Sponsor on board for Dragon Gold Cup

Great news for the Falmouth-based championship in July

JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management (“JPMorgan Fleming”) has announced its sponsorship of the Dragon Gold Cup 2004. Together with the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and the British Dragon Association, JPMorgan Fleming will bring the Dragon Gold Cup to Falmouth for the first time in July 2004.

Among the competitors will be HRH the Prince Consort of Denmark and World Champion Dieter Schoen of Germany whose boat, Crisco, won in Hobart, Australia, last year. The event will also be visited by HRH the Princess Royal.

The JPMorgan Fleming Dragon Gold Cup event begins on Saturday 10 July, with a practise day for competitors to navigate the Olympic course and regatta in Falmouth Bay. The competition begins on Sunday and runs until Friday 16 July. There will be races every day starting at 1pm (weather permitting) for approximately two and a half hours. There will be prizes won each day and the aggregate winners will be presented with the Gold Cup on the final day of racing. At present, 55 boats have entered and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club are hoping for at least 90 competitors.

The JPMorgan Fleming Dragon Gold Cup is one of the most famous trophies in the history of yachting. Raced for annually in Europe, it is an open competition, which attracts many entries. Quoting from the original 1937 Gold Cup Rules the intention of this competition is to “bring together as many competitors of different nationalities as possible in a friendly spirit”. Nothing has changed and this still encapsulates the essence of all Dragon competitions. It has attracted entrants from a host of big names in the sailing world, these include; a strong Scandinavian presence and Britons James Mehew, Rory Bowman, and Rob Campbell of the British Dragon Association.

David Barron, Head of Investment Trusts, JPMorgan Fleming, said: “We are delighted and honoured to be the main sponsor for the 2004 Dragon Gold Cup. These boats superbly combine classical elegance with top racing performance.”

Peter Kendall of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club sees Falmouth as a destination for major sailing events in the future and is looking forward to seeing that side of marine activity growing in Falmouth. He said: “Having the JPMorgan Fleming Dragon Gold Cup is a tremendous honour because its one of the major keelboat sailing events. It has been many years since we have hosted this event in this country."