WB Sails

National Classes

North America

It’s been a quiet couple of years for Dragon sailing in North America. In 2020, most events, including Club Racing, were cancelled until late in the summer. But by 2021, a full set of local events were held. Because the US-Canada border was closed to non-essential travel, many big events were cancelled or had reduced attendance. With the border now open in both directions (with some restrictions), we expect 2022 to be better.

On the West Coast, the Vancouver Dragon Fleet held a full slate of events in 2021. Competition continues to be close, although one of the top boats was missing this year (her skipper lives in the US). The Wednesday night series, with six Dragons, was dominated by CAN118, Mistral, and the weekend series, with eight Dragons, was narrowly taken by CAN148 Ayrborn2. The fleet is keen to rejuvenate interest, especially with younger sailors, and is actively encouraging new crew members to come out.

On the East Coast, Chester Race Week, on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, was run in 2021, but attendance was down because of the border closure. The Dragon Class was ably represented by CAN131 Intrigue, but with light winds, she placed mid-fleet in handicap racing. Still, some nice photos, and great to see a Dragon out there.

The Pacific Dragon Interport (Vancouver, Sydney, Hong Kong and Kansai) was postponed from spring 2021 until 2022. While there are still border restrictions, we are hoping that they will be relaxed enough that we can go ahead with this great trans-Pacific event next year. www.nadragons.org

Sweden

2021 was again strongly marked by an ongoing pandemic that had effects on racing across Europe. However, the Swedish Dragon Association can still look back on an eventful season with activities for our members and visiting crews.

Our member base has increased by over 40% since 2020, which is very gratifying and a reward for our strong efforts in growing the fleet by numerous initiatives for everyone to feel welcome and stay loyal to the class.

As well as theory lessons on rules, sails and trim online, we managed to produce two sailing clinics on the water in Långedrag, ten days of racing in Wärdscupen during June and in July in Marstrand, followed by an international Swedish Championship and a Dragon Gold Cup in the same place.

The absolute highlight of the year was the Dragon Gold Cup that attracted 70 crews. To see these beauties on the piers and on the fjord was a tremendous joy under the circumstances. Despite difficult weather conditions at the beginning of the week, Principal Race Officer Mathias Dahlström, with crew

Photo: ROBERT DEAVES

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