IDA Blog

Christensen Win’s in DZ as the Black Flag cut’s Deep……

Stavros — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:00:53 +0000

The current European Champions Jens Christensen, Kim Andersen and Anders Bagger sailed brilliantly to win “Both” events in Douarnenez last week sailing DEN 405 “Out of Bounce” to prove that the superstition of winning the warm up regatta is not bad luck ! Although only three races could be completed in both the Coupe de Bretagne and the main Grade 1 Grand Prix Guyader (so no discard allowed), the most consistent team deservedly took the honors.. Afterwards Jens said he was ”Very happy with his “New” Petticrow Dragon”, saying “it was extremely quick” and he “thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to Douarnenez”…. May you have many more Jens, congratulations….

Runner Up and 2nd overall was the current Gold Cup holder Markus Wieser from Germany helming ”Bunker Queen” UKR 7 with owner Sergey Pugachev and Matti Paschen. Markus was the only other competitor from the 73 boats to finish with three scores in the top 10….! The final podium place & 3rd overall was one of 2012′s most successful sailors, Dmitry Samokhin crewed by Andrey Kirillyuk and Aleksey Bushuev who sailed extremely well again in their “Strange Little Girl” RUS 76. Dmity has not been helming Dragons long, so to continue this excellent run of form in quite amazing…..

However, whilst these three fantastic teams can consider themselves at the very top of World Dragon sailing, the notorious “Black Flag” destroyed many dreams on the last day in a wet and cold Douarnenez… It was a final day of heartache for one team in particular from Belgium, Ben Cauwenbergh and his team in BEL 80 who recorded a Black Flag in their “Blackout” in the final race after following up their brilliant win in race 1 with a second in race 2. Ben would have known he was leading overall going into the last race, but he was called over with 8 other boats as the PRO struggled to get the fleet away on a very difficult day. Seeing their boat number on the Blackboard after the second General Recall would have been like a stab in the heart from a blunt knife, as they sailed back to the harbour for an early crane out.

Three other top contenders to feel the “Black Flag” pain in the first race yesterday was URK 8, UKR 9 and GER 1123. I’m sure Lars Hendriksen, Evgeny Braslavetz and Tommy Muller all felt somewhat aggrieved, when the line was so heavily biased to Starboard, that their numbers were recorded when simply half the fleet had forced the General Recall…. It questions once again the massive decision to implement this “Terminal” deterrent so soon when the starts become difficult mainly due to drastic wind shifts and NOT the FAULT of the competitors……. Please can Principle Race Officers take Note ????????

However, as I have no wish to start another major debate, let me finish by saying that despite probably the worst ever weather conditions in the 13 years of Douarnenez Sailing, it was still an excellent and well organised regatta and will remain the number 1 in all Dragon Sailors Itineraries… Well done to Gwen, Annie and their amazing team of helpers once again…. We will all be back in 2013 and beyond ……(some of us will be with you also in August ) .

In closing a very special mention and my heartfelt congratulations to GRB 633 sailed by Husband and Wife Ron & Julia, crewed by Mark Pettitt who finished a creditable 8th overall in this World Class Event. Ron and Julia have won in Deauville but this must rate highly on their Dragon CV. Well done and keep up the support you both give our fantastic class…… For the full results, please visit the main intdragon.org web site.

Higher, Faster, Longer……………………. Stavros. (USA 310).

Jens Christensen Victorious In Douarnenez

Fiona — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:46:15 +0000

It was a long final day for the sailors in Douarnenez today but we are delighted to report that the race committee was able to run two more races bringing the total number of races to three and validating the Grand Prix Guyader Douarnenez. Overall Jens Christensen from Denmark to the top position on the podium with Markus Weiser, sailing for the Ukraine, second and Dmitry Samokhin of Russia third. Stav will have a full report for you later but in the meantime here is a quick video interview with Jens Christensen and his crew.

Full Results

Official Photos

Stav Previews The 2012 Brewin Dolphin Gold Cup In Kinsale As Lack Of Wind Again Stops Play In Douarnenez

Fiona — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:01:20 +0000

For the second day running a lack of wind has stopped play for the Dragon fleet in Douarnenez. The teams awoke to dark skies, heavy rain and not a breath of wind and as the morning wore on the only change in the weather was that it got wetter! The Race Committee initially postponed until 13.30 but when it became clear at that time that there was little hope of any wind they abandoned racing for the day allowing the crews to head out and enjoy long lunches in the many great restaurants in the area.

The Race Committee has brought the start time forward to 10am tomorrow morning in the hope that it will be possible to run two further races bringing the total up to three – the minimum number of races needed to complete the series.

As we have no post race interviews for you today here instead is an interview Stav did yesterday with Ireland’s Cameron Good and Henry Kingston previewing the 2012 Brewin Dolphin Gold Cup in Kinsale from 8-14 September (see www.dragongoldcup2012.com for more info).

No Racing But Still Lots To Talk About In Douarnenez

Fiona — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:35:31 +0000

Sadly the weather gods were not on our side in Douarnenez today and it was not possible to complete any racing because of lack of wind. The fleet were initially held ashore until 13.30 enjoying coffee and good company at the event marquee. The postponement was pulled down and they went afloat just after 13.30 in the hope that some sea breeze would materialise but it was not to be and the race committee sent the boats home again.

Whilst there may not be any racing to report that doesn’t mean Stav didn’t have plenty to chat about so instead of a race report he caught up with Ron James and Peter Colby about what brings them back to Douarnenez time after time and looked ahead to the 2013 Dragon Worlds in Weymouth.

