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International Dragon Association Suspends Russian Sailors from International Competition

2nd March 2022
Russian Dragons racing in the 2021 Silver Cup
Russian Dragons racing in the 2021 Silver Cup Credit: Elena Razina/Russian Dragon Association

The International Dragon Association condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine and confirms its decision to suspend the participation of Russian sailors and officials from all international sailing events including World Sailing owned and sanctioned competitions and events until further notice.

This includes the European Championship, the World Championship, the Gold Cup and all Grand Prix events 2022.

In a statement, the prestigious keelboat association says "by implementing these measures, the IDA is following World Sailing guidance in supporting a united and coordinated approach within the global sports movement".

Russian and Ukrainian Dragons competing with other nations at a previous European Championships Photo: Russian Dragon AssociationRussian and Ukrainian Dragons competing with other nations at a previous European Championships Photo: Russian Dragon Association

This decision is in line with the IOC Executive Board’s protocols aimed at preserving the integrity of competitions and ensuring the safety of all athletes.

The statement concludes "We ask all sailors to respect each other during these difficult times and wish to state that the IDA denounces any defamatory statements made against any of our fellow sailors regardless of their nationality. We look forward to an immediate end to all hostilities and we hope for a time in the near future when we can compete again together".

Published in Dragon
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The Dragon was designed by Johan Anker in 1929 as an entry for a competition run by the Royal Yacht Club of Gothenburg, to find a small keel-boat that could be used for simple weekend cruising among the islands and fjords of the Scandinavian seaboard. The original design had two berths and was ideally suited for cruising in his home waters of Norway. The boat quickly attracted owners and within ten years it had spread all over Europe.

The Dragon's long keel and elegant metre-boat lines remain unchanged, but today Dragons are constructed using the latest technology to make the boat durable and easy to maintain. GRP is the most popular material, but both new and old wooden boats regularly win major competitions while looking as beautiful as any craft afloat. Exotic materials are banned throughout the boat, and strict rules are applied to all areas of construction to avoid sacrificing value for a fractional increase in speed.

The key to the Dragon's enduring appeal lies in the careful development of its rig. Its well-balanced sail plan makes boat handling easy for lightweights, while a controlled process of development has produced one of the most flexible and controllable rigs of any racing boat.