Douarnenez will Delight………..

Now that the dust has settled from the Australian Worlds and Great Britain can boast it’s first ever Champion, (not counting the Man, PRH who was born in Denmark), all Dragon sailors can look forward to a host of challenging and vibrant regatta’s from Portugal to “Russia with love” this coming season………… Yes Lawrie Smith and his crew can dine out for several more evenings to come with the knowledge that their World Crown cannot be challenged until Weymouth 2013, but the Dragon “show must go on” and enormous congratulations must deservedly be given to RUS 27 Anatoly Loginov for taking the Ski Vol Trophy over the weekend. Without showing any signs of “Jet-Lag”, Anatoly won the 6 race series by 8pts from SUI 307  Uli Libor in 2nd place and FRA 400 Christian Boillot in 3rd. It was a regatta with 31 boats sailing off the calm water of Juan la Pins, near Cannes. 4th place GBR 716 Gavia Wilkinson-Cox said “It is such a tremendous way to start the season, with a great Race Officer, friendly helpers and a host of Nations competing for this much sought after trophy”…..

Next week see’s the Primo Cup in Monaco where again many teams will congregate to do battle along the sunny coastline of France, Monaco and Italy. Where lucky Dragon sailors can spend hours in the warmer Mediterranean Sun as the rest of Europe feels the cool northerly winds that bite deep into our vulnerable skin and make us wish we were elsewhere in the world…..  After Monaco there are numerous regatta’s in Cannes, Cascais and San Remo but none can match the magnitude and magnificence of DOUARNENEZ…..

With Douarnenez Hero, “Louis Urvois” celebrating his 70th Birthday, this years festivities in this quiet yet stunning Brittany town, will again see a big party every night! Even Dragon legend “Poul-Richard Hoj-Jensen” will once again leave his idilic home in Antigua and take up the challenge of this huge 100+ boat fleet. No where else in the World can competitors have the luxury of ample parking, fine restaurants, easy craning/recovery, fantastic evening entertainments and sail on the best race course in Northern Europe.  To sail in the largest Dragon fleet ever assembled year in year out, is not only a spectacle to behold, but is unique and a “Must Do” in a sailing lifetime!

Louis and his wonderful supporting team are still taking entries for both regatta’s that run from 30th April to 7th May…. Click on the Douarnenez web site to see the extra entertainments and prizes that only the Dragon Grand Prix can offer. Will you be on that start line in May ? Looking at 100 other boats all jostling for position whilst amazing photograph’s are taken from above as the local Helicopter’s capture every move and happening………. Life is short enough and no one knows what lies around the corner…..  DZ is a dream regatta, be there!

Higher, Faster, Longer……………..   Stavros.