One of the major keelboat events in the sailing calendar launches on Saturday 10 July for the first time in Falmouth – the JPMorgan Fleming Dragon Gold Cup 2004. Following a practice day for competitors to navigate Falmouth’s extensive sailing waters, the competition begins on Sunday and runs until Friday 16 July with races starting every day at approximately 1300 dependent on weather conditions.

Among the competitors will be HRH the Crown Prince Consort of Denmark and world champion Dieter Schoen of Germany. The event will also be visited by HRH the Princess Royal, who is president of the Royal Yachting Association.

David Barron, Head of Investment Trusts, JPMorgan Fleming, said of the event: “We are delighted and honoured that together with the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and the British Dragon Association we are able to bring the Dragon Gold Cup to Falmouth for the very first time.

“This year there are several previous Dragon Gold Cup winners competing against the defending champion. Those taking part are outstanding sailors and we look forward to a very exciting week as they compete to be the winner of the JPMorgan Fleming Dragon Gold Cup 2004.”

Peter Kendall, Honorary Secretary, of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club commented: “Hosting the JPMorgan Fleming Dragon Gold Cup 2004 is a tremendous honour because it is one of the major keelboat sailing events of the year. It has been many years since the UK have hosted the Dragon Gold Cup in this country and hopefully this means that Falmouth will increasingly be seen as a destination for major sailing events in the future.”

Competitors to watch include

Dieter Schoen from Germany is the current world champion having won in Hobart, Australia in January 2004. He will be aiming to sustain his performance for another win.

Jorgen Schonnherr from Denmark – the current holder of The Dragon Gold Cup having won last year in Medemblik, Holland. Jorgen will be racing in The African Queen.

Harm Muller-Spreer from Germany has won the Dragon Gold Cup three times, and is aiming for his fourth win. Harm will be racing in Ocasion.

Fred Imhoff from Holland has also won the Dragon Gold Cup three times before and is current European champion following his win last year in Kinsale, Ireland August 2003, sailing Danish Joker.