Contender World Championships 2024 at Pensacola Yacht Club - Overall
by Ed Presley 27 Feb 06:01 GMT
February 17-23, 2025
The final two days of racing were always going to be in light winds, and on day 4 the Race Officer was able to make a start on time, but the wind would drop to near nothing making the race a 1 lap affair.
Getting left seemed to give the most value and Søren Dulong Andreasen was able get there first with Antonio Lambertini and Rene Heynan followed and maintained until the end. Graeme Wilcox did not start well but was able to come back to 4th.
After this exiting episode the Race Officer canned it for the day as the conditions were now too light.
The next day brought even lighter winds and with challenging pressure systems that held the fleet ashore. Multiple sailor meetings thrashed out the options, but ultimately it was not to be, at 12 the Race Officer ended the day, and the event with 6 races run.
Our World champion is now Graeme Wilcox of GBR, consistency and careful race management gave Graeme the title in a full range of conditions, he has been the strongest sailor in the UK for a few years and this title is his first at the top level. Pushing Graeme all the way was Søren who with 3 1sts was very unlucky, especially considering well he sailed, but he already has 2 titles! And in third is Rene Heynen who improved as the event progressed.
Pensacola Yacht Club is a fantastic venue, and although we had some poor conditions, the club, the facilities, and the race area are as good as any, especially when combined with the hospitality that came naturally to the members of the yacht club. Thanks to the club, and to Stephanie Mah of the North American Contender Class, who worked hard to ensure we had a meaningful Championship in support of our North American Sailors.
This Worlds marks the first win by a Hartley boat, the first British built winner in 20+ years. It is also the first win for the North sails laminate that is becoming more prevalent in the UK.
The top ten boat had 3 epoxy Bonezzi's, 5 wood Bonezzi's, 1 Shappi and Graeme's Hartley. All builders now able to make fast durable boats that are capable of winning championships.
The Contender class now look to The 2025 Worlds at Malcesine Lake Garda, where we expect to have 160+ boat in attendance. 28th July to 3rd August. Enter here www.fragliavela.org/en/regatta/contender-worlds-2025
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Skipper | Nat | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 2787 | Graeme Willcox | GBR | Netley Sailing Club | 2 | 3 | [4] | 2 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | 1 | Soren Dulong Andreasen (M) | DEN | Hellerup Sejlklub | [5] | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 13 |
| 3 | 2719 | Rene Heynen (M) | NED | Maas en roer | 7 | 8 | 2 | 3 | [16] | 3 | 23 |
| 4 | 2420 | Simon Mussell | GBR | Highcliffe SC | 1 | 2 | 9 | 4 | [17] | 16 | 32 |
| 5 | 678 | Tom Hooton | GBR | Burton Sailing Club | 6 | 6 | 11 | 5 | [14] | 6 | 34 |
| 6 | 9 | Paul Verhallen | NED | WV De Helling | 4 | 4 | 17 | 10 | 4 | [19] | 39T |
| 7 | 2618 | Nick Noble (M) | GBR | RYA | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | [10] | 10 | 39T |
| 8 | 2561 | Antonio Lambertini (M) | ITA | AVAL | 3 | 1 | 5 | [UFD] | RET | 2 | 48 |
| 9 | 2576 | Winfred Westerman (M) | NED | WV Makkum | 10 | 10 | [15] | 12 | 13 | 8 | 53 |
| 10 | 2721 | Robert Wiedemeijer (M) | NED | GWV DE Vrijbuiter | 14 | 15 | [UFD] | 8 | 8 | 17 | 62 |
| 11 | 2 | Mark Thorborg (GM) | NED | krzv spaarne | 11 | [18] | 10 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 63 |
| 12 | 2806 | Kees Storm (M) | NED | WSVO | 15 | 12 | [18] | 9 | 18 | 12 | 66 |
| 13 | 2397 | Raines Koby (GM) | CAN | OHCC | [25] | 17 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 67 |
| 14 | 40 | Luca Bonezzi (M) | ITA | Circolo Vela Arco | 8 | 13 | [UFD] | UFD | 3 | 9 | 70 |
| 15 | 2757 | Michael Smits (GM) | CAN | Outer Harbour Centreboard Club | 18 | 21 | 13 | 15 | 6 | [25] | 73 |
| 16 | 2536 | Joel Magnan (M) | CAN | Outer Harbour Centreboard Club | 19 | 16 | 12 | 6 | [22] | 22 | 75T |
| 17 | 2585 | Peter Hale (GM) | CAN | Outer harbour centreboard club | [27] | 20 | 8 | 13 | 23 | 11 | 75T |
| 18 | 2733 | Neil Ferguson (M) | GBR | Yorkshire Dales SC | 16 | 11 | [UFD] | 14 | 24 | 13 | 78 |
| 19 | 2535 | Ethan Bixby (GM) | USA | SPSC | [DNC] | DNC | 7 | UFD | 2 | 7 | 90 |
| 20 | 2117 | Nathaniel Plant (M) | USA | spsc | [29] | 28 | 19 | 21 | 9 | 15 | 92 |
| 21 | 1722 | Sofie Peerlinck (F) | BEL | HZC | 24 | 30 | 21 | [RET‑AF] | 12 | 14 | 101 |
| 22 | 13 | Egidio Babbi (GM) | ITA | Circolo Vela Cesenatico | 12 | 14 | 3 | [DNF] | DNC | DNC | 103 |
| 23 | 2383 | David Davies (M) | GBR | Loch Ryan & Prestwick SC’s | 13 | 9 | 25 | [DNF] | DNC | 20 | 104 |
| 24 | 2398 | Neil Smith (M) | CAN | CSC | 20 | 19 | 28 | 24 | 15 | [31] | 106 |
| 25 | 2525 | Stephanie Mah (F) | CAN | Outer Harbour Centreboard Club | 23 | [26] | 16 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 110 |
| 26 | 666 | Bill Hooton (GM) | GBR | Burton Sailing Club | 17 | 23 | [26] | 19 | 26 | 26 | 111 |
| 27 | 2630 | Pim Langendijk (GM) | NED | WV Braassemermeer | 21 | 22 | 20 | [UFD] | 20 | 29 | 112 |
| 28 | 2702 | John McLean (M) | GBR | Darling Pint Sailing Club | 22 | 25 | 24 | 16 | 27 | [DNS] | 114 |
| 29 | 1731 | Nick Mercier | USA | Kittery Point YC | 28 | 27 | 22 | 20 | 19 | [DNC] | 116 |
| 30 | 757 | Nathan Brand | