Archive
Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011 Special @ notélé
Click here to watch the special on notélé, a portrait of Thimothée Deplasse, Olivier Verbeke and Olivier Guisset at the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011.
Source: notélé
Film Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011
Experience the exitement of the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011!
Watch the film and see how the dragon sailors fight the waves of the North Sea and celebrate their victories!
Enjoy the movie!
Tv news
Fcus WTV report on the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011
Markus Wieser (UKR 7) wins Gold Cup
After three days of severe winds and mighty waves, the Derbigum
Dragon Gold Fleet went out early this morning to sail two races.
The Gold Cup will be or will not be. Luckily the wind gods of this corner of the North Sea understood the message. The wind will drop and veer to the west, the guys from weather4 expeditions predicted.
And that is exactly what happened.
After the first start, the fleet cut in two. The left side went towards the beach, the right side steered deeper into sea. But soon some drizzle limited the visibility, which meant that one more aspect was added to this race: sheer navigation. The right side looked better, where the current was weakening.
Markus Wieser (Bunker Queen – UKR 7) picks up the right wind, steers his dragon the right way between de cross waves and finishes first.
In the second race of this day, the wind veers even more and although the race officers keep adapting the course to the shifts and the weakening wind, the battle in the forefront of the fleet is severe.
Jørgen Shönherr (African Queen - DEN 401) points a fraction higher and beats Mikael Apukhtin in less than a boat length on the finish line.
Peter de Gryse is not only happy this Gold Cup was sailed. “I’m most grateful for the collaboration with my team of volunteers and the people of the IDA., he says. “ We never had a championship blocked by the weather conditions before. There must be a first time for everything. But from what I hear from the sailors, the level of competition was dense and the North Sea was completely herself.
Results Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup over all
Results Race 2 - Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup
A spicy sailing day seemed to be great for our Danish friends of the African 
Queen (DEN 401). Helmsman Jörgen Schönherr played cat and mouse with Danish Blue, Tigger and Billy Boy. During the race the wind came up and veered. Those who anticipated in the upwind legs gained positions, the others lost them.
Already the meteo service announced winds up to 33 knots and waves of 1,30 centimeters. And higher in the gusts. So the race had to get started two hours before schedule, in order to avoid the depression in the late afternoon.
“The difficulty is not the height of the waves over here,” Schönherr comments. “The trick is to find the pitch, to steer as close as possible to the wind without beating in the waves."
"There was no really a pattern, they came from all directions and varied in length and height. On the other side, I could not steer to deep, since the 
others would pass over me whenever I was not paying attention.”
The race was shortened, the finish being near the downwind marks. Beyond the fleet, in the south, black a black sky did not promise an Indian summer. 14 boats retired.
Belgian Nationals: Tavinor wins, Van Cauwenbergh national champion
Open Belgian Championship Dragon / Ostend
Race 1 & 2
Stong wind, mighty waves. And the force of Anatoly Loginov, last years winner of the Gold Cup plus het Bunker team. After four races it will come clear that they are here for a bigger cause: the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup which is sailed next week.
Race 3 & 4
The wind drops and veers tot the west. The fleet feels the influence of the strong spring tide current. Lars Hendriksen (Bunker Boys UKR 8) shows how it all works. But also other sailors step forward, like Clairoyant (USA 310).
Race 5 & 6
Day 3 will be remembered as the Belgian Day. Alex Helsen (Princess Sofie) wins leg 5 and comes in second in leg 6. Ben Van Cauwenberg (Blackout) is on his heels. Both choose for an extreme course, closer to the beaches. No need to mention that the wind has dropped and they avoid the counter current. Hoj-Hensen is also showing how the game is played. The battle for the first final place is clear: it will be him of Tim Tavinor.
Race 7
Ideal sailing conditions although the sea is very choppy. This time, the race course is on the north side of Ostend, where the sea is less deep, but without sandbanks. Hoj-Jensen chooses to go extremely to the left of the windward courses. And it works. The Russian Strange Little Girl is overhauled by Danish Blue, Tigger and Blackout.
An inspiring race, Peter De Gryse, president of the Belgian Dragons, comments. Everybody had the chance to know the character of the North Sea better. On the organization side, the learning curve has been very steep. We started with a complete new on- and offshore team and it took only a little while to get the engine running. I'm also confident that the sailors like the atmosphere of the city of Ostend very much. We are looking forward to get the Gold Cup started.
