Yanmar has announced that it will continue its partnership with Dragon Class sailing as the Title Partner of the upcoming Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup, one of the premiere events of the International Sailing Season. The International Dragon Class has a distinguished history that dates back to the first designs crafted in Norway in 1928 and is one of the most prestigious and exciting keel boat competitions in competitive yachting. The Gold Cup will be held August 20 – 26 in Oostende, Belgium.
The pinnacle of the Dragon Class racing calendar, the Gold Cup was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was resumed in 2021 with Yanmar as Title Sponsor. Yanmar's commitment to continue as Title Sponsor highlights its close relationship to the sea and commitment to delivering exciting and fulfilling experiences.
"Yanmar is excited to once again partner with such a prestigious event with a long and illustrious history," said Tsutomu Murayama, head of the Sports Business Office of YANMAR HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. "Through this support, Yanmar shows its commitment to creating value and prosperity and sharing the joy and delight of the sea in a life filled with rich and fulfilling experiences."
The Gold Cup dates to 1937 when it was presented to the class by the Clyde Yacht Club Association. It quickly became one of the principal championships in the class and a prestigious trophy in the world of competitive yachting. The 2022 event is being hosted by Royal North Sea Yacht Club Oostend, the home yacht club of the Belgian Dragon Association.
"We are very pleased to continue our association with Yanmar," said Mr. Luc Maes, Chairman of the Royal North Sea Yacht Club Ostend. "Yanmar shares our dedication to growing and supporting a lively and thriving maritime community."
With up to 40 boats expected to participate, the 2022 Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup will deliver a week of thrilling competition, commencing with registration and measurement on August 20 and 21 and culminating in the Gold Cup Dinner Thursday August 23 and the Awards Ceremony on Friday August 26.
Yanmar will enter its own Dragon Class racing team, Yanmar Racing, to compete in the Cup. Headed by America's Cup veteran and 4-time World Match Racing Tour Champion, Peter Gilmour, the 3-person team is rounded out by Sam Gilmour, a talented and highly-rated sailor who already has impressive results on the World Match Racing Tour and Yasuhiro Yaji, a sailor with a depth of match racing experience few can equal.
Yanmar has a history of working on the ocean, providing technology and solutions to support marine lifestyles through its experience and innovation, accrued over more than a century of business. With its desire to share in the joy and delight of the sea with people all over the world through marine sports, Yanmar seeks to deepen its understanding of recreational marine activities through its association with the Dragon Class, in pursuit of the company's Brand Statement: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.