International Dragons – 12 years off and returns with a win

by John Curnow on 15 Jan 2011 The British crew aboard Alfie have just taken out the 2011 International Dragon World Championship.

Skippered by Lawrie Smith, who has not been sailing since his 1999 Volvo Ocean Race campaign, and that’s 12 years ago.

Speaking up at the clubhouse after the great win, Lawrie said, ‘Four young kids took care of sailing for a while.

The twins are now 13 years old, so it makes doing something like this possible. It really is such a joyous way to come back. I honestly did not think we’d get the win. Then again, I also thought it was going to blow 25 knots each day!’

Crewmember, Tim Tavinor and owner of the boat builder, Petticrows, was also on board Alfie. ‘I’m exhausted is all I can say. It is my first Dragon Worlds win, too. Also, first and second overall were brand new boats delivered directly to the regatta. We had a really great time here and the on-water team were very, very professional.’

The third member of the team is Ossie Stewart, who said, ‘Tim’s boat is fantastic. We put a few new ideas into it and they really seemed to work.’

Tonight it is the gala reception for the awarding of trophies and the auction of the six regatta flags to benefit the recent Queensland flood victims. For further information, please go to http://www.dragonworlds2011.com.au/