Bunker Boys in the lead of the Belgian Dragons
34 boats started for this Open Belgian Championship on Monday. It was a choppy sea and + 23 knots of wind. After two first legs both Bunker boats, -Boys and -Prince made clear they came here to win. Antony Loginov, last year’s Gold Cup winner made his point by winning the very first leg. Unfortunately, he could not continue to race, but it’s clear that last year’s Gold Cup Winner understands the Ostend conditions. Tigger (GBR 744) made clear the crew had plenty of feeling with the ever changing conditions on board. Helmsman Tim Tavinor and crew Wilton - Andrade came in first on the third leg. A splendid result, considering the impressive swell still running after all these days of a stiff breeze.
It took a while to change the course, since the wind dropped and veered more westerly. The forth leg was sailed in much lighter conditions. The course was altered during the race because of the shifting wind. Hendriksen took the lead of this race and seemed to be invincible.
And the Belgians? Ben Van Cauwenbergh showed his weak point in race 3, but he point out to the forth place in race 4. “My intentions are to improve every day. So: beware!” he smiles.
“The Belgian Dragons are the best in years”, says president Peter De Gryse.” It took our team of volunteers quite some time and hours of hard work to bring this event to these standards. Of course we are happy with so much attention. But this championship is the best way to get ready for the bigger work of the Gold Cup.”
Current and wave forecasts
In an earlier Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup newsletter, Stavros stressed the importance (and the fun) of sailing on the North Sea with her tides and currents.
You can find the website on: http://www2.mumm.ac.be/dragon/
Currently, only surface currents forecast at 4 buoys on the Stroombank, in front of Ostend, are displayed.
MUMM is also studying the feasibility to provide surface current charts both in pdf and in kmz (Google earth file format). But MUMM will increase the number of parameters in the following days, with a.o. wave heights.
MUMM being a Belgian public service opens this site to all the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup participants. The organization is grateful for this exclusive offer.
The heat is on
The preparations for the next Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup are shifting gear every week now. The event is in less than a month. Henry Antoine , - IRO - Principal Race Officer, overlooks the situation.
"I have never seen a preparation scheme like this," he says. "Our 
offshore race management team counts thirty collaborators. Every one of them is experienced and well known to high level racing. We also have 12 Committee boats and RIBs for the different tasks ready."
And there is more: "I have 4 experienced National Race Officers on my side from start to finish. They all are keen to get this completion started and bring it to the highest standards." Declares the well respected International Race Officer
The Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup will be managed by two enthusiastic on shore secretaries. Their specialties are listening and problem shooting. They never stop smiling.
There is a full time crew available for technical, promotional and hospitality matters. Last month, almost 50 volunteers joined in the first briefing, but got the chance to know each other better. They all received an extreme detailed scenario en will be well briefed.
And last but not least, another experienced 
event team of Ostend at Anchor will join forces. They all are navy man and women, so they know how important problem prevention is.
"In short," Henry says, "the collaborators coming from France, the UK and Holland are a real bonus to the Belgian team. They were selected for their sail race experience. "
"The extended list of on- and offshore equipment is ready and checked. Everything is ready to be installed or unwrapped. The only thing is that we need some more participants. Or like any good chef would say: Where are the cherries for my cake?" (laughter)
Turbo of tide
Belgian Dragon Nationals
To try & win the Belgian Nationals last year I first had to turn up with a good boat and crew. My choice of Peter Bowring (Ireland) and Nol Tas (Holland) could not have been better as they were both experienced Dragon Sailors and both understand tide... Indeed we won with a day to spare! So some of this information may help you and your team...
Watch out for the current
In many ways the tide is more important than the wind in Ostend. 
The wind can increase and decrease over the race course but the tide remains consistent and predictable, with excellent information given out by the club along with the sailing instructions.
More about local currents and tides: HERE
Once you study the charts and find out where the various sand banks are (which are usually marked with cardinal buoys) then apply the local tidal directions, which are given on one very straight forward sheet of paper, you're ahead of the curve. This of course applies to most tidal venues - so let's talk a bit more about Ostend itself: Make sure you know High Water time and the tide "Change" out on the race course.......
