Yanmar Celebrates Success of BIWAKO DRAGON INVITATION 2024

Shiga Prefecture, Japan (December 6, 2024) — 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.

Final 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.

Overview of BIWAKO DRAGON INVITATION 2024

Date: November 21 to 24, 2024. Two races per day.

Location: Yanmar Sunset Marina, 1380 Mizuhocho, Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture

Organizer: Lake Biwa Sunset Yacht Club

Co-organizers: Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., Yanmar Corporation, Yanmar Marine International Asia Co., Ltd., Japan Dragon Association

Support: Shiga Prefecture, Moriyama City

Highlights video: https://youtu.be/XvkuEV3JnUw

About Yanmar Sunset Marina: https://y-sunsetmarina.com/

About Dragon Class

The Dragon Class is one of the most prestigious and exciting keel boat competitions in competitive yachting, with a distinguished history that dates back to the first designs crafted in Norway in 1928. Adopted as an Olympic sport from 1948 to 1972, the Dragon class has associations in more than 30 countries, attracting enthusiasts worldwide. The International One-Design Class measures 8.90 meters in length and adheres to strict standards for sail area, mast length, and maximum crew weight. In the Dragon Class, sailing skills and experience, rather than the boat’s performance or sailors’ physical strength determine the winner. Participants compete in races globally, with annual rankings identifying the champion based on points earned throughout the year. Many renowned sailors who have competed in the Olympics and the America's Cup are drawn to the Dragon Class. For more information, please visit: https://www.yanmar.com/global/about/sports/marine_sports/type-sailing/

Yanmar's Contribution to the Marine Sector

By combining limited resources with human passion and ingenuity to more efficiently harness power, Yanmar strives to maximize the use of renewable energy and achieve a sustainable coexistence between humanity and nature. Yanmar is a leader in the marine sector, offering diverse solutions through advanced technology, including marine engines, pleasure boats, marine facilities, and more.

About Yanmar

With beginnings in Osaka, Japan, in 1912, Yanmar was the first ever to succeed in making a compact diesel engine of a practical size in 1933. A pioneer in diesel engine technology, Yanmar is a global innovator in a wide range of industrial equipment, from small and large engines, agricultural machinery and facilities, construction equipment, energy systems, marine, to machine tools, and components — Yanmar’s global business operations span seven domains. On land, at sea, and in the city, Yanmar provides advanced solutions to the challenges customers face, towards realizing A Sustainable Future. For more details, please visit the official website of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd.

https://www.yanmar.com/global/about/