13/08/2024
⭐️Dragon European Championship 2024 title went to Great Britain ⭐️
From August 2 to 10, 2024, the Dragon Class European Championship was held in Pärnu, where a total of five races were completed, and the overall European Championship title went to Great Britain.
Nearly 60 boats from 15 countries participated, with the furthest competitors coming from Hong Kong and the USA.
Throughout the week, sailors faced challenges due to both calm winds and thunderstorms, which led to the cancellation of some races. Despite the difficult conditions, five races were completed, making the championship official and allowing the European title and medals to be awarded.
⭐️The Dragon Class European Championship title went to Great Britain ⭐️
In the overall standings, the gold medals were awarded to the British team GBR 375, skipper Ivan Bradbury with crew members Lars Hendriksen and George Leonchuk. The silver medals were claimed by the Swiss team SUI 355, consisting of cskipper Jan Eckert with creb members Torvar Mirsky and Frederico Melo. The bronze medal went to the Italian team ITA 79, led by skippr Yevgen Braslavets with brothers Andrea and Vittorio Zaoli.
Yvan Bradbury commented: "The conditions were challenging for sailing – every day was different, and we never knew what weather to expect.However, the event was very enjoyable because the organizers did everything they could to ensure smooth operations both on land and at sea. The race director remained very professional even in difficult circumstances. Everyone contributed, and the atmosphere was extremely friendly, which made the regatta a truly enjoyable event.” Bradbury added, "I have been sailing in the Dragon class for 25 years, and this boat class is always challenging – it never gets boring on the water with this yacht because it's a very technical class, so there's always something new to learn in Dragon sailing."
⭐️ Swedes triumphed in the Corinthian class ⭐️
In the corinthian category, the gold medal was won by the Swedish team SWE416, skipper Martin Palsson with crew members Gustav Gärdebäck and Leif Möller. The silver medals went to the Finnish team FIN92, Skipper Peter Von Koskull and crew members Li-Min Tcheng, Niko Ruokosuo and Pauli Ruokosuo, while the bronze medals in the Corinthian category were awarded to the Estonian team EST5, skipper Tiit Vihul with crew members Aleksei Zigadlo and Raul Grigorjev. Skipper Tiit Vihul of EST5 commented, "The start of the competition was difficult, and we made some mistakes, but with each race, we managed to improve. In the end, we stuck to our chosen tactics, made good starts at the right angle, and to our surprise, finished third in the Corinthian class. But there is so much to learn in dragon sailing and it's magnificent when you can sail together with absolute professionals "
⭐️Sailors faced challenging wind conditions⭐️
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions throughout the event, sailing was only possible on three out of the five planned competition days.
On Monday, one race was successfully held, but the second had to be canceled due to an approaching thunderstorm. The International Dragon Association Sailing Coordinator, Martin Payne, commented on the first day: "We managed to start the first race around 2 p.m., with wind speeds of about 8 knots, and we had an excellent race lasting about 100 minutes with three upwind legs, according to all the rules. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the second race due to incoming thunderstorms."
Tuesday's wind forecast did not allow for sailing, and the AP flag was raised on shore at 11 a.m. After some waiting, the start time was postponed by three hours, hoping for better weather conditions. However, by 2:26 p.m., it was clear that no racing would take place that day, and the Regatta village raised the AP over Alpha flag combination was raised in Regatta Village in Pärnu Yacht Club, signaling that the races were canceled for the day.
Wednesday morning's wind forecast initially delayed the races by two hours, but around 3 p.m., a start was possible. The wind was blowing at 8 knots, and the start proceeded smoothly on the first attempt. As the race progressed, the wind conditions changed, necessitating a course shortening.
Unfortunately, the changing wind conditions did not allow for a second start that day. After two races, the British team GBR 375, sailing on their 1959 wooden boat under the leadership of Ivan Bradbury, took the lead in the overall standings. Martin Payne, the International Dragon Association's sailing coordinator, added, "What makes Dragon sailing special is that all competitors can race in the top class alongside world champions. They have the opportunity to learn from them and quickly improve their skills and level. This also makes the competition more exciting for professionals because amateurs are often even more competitive and unpredictable in their maneuvers." After Wednesday's race day, a traditional Regatta Dinner was held in Pärnu Yacht Club, where participants could share their experiences and enjoy live music on a beautiful summer evening.
Two races were planned for Thursday, but the necessary wind for sailing did not materialize. The organizing team provided constant weather updates from both land and sea, searching for possible wind areas in Pärnu Bay, but after several hours of active waiting, PRO decided at 4 p.m. that no sailing would take place that day.
On the final day of the competition, three races were successfully held, and despite the challenging weather conditions throughout the week, the European Championship titles were awarded. Gèrard Blanc, IDA chairman and competitor commented on the last race day:” It was a beautiful day, we had 3 long races, which have been as usual extremely competitive because the level of participants is that high. It was a bit tiring as a helmsman, because of the light wind and the waves, but still great!” Blanc added:” The Race Officer has done a real good job, and we need good Race Officers to have good regattas”
⭐️High-profile guests and special boats ⭐️
The Dragon Class European Championship, held for the first time in Pärnu, was special for several reasons. The event's patron was the President of the Republic Of Estonia, Alar Karis, who visited the Pärnu Yacht Club, explored the boats participating in the European Championship at the harbor, and officially opened the event on-site. While one of the unique features of Dragon Class sailing is the one-design concept, some boats are still somewhat special. For example, several yachts with Olympic medals and Estonia's most legendary Dragon boat, the EST1 owned by Jevgeni Kazakov, could be seen moored at the Pärnu Yacht Club, as well as the yacht Bluebottle, owned by the British Royal family.
More high-profile guests visited the event during the week. The British Ambassador to Estonia, Ross Allan, also visited the event both on land and at sea, and he had the opportunity to step aboard the Dragon yacht Bluebottle, which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The ambassador shared his impressions: "It was a very emotional moment to see and visit the Dragon yacht, a symbol of our royal family, built in 1947 and given as a wedding gift to the royal couple. I am very pleased to support our team, and it is wonderful that such a national symbol has been restored and is still actively used for racing at a high level!”
Pärnu Jahtklubi International Dragon class forum Eesti Draakon klassi purjetajate Liit / Estonian Dragon Association Saku Õlletehas Pärnu Postimees Eesti Jahtklubide Liit Kultuuriministeerium Reval Cafè Pantaenius Hea Vesi
