Falmouth for the Dragons

News of this year's Edinburgh Cup

The 2009 edition of the historic Dragon Edinburgh Cup, awarded annually to the winner of the British Dragon Open Championship, and the Dragon South Western Championship, both sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, will be hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Falmouth between 4 and 11 July 2009.

Falmouth is always a popular destination for the Dragon fleet having hosted the Edinburgh Cup previously in 1995 and 2002 and the Dragon Gold Cup in 2004. With its excellent sailing waters, attractive town, varied visitor attractions and an outstanding track record in race management Falmouth and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club offer one of the most appealing championship venues in the UK and the British Dragon Association is delighted to be returning there once again.

The South Western Championship will take place over 5-7 July and will be followed by the Edinburgh Cup over 8-11 July. The boats will be moored in the Pendennis Marina with the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club's beautiful waterside club house providing the administrative and social base for the regatta. Racing will take place under the watchful eye of Principal Race Officer Jonathan Money who has the option to sail in either Falmouth Bay or Carrick Roads to ensure the best possible chance of racing in all weather conditions.

Although the Edinburgh Cup will follow the traditional racing format of large championship race courses the British Dragon Association is innovating in the South Western Championship by scheduling many shorter races in a similar fashion to several of the popular Continental Dragon events. This format has proved attractive at events such as La Baule and the BDA is keen to gauge its attractiveness. Each race should last about one hour with rapid turnaround between races. Both events will have new prizes for boats sailed entirely by amateur crews and prizes for older boats, both wooden 'classics' and the often neglected older GRP boats.

2009 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Dragon Class and the British Dragon Association is marking the event with a number of special activities including a Gala dinner which will take place during the Edinburgh Cup at the spectacular Trebah Gardens on the Helford River. In keeping with the 80th anniversary theme for the evening guests being transported to the dinner by ferry and will return home in historic buses. Other après sailing events during the week will include an event at the National Maritime Museum and a chance to sail aboard the unique Falmouth Working Boats.

The British Dragon Association would like to thank title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management and supporting sponsor Petticrows Ltd for their most generous support of this event. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC is an international investment management group, managing assets for both institutions and private individuals from offices around the world. Founded in 1896 Petticrows Ltd is one of the World's leading builders of one design racing yachts including the International Dragon.