Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Dominant British Dragons Make Their Mark at World Cup Warm-Up

by Emma York 9 May 22:47 AEST 6-8 May 2025

The road to the 2025 Dragon World Championship is heating up, and this week's warm-up event in Portugal proved to be the perfect curtain-raiser. Hosted by Vilamoura Sailing from 6th to 8th May, the event saw 25 Dragons take to the waters in preparation for the upcoming championship.

British Dragon teams wasted no time showcasing their racing prowess. Lawrie Smith's GBR815 Alfie set the pace early, dominating day one with two back-to-back victories, closely followed by Grant Gordon's GBR833 Louise Racing. Shifting wind conditions and long beats added to the drama, keeping the fleet on their toes as places changed with every leg.

GER1207 Nicola Friesen won race three, while British Dragons GBR375 Debutant and GBR192 Bluebottle secured second and third, respectively. Team Alfie continued its strong form in race four, crossing the finish line ahead of home nation teams Pedro Rebelo de Andrade's POR89 First Thing's First and Michael Zankel's POR90 Easy.

Heading into the final day, GBR815 Alfie was in a dominant position, sitting on just three points after discard calculations. However, the lack of wind on day three brought racing to an early close, confirming Lawrie Smith, Ruairidh Scott, Dave Hughes and Monica Morgan as the overall winners. British Dragons occupied multiple top spots, with GBR833 Louise Racing, GBR912 Bluebottle, GBR375 Debutant, and GBR832 Storich securing 5th, 6th, 10th, and 15th place finishes, respectively.

This warm-up event has provided invaluable venue practice for the fleet, setting the stage for a thrilling Dragon World Championship from 10th to 17th May. With over 50 Dragons from 17 nations registered, including eight British contenders, all eyes will be on Vilamoura as the battle for the title unfolds. Could Alfie's triumph here signal another championship victory for Lawrie Smith and his team?

Related Articles

21st Sandberg PalmaVela overall
A breezy finale in the Bay of Palma A thrilling and intense final day at Sandberg PalmaVela was enjoyed with choppy seas and wind conditions ranging from gentle airs to gusts of up to 23 knots. Several broken masts are evidence how tough the day was for some. Posted on 4 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 3
Light winds returned to the Bay of Palma again Light winds returned to the Bay of Palma again but that didn't stop the 11 classes getting new races. Posted on 3 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 2
Ten new classes joined the action Ten new classes joined the action on Day 2, bringing the total to 11 divisions for this edition. Posted on 2 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 1
Magic Carpet E wins two from two on her debut The Maxi class officially opened racing today at the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, completing two W/L races in which the newest elite 100-footer, Magic Carpet E, dominated with two clear victories in what was its first-ever races. Posted on 1 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela kicks off tomorrow
With the spectacle of the Maxis in Palma Over one hundred teams representing 19 nationalities will gather in the Bay of Palma for the first major multi-class event of the season: the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela. The impressive Maxis will be the first to take the stage. Posted on 30 Apr
It's So Easy to Shop for Winning Sails Online
Shop North One Design sails online anytime for fast delivery Shop North One Design sails online anytime for fast delivery, in-stock availability, and podium-ready results. Don't wait, your next win starts here. Posted on 28 Apr
5th Dragon Cup at Vilamoura Sailing Overall
Lasting memories both on the water and ashore under Vilamoura's great spring conditions The 5th edition of the Dragon Cup Vilamoura has concluded with great success, leaving lasting memories both on the water and ashore. Over the course of the event, sailors completed a total of eight races under Vilamoura's great spring conditions. Posted on 27 Apr
2025 Medway Yacht Club Keelboat Regatta Preview
Three classes of handicap racing for cruisers plus one design racing for Dragons, Sonatas and Squibs The Medway Yacht Club looks forward to hosting and welcoming members and visitors to the 2025 Medway Yacht Club Keelboat Regatta to take place on 14th and 15th June, sponsored by Pirates Cave. Posted on 27 Apr
5th Dragon Cup at Vilamoura Sailing Preview
A Key Warm-Up Ahead of the World Championship Today marks the start of the Dragon Cup at Vilamoura Sailing, welcoming 25 boats from across the world. This regatta offers top-level competition and serves as an essential training opportunity for many of the teams preparing for the Dragon Worlds. Posted on 24 Apr
Enter now for Whitsun Regatta at Royal Burnham YC
It is free, and you can win £100 to spend in the club bar Royal Burnham YC's Whitsun Regatta is 24-26th May 2025 and it is free! Our aim is to entice as many entries as possible and make it a fun regatta. Posted on 16 Apr
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERSea Sure 2025Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit