The owners of the newly acquired 30 James Street Hotel gave the Team GB Premier Dragon Boat Squad a fitting Liverpool send off on Saturday evening, 15th July, at a final team dinner before they leave British shores for the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Thailand, from 8th-13th August. The Hotels Head Chef, Darren Campbell prepared a delicious feast which the team enjoyed in the recently re-opened roof top Carpathia restaurant against the stunning backdrop of the city’s historic waterfront.
The British contingent includes 19 athletes, 2 coaches and 1 sports therapist, who will be competing in the Women’s small boat, and small boat mixed categories and will be racing against teams from Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine and USA.
Dragon Boat racing has been a familiar sight throughout the city’s docklands for many years and Team GB have been training at the Liverpool Water Sports Centre at Queens Dock to prepare for the World Championships. This year 5 of the GB Premier squad are members of the Liverpool docks based Amathus Dragon Boat Club, including 3 competing athletes and both coaches. Team GB are looking to add gold medals this year to go with the bronze medals they won last year at the European Championships.
Duncan Gray, Managing Director (UK) of RIMC Hotels and Resorts Ltd, who purchased 30 James Street in May of this year said “We are delighted to have hosted Team GB and wish them well on their endeavours to bring home the gold medals. Although new to the city, we are committed to supporting Liverpool’s heritage and culture along with it’s world renowned sporting excellence”.
GB Premier Team Coach Paddy Cosgrove commented: “We are grateful to the 30 James Street Hotel in their fabulous landmark building for an excellent team dinner in a great location overlooking our training area at Liverpool Water Sports Centre. We are excited to be going to Thailand next month and we are feeling confident about bringing back medals following an intense season of preparation”.
Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing and most popular sports in the world and in the UK an estimated 41,000 people and over 850 crews take part in events throughout the summer months.
Built in 1896, the iconic 30 James Street Hotel, one of Liverpool’s most famous buildings was originally the home of the White Star Line – owners of the Titanic ocean liner. The well-known Hotel will soon be undergoing a major multi-million refurbishment following its recent acquisition earlier this year by German based Hotel Group RIMC Hotels and Resorts and is set to become one of Liverpool’s leading hospitality venues in 2024.