Channels and sand banks
You will very quickly become accustomed to the shipping entering and leaving Ostend - and the 'traffic lights' that keep things in order. It is very straightforward as the cross-channel ferries come and go over the horizon... But when I first began sailing in Belgium the light shipping could also leave Ostend and turn immediately along the shore! (Not today!) There used to be a channel that ran fairly close to the shore, inside some of the sand banks. This inside channel is no longer used by shipping as over the years the sand has shifted and I guess it's too risky to use unless more dredging is carried out.
But the presence of this inside channel can make a lot of difference when part of the race area. It can mean that sometimes you need to sail a little further off-shore than you think rather than sail close in to the shore (which is what would normally give an advantage at another venue). Assuming you're sailing AGAINST the tide of course! Similarly - for the same reason - I have also made gains by keeping close to the shore in certain areas, when sailing WITH the tide. Again the tide flows stronger in this "old channel" than over the shallower sand banks.... So check out this inner channel...
Tide turbo
Keeping a watchful eye on the whole fleet will show you what side, middle or shore part of the course is paying. Of course if it pays to stay in the shallow water when you are against the tide and make sure you stay away from the shallows when you come back down with the spinnaker up and looking for maximum tidal gains....
On a final note - don't just think of tide as a conveyor belt either taking you to or away from the marks of the course. 
The tide - and it's effect on the sea, your apparent wind, and the trim of the boat will also have implications on how you trim and sail the boat. Be mindful not to be too fixed in how you set the boat up.
The optimum trim on one tack, may be quite different to the other tack - or on the first beat, different to what you need on the third / final beat of the day. You may well start a race where you have wind and tide running together giving you flatter water, but only an hour or two later this could have changed and with wind over tide a short chop will quickly develop! So think about the conditions you're racing in at the time and not 20 minutes or an hour earlier. On the run too - there can also be a lot to think about.
Ostend can quickly produce a good sea - and I can recall many enjoyable downwind legs where "Surf's Up!". But we all know that one gybe may give a better angle for the waves than another. If it's windy and we have a good sea when rounding the top mark think about your course over the ground and how surfing may be able to help you sail a lower course... Should you gybe that little bit earlier? If you stand on too long, will you lost the optimum angle or full benefit of the seas..? Always try to sail low as possible when you catch the waves.....
Victory and tide tables
So campers.... There's a lot to think about - and the wind and tide are just the start. Get those right, nail the trim and boatspeed, sail smart and the rest could be history. But one thing is for sure - the winner of the upcoming Gold Cup will have worked very hard for their victory! Ostend - if all my past experiences are anything to go by - will provide us with a challenging and thoroughly enjoyable week of racing! Look forward to seeing you all there.
Higher, Faster, Longer............
Stavros
Want to know more?
Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Models
Meetnet Vlaamse Banken (Survey Flemish Banks)
Beware of the bees
Beware of the bees
Two brothers and their sister, keen dinghy sailors all three of them, won this wild card, including the free use of a Dragon during the Gold Cup. They are really looking forward to push their competitive limits in a keelboat for the first time. But beware: they do not start without any experience and they know the Belgian waters quite well.
Hans (26), Bert (29) and Lien (23) De Bie stepped many years ago into Optimists. The trio was present in the Belgian selection for many international races like Europeans and Worlds. Afterwards Lien chose the - at that time - Olympic Europe and switched to the Laser Radial when this class became Olympic. In 2005 she was elected "Yachting Promise of the year", by the Belgian Yachting Association. Bert and Hans went for the 420. 
"We heard of the opportunity of winning the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup wild card, offered by the Belgian Dragon Class Association. We filled out the form at the Belgian Boat Show in February with great expectations," says Hans De Bie.
"Since we recently found our ways in our professional lives, we are keen to restart competitive sailing. This is not only a great opportunity to enter the circuit through the door of the highest level. It is also a great offer to promote the class amongst young sailors and push back the prejudice that sailing is reserved only for a selected few."
This summer, the tree Bees (De Bies) will board any Dragon available in Belgium to maximalise their knowledge of the intelligent boat and her rig. Time and the availability permitting they will also sail the Open Belgian Championship with the Petticrows on which they will sail the Gold Cup.
"Our main target for the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup is to finish within the top five of at least one race.", says Hans De Bie.
