Dragons set to Race Again in August… Oostende, Hellerup and Cascais.

3 International events in August: Belgium Nationals, Danish Nationals & H.M. King Juan Carlos Trophy.

With most Countries beginning to ease their way out of lockdown, racing will return again on the International Dragon Racing Schedule. Although the Belgium and Danish Nationals take place over the same dates the organisers are confident that each Championship will be well supported during these challenging times.

In Oostende, Belgium, the Brugse Zot Cup is 8th – 10th August.

The Brugse Zot  Cup sponsored by Xavier Vanneste will give competitors three days of racing hosted by the RNSYC, followed by two “lay days” before the National Championships 13th – 16th August. Principle Organiser Guy Celis told me “So far we have 25 boats registered for our National Championship, with participants from BEL, NED, GER, TUR, GBR & CAY. Included in this list are World Champions, European Champions and Gold Cup winners! We hope for a few more entries from France and the UK, but with the Covid-19 restrictions we will be very happy to have around 30 boats. The entry list will remain open and we welcome anyone who would like to join the fun”.  The RNSYC have an excellent Race Officer (Dirk Sledsens) and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to being back on the water again in a safe environment.

Danish Nationals in Hellerup Sailing Club 14th -16th August.

Prince Henrik of Denmark (who sadly passed away in 2018) racing with Lars Hendriksen & Lars Stenfeldt Hansen a few years ago.

Although the Danish Nationals will run at the same time as the Belgium’s, event organiser Lars Stenfeldt Hansen told me “We don’t think the clash of events will detract from the entry list as we already have commitments from NED 412 Pieter Heerema, RUS 76 Dmitry Samokhin, SWE 373 Martin Palsson and GER 16 Dirk Pramann (with crew Markus Koy and Olympic Champion Freddy Loof).  In addition top Danish Teams like Jorgen Schonherr, David Holm, Jens Christensen and Frank Berg, will create a highly competitive International event”.

This is the Corona you want 🙂

Lars continued..  “The program as always will have Beer (Corona) and Grilled Sausages after sailing, to be enjoyed on the Clubhouse Terrace and the entry fee is only DKK 1.350 (everything included). We are hoping to attract more Swedish and German sailors as this will be the first Nordic Regatta in 2020”. I am sure everyone who makes the effort to travel to Hellerup will receive the customary Danish welcome and have a fantastic time.

Following on in August (28th – 30th) will be the 25th HM King Juan Carlos Trophy, Cascais.

Beautiful Cascais will host the 25th HM King Juan Carlos Trophy late August. For those boats who are considering wintering in Portugal, this event will be followed by the POR Nationals in September and the Portuguese Grand Prix and Finals in Vilamoura during November.

The beautiful HM King Juan Carlos Trophy, who will lift this amazing piece of history in 2020 ?

Higher, Faster, Longer….    Stavros.