BIWAKO DRAGON INVITATION 2024 at Lake Biwa Sunset Yacht Club
by Yanmar 7 Dec 06:13 NZDT
21-24 November 2024
The Dragon fleet on Lake Biwa at the BIWAKO DRAGON INVITATION 2024 © Yanmar
Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., Yanmar Corporation, and Yanmar Marine International Asia Co., Ltd. proudly concluded the BIWAKO DRAGON INVITATION 2024, an international Dragon Class yacht race held November 21-24 on Lake Biwa, Japan.
Hosted by the Lake Biwa Sunset Yacht Club, the event marked the first time a Dragon Class race was held at Lake Biwa. The Yanmar Sunset Marina in Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture, served as the venue, welcoming approximately 30 teams and 100 participants from Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Japan.
Challenging Conditions and Memorable Results
The competition took place November 21-24 under challenging conditions, with shifting winds and calm breezes unique to Lake Biwa testing the sailors' skills. The scenic beauty of Japan's largest freshwater lake added a spectacular backdrop to the event.
Overall Results:
1st Place: Ginkgo Too (Switzerland)
2nd Place: YRed (Japan)
3rd Place: Hornbaek (Denmark)
Jan Eckert of winners Ginkgo Too, from Switzerland, shared his experience: "The changing winds were challenging, but we sail in similar conditions in Switzerland. Racing here with sailors from all over the world was an incredible experience."
Inspiring the Future of Sailing
Yanmar Racing's YRed secured an impressive second-place finish in the competition with team director Yasuhiro Yaji, expressing pride in hosting the international event:
"I'm thrilled we could welcome sailors from around the world to Lake Biwa. I hope this event inspires the next generation to discover the joy of yachting and the Dragon Class."
The BIWAKO DRAGON INVITATION 2024 showcased the global camaraderie of the sailing community and the unique appeal of Lake Biwa. Yanmar remains committed to supporting the sport of yachting and fostering the growth of the Dragon Class worldwide.
Congratulations to all the participants for making the event a remarkable success.
The Yanmar Group is committed to realizing "A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE", in a society where human prosperity coexists with a rich natural environment. To achieve this goal, Yanmar believes in harnessing both technological advancements and human potential. Guided by the values of "HANASAKA", which emphasize belief in human potential and addressing people's challenges, Yanmar sponsors global sailing events including the Dragon Class and the America's Cup. The yacht racing team's ability to harness the power of nature and push the limits of human potential and technology inspires Yanmar's innovative efforts toward new prosperity.