This firm statement hides greater ambitions of this buzzy trio.
Social event – September 8, 2011
During the tour you will experience all the specialties Bruges has to offer, 
such as a lace work demonstration and brewery visit with degustation. But we will also visit the chocolate museum (Belgian chocolate is the best in the world!) and we end the tour with a relaxing boat trip on the “Brugse Reitjes” (the small canals in the centre of Bruges).
Program:
· 12:50: Meeting in the tent on the venue
· 13:14: Train to Bruges 
· 13:30 – 15:00: Guided tour with lacework demonstration & brewery visit
· 15:00: Chocolate museum
· 16:15 – 16:50: boat trip on the “Brugse Reitjes” (city canals)
· 17:30: Train back to Ostend
· 17:55: Back in the tent on the venue
Don’t miss this opportunity and register for this discovery tour! The places are limited.
Send an e-mail to the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup secretary to register.
Kind regards,
The BDA-team
The average wind and weather situation for Ostend in September
Taylor made weather forecasts
Fritz Buyl is not only a keen sail racer. He is an experienced meteorologist 
working for the weather services of the marine department of the Flemish government. Next to this job he runs together with Marc De Keyser Weather for Expeditions, a successful meteo service to sailors and on line ‘routing' assistance.
Amongst his clients are single handed ocean racers (Transat 6.50, Global Ocean Race, Transquadra, Class 40' etc. ) but also the more popular European ‘round the cans' races and other inshores like the Antwerp Race.
Fritz Buyl has already analyzed the weather stats for the last 20 years, covering the Belgian Coast and more specifically the Ostend area.
Weather analysis for September
The average wind speed is between 5-6 m/s (11-16 kt.).The highest wind peaks climb tot 22 - 23 m/s. The most common wind direction is south west to south south west. The second common wind direction is east north east to north east. Both directions are linked to totally different weather systems.
The south westerly’s are a result of a Low with the depression centre to the north of Belgium. In the other ENE case, an important High will be above the north sea.
In this time of year the sea breeze does not appear, because of the relatively high seawater temperature. (Average: 17°C).
Looking at the temperature: September is a gentle month with an average of maximum 20 °C and a common average of 16 - 17 °C. This month is also a sunny one. Average number of sunshine days: 27 - 28, average number of rainy days: 10.
In brief: Ostend has a weather profile with a lot of surprises, but in general it will be an ideal climate for Dragon racing.
You will meet the authors of this synopsis Fritz Buyl and his colleague Mark De Keyser every day before every race personally. Hopefully they are well insured
Ostend welcomes every Dragon sailor personally
Hilde Veulemans, first alderman of the city of Ostend and responsible for tourism is happy to welcome the Dragon teams in september. 
"The Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup is the nautical top event that closes the summer program of the city by the sea. This season is launched in May with Ostend at Anchor, where the Dragon was a special theme. And we conclude with an event that is equivalent to a World Championship. Top sailors from around the world are more than welcome. Give me more reasons to be proud?"
These are the words of Hilde Veulemans, the first Alderman of the city of Ostend and patron of the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup. She will personally welcome the sailors. Apart from being responsible for Tourism, Veulemans invested many years of work to reinstall the nautical character of the city. The local nautical history goes back to the Dark Ages. Signs and heritage of the fishing fleet, trans-channel ferries services, navy and now yachting are obvious.
"The first week of September is still no closure of the summer season." Veulemans says. "There is the international film festival. But the great nautical atmosphere of our city continues to work through the year. Nowhere else you will find the docks in the middle of a vivid city. They are surrounded by so much conviviality. The Visserskaai is a long series of the most varied restaurants that you can imagine. Look at the menus, the style of the interiors and off course the quality of the chefs. It will be difficult to choose. Moreover, the cuisine of the Royal North Sea Yacht club itself is famous." 
Belgium is world famous for its large variety of gastronomy and related eating and drinking culture. Hilde Veulemans " In early September, I would recommend the sailors certainly our local dishes from the sea to taste: shrimps and sole. Shrimp-tomato with handmade mayonnaise and fries are delicious. Shrimp croquettes a local specialty.
And yes: we have our unbeatable Sôle a l'Ostendaise. On the quays and the dike, facing the sea, the world is represented in different restaurants. And our bars are certainly as famous. Nightlife in Ostend attracts people from hundreds of kilometers away."
