British Dragon South West Championship at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club

British Dragon South West Championship at Torbay © Emma York

Tactical Battles and Tight Finishes in Torquay

Torquay delivered a spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup, as 13 Dragon teams took to the waters of Tor Bay for the South West Championship, a two-day regatta packed with shifting breezes, tactical gambles, and top-class racing.

With five races completed under the expert management of race officer Bill Butcher, the event provided the ideal tune-up for teams preparing for the Edinburgh Cup.

Day One - Momentum Builders and Tactical Bravery

The opening race set the tone early, with Meteor (GBR403), helmed by Pete Cooke, claiming the first bullet of the regatta. Hot on their heels were Mark Wade's Avalanche (GBR722) and William Swigart's Magic (USA325), both showing solid early form.

Race two brought a classic Torbay challenge as a shifting north-westerly breeze shook up the fleet. Local knowledge paid off for Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, who grew up in Torquay, as Jerboa (GBR831) took a well-earned second place between another win for Meteor and third place for Chris Grosscurth's Fit Chick (GBR753).

By the final race of the day, the wind had picked up noticeably. While Fit Chick was called over the line early and forced to re-cross, the tactical move of the race came from True Story (HKG50) and Kismet (GBR821). Both boats split early from the fleet, heading right on the beat, a bold move that paid dividends. They reached the windward mark ahead of the fleet, followed closely by Fit Chick, who had made remarkable gains after restarting. As the breeze continued to favour the right side of the course, Fit Chick seized the opportunity and powered through to take the win ahead of Meteor and Jerboa, with True Story finishing a strong fourth.

Day Two - Tricky Winds and Photo Finishes

The second day of racing began under blue skies and blazing sun, but the fresh northerly breeze initially kept the fleet ashore under AP. Once conditions moderated, racing resumed shortly after midday.

Race four delivered some of the most tactical sailing of the event. The offshore wind produced unstable conditions, making each leg a new challenge. Across three laps, the lead at the windward mark changed hands multiple times. Down the final run, a fierce battle between Dreki (GBR816), helmed by Glynn Williams, and Wild Iris (IRL231), sailed by Ian Woolward, set the tone. A dramatic photo finish saw Meteor edge out Jerboa and True Story to take another race win and further solidify their lead.

In the final race of the series, Meteor once again showcased exceptional consistency and tactical awareness, dominating from the start. True Story, helmed by Lily Xu, continued their upward trajectory with a well-earned second place, while Magic returned to the podium with a strong third.

"Two tricky days, but two lovely days of sailing. I am thrilled to win overall, it is great that this good old wooden boat has done her stuff. My crew Torvar and Frederico, it was incredible how they had eyes out of the boat, seeing things I couldn't and more often than not put us in the right place at the right time." Pete Cooke, Meteor GBR402, winner of the South West Dragon Championship.

Meteor (GBR403), Pete Cooke, Torvar Mirsky, Frederico Melo wins the British Dragon South West Championship at Torbay - photo © Emma York

Jerboa (GBR831), Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, Mark Hart, Benedict Brown, Ffion Wood finishes 2nd in the British Dragon South West Championship at Torbay - photo © Emma York

A Fitting Prelude to the Edinburgh Cup

Across five highly competitive races, the Dragon fleet demonstrated just how finely matched this class remains. The close-quarter action, tactical decisions, and changing conditions provided an excellent prelude to the Edinburgh Cup, which begins on Tuesday, 8th July.

Corinthian Champion and third overall, William Swigart commented, "This is a wonderful place to sail, and the race committee has done a stand-up job. It was challenging racing, but I know it will be a great regatta."

Torquay's stunning backdrop and challenging racecourse made for an unforgettable South West Championship - a true celebration of British Dragon sailing at its best.

Overall Results: