Contender World Championships at Lake Macquarie, Australia - Day 1
by Rob Smith 21 Jan 2014 11:50 GMT
19-25 January 2014
Racing started today in the 2014 edition of the International Contender World Championships. This year Australia are hosting the event, and more specifically The Belmont 16ft Sailing Club on Lake Macquarie about 100 miles north of Sydney.
Although up against it when following the incredible and best ever entry of 174 boats at Lake Como last year, this year's fleet of 67 is high quality, with some of the top guns showing their hands in the preceding Australian Nationals/pre-Worlds.
Australia's Mark Bulka came out top last week after a 3rd at Como where he was on equal points to Germanys Christoph Homeier who is also in attendance at Belmont. 4 times World Champion - Italy's Andrea Bonnezzi was a close second in the pre-worlds and will be looking to repeat his last victory in Oz at Fremantle in 2006. Another top Aussie - 2010 champ Jono Neate came in third and will undoubtedly be in the mix, together perhaps with Italy's Antonio Lambertini (2012 champion) and Germany's Joachim Harpprecht.
The British travelling contingent number 7 boats consisting of UK class chairman Ed Presley, international class secretary Chris Boshier, uk secretary Ben Holden, and stalwarts Roger White, Bill Hooton and Tom Hooton. Our metaphorical flag bearer is Simon Mussell who will be hoping to go one better than his very close (2pts) runner up spot at the 2013 championships, just losing out to eventual winner Soren Andreason.
For results go to Belmont 16s club regattas site at sail16s.com.au/tyregattas/2014/contenderworlds/series.htm
www.contender.org.au/content/2014-contender-world-championships