Güuter Ahlers, IDA Chief Measurer addressing the IDA Officers
The International Dragon Association held its Annual General Meeting on October 27, 2018 at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London. There were19 countries represented in person and a further 9 by proxy.
Chairman's Report - There is a new Dragon training camp being set up in Villamoura, PT - they will have 8 Dragons. There were 26 entries at the Prince Philip Cup in Australia, which was won by Gordon Ingate. The Cannes Winter Series had unusual weather with snow and big waves. While 50 boats registered, only 43 sailed in those conditions. The quality of race management continues to be important. It was mentioned that the Helsinki Gold Cup PRO did a great job of communications before and after racing with the result that the skippers meetings were exceptionally well attended. Report on the Regates Royales Cannes - this special event to celebrate the Dragon 90th anniversary is already oversubscribed - the IDA is looking at alternative venues to meet the demand. Fleet numbers are steady with the usual ups and downs. The IDA Executive has been looking at a new Grade 1 Circuit for 2019 (Cannes, Cascais, Kühlungsborn, Palma), culminating in an European Grade 1 Cup in Palma. Petticrows delivered 42 boats in 2018, and have 10 orders on hand for 2019, which is the best year for them, ever. Sponsorship - nothing positive to report so far - the IDA has made an agreement with a sponsorship agency (who accept payment on success rather upfront). Their initial feedback is that the Dragon Class has a good reputation but is not very visible - especially on social media, making it difficult to get sponsors. There were no major measurement issues this year.
Chairman's Report - There is a new Dragon training camp being set up in Villamoura, PT - they will have 8 Dragons. There were 26 entries at the Prince Philip Cup in Australia, which was won by Gordon Ingate. The Cannes Winter Series had unusual weather with snow and big waves. While 50 boats registered, only 43 sailed in those conditions. The quality of race management continues to be important. It was mentioned that the Helsinki Gold Cup PRO did a great job of communications before and after racing with the result that the skippers meetings were exceptionally well attended. Report on the Regates Royales Cannes - this special event to celebrate the Dragon 90th anniversary is already oversubscribed - the IDA is looking at alternative venues to meet the demand. Fleet numbers are steady with the usual ups and downs. The IDA Executive has been looking at a new Grade 1 Circuit for 2019 (Cannes, Cascais, Kühlungsborn, Palma), culminating in an European Grade 1 Cup in Palma. Petticrows delivered 42 boats in 2018, and have 10 orders on hand for 2019, which is the best year for them, ever. Sponsorship - nothing positive to report so far - the IDA has made an agreement with a sponsorship agency (who accept payment on success rather upfront). Their initial feedback is that the Dragon Class has a good reputation but is not very visible - especially on social media, making it difficult to get sponsors. There were no major measurement issues this year.