The 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix opened with two tough races in shifty and at times very wet conditions in the Solent.
With its biggest fleet in 30 years, the 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix got underway off Cowes with the first two of eight windward-leeward races completed in the central Solent.
Graham and Julia Bailey, Killian Boag and William Bedford aboard GBR192 Bluebottle took a 6th and 2nd place for eight points to lead overall by two points.
In second with 10 pts are Ivan Bradbury, Lars Hendriksen and George Leonchuk in GBR375 Blue Haze, with third Dominik Heeschen, GER1189 Vesper with 11 pts.
Hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron, 49 teams from 12 nations made a spectacular sight under grey skies and with 15–17 knots from the southwest. It was a tricky day with everything from torrential rain to huge shifts and big changes in velocity.
Dominik and Cornelius Heeschen and Jaimie Lea sailing GER1189 Vesper claimed race one and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Cowes Trophy.
Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, Mark Hart, Jake Hardman and Millie Irish aboard GBR831 Jerboa won race two and the Overseas Containers Ltd Salver.
In the Corinthian fleet, overall Owen Pay sailing GBR777 Furious with Chris Brittain and Gillian Hamilton is tied on equal points with Martin Byrne’s IRL201 Jaguar Sailing Team crewed by Rory Byrne and Adam Winkleman.
Racing for the Edinburgh Cup and UK Grand Prix continues until Friday 21 August, with eight races scheduled.
2026 Edinburgh Cup & UK Dragon Grand Prix – Day 1
Overall Top Five
- GBR192 Bluebottle – Graham Bailey – 6, 2 = 8 pts
- GBR375 Blue Haze – Ivan Bradbury – 5, 5 = 10 pts
- GER1189 Vesper – Dominik Heeschen – 1, 10 = 11 pts
- SWE800 Miss Behavious – Jan Secher – 15,3 = 18 pts
- GBR831 Jerboa – Gavia Wilkinson-Cox – 18, 1 = 19 pts
Corinthian Top Five
- GBR777 Furious – Owen Pay – 27, 4 = 31 pts
- IRL201 Jaguar Sailing Team – Martin Byrne – 25, 6 = 31 pts
- BEL79 Corso – Bert Schandevyl – 8, 24 = 32 pts
- GBR763 Bertie – Simon Barter – 16, 20 = 36 pts
- BEL88 White Pearl – Guy Celis – 31, 8 = 39 pts
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