 |
|||||||||||
|
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
About the dragon class |
|
|
|
Origins of the Dragon |
|
|
|
Olympic History |
|
|
|
The Dragon class in Australia |
|
|
|
Dragon Scoreboard |
|
|
|
Dragon Sailing Manual |
|
|
The Dragon became the Olympic three-man keel boat in 1948 and this fact undoubtedly led to a rise in interest. Late in 1948 Jack Linacre was the first person in Australia to commence building a Dragon Class yacht. He found the plans in an Uffa Fox book and built it with a small cabin with the idea of cruising around Port Phillip Bay, as well as racing. He laid the keel in his mother?s back yard, but work commitment sent him overseas in 1950. Construction was delayed and Skaal was not the first Dragon launched.
The first Australian Dragon attempted to be launched was Sea Joy, built by Alan Jarman in Sydney in 1950. Unfortunately, she failed to measure correctly, as did the next boat from Graham Nock, Nor? Easter. The Savage brothers commenced building Dragons on a jig, and in August Heather (DKA 3) was launched for ER Scott of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.. Platypus (DKA 1) was launched in November for KCK Dalton Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPAYC).
It is generally acknowledged that the introduction of Dragons to Australia is largely due to the efforts of Sir Norman Nock who was instrumental in urging his son Graham and Alan Jarman to build boats in Sydney, while Jack Linacre, ER Scott, Dick White and Keith Dalton had Savage build boats for them in Melbourne.
The Dragon was found to be ideally suited to Australian sailing conditions, and yachtsmen were quick to appreciate the challenge the boats presented to the enterprising skipper. At least nine boats were launched in 1951.
When Jack Linacre returned to Australia the Class had developed, so he had Flicka built in ?54. After the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne he bought the ?56 Holman Gustl XI. With Jock Sturrock and Rolly Tasker they contested the Europeans in 1959, but came home with the Borresen Lill. He was runner up in the Trials for the Rome Olympics, but won the 1962 English Speaking Union Trophy in Poole, England. He contested the Edinburgh Cup in Wales, the Gold Cup in Norway and won the silver medal at the European Championship in Copenhagen. He shipped Lill straight to Perth and won the Prince Philip Cup in November, 1962. Business commitments again intervened in his sailing programme, but he imported another Borresen, Volare, the 100th Dragon to be registered in Australia. He was very proud to win the Bi-Centenary Race for Eminent Yachtsmen in Ted Albert?s Dragon Rawiti in 1988. He was a great Champion with friends in the Class around the world.
Ted Albert owned the 1964 Bill Barnett built Rawhiti, was a dual Prince Philip Cup winner, twice successful defender of the Sayonara Cup, 30 year Class stalwart but foremost a dedicated and determined sailor. He systematically built up a calendar of first placings to the envy of most top helmsmen. Yet Ted retained the qualities of a gentleman, diplomat and friend to all opponents. His widow donated a trophy for a series at the Australasian Championships in his honour, commencing in 1992.