Calling All Challengers – Bluebottle Brings the Marblehead Trophy to the UK for the First Time
The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes is calling for Dragon class challengers for the Marblehead Trophy 2026, following a landmark victory for the Royal Racing Yacht Bluebottle (GBR 192) in St. Tropez last year.
Bluebottle’s 2025 success marked the first-ever British victory in the event and brings the Marblehead Trophy to the UK for the first time. In 2026, the trophy will be contested in Cowes, Isle of Wight, at the Royal Yacht Squadron, with racing taking place from 23–25 August, following the Edinburgh Cup on 18–21 August.
The Marblehead Trophy is the Dragon class’s premier inter-club competition and 2026 also marks the 75th year of the trophy being vested in the International Dragon Class.
A remarkable Dragon with a remarkable history
Commissioned in 1948 and built by Camper & Nicholsons, Bluebottle was originally presented as a wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. She remains the only British Dragon to have won an Olympic medal, taking bronze at the 1956 Melbourne Games.
Now meticulously restored and maintained by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, Bluebottle continues to race internationally and stands as a living example of classic yacht design still competing at the highest level.
Skippered by Graham Bailey, with crew Julia Bailey, Will Bedford and Killian Boag, Bluebottle secured the 2025 Marblehead Trophy after five closely fought races against a top international fleet.
“We are delighted that Bluebottle now joins the very select circle of winners of this prestigious trophy, and we hope that this marks the beginning of a new ‘British era’ of champions. It is with great pride that we bring the trophy to Cowes and look forward to the 2026 challenger event.”
Franck Bruyere, Chief Executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal Hotel
“We are very proud to welcome challengers of the Marblehead Trophy to Cowes and to host this prestigious event in this very important year for Cowes as it is the 200th anniversary of Cowes Week.”
Commodore Bertie Bicket, The Royal Yacht Squadron
Event details
The event is open to International Dragon Class yachts, with only one nominated boat per challenging yacht club permitted to participate.
- Registration and hosting: from 22 August 2026
- Racing: 23–25 August 2026
- Format: six races, maximum two per day
- Courses: windward/leeward on the Solent
- Location: Royal Yacht Squadron Pavilion / Cowes Yacht Haven
Entry follows a two-step process: the challenging club first submits a Challenge Form, and once accepted, the nominated boat completes its formal online entry.
Challenge details, Notice of Race and entry information can be found here.
The Marblehead Trophy follows immediately after the Edinburgh Cup / UK Grand Prix in Cowes, creating a major late-August period of Dragon racing in the UK.
