Swiss boat ‘Gingko Racing’ becomes new leader of the Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup in Puerto Portals

The Swiss boat Ginkgo Racing, helmed by Jan Eckert, was the standout performer on the third day of the Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup Puerto Portals, held yesterday, Wednesday, March 18, in the Bay of Palma. The Swiss team won the day’s race and, with this victory, moved to the top of the provisional overall standings.

The race got underway at 1:45 p.m. with a southwesterly wind (200º) blowing at 7 to 8 knots. The start was valid, although three boats, Jolanda, Puck, and Morning Glory, were given individual recalls. All three boats took their penalties by recrossing the starting line and were able to continue racing.

The Ginkgo Racing crew, winners of the most recent edition of the Puerto Portals Dragon Winter Series, made the most of their strong knowledge of the waters of the Bay of Palma to claim victory in the day’s race, which lasted approximately two and a half hours.

The Portuguese boat Easy, owned by Michael Zankel, crossed the finish line behind the Swiss boat to take second place, while Britain’s Louise Racing finished third.

Diogo Pereira, crew member aboard Easy, explained that the race was “very good, but very difficult. We placed ourselves among the best right from the start, in the top 10, and in the end we managed to finish in second place.” The Portuguese sailor pointed out that the Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup Puerto Portals is a long and demanding competition in which it is very important “not to post a bad result,” so the strategy for the coming days is to stay calm and try not to make mistakes.

After three days and three races, the competition has now reached its halfway point in Puerto Portals. Ginkgo Racing, helmed by Jan Eckert, has moved into first place overall with 10 points. Second place is held by Britain’s Louise Racing, owned by Grant Gordon, while fellow British boat Bluebottle, owned by Graham Bailey, sits in third place.

In the Corinthian category, which designates crews made up of non-professional sailors, the provisional leader of this Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup Puerto Portals is the German boat Iskareen, owned by Arnt Bruhns. In addition, a Nations Cup prize will also be awarded for the country standings. At the moment, the leading national team is Great Britain, represented by Jerboa, Louise Racing, and Bluebottle.

At the end of the race, the Spanish Dragon Class Association offered participants an aperitif of ham and Spanish wine. Juan Company, the association’s new secretary, reflected on the first half of the competition, saying: “We have had three races in a row and have not had to cancel a single day. Some days have had more pressure and others less, but we have been able to complete the three scheduled races, so very good, we are very happy.”

The Mallorcan sailor also praised Puerto Portals’ role in this Yanmar Dragon Gold Cup: “The port is fully committed to the organization and people are very happy to be here. From the Spanish Dragon Class Association, we welcome this entire international fleet visiting us in Mallorca because we want them to feel very well received and to come back again,” he highlighted.