistent, allowing Jerboa to control the final upwind leg and lead into the finish. After 1 hour and 20 minutes of racing, Jerboa crossed the line to win her second race of the day, securing both the Kin Trophy and Terry Wade Memorial Trophy for her outstanding performance. Meteor finished second once again, with Provezza just edging out Magic for third. Fit Chick claimed a well-earned fifth, while Kestra secured her best result so far in tenth place.

"I have never won two races at the Edinburgh Cup. Today was very exciting. Tor Bay completely showed off today with sparkling water, superb sailing and just the sheer thrill of sailing a Dragon in these conditions cannot be bettered. We may be a relatively small fleet for the Edinburgh Cup, but it is a competitive fleet. With all Dragon sailing it doesn't matter at what point of the fleet you are racing, because you have always got keen competition against who you are racing with, at the part of the fleet." Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, helm Jerboa GBR831

Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay Day 2 - photo © Emma York

With four races now sailed and all results counting, Provezza and Meteor are tied at the top of the leaderboard, each with 9 points. Magic holds third with 14 points, and Jerboa, climbing fast, sits in fourth with 15.

Results after Day 2: