– Protest Committee “complain“ that they don’t have work on shore, nobody wants to pass protests. You wanted protest after fourth race, but didn’t do it.. Why?
– Situation was very ambiguous, we think that we are right, opponents – that they. Dragon is very gentleman class, so we decided not to pass a protest.
– Let’s talk about Russian Dragon Association. Can you tell about about t state of class and of course about the prospects…
– Dragon`s peak mass was in 2009-2010. Now, only who real love Dragon sail it. Other changed class. For example, class “SB20” is very popular now. World championship will hold in St. Petersburg at September. We will see some Dragon sailors in this class, because it`s faster and progressive. Also, people come at cruising races. I think it all depends of Russian economic system. I think that its wave-like process: We had old school sailors, so we need to wait two or three years and everything will return to normal.
– So, it’s not serious?
– You should understand that Dragon is an elite class. Complete calendar of Russian competitions is not very busy. Sometime ago, “Pirogovo” yacht club in Moscow held club competition each weekends. Nearly 15-20 boats participated there, later some sailors finished their career because of age, other changed class.
– What do think about future of Russian sailing.
– Sailing in Russia is growing, a lot of new classes appearing. Who could say that class «Gazprom Swan 60» will develop? Now we can see renewal process, our young sailors make good results. We wouldn’t see them in 2016, but at Olympic Games 2020 we will see them.
– Is it possible to popularize Dragon for young?
– It’s not cheap class and there are some clubs, where it develops. International complete calendar is very saturated, in Europe you can race every week. That’s why the most strong sailors racing abroad. If we will have new people in sailing, who will be interesting in Dragon and will be able to buy a boat it will be good for our class.
– Why you like Dragon?
– I start sailing Dragon 10 years ago, I fall in love with this class like others, who sails it in Russia and in the world. I think, I wouldn’t change it because of age. Each age for its class.
– What can we do to increase number of Dragon and interest sailors in it.
– If you want to race and achieve results, one needs to have enough money and free time. That’s why we popularize Dragon among our friends and family. Actually, we attract a lot of people in this way.
– Is it possible that Dragon, will again be forgotten as it has happened before?
– I don`t think that our class is going to die. Maybe it will slightly reduce. Now in Dragon are people who really fall in love with him!
