Historic Footage of Dragon Class Yachts in Action: The Oldest Sailing Videos
Oldest Videos of Dragon Class Yachts Sailing
The Gold Cup, the World Championships for the Dragon class, has just started, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the video archive for the earliest footage of these illustrious keelboats. Most of the available videos are from the UK, although the Dragon class competes globally.
Our first highlight is from Burnham-On-Crouch, 1946, showcasing not only local river life but also the early days of Dragon sailing, thanks to Richard Blickman for this footage.
Often, British Pathé brings forth the oldest footage, but this time, they are a bit late. A significant video capturing UK royalty’s interest in Dragon sailing comes from Lowestoft, 1950.
The newsreel from Cowes Week, 1952, predominantly highlights royal attendance, yet it also offers fantastic fleet shots. The coverage transitions midway to Flying Fifteens, providing a glimpse into the sailing environment of the time.
Moving beyond the UK, we travel to the Rome Olympics, 1960, where competitions were held in both the 5.5m class and Dragon events.
Next, we feature Sydney, 1962, possibly showcasing the National Championships in thrilling detail.
The Mexico Olympics, 1968, featured Dragons alongside the Star and FD classes. A heads-up: the video repeats after some time, so keep an eye on the running length!
We conclude our exploration with a World Championship video from Hobart, 1971, representing the last of the analogue footage before the digital era took over.
What About Other Decades?
Are you aware of any other Dragon videos from the analogue era prior to 2000? We would love to share these with fellow sailors! You can submit video links for immediate review.
Keep watching for more insights and content!
Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.