FB_IMG_1447633344154Michael Zankel raises his arms with Pedro Andrade & Phil Blinn (Bow), as they Win in Cascais.

With another wonderful sailing day yesterday (Sunday) in Portugal, the Club Naval de Cascais completed their 7 race series in style, seeing many happy sailors enjoying their sailing weekend.  None more so than GER 1123, Michael Zankel, who a year ago this very weekend, had lost his boat in severe weather! Yes fellow sailors the Pow Wow team (Zankel, Andrade & Blinn) had sunk in extreme conditions, but now were back at the very top of the game again.. Fantastic and great sailing Gentlemen…..(they won with a race to spare!).

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Club Naval Vice President, Jose’ Matoso with the Winning “Pow Wow” team yesterday !

In 2nd place overall was MON 2 “Jeanie” helmed by Jens Rathsack, crewed by Diogo Pireria and Tiago Marcelino who finished on 18 points (after discard). Jens and his team sailed a great series finishing with a 2nd & 4th on the final day to stay 2 points ahead of RUS 76 “Strange Little Girl”….

IMG_1809Mon 2 “Jeanie” Owner & Helm Jens Rathsack with his crew & wife Andrea (who presented the prizes).

So Dmitry Samokhin with his excellent and very successful team of Andrey Kirilyuk & Aleksey Bushuev took the final podium position with 3rd overall after winning the penultimate race on the final day. Dmitry said after the racing “We had sunshine, no waves, moderate wind, 7 races out of 7 planned 🙂 Cascais offers some Champagne Sailing in November”..

12244283_10207577084720751_75117899512945639_oDmitry and his team, Aleksey & Andrey at the Prize Giving, collecting their 3rd Overall.

The Club Naval Vice President Jose’ Matoso had to settle for 4th place overall even though his POR 66 “Drago” team of Gustavo Lima & Nate Campbell recorded 3 wins out of the 7 races…  Such was the high standard at the top end of the fleet. In closing the Prize Giving Jose’ congratulated all the competitors especially the winning teams and along with Bruno Santos (the Club Chief Administrator) invited more teams to join in the 2nd series in Dec.

With fantastic sailing in both Cascais and Cannes, we certainly are spoilt for choice in our wonderful Dragon Class… Two great winter venues….   🙂

In addition of course we have a very enthusiastic and ever growing Dragon Fleet out in Hong Kong, who’s Nationals will be very well supported in Jan 2016.

We also have a set Winter Programme in Bodrum, Turkey. Where Tim Tavinor and his Wife Kay have recently visited to participate in their exciting racing and again growing fleet….

Finally, there will be a number of International Dragons joining the Small Spanish Fleet in Palma de Mallorca, in the New Year ! With plans to “bring” the Dragons back to the Princess Sofia Trophy in March…..  Watch this space!

Higher, Faster, Longer…….     Stavros.