For those who have time outside the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup: the program of Ostend leads you from one cultural, glamorous or entertainment peak to another.
Visit the house of painter Ensor, the museum of modern art, the shopping streets in the city centre, the architecture in the area "Petit Paris", the Royal galleries and of course the former school ship Mercator. The elegant barquentine kept her original equipment and preserved the furnishings from the thirties of the last century.
"There is also Free State, an arts festival for young
artists who images in surprising places on the East Bank of the Port of Ostend" Mentions Hilde Veulemans yet.
Tourism Ostend helps each Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup participant personally - and also accommodation adapted to the wishes of the team. More: www.visitoostende.be.
The Corinthian Trophy
In order to control who's professional and who's 
not, the ISAF database will be controlled at registration.
Please check your ISAF Sailor Classification status on the ISAF website.
For more details about the Corinthian Trophy: check the Notice of Race.
The Corinthian principle follows an increasing interest in awarding prizes for amateur boats, as the Dragon and other dinghy fleets now have a significant number of professionals competing.
DNA structure based on passion for sailing
Gaastra - official clothing sponsor of the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup
Could Douwe Gaastra in 1897 foresee that its brand name was going to make fame in the world of sailmaking, windsurfing and now also in fashion?
Gaastra is an international, functional and nautical sportswear brand. Her DNA profile shows pure nautical passion. Gaastra Pro is called the professional line with technical sailing gear. The line focuses on protection, comfort and functionality both in heavy ocean-like situations as well as under light coastal conditions.
The Gaastra Sportswear has a snazzy Sports line and a more traditional Breton line. The whole consists of many garments that are naturally attuned to one another, but whose nautical origin remains recognizable. Both Gaastra main clothing lines also have a range of accessories and shoes.
Especially for the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup, Gaastra developed a unique logo on their
custom outfit for the teams and the organisers. The Gaastra Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup polo will be available in four fashion colors. They will be for sale on the location of the races.
The organisers will be recognizable thanks to their specific Gaastra garments: caps, trousers, shirts jackets in shining white.
Gaastra is available at a fashion store near you, but also in Ostend.
By the way: the Gaastra logo was the profile of the sixteenth century water gate of the city of Sneek, where Douwe Gaastra began his sailmaking.
Sailing as a driving force in successful business
André De Smet 
is a keen sailor and a experienced and successful CEO. Derbigum, his company, stresses Greenovation as a mission. It focuses on ecologically sound solutions of flat roofs covering. He used, of course, many assets from sailing in his professional environment. There is some parallelism between running a rapidly expanding medium-sized company and to cross the Atlantic in the ARC between Gran Canaria and St. Lucia. It's all about the dry and wet aspects of those management skills, firm confidence in the staff/crew and strategic insight.
Sponsor experience
André De Smet is also the man behind previous successful sponsor projects in sailing. He signed for cooperation between Barlo plastics and the Admiral's Cup, the Tour de France à la Voile and Kieler Woche. From this period dates back to his great admiration for former Olympic sailing champion Adrean Stead (UK).
Sailing the Atlantic
André possesses a Jeanneau 54 DS in a performance outfit. He sailed three ARC's and an Antigua Week with her. "My boat has 50 000 miles under her keel, most with me on board." He smiles.
No wonder: Ostend based Staff Versluys (+ 1995) was his mentor during his first sailing experiences. The latter is a genuine icon of the Belgian yachting world with many solo transats and two Whitbread Round the World Races to his name.
Management skills
"If anything I have learned of sailing and use in my professional environment is the constant adjustment. I other words: flexibility. The weather changes, the wind turns, the prospects predict change: make sure that you anticipate. What counts for the successful sailor, counts also for the ambitious business manager. " says André De Smet.
Another aspect is teamwork. "I like to surround me with capable people, even people who are better able than me. That team ensures the realization of the plans. I see nothing but benefits in an open organization."
Brand awareness
It can therefore be no coincidence that the more ardent sailor opts for the sponsorship of one of the most important sailing events of the calendar? De Smet "We expect to raise the identification with our brand through the sport. It will bring our customers and other relations closer to our product awareness. They are already familiar with Derbigum sailing. Each year many of our relations embark on our yacht. In Ostend we are going to offer them a bonus."
