 Yanmar confirmed as title sponsor of the Dragon Gold Cup 2023. Entry list hits 50 boats with teams from 15 nations. Big names line up to challenge for the historic trophy. Social programme announced Entry open until Friday 28 August. 27 July 2023 – Torquay, UK – The Royal Torbay Yacht Club, the International Dragon Association and the Clyde Yacht Clubs Association are delighted to announce that Yanmar will be the title sponsor of the 2023 Dragon Gold Cup, to be held in Torquay from 7 to 16 September. Yanmar is a long-standing partner of the International Dragon Class, and this new agreement continues the successful link between the two organisations. The Dragon Gold Cup has a very traditional format, with a single long windward/leeward race scheduled each day for six days. There is no discarded result in the series meaning that all races count, putting the emphasis on good boat preparation and a consistent performance, which makes it exceptionally challenging to win. Ashore the après sailing fun is as high up the agenda as the racing. Competitors are encouraged to bring family and friends and indeed many of the teams will be family crews. Yanmar’s generous support will enable an enhanced social programme that will include an Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception, daily post racing hospitality, a Gala Dinner and a Prize Giving evening. Torquay on the English Riviera is a delightful holiday destination with beautiful beaches, rolling countryside, a wide range of local attractions, plus cafes, bars, and restaurants aplenty. There is ample accommodation at a variety of levels and logistics are straight forward, both for those travelling across the UK and international visitors. Entry remains open until 28 August, but already 50 teams from 15 nations and 4 continents have signed up. The entry list includes many of the fleet’s biggest names including the reigning World Champion Wolf Waschkuhn. Three-time Dragon World Champion (helm in 2019 and 2017 and crew in 2013) Andy Beadsworth and 2011 World Champion Lawrie Smith will both also challenge. Smith won the Gold Cup in 2011, but for Waschkuhn and Beadsworth this would be a first. Stephan Link would also like to add his name to the trophy for a second time having first won it in 2017, as would Pedro Andrade who won the Gold Cup in 2019 and the Dragon European Championship in 2017. Work commitments with Dragon builder Petticrows have meant that Pedro Andrade’s own sailing has had to take something of a back seat recently. But he will be back challenging for the Gold Cup in Torquay and is very much looking forward to the competition. “I’ve been to Torquay once for an Edinburgh Cup and I very much enjoyed both the hospitality and the sailing! I know the UK normally only has one summer week every year so I hope that will be in September! Regarding the racing I haven’t had the same results lately that I’ve had in the past 6 years, but I’m trying to shape it up again with some training and sail development that hopefully will work! Also, I will be sailing with my good friend and top trimmer Martin Westerdahl from Sweden, Tanit Cabau, the enthusiastic new Spanish Dragon class secretary who is pushing the class very hard, and 13-year-old Diogo Reis, who has been climbing the ladder very quick in the Optimist class in Portugal. I believe with an age average of 36 years old we may well be the youngest team and I would be over the moon if we are able to fight for the top spot all the way till the end!” – Pedro Andrade Entry for the Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup 2023 remains open until midnight on Friday 28 August. Entry numbers are limited to 65 teams, so sailors are advised to get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Full details about the event including online entry are available from dragongoldcup2023.com |
