IDA Officers
The International Dragon Class Management team consists of one Chairman, three Vice Chairmen, Treasurer and Secretary.
Technical matters are handled by a specialist Technical Committee which has its own Chairman.
The Chairman and Vice Chairmen are elected every two years, the Treasurer every four. The Secretary is appointed by the Officers and the position is permanent.
The Officials of the IDA all have a common goal. To run the Class in the interests of Dragon sailors everywhere.
President
Vice-Presidents
H.R.H. Crown Prince Frederik of DenmarkChristopher Dicker
Poul Richard Høj Jensen
Gérard Blanc
Gérard learned to sail at an early age in dinghies and graduated to 470s which he raced actively for many years. He began to sail Dragons in 1995 in Cannes. He is currently Chairman of the French Dragon Association, and on the board of the Yacht Club de Cannes. Apart from sailing, Gérard has wide sporting interests including skiing and biking, and acknowledges that he is very lucky to be able to enjoy the beautiful region in the south of France where he lives. He has two children, and he and his wife are kept busy with their three grand children. Since he recently retired, Gérard reckons he will have more time to work for the Dragon class!Gérard learned to sail at an early age in dinghies and graduated to 470s which he raced actively for many years. He began to sail Dragons in 1995 in Cannes. He is currently Chairman of the French Dragon Association, and on the board of the Yacht Club de Cannes. Apart from sailing, Gérard has wide sporting interests including skiing and biking, and acknowledges that he is very lucky to be able to enjoy the beautiful region in the south of France where he lives. He has two children, and he and his wife are kept busy with their three grand children. Since he recently retired, Gérard reckons he will have more time to work for the Dragon class!
Gregor Berz
Gregor grew up in that traditional Ammersee Yacht Club which was founded by famous Manfred Curry’s family. So Gregor crewed as teenager on traditional class yachts like 45qm National Cruisers, L-Boats, Skerry Cruiser, 5.5 Meter R yachts etc. In the age of 14 he crewed his first time a Dragon and a life long passion began. In the 1990th, Gregor was attending almost all international Dragon regattas as crew. After a family break, Gregor fulfilled his dream to buy his own old Boerresen in 2009 and since that, Gregor sails regattas with family and friends. Since 2015 Gregor is board member of the German Dragon Association. In real life, Gregor holds a PhD in algebraic number theory, earns money as self employed strategy consultant applying game theory to business challenges and is an Adjunct Professor of International University of Kutaisi, Georgia.
Bram van Olphen
Vice Chairman IDA An avid fan of the Dragon, and former Fleet Captain of the Hong Kong fleet, Bram brings huge enthusiasm to his role as Vice Chairman of the IDA. As the CEO of an international project logistics company, he has travelled extensively and has been involved in various international yachting events working with a multitude of cultures. He has direct experience in sponsoring at several events and in working with sponsors requests on shaping sponsor packages. Being self-employed allows him the flexibility to combine his work with attending international events of the IDA and meeting the various fleets, something he hopes to be able to do in the coming years.
Martin Lutz
Martin Lutz has been co-opted onto the Board of the IDA as a Vice Chairman to fill the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Justus Kniffka. Martin was formerly President of the Austrian National Yngling Association and helped organise their World Championship on Lake Garda in 2018. He has since been active on the international Dragon circuit as crew for his own boat and has been very successful with his 100% Corinthian team. He is a board member of the Austrian Dragon Association where he is responsible for international affairs, training and regatta planning. Recently retired from international business he now has the time and energy to bring his vast experience in dealing with different nationalities stakeholders to the affairs of the IDA.
Martin Pälsson
Martin Pålsson has been elected to the Board of the IDA as Treasurer, replacing Anne Vanneste. Martin has been sailing Dragons at a high international level since 1993, currently leading one of the world’s top Corinthian teams. Martin has a long history of non-profit involvement in different sailing contexts such as the Swedish Dragon Association and GKSS – the club where the Dragon was originally born. He was a major contributor to the success of the Dragon Gold Cup in Marstrand 2021 with his long experience of international Dragon sailing, sponsorship and championship organisation. Martin has recently retired from his business in preventive medical health care where he acted as CEO and Doctor of Naprapathy.