THE WEDDING GIFT
Built in 1948 by Camper and Nicholsons, Bluebottle was presented as a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip by the Island Sailing Club, Isle of Wight.
Historical Timeline
BLUEBOTTLE (GBR 192), the historic Royal racing yacht cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia’s charitable trust, along with her world-class helm Graham Bailey, has surged to the top of the Dragon Class 2026 International Ranking List, marking a stunning new chapter in Bluebottle’s 79-year history.
The breakthrough moment came with Team Bluebottle’s recent victory at the Finnish National Championship in Helsinki, propelling Bailey and Bluebottle to number one in the international rankings. Supporting Bailey is Bluebottle’s outstanding race crew: Julia Bailey, Will Bedford and Killian Boag. Heritage vessel Bluebottle has now re-established herself as a dominant force, competing - and winning - against modern fibreglass yachts on the global stage.
This achievement follows investment by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust who meticulously restored and maintain Bluebottle within their fleet of former Royal racing yachts. The comprehensive refit was carried out by David Heritage Racing Yachts in Cowes, Isle of Wight, which returned the classic wooden Dragon to full racing condition.
1948
1949
VIRGINIE HÉRIOT CUP WINNER
In 1949, Bluebottle won the prestigious Virginie Hériot Cup in Deauville, establishing Bluebottle as an internationally successful racing yacht.
1956
MELBOURNE OLYMPIC GAMES
In 1956, the yacht was loaned to the British sailing team for the Melbourne Olympic Games, where, under Lt Cdr Graham Mann, it secured a bronze medal - the only Olympic medal ever won by a British Dragon.
2022
RESTORATION PROJECT
The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust commissioned a major restoration project to return the vessel to racing condition. The work was carried out by David Heritage Racing Yachts in Cowes, allowing Bluebottle to once again compete at the highest level of international sailing.
2024
LINKERS RENCH DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
In 1949, Bluebottle famously sailed across the English Channel to Deauville and triumphed in the Virginie Heriot Cup. Seventy-five years later, she returned to French waters and emerged victorious, winning the 2024 Linkers French Dragon National Championship in Deauville. This was a memorable and historic victory for the iconic Royal yacht.
2025
FRENCH DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2025 French Dragon National Championship, held in Port Camargue, delivered four days of closely fought racing. Sixteen teams competed in challenging yet stunning conditions, with Bluebottle engaged in a thrilling battle throughout the event against Jan Eckert’s SUI 355 Ginkgo Racing. Demonstrating remarkable consistency and precision, Bluebottle secured victory and retained the French National Championship title for a second consecutive year.
2026
FINNISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The breakthrough moment came with Team Bluebottle’s recent victory at the Finnish National Championship in Helsinki, propelling Bailey and Bluebottle to number one in the international rankings. Supporting Bailey is Bluebottle’s outstanding race crew: Julia Bailey, Will Bedford and Killian Boag.
2026
EDINBURGH CUP AND INTERNATIONAL DRAGON ASSOCIATION UK GRAND PRIX
The 2026 Edinburgh Cup, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron, brought together a highly competitive international fleet for four days of racing on the Solent. Bluebottle established herself among the leaders from the outset and secured the championship with a race to spare. The victory marked Graham Bailey’s fourth Edinburgh Cup title and Julia Bailey’s fifth as a member of a winning team, but most significantly, it was a first Edinburgh Cup victory for Bluebottle herself.
