British Dragons Celebrate Podium Success at the 2025 Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup in Douarnenez
by Emma York 2 Sep 11:47 BST
23-30 August 2025
2025 Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup at Douarnenez © Manon Le Guen / Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup 2025 / Société des Régates de Douarnenez
The picturesque French port of Douarnenez played host to the 81st edition of the Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup, a prestigious regatta that attracted 75 Dragons from nearly 20 nations. Among them, nine British boats made the journey: Bluebottle, Louise Racing, Jerboa, Fit Chick, Fei-Lin's Flirtation, Storich, Rackham, Kestra and Sleeping Beauty, all ready to test themselves against the world's best.
The event opened with a big first race, setting the tone for the week. Victory went to Miss Behaviour SWE800, but the British Dragons wasted no time making their mark. Grant Gordon's Louise Racing GBR833 finished an impressive 3rd, with the Royal racing yacht Bluebottle GBR192 close behind in 4th. Fit Chick GBR753 and Jerboa GBR831 also put in solid results, finishing 16th and 20th, respectively.
The Dragon Gold Cup is renowned for its no-discard, long, one-race-a-day format, but with the forecasted weather not looking favourable, two races were held on the second day. It turned out to be a battle of the Brits, as the British Dragons put in a standout performance across the board.
Bluebottle GBR192 stormed to victory in race two, with Louise Racing GBR833 taking 3rd and Storich GBR832 breaking into the top ten in 9th.
Race three saw another podium finish with Bluebottle in second to race winners Gingo Racing SUI355. Jerboa GBR831 and Fei-Lin's Flirtation both achieved strong top-20 finishes. Mid-fleet, it was a nation's race downwind with Storich, Louise Racing, Fit Chick GBR753 and Kestra GBR731 closely crossing the line.
After a windless lay day on Wednesday, conditions returned in style on day four. Patience was key as sailors waited for the breeze to fill, but when racing got under way, it was worth the wait. Bluebottle dominated race four, leading from the start and claiming a commanding win. Not far out of the action were Louise Racing, Fei-Lin's Flirtation and Jerboa. Picking off boats downwind, Rackham GBR610 finished just ahead of Storich.
Later that day, the fleet battled a rising sea state and 20+ knots of wind in race five. First Things First POR 77 took the win, but it was another encouraging race for the Brits, with Louise Racing, Jerboa, Fit Chick and Rackham all securing top-20 finishes in testing conditions.
The final race on Friday saw Yred JPN56 claim the win, but the British fleet again rose to the challenge. Louise Racing crossed the line in 2nd, while Fei-Lin's Flirtation secured a well-earned 9th and Bluebottle finished in 20th.
At the end of six races, Germany's Ingrid GER16, helmed by Dirk Pramann with crew Michael Koch and Kilian Weise, were crowned the 2025 Dragon Gold Cup champions. Yred JPN56 finished second overall, while Britain's Louise Racing clinched a superb 3rd place overall with helm Grant Gordon and team Luke Patience, Faye Chatterton and Elliot Hansen.
Thanks to the strong overall performances from Louise Racing, Bluebottle, and Fit Chick, the British team proudly lifted the Gold Cup Nations Trophy. A fitting reward for a week of grit, consistency and world-class sailing.
The 2025 Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup was a true showcase of British Dragon sailing at its best. From the race wins, podium finishes, and the determination of the wider fleet, Britain's sailors proved once again that they are among the very best in the class.
The British Dragon fleet now looks forward to the 2026 Gold Cup in Palma.