More information at www.grandprixguyader.com

Ben Van Cauwenbergh Shaves Head To Celebrate Victory In Douarnenez Race 1

Fiona — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:43:53 +0000

Those of you who watched last night’s video report from Stav will have seen Ben Van Cauwenbergh’s crew holding Ben to a bet he made with them that if the won a race in the Grand Prix Guyader Douarnenez he would shave his head. As a relatively newcomer to the fleet Ben, who was famous for his long flowing blond locks, must have thought he was on fairly safe ground when he made the bet as the calibre of teams competing this week is so high. But he is a man of his word and having won the opening race he let them cut his hair and this morning he is sporting an impressive new buzz cut as you can see from our photos below. His new haircut has also revealed the five stitches he has in a head wound received when the mast support fell on his head while packing the boat up ready to come here! For the most part Ben looks great with his new haircut although you can see that his crew’s enthusiasm for hair dressing does rather exceed their skill as the bald patch over his left ear demonstrates. Don’t worry Ben – it will grow back!

Video Report From Day One Of The Grand Prix Guyader Douarnenez Where Ben Van Cauwenbergh Took Victory

Fiona — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:00:12 +0000

After today’s tricky first race for the 75 strong Dragon fleet at the Grand Prix Guyader in Douarnenez Stav chatted to race winner Ben Van Cauwenbergh and his crew from Belgium.

Full Results

Photos

Just Two Men Missing……… in Douarnenez 2012.

Stavros — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:48:00 +0000

When Louis Urvois had a dream to bring Dragon Racing to his beloved home town of Douarnenez, not even he could have hoped for such success over the past 13yrs….. The event is the Premier Regatta on everyone’s calendar and this week we will see the World’s Best Dragon Sailors battle it out for the Golden Prize, to win the Douarnenez Grand Prix.

Sadly Louis is unable to take part this year and he his greatly missed, so we all send him our heartfelt wishes. However, his desire is for the continued success of this fantastic event which has never been more exciting or had so many of the very best taking part. Welcome to the real “World Championship” Vincent Hoesch called it yesterday, as everyone is here….. well almost everyone! The other missing person is “The Man” Poul-Richard Hoj-Jensen, who is mainly responsible for the development of this extraodinary “One Design” keel boat class. PR is sailing a rather larger boat (in excess of 100 foot), back in his new home base of Antigua so we all wish him & Sophia well and continued success.

So Two great Men Missing, but for the rest “Game On”……. Can the current World Champion Lawrie Smith, sailing with (New Petticrow Boss) Tim Tavinor and the next candidate for London Mayor, Ossie Simon Stewart… hold the rest at bay ?? Since winning the worlds in Australia last year, Lawrie has not been seen much, but with a 3rd place in the final race of the Coup de Bretange, he is certainly up for the challenge. Or can Jens Christensen, winner of the first regatta and current European Champion take the title and prove that the old saying of “never win the practice race” is just an old wives tale…..

With so many Top and I mean Top class teams here about to take part, I can tell you, there has never been a more competitive and challenging time to be racing a Dragon !!!!!

Higher, Faster, Longer…… Stavros. (USA 310).

Jens Christensen Wins Coupe De Bretagne – Stav’s Day 3 Video Report

Fiona — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:52:39 +0000

Congratulations to Jens Christensen and his crew on his victory in the Coupe de Bretagne in Douarnenez. After racing Stav spoke to Jens and to second placed Stephan Link about the racing in the Coupe de Bretagne and what to expect as we move forward into the Grand Prix Guyader Douarnenez. We’ve also go a great onboard clip from BEL79 sa they lead the fleet in yesterday’s windy race.

Stav Reports From Day 2 Of The Coupe de Bretagne In Douarnenez When Jens Christensen Leads Overall

Fiona — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:48:10 +0000

When the boats went afloat this morning they expected some nice medium airs sailing and there was even a brief glimpse of the sun. Ultimately though the strong winds made another appearance and only one race could be completed. Martin Palson in SWE375 took the race from Jose Matoso (POR55) and Jens Christensen (DEN405). Jens Christensen now leads overall with Markus Breneck (GER10) second and Jose Matoso third. After racing Stav chatted to Martin Palson, Pedro Andrade (crewing for Jose Matoso) and Dominic Bakker (of BEL79) who were first around the weather mark in today’s race.

Full results and photos posted at www.grandprixguyader.com

The Wind Blow’s in Douarnenez……. by Stavros.

Stavros — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:39:20 +0000

Hello to you all out there from a rain & wind swept Douarnenez… As nature has it’s say and a huge “low” pressure continues to circle North-West Europe, the 60+ boat Dragon Fleet can only sit and wait for a change in the weather. Yesterday it was impossible to sail and so the PRO had no option but to cancell all racing, as Noah prepared another “Ark” just in case God called upon him once again to save the world…….

After such a great first day of racing (which I explained in the Video), it was a pity that a full day was lost. However, although today’s conditions do not offer much of a change, this windy “front” is moving through and the prospects are good for the remainder of the week. There is a Skippers Meeting at noon today so all will be revealed then, but it’s good to know that on Tuesday (which normally is a lay day) racing can take place… So even if we lose a second day of racing today, two more races can be sailed on Tuesday to complete the series.

We all pray that by the time the remaining 20 odd boats are craned in for the start of the Grade 1 Grand Prix on Wednesday the weather will hopefully be perfect for this spectacular and extremely well organised event!

Higher, Faster, Longer…….. but a little damp & cold… Stavros. (USA 310).