Welsh Sailing Dragon Series at Llandudno Sailing Club
by Llandudno Sailing Club 14 Jul 17:02 UTC
11 July 2026
Llandudno Sailing Club was delighted to welcome the Dragon Series to the North Wales coast on Saturday 11 July 2026, with nineteen young sailors taking to the water for a fantastic day of close, competitive racing.
The Dragon Series is designed to provide young sailors with an opportunity to develop their racing skills in a friendly and supportive environment, and the sprint-race format proved to be a huge success. Six races were completed over the course of the day, giving competitors plenty of opportunities to refine one of the most important aspects of racing, getting off the start line well.
Conditions kept both sailors and race officials on their toes throughout the day. Under glorious sunshine, the fleet experienced everything from almost glassy Force 0 conditions through to the upper end of a Force 3 as the afternoon sea breeze gradually established itself. One race had to be abandoned as the breeze shifted dramatically while the sea breeze settled in, but after a short delay the fleet was soon back on the water to complete the re-sailed race.
One of the highlights of the day came from first-time Dragon Series competitor Esme Povey. Competing in her very first racing event, Esme showed tremendous confidence and determination, crossing the finish line first in the final two races, a fantastic achievement and a glimpse of an exciting future.
The day's entertainment wasn't limited to racing either. Between Races 1 and 2, Cara Thomas gave everyone an impromptu demonstration of roll tacking. Unfortunately, the demonstration became a little too enthusiastic, ending with an unexpected capsize that brought plenty of smiles and laughter from sailors and spectators alike!
Away from the racing, the event perfectly reflected what the Dragon Series is all about. New friendships were formed, experienced sailors encouraged those newer to racing, and there was a real sense of community throughout the day. Whether sailors were battling at the front of the fleet or competing in their first ever event, everyone left the water having learned something new and with a smile on their face.
Congratulations go to all of the competitors, and particularly to those who picked up podium finishes.
The full results can be viewed at: www.llandudno-sailing.com/dragon-results-2026
Llandudno Sailing Club would like to extend a huge thank you to the race management team, safety boat crews, volunteers, parents and supporters whose hard work made the event possible. Events like these simply couldn't happen without their commitment.
The Dragon Series now heads to Merthyr Tydfil SC in South Wales on Saturday 18 July, and then concludes at Llyn Brenig SC on Saturday 15 August, where another exciting day of youth racing awaits in North Wales. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Find all the info and entry links at: www.welshsailing.com/dragon-series