2027 Hong Kong Dragon World Championship Podcast

Graham Bailey on Bluebottle: Prince Philip's 1948 Dragon Reborn

Part of our interview series counting down to the 2027 Hong Kong Dragon World Championship. Four-time Edinburgh Cup winner Graham Bailey on sailing Bluebottle — Prince Philip's restored 1948 Dragon. Her winning return to Cowes Week after 60 years, tuning a wooden hull, pre-start craft in the RaceSense era, and what's coming at the Hong Kong 2027 Worlds. We cover what transfers from modern GRP Dragons to a vintage wooden hull and what doesn't, why Graham limits rig loads on Bluebottle, and the specifics of tuning her: rake, shroud tension, mast step position, sheeting geometry, mainsheet and traveler setup, and why he runs minimal jumpers. The throughline: tuning by feel. Graham also walks through his three pre-start priorities — course geometry, start-line assessment, and continuous wind monitoring — how GPS-based RaceSense starts have changed tactics and consistency, and the four-person crew choreography behind his "start, don't tack, go fast" approach. Plus sailmaker selection, the mindset of sailing well rather than chasing results, advice for sailors intimidated by big fleets, and what the Hong Kong 2027 Worlds means for the class. In this episode: • Restoring and racing Prince Philip's 1948 Dragon • The Cowes Week 2021 comeback win • GRP vs. wooden hull — what carries over, what doesn't • Tuning Bluebottle by feel • Three pre-start priorities • RaceSense and the modern start line • Four-person crew responsibilities • "Start, don't tack, go fast" • Advice for newcomers to the Dragon class • Looking ahead to Hong Kong 2027 🔗 https://www.dragonworld2027.com 🔗 https://better.at

Bence Toronyi — Chief Measurer, International Dragon Association | Dragon Worlds 2027

Part of our interview series counting down to the 2027 Hong Kong Dragon World Championship. In this episode, Kevin Denney speaks with Bence Toronyi, the Chief Measurer of the International Dragon Association (IDA). Bence has been sailing Dragons for about 30 years since getting his first boat in Hungary. He's responsible for ensuring every Dragon on the start line at major championships is fair and compliant with class rules. We discuss what the chief measurer does, what teams coming to Hong Kong need to know about measurement, and what makes the Dragon class special after nearly a century of racing. 🔗 https://www.dragonworld2027.com 🔗 https://better.at

Inside Hong Kong's Dragon Fleet with Bram Van Olphen & Jamie McWilliam

Part of our interview series counting down to the 2027 Hong Kong Dragon World Championship. In our first episode, host Kevin Denney sits down with Bram Van Olphen, President of the International Dragon Association, and Jamie McWilliam, one of Hong Kong's top sailors. They discuss the Dragon community in Hong Kong, what makes the city special for sailing, and what visiting sailors can expect from racing at Clearwater Bay and the Nine Pins in November 2026. 🔗 https://www.dragonworld2027.com 🔗 https://better.at