Welsh Sailing Dragon Series at Tata Steel Sailing Club
by Hannah Claypole 3 May 23:10 PDT
18 April 2026
Tata Steel Sailing Club welcomed young sailors from across the region for an exciting day of racing as part of the Welsh Sailing Dragon Series.
With strong winds and shifting conditions, the event tested skill, resilience and adaptability, offering a rewarding experience for sailors of all abilities. Supported by coaching throughout the day, newcomers to racing were able to build confidence, while more experienced competitors pushed themselves in competitive fleets.
The event on 18 April was the first in South Wales for the 2026 Dragon Series, with sailors competing across three fleets: Training Fleet for those new to racing and supported on and off the water by RYA coaches; Junior Fleet including Optimist, Topper and RS Tera sailors; and a General Handicap fleet for youth and double handed boats such as the ILCA and RS Feva. Results in the latter two were divided into Gold, representing squad sailors in their main boat, and Silver for everyone else. This helped to create a varied and inclusive race programme.
A total of 17 boats competed in the main fleet across six races, while the eight-boat regatta fleet delivered close, competitive racing with sailors demonstrating determination and impressive boat handling.
Logan Claypole and Oliver Hanbury, representing Tata Steel Sailing Club and Mumbles Yacht Club, secured an impressive third place in the Silver Fleet sailing an RS Feva. Logan said: "I had a great time at the event. Sailing with my friend Oliver made it even more fun, and we really enjoyed the windy conditions; those are our favourite to sail in. We're already looking forward to the next one."
Evie Ring, also representing Tata Steel Sailing Club, achieved an excellent second place in the Junior Silver Fleet and Annabel Costell of Mumbles Yacht Club also delivered a standout performance, taking first place in the Regatta Fleet in her RS Tera Sport.
The success of the event was made possible thanks to the incredible team behind the scenes. A huge thank you goes to the dedicated volunteers who ensured sailors were safe and supported on the water throughout the day. Special thanks also to coach Flo Tovey for delivering excellent guidance and encouragement, helping sailors to develop their skills. Appreciation is also extended to club members for their continued support and for providing a warm welcome ashore, including a much-enjoyed lunch that kept sailors and spectators fuelled for the day.
Despite the weather, the atmosphere on shore remained positive and supportive, reflecting the spirit of the Dragon Series in encouraging participation, development and enjoyment of the sport. Events like this not only provide valuable racing experience but also strengthen connections between clubs and young sailors across the region.
Full results can be found via the Tata Steel Sailing Club website.
Welcoming sailors aged 8-18, the 2026 series will visit a total of 13 events spanning the three regions of North, South and West, with three dates coming up in May:
- West - 9 May - Neyland Yacht Club
- North - 10 May - Port Dinorwic SC
- South - 16 May - Llandegfedd Sailing Club
For all the details and entry links visit
Welsh Sailing Dragon Series.