Dragon East Coast Championship at Medway Yacht Club

The 2007 East Coast Dragon Championships took place at Medway Yacht Club over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Thirty-one Dragons competed - 16 local Medway boats and 15 visitors from Burnham, Lowestoft, Aldeburgh, Cowes and one foreigner from Belgium. Over the three days five races were sailed in challenging and changeable conditions.

The East Coast Dragon Champion and winner of the Silver Salver for 2007 was British Dragon Association Chairman Rob Campbell from Burnham in Quicksilver III crewed by Matt Walker and Marc Ellis. Local sailor Len Jones in Rumours crewed by Philip Catmur and Jamie Lee took second position. The decision was very close with both crews on the same points and Rob winning on count back. Fleet newcomer Quentin Strauss was third crewed by Kasper Harsberg and Ben Gray. Particular credit should go to Tony Singer in Cavalier, a beautiful wooden cold moulded Lallow Dragon recently renovated by Petticrows, who finished fourth overall. Tony has not helmed until this year and crewed by Martin Payne and Jo Richardson he showed great élan in obtaining such a good set of results, including two 3rd places. A particular cheer was given at the Prize Giving to Wendy Howland sailing Whistle who won the best woman helm prize.

On the first day the wind was a light ENE; the first start was a general recall but following the use of the 'Z' flag the subsequent start was uneventful. Two good races were sailed in light airs. The co-incidence of the Thames Barge Race led to a wonderful spectacle and a few close shaves - the barges travel with surprising speed and appear not to recognise the sacrosanct 'port-starboard' rule! The result of these races were a portend of things to come with Rob Campbell in Quicksilver III winning the first race, Quentin Strauss winning the second and Len Jones in Rumours second and third.

On the second day the weather was at its most capricious being cyclonic variable with heavy intermittent rain - not very pleasant! Setting a course was a challenge for the Race Officer Robin Ridsdell-Smith with an ebbing tide and a SE wind direction but the race started on time. The third race was won by Stewart Coltart in Valkyrie holding off a determined challenge from Patrick Gifford in Nereid. The race was remarkable for the vagaries of the wind leading to spinnakers being set on the windward as well as the downwind leg and the passage of a ship splitting the fleet. In the fourth race the wind had strengthened to 7 knots. After a general recall, the Z flag was flown leading to seven boats being penalised by a 20% place penalty. Whilst this dealt a heavy penalty for boats over the line, it was preferable to being sent home with a black flag. The start was noteworthy for a sailing cruiser sitting on the start line as the starting signal sounded causing some chaos. Rob Campbell came through to win his second race with Len Jones in second place.

On the Monday the weather was even worse blowing 20-25 knots with low cloud, heavy drizzle and a poor forecast. The starting line was set downriver in Kethole Reach where there was plenty of sea room. Conditions deterred many competitors and 11 boats took to the start line. The heavy-weight crews had an advantage and Quentin Strauss won with Len Jones second. Only half the fleet ventured their spinnakers giving entertaining downhill legs - Len Jones had a spectacular broach on the second run and finished with a shredded spinnaker! Nick Jenkins in Chouette limped over the line awash but triumphant!

The mud on the Medway caught out a few boats with Edwin Hannant in Gandalf running aground during one of the races (despite local knowledge); Edouard Wylleman from Belgium, the only foreign competitor also parked his boat C4 between races.

Off the water most visitors were accommodated by local Dragon fleet hosts and there were some excellent social functions; on Saturday night a whole hog roast was demolished by the fleet at Jaspar Wright's barn and on Sunday a formal Championship dinner took place in the Medway Yacht club preceded by a Champagne Reception sponsored by Petticrows ; Stavros rounded off the evening in his usual irrepressible form.

The event was very generously sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, Petticrows, MDL Marinas and Craftinsure, which allowed us to present generous prizes to competitors and keep down the cost of the event.

Overall Results: