FIN 63, GBR 761, GBR 801 all so Close in Cannes….

FIN 63 “Nenya” is still leading overall after 5 races on count back from GBR 761 “Jerboa”.

With another wonderful sailing day in Cannes and two more championship races completed, the overall positions could not be closer. Just 3pts separate the top 4 boats, FIN 63 27pts, GBR 761 27pts, GBR 801 28pts and RUS 27 29pts….  How close is that after 5 races and 1 discard in a 51 boat fleet !

Mark Hart, tactician from GBR 761 “Jerboa”  2nd overall is doing an excellent job.

Tactics were all important in both races as both left and right sides of the course paid at different times throughout the day, due to wind shifts, different pressure and the land effect of sailing close to a shore.

Lawrie Smith GBR 801 “Alfie” has now moved up to 3rd overall just 1pt off the lead.

The first race of the day (race 4 of the series) was won by HUN 57 “Johanna” helmed by Ferenc Kis-Szolgyemi, crewed by Tamac Kics and Karoly Vezen. who played the right side of the beat even though the left looked so strong until the final third of the 1.8 mile upwind leg. In 2nd place was RUS 31 “Convergence” Mikhail Senatorov & 3rd was GER 11 “BBXXL” Marcus Brenneke who has the legendary Jochen Schumann as tactician.

In race two of the day (race 5 of the series) the wind moved from east to south which meant a short delay as the course was re-set. Again boats arrived at the top mark from both left and right, but it was SWE 389 “High Times” helmed by Karl-Gustav Lohr, crewed by Jasper Bendix and Martin Rudback who won the race after starting at the committee boat and going all the way to the right. 2nd was UAE 9 “Desert Eagle” Henrik Witzmann and 3rd FRA 391 “Ulysse” Jean Breger.

However, Dragon Racing is not just about winning (honestly) it’s about the taking part and being in a healthy environment surrounded by a great atmosphere which is created by characters, here are a few more excellent photos taken by Michael Kurtz (who won the event here in 2013 with Malti Phillip)…

Chairman of the Jury Yves Leglise conducts the briefing with organiser Gerard Blanc.

Mike Hayles GBR 764 served the class for many years as head of the Technical Committee.

GER 1120 the Von-Stempel Family Nikaolai & Christina with their Son are always having fun.

One of the many helping teams and mark layers enjoying the great weather in Cannes.

Yes fellow sailors all over the world, Dragons are about having fun to help us all enjoy and live our lives to the full.  So next time the whole fleet pass you up wind, or you end up on the wrong side of a major wind shift, or there is a knot in the genoa sheet,  just sit back and smile….  There is no better one design class in the world, Dragon Sailors are forever…

Higher, Faster, Longer……………..    Stavros.  (GBR 585).

P.S Here is our Photographer Michael Kurtz in action winning the Cannes Grand Prix in 2013.