There is an important similarity, because of Derbigums outspoken green character. One cannot expect to be related with CO2 ejecting sports. Desmet: "Our brand awareness is consistent with the natural power that radiates from sailing, specifically with a Dragon."
Derbigum
... develops innovative and sustainable solutions to measure for flat roofs. That can save energy and costs, producing renewable energy, increase the sustainability and reduce the ecological footprint of the building.
Do you want to know more about Derbigum, then visit their website!
Welcome Anatoly Loginov
The sailing carrier od mr. Anatoly Loginov is impressive.
Also the silver medal of last year Gold Cup has registered: Lars Hendrik sen (UKR 8 / Bunker Boys). Together with Yevgen Braslavez (UKR 9 / Bunker Prince) and Marcus Wieser (UKR 7 / Bunker Queen) the flying Bunker team is completed.
With Phyllis Chang (HKG / Phyloong) the first intercontinental participant has arrived.
One who wins in Ostend is a real champion
Open water and tides
Rob Campbell visited the maritime festival Ostend at Anchor during which the Dragon was promoted as an iconic classic. The president of the International Dragon Association tells us why he is so enthusiastic about the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup. "The Dragon class must be one of the biggest keelboat classes in the world. We sail mostly on lakes and still waters. The fact that we will be racing on open sea and, moreover, on tidal waters, is an extra thrill. Tides and impressive currents do make the championship even more challenging."
Trilling venue
It‘s the third time the Gold Cup will be sailed in Ostend. It's an honour to one of the most dynamic National Dragon Classes. Campbell finds the venue really unique. "It's a hospitable and friendly city next to the North Sea; the marina is located in the actual centre. There are plenty social events of high standards on the Ostend calendar. I'm confident that we'll attr act at least 20 countries, like Hong Kong, Australia and the US. We are looking forward to the highest level of competition, here."
Most challenging
Meanwhile the organizers have their sleeves rolled up. Yves Leglise (Fra.) will be the president of the International Jury. Rob Campbell even believes in the famous Belgian weather. "We know the reputation of your climate," Rob said tot Peter De Gryse, president of the Belgian Dragon Association, "and we know we can expect all kinds of weather. From tropical conditions with no wind, but also raging Beauforts with lots of waves. This is going to be one of the most challenging championships ever. The one who wins in Ostend will be a real champion."
The venues
Race starts in 126 days
Number of entries: 38 boats
Where else than in Ostend could this Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup take place?
The Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011 gains a star every day. The team responsible for the organisation is working on an unforgettable event and will provide first-class competition conditions as well as a unique atmosphere. As many as 38 boats have entered so far, and the list of entries is not complete yet. Be sure not to miss this unique experience. Compete with 100 other Dragons on the challenging North Sea. Register NOW at the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup website. This is possible until 1 July 2011. Also consult the notice of the race for more information.
Ostend's Royal North Sea Yacht Club is one of the largest sailing clubs at the Belgian coast. Thanks to its first-class location in the centre of Ostend, close to the beach and offering a breath-taking view of the port, the clubhouse and its marina are the place to be for some relax time after the race. In cooperation with the Belgian Dragon Association, the club is responsible for the organisation of the sailing races and the practical award ceremonies.
The customary gala dinner of this Gold Cup edition will take place on 7 September 2011 in Ostend's Casino Kursaal. You will be received as a true VIP in this example of top-class architecture on the seafront promenade of the City by the Sea. Join your sailing friends for a delicious dinner. The location, the setting and the atmosphere will be simply unforgettable!
Together with these stimulating partners, we are working intensively on your most successful Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011.
Continue to follow the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011 on Facebook and on the website.
In the mean time we will keep you posted.
Do you really want to immerse yourself in the Belgian sailing atmosphere and try out the North Sea in advance? Then enter the Dragon Belgian Open Championship too. This national Dragon Championship is organised every year in Ostend, and this year from 28 August to 1 September. It is the perfect warm-up exercise for the Gold Cup. It increases your chances of enjoying an optimal sailing atmosphere for two weeks!
Take care, dear sailing enthusiasts!
Sponsors of the race
Race starts in 147 days
The Belgian Dragon Association and the Royal North Sea Yacht Club are fully engaged in the organisation of an unforgettable Dragon Gold Cup specially for you. So far we have received numerous entries, but there is room for more.
