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Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Dragon Edinburgh Cup at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 1

by Emma York 9 Jul 00:14 PDT 8-11 July 2025
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay Day 1 © Emma York

Tuesday 8th July welcomed the opening day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup in Torquay with sunshine, lighter airs, and no shortage of high-calibre racing.

After a breezy South West Championship warm-up event, the Edinburgh Cup, one of the most prestigious trophies in the International Dragon calendar, got underway under altogether gentler conditions. This historic regatta attracts world-class teams from near and far, including Olympians, World and European Champions, Gold Cup winners, national titleholders, local legends, and passionate Corinthian sailors. All competing with the same aspiration to lift the coveted Edinburgh Cup.

As Race One began on schedule, many Dragons were line-shy, hesitating before committing to the start. The fleet quickly split, with half heading inshore toward Paignton. On the first beat, a wind shift to the right favoured those outside, with current World Champions Provezza TUR12 first to the windward mark. They were followed closely by local favourite Jerboa GBR831, Fei-Lin's Flirtation GBR633, and Wild Iris IRL231.

As the wind continued to track right, Jerboa narrowed the gap on Provezza during the second beat. But a softening breeze made the final approach to the windward mark sluggish, delaying spinnaker hoists. Then came a dramatic weather twist: the wind began a 180-degree shift after midday, setting the stage for a surreal spectacle. Some Dragons were sailing downwind under spinnaker while others were flying their kites to the windward mark.

Jerboa, who had been sailing strongly in the top pack, found themselves trapped in a patch of glassy water as the breeze shifted dramatically. Magic USA325 was the first to reach the new wind, capitalising on the shift to beat upwind to the finish. Dreki GBR816 and Sleeping Beauty GBR704 also reacted well to the evolving conditions, making valuable gains in the final stages. But it was Provezza who held firm to take the win, with Meteor and Fei-Lin’s Flirtation completing the top three.

Following a course reset to reflect the new 12-knot breeze from the south, Race Two delivered equally compelling racing. Martin Payne’s HKG50 True Story rounded the windward mark first, closely pursued by Provezza, Wild Iris, Bluebottle GBR192, and Bertie GBR763. Sailing confidently in the afternoon airs, Mark Wade’s Avalanche GBR722 and Phil Walker’s Vendesi GBR523 found their rhythm in the shifting breeze, making the most of Tor Bay’s conditions with sharp crew work and well-timed tactical calls.

With positions changing throughout the three-lap course, it was ultimately another show of dominance from the Turkish team Provezza, who took control and extended their lead to secure their second bullet of the day. Meteor, fresh from their runner-up result in Race One, demonstrated their growing mastery of Tor Bay to finish second once again, while True Story held off a tight pack to claim third.

Day One concluded with many teams reflecting on the extreme shifts and tactical surprises that Tor Bay had to offer. With Provezza showing formidable consistency and Meteor not far behind, the competition remains wide open. The question now is who can out-sail the shifts, the pressure, and the unpredictability of this iconic venue in the days ahead?

Stay tuned for more from the Edinburgh Cup in Torquay.

Results after Day 1:

PosSail NoBoat NameHelmCrewClubR1R2Pts
1TUR 12ProvezzaAndy BeadsworthSimon Fry / Enes ÇaylakBAYK112
2GBR 402MeteorPete CookeTorvar Mirsky / Frederico MeloRoyal Forth YC224
3USA 325MagicWilliam SwigartArthur Anosov / David CaesarNewport Harbor YC448
4GBR763BertieSimon BarterDonald Wilks / Michael Caiger / Harriet NordenCCYC7512
5GBR831JerboaGavia Wilkinson‑CoxMark Hart / Jake Hardman / Ffion WoodRTYC5813
6IRL 231Wild IrisIain WoolwardTiarnan Brown / Ben PerezGlandore6713
7GBR633Fei‑Lin’s FlirtationRonald JamesJamie Lea / Phillip CatmurRoyal Forth YC31215
8GBR192BluebottleGraham BaileyJulia Bailey / Will Bedford / Killian BoagRYS9615
9HKG50True StoryLily XuJoey Bergin / Martin PayneHong Kong YC14317
10GBR704Sleeping BeautyPeter MarchantKatie Marchant / Rory Paton / Harriet NordenRoyal Corinthian YC81018
11GBR722AvalancheMark WadeAmanda Wade / Chris BrittainRoyal Corinthian YC12921
12GBR753Fit ChickJono BrownChris Grosscurth / Andrew NordenMYC/CCYC111122
13GBR816DrekiGlynn WilliamsPhil Taylor / Tom HartridgeRoyal Yacht Squadron101626
14GBR760Hands OffAndrew MossTim Wilkes / Teresa WRoyal Corinthian Burnham131326
15GBR731KestraRichard LeaskWillie Adams / Nigel ColeRoyal Forth YC161430
16GBR523VendesiPhil WalkerJohn AllenMedway151530
17GBR826Dublin BayDavid WarnerGeoff Butcher / David Clarkson / Elliott DixonRCYC171734
18GBR821KismetCathy OgdenSheena Kerr / Moira Kinnear / Fiona HutchisonRoyal Forth YC181836

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