Falmouth and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club welcomed more than 40 Dragons for the International Dragon Southern Area Championships 2001. The competitors saw the harbour and bay at its best and enjoyed a variety of weather conditions to test the skills of most.

Sunday dawned with a stiff northerly wind that never promised to moderate providing the opportunity for a superb course with a beat heading towards Gyllyngvase beach where spectators gathered to watch.

In total contrast Monday brought a gentle southerly which built to a moderate Force 3-4, but threw in a surprise or two as it shifted during the second race. Race Officer, Jonathan Money, had his work cut out to reset the course but succeeded in providing great racing conditions for the competing boats.

Chimaera, skippered by A. Craig, looked good for a top result from day one, and by gaining a second and sixth on day two was assured of the overall position by eight points. Aimee, helmed by J. Bailey, came a creditable second, including a glorious first place in the second race on Sunday. Third overall went to R. Campbell in Quicksilver who missed second place by just three points.

With many of the competitors now looking forward to competing in the Edinburgh Cup series, there is still several days of exciting racing to come in waters that are seeing more and more national and international championships take place.