This is the ultimate sailing event of 2011. You may be pitted against 99 other boats and the unpredictable North Sea. This is the most extraordinary sailing event on the Belgian calendar. So decide now and register before 1 July 2011. Also have a look at the Notice of Race.
This exceptional event would hardly be possible without sponsors. It is therefore obvious that we want to thank and present these partners. They will be discussed one by one in great detail in the next e-newsletters. So be on the lookout for the next newsletters. You don't receive our newsletters? Subscribe at the button of this page!
Derbigum, the lead sponsor, develops tailor-made innovative and sustainable solutions for roofs and buildings. They integrate a great degree of technological inventiveness in the implementation of energy-friendly and therefore cost-effective solutions. This shows that they share a passion for environmentally friendly applications with the sailing community, which makes them the ideal lead sponsor.
Gaastra is also a proud sponsor. The fashion brand with a distinct yachting style provides the most suited and official clothing for this unique sailing event. Gaastra is also launching an exclusive Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup clothing line.
Roularta Media Group develops multimedia packages for job advertising. The media giant therefore knows like nobody else how to make advertising work. Roularta Media Group takes care of the advertising in ChallengeZ. This media specialist helps ensure that the race in Belgium gains sufficient cachet.
The City of Ostend will provide logistic support, but above all good interaction in all fields. It maximises the visibility of this sailing event in the city. Thanks to VZW Toerisme Oostende, this unique event holds a place in the City by the Sea. Where else?
Brugse Zot of De Halve Maan brewery in Bruges enhances the Belgian touch of the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup. Brugse Zot is brewed in a highly natural manner. The beer owes its colour, taste and flavour to a traditional selection of only the best ingredients. After a hot day of sailing, this golden beer with its fruity aftertaste provides refreshment to any salt-caked sailor.
DENK! helps organisations and companies acquire strategic insight into their marketing and communication. The DENK! crew knows like no other how to turn the communication of the Dragon Gold Cup into a success.
Continue to follow the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup on Facebook and on the website.
Accommodation
We have already received many entries and are very pleased with that, but obviously we hope to receive even more! Thus, we can say that we expect many people. To steer everything in the right direction, Toerisme Oostende offers to coordinate all bookings for the Dragon Gold Cup and Belgian Open Championship. In addition, they even offer a free booking service.
The team of Toerisme Oostende has excellent contacts and can offer you hotel reservations at very competitive prices. The procedure is very simple, if you want to make a hotel reservation, you can send us this registration form.
All the hotels are at walking distance from the port and are therefore very well located. However, we strongly advise to make your hotel reservations before 1 May 2011, as room availability after this date cannot be guaranteed.
For information or reservation please contact:
Toerisme Oostende
Monacoplein 2
B-8400 Oostende
T +32(0)59 25 53 17
F +32(0)59 70 34 77
E-mail trade@toerisme-oostende.be
Website www.visitoostende.be
Launching of the race
Race starts in 156 days
The Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011 is approaching. The Belgian Dragon Association and the Royal North Sea Yacht Club are therefore hard at work making the preparations, so you can experience a magnificent 6-day-long sailing race in September.
The prestigious Gold Cup Race, which is considered to be unique in the world of sailing, will be the leading event of the 2011 sailing season. This year the sailing event, in which 100 boats will be participating, is organised by the BDA and the RNSYC in the Queen of Seaside Resorts, Ostend. So be sure to keep the period from 2 to 9 September free in your agenda, sign up and take part in this prestigious race. Or just drop by to take in the atmosphere!
We will regularly send e-newsletters over the coming months to keep you abreast of the latest developments in the Dragon event to inform you on the number of entries, the accommodation possibilities, the sailing instructions and many practical matters etc. During the event we will inform you every day on the progress of the race. If you do not receive any e-newsletter yet, than please subscribe at the bottom of this page.
We will keep you posted!
Take care, dear sailing enthusiasts!
Peter De Gryse, President BDA
Albert Lauwerier, Commodore RNSYC
Dragon Gold Cup 2011
Dear Dragon Sailors,
The Belgian Dragon Association and the Royal North Sea Yacht Club are delighted to invite you for the Derbigum Dragon Gold Cup 2011. Racing will take place from the 2nd through the 9th of September at Ostend, Belgium.
