Contender World Championships Overall Report

The 2000 Contender Worlds were held in the smart facilities at Medemblik, Holland from 13th to 18th August attracting 107 boats from as far away as Australia and N. America.

The practice race was sailed on the Sunday with 10 knots of breeze and was ominously won by Gabriel Wicke of Germany. It was more notable, however, for Bernard Shapley being crashed into by a powerboat, cutting his centreboard and rudder off flush with the hull, but somehow leaving the hull intact. Back ashore, he was just happy to still be alive. The moral of this story is, when driving anything, always look in the direction of travel!!

Despite the forecast promising force 4-5 with thunderstorms, the two Monday races were sailed in around 2-11 knots with a stable direction but with many holes in the wind. Surprisingly, there was not much place changing in the top ten. In the first race Stuart Jones (GBR) did well in avoiding the holes to pick his way past early leader Andy Potter (GBR) to win followed by Australian Arthur Brett, in only his second season in contenders, and Ian Renilson (GBR).

After a recall, in the second race, the left side had more breeze allowing Graham Scott (GBR), Giovanni Bonzio (ITA), Nigel Walbank (GBR) and Wicke to arrive in the first bunch at the windward mark, gleefully trapezing in, while those on the right suffered. Scott managed to maintain his lead to win with defending champion Andrea Bonezzi (ITA) in second. Renilson and Brett followed home.

On Tuesday races 3 & 4 were sailed in near perfect conditions with the wind picking up to around fifteen knots, if a little shifty. This was combined with blistering sunshine. What could be better.

In the first race Bonezzi dominated with a big lead after the first beat. Renilson, who had been second at the mark, slipped to third behind Wicke who nearly caught Bonezzi, due largely to good upwind speed. Scott finished well up only to find that his start had been a bit too good, joining a select bunch counting OCS.

The second race of the day saw Scott back on top fighting his way through a group of boats that had chosen the left corner, in opposition to the majority. Once in the lead, he controlled the fleet well, leading 60 year-old contender legend Keith Paul (GBR) to the finish. Wicke and Bonezzi followed home, securing second and first overall. Renilson’s 16th still made him third overall. Brett slipped from yesterday's overall lead, scoring a 21st and a 12th. With only one discard in nine races consistency was critical.

On Wednesday only one race was scheduled and sailed in about 15-18 knots of wind with a short, steep Medemblik chop. After a shifty first beat Bonezzi, Renilson and strong-wind specialist Tim Holden (GBR) were just ahead of the fleet. Bonezzi lost his lead on the second upwind leg to Holden, who showed good upwind speed. After the run, both Holden and Bonezzi went right leaving the left to Renilson who picked up a nice shift to win the race by a good margin. Holden stayed second ahead of Bonezzi chased by Potter and Wicke.

On Thursday the gusty conditions reached 20 knots with fine sunshine.

Race 6 was initially led by Sebastian Munck (GER), but he was overtaken on the reaches by Bonezzi and Wicke. Bonezzi lost his lead on the second upwind leg. His claims for redress due to having a fish on his centreboard were, of course, considered seriously. Renilson lost third place while he was swimming after a bad tack. Wicke had good speed all round and won the race with a good margin leading in Holden and Bonezzi.

In race 7 Bonezzi had a long lead at the first windward mark, but he was again overtaken at high speed by Wicke on the last beat. Bonezzi tried to get back by starting a tacking duel, but was too slow for Wicke. This time he didn't even try the fish excuse. Renilson finished third with Scott fourth.

Coming into the last day Bonezzi was now only 2 points ahead of Wicke, while Renilson was a distant third but not out of the reckoning. But with 2 races to go and only one discard, the championship was still open.

In the first race of the day Bonezzi managed to cover Wicke close enough so that he finished 12th. Renilson got a fifth, keeping him in with a chance to win. Up at the front Potter found the breeze to his liking being chased hard by Richard Batten (GBR) who’s European practise tour has seen him improve steadily. Holden followed up in third, now putting a good series together.

In the final race Bonezzi had a few incidents after the start leading to a 720 which put him back in the fleet. Holden and Jones had a large lead after the first round but Wicke, recovered well after a bad start, working his way up to finish second behind Holden with Jones just holding third from the pack.

Combined with Bonezzi's 17th place, 2nd was enough to win Wicke the championship by two points and an evening swim in the harbour.

Renilson kept his third place and the masters trophy by finishing 6th in the last race.

Ann Seidel (GER) won the lady's title from Trijnie Dijkhuis (NED).

The junior title was won by 18- year old Wolf Jeschonnek (GER) sailing his homebuilt boat.

Top 10 Results Overall:

Pos Helm             Nat   Pts
  1 Gabriel Wicke   (GER)   25
  2 Andrea Bonezzi  (ITA)   27
  3 Ian Renilson    (GBR)   32
  4 Graham Scott    (GBR)   52
  5 Tim Holden      (GBR)   54
  6 Stuart Jones    (GBR)   69
  7 Andy Potter     (GBR)   73
  8 Arthur Brett    (AUS)   75
  9 Nigel Walbank   (GBR)   88
 10 Giovanni Bonzio (ITA)   98

More Information:

• YachtandYachting.com Contender Page
• Contender Class Website
• World Championship Website