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From August 23 to 30, 2025, the Bay of Douarnenez will once again play host to the Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup. This international event, which brings together the largest fleet in the Dragon class, requires special organizational and sailing conditions.
An organization adapted to a dense international fleet
Gathering 75 Dragons on the same starting line is no mean feat. The rules allow for a crew of three or four, with a maximum total weight of 285 kg. All these crews and the launching of the boats require robust port logistics. The Tréboul marina offers a sheltered stretch of water and infrastructure designed to accommodate these vessels. The SRD ( Douarnenez Regatta Society ), which is already home to a large fleet of French Dragons, is setting up an experienced shore team organization, with craneage, trailer parking and optimized technical areas.
A bay ideal for long-distance regattas
The daily races, averaging 12 miles in length, are run in a unique format: a single course per day with no discards. The bay of Douarnenez, both open and protected, provides a stable stretch of water, with no currents or significant tidal ranges. These characteristics provide homogeneous conditions, sought after by race committees and tacticians for clear strategies.
Historic units with a high level of readiness
The Dragons are 8.90 m sports keelboats, born in 1929. Made of composite or restored wood, the hulls are optimized to strict tolerances. Their fittings, often modernized to comply with the rules, meet performance requirements. Sails are made of high-strength synthetic fabric, and crews prepare their boats with a level of precision comparable to the great one-design competitions.
A high-level sporting confrontation
The 18 nationalities entered illustrate the global appeal of the Gold Cup. They include Portuguese title-holder Pedro Rebelo de Andrade, reigning world champion Andy Beadsworth from the UK, Lars Hendriksen from Germany (European champion), and Australian Peter Gilmour, a former America's Cup competitor. France will be represented by Géry Trentesaux, a veteran of major international events. This high level of competition calls for unfailing regularity throughout the week.
A leading role for SRD in the Dragon class
SRD is organizing this event for the fifth time, thanks to experience acquired since the 1990s. It draws on recognized expertise in organizing international regattas. Working in partnership with local institutions and volunteers, it reinforces the bay's place in the international class calendar.
A nautical showcase for Brittany
The Gold Cup is also part of a drive to promote Brittany as a regatta destination. Jean-Luc Denéchau, President of the FFVoile, sees it as a way of showcasing the region: " The Gold Cup is much more than a high-level competition: it's an international showcase for the dynamism of Finistère, Brittany and the Douarnenez region, a land of sea, hospitality and passion. "
