DUKE’S DRAGON WINS AT COWES WEEK

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Dragon, Bluebottle, was the toast of Cowes Week 2021 as the newly restored boat won her class with a day to spare. Restored to immaculate condition by David Heritage Racing Yachts in Cowes, she finished the regatta with three wins, two second places and a fourth – her first time racing in decades. The boat was acquired several years ago by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, in Edinburgh, which was behind the restoration. She is now part of the Trust’s fleet of royal boats, comprising the last royal yacht Britannia, as well as Prince Philip’s former yacht, Bloodhound, and his Flying Fifteen, Coweslip. Built in 1947, Bluebottle was a wedding present from the Island Sailing Club. The Trust sought the Duke’s consent for the 18-month restoration and kept him appraised of progress, before he died in April 2021. Bluebottle was raced at Cowes Week by David Heritage with Graham and Julia Bailey.