2008 Cascais Dragon Gold Cup

by Event Media on 29 Aug 2008 The 2008 Cascais Dragon Gold Cup was presented yesterday in a ceremony held at the Clube Naval de Cascais. The event, that will take place from 29 August until 5 September, is expecting the participation of 80 boats, representing 16 countries. The Gold Cup is considered the most important and prestigious regatta of the International Dragon Class, which returns to Cascais 10 years after it was held here in 1998.

At the ceremony, José Mattoso, Clube Naval’s President, praised Cascais fantastic sailing conditions: 'Based on the excellent natural conditions of its bay and the renowned experience of the CNC to organize large regattas and after having bid, in 2006, to organize the 2007 America´s Cup and having held the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championship in July of last year with over 1.000 boats, Cascais and the Estoril coast are now certainly in the short list of the world´s best venues for holding large international sailing events'.

The Cascais Dragon Gold Cup is the last of a series of events included in 'Cascais Portugal Vela 2008'. CNC President explained what is this ambitious project:

'Building on this track record, this year, and in its first edition, the project 'Cascais Portugal Vela 2008' promoted by the CNC hasbrought to Portugal, Cascais and the Estoril coast three major and prestigious international sailing regattas: the 2008 IFDS Seth Cascais Worlds for disabled sailors, the 9th edition of the Costa do Estoril Sailing Open led by the Quebramar/Chrysler Trophy for the classes GP42 and ORC - as part of this Open will also be held the Chrysler Challenge and the Grande Real Villa Italia Challenge respectively for the Dragon and the SB3 classes – and the third regatta, to be held next week, is the 2008 Cascais Dragon Gold Cup'.

The final words of José Mattoso’s speech were to the sponsors:

'I would like to take the opportunity to thank the main sponsors Banco Espirito Santo, Quebramar and Chrysler as well as Seth, Vila Sol, the Cascais Marina, plus a host of supporting entities and volunteers which made this possible. I would also would like to thank the state agency Turismo de Portugal that has recognized the importance of this sailing event as an excellent vehicle to project internationally the image of Portugal, Cascais and its Estoril coast. Finally, but certainly not least, I thank the permanent, timely and very important support of the Municipality of Cascais and its Mayor Mr. António Capucho', said José Mattoso.