Graham Bailey, alongside Julia Bailey, Killian Boag, and Will Bedford, secured the 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix aboard GBR192 Bluebottle, achieving victory with a race to spare. The event took place from 18-21 August 2026, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, UK.
The regatta concluded with two final races in challenging light winds. Graham and Julia Bailey’s team dominated race six, which sealed their title. This victory marks Graham’s fourth win of the prestigious Edinburgh Cup, and for Bluebottle, it is a historic first win of the trophy, despite its impressive past podium finishes in the 1950s and 60s. Julia Bailey also celebrated her fifth win, having sailed with Graham for all his victories.
In his post-race comments, Graham expressed the emotional weight of the win, noting the pressure and unpredictability of the conditions. He highlighted the significance of Bluebottle’s victory, linking it to its historical ties with the Duke of Edinburgh.
The competition for the remaining podium positions was fierce. Christoph Toepfer, Jan Secher, and Andy Beadsworth were all in contention heading into race seven. Beadsworth led race seven but Toepfer’s consistent performance secured him second place overall, leaving Beadsworth in third.
In the Corinthian Division, Martin Byrne’s team claimed the title after a thrilling final race, capitalising on Denis Bergin’s misfortunes in the light winds. Byrne’s team, comprising his brother and Adam Winkleman, achieved a remarkable turnaround to secure their championship.
Laura Schewe won the Seagull Trophy for the first female helm, while Richard Blickman’s restored Cobweb, built in 1964, made a notable performance in the last race, finishing second.
The regatta concluded with a celebratory gala dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron, where trophies were presented, and special recognition was given to Ron James for his decades of dedication to the Dragon class. The event showcased the spirit of the Dragon sailing community and the camaraderie among competitors.
You can catch up on all the reports, photos and videos from the event and further Dragon sailing news at:
British Dragon Association Website – https://www.britishdragons.org/edinburgh-cup-2026/
2026 Edinburgh Cup & UK Dragon Grand Prix
Overall Top Five
1. GBR192 Bluebottle – Graham Bailey – 6, 2, 1, 6, 11, 1, (50) = 27
2. GER11 Aurora – Christoph Toepfer – 3, (22), 9, 7, 3, 6, 5 = 33
3. TUR12 Provezza Dragon – Andy Beadsworth – 13, (18), 5, 1, 2, 14, 1 = 36
4. POR49 Jupiter – Andrew Lawson – 9, 11, 2, 10, 6, (34), 4 = 42
5. SUI355 Ginkgo Racing – Jan Eckert – (20), 9, 15, 4, 1, 10, 6 = 45
Corinthian Top Five
1. IRL201 Jaguar Sailing Team – Martin Byrne – (25), 6, 22, 14, 22, 7, 21 = 92
2. BEL79 Corso – Dries Van den Abbeele – 8, 24, 7, 24, 14, 15, (30) = 92
3. BEL 88 White Pearl – Guy Celis – 31, 8, 25 (50), 18, 9, 7 = 98
4. GER1151 Lilibeth – Magdalena Gründt – 26, (34), 3, 17, 26, 23, 10 = 105
5. IRL161 Sir Ossis Of The River – Denis Bergin – 19, 26, 10, 5, 13, 33, (34) = 106
The next Edinburgh Cup is set for 13-16 July 2027, as the Dragon class continues to thrive with upcoming events, including the Marblehead Trophy and the World Championship in Hong Kong.
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