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The restored Royal Dragon, Bluebottle joins the Edinburgh Cup

Published 01:00 on 27 May 2021

On May 14th, Cathy Ogden and Charles Morton attended a special event at the Royal Yacht Britannia to see the unveiling of the former royal Dragon, Bluebottle K192 built in 1948, after major restoration and refit by David Heritage Racing Yachts. The accompanying photographs reveal the exceptionally high standard of the restoration.

Bluebottle is the very first entry to this year's British Dragon Association (BDA) Edinburgh Cup competition (the Dragon Class UK Championships) to be hosted by the club this year, 28 August - 03 September. She will be sailed by the husband and wife team of Graham and Julia Bailey, who between them have won the competition four times. Bluebottle herself achieved racing success early in her career, with two second places and one third place in the Edinburgh Cup and also a bronze medal in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The club is very grateful to the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust (RYBT) for making Bluebottle's restoration and attendance possible.

The Edinburgh Cup is the highest profile regatta that the club has hosted for some time and this is a unique opportunity to be involved in assisting to run such a special event. You may have particular skills to offer or be willing to turn your hands to whatever is needed, either way please do consider volunteering via edicup2021@royalforth.org and join members who have already signed up.

Main photograph:

Bluebottle above (L to R): Bob Downie (Chief Operating Officer, RYBT), Julia Bailey & Graham Bailey (crew for Edinburgh Cup), Rear Admiral Neil Rankin CB CBE (Chairman, RYBT), David Heritage, Charles Morton (Chair, Edinburgh Cup Organising Committee), Cathy Ogden (Vice Commodore RFYC & British Dragon Association Scottish Rep)