Yes fellow Sailors, La Rochelle, the venue of the 2015 World Championships hold their first Dragon event for many a year as the French Dragon Association prepare for next year’s “premier” Dragon event…
La Rochelle is steeped in history since it’s foundation in the 10th Century and became an important harbour in the 12th century. The City has beautifully maintained it’s past architecture making it one of the most picturesque and historically rich cities on the Atlantic Coast. This has helped develop a strong Tourism industry and with it’s deep water harbour named “La Pallice” it host’s over 1500 yachts and fishing boats within it’s vast Marina & surrounds. This makes it the largest Marina for pleasure boats in Europe at Les Minimes.
The first thing that struck me as I drove into La Rochelle was not only it’s natural beauty but the size of the place… This morning the IDA Secretary and I will be meeting with the officials and Worlds organisers to see where we are “at” in the preparation for next year’s prestigious event… I will also inform you of the sailing, as I see around 25 boats have made the journey to compete in the “Vasco de Gamma”, which has been moved to La Rochelle just for 2014.
With events also in Holland (Dutch Open), Rorschach (Swiss Championships) and the Irish East Coast’s in Dublin, it should be an excellent weekend for racing. Further more it proves we all sail in not only the “best” one design class in the world, but the most popular with events & venues that spoil us for choice 🙂
Higher, Faster, Longer………….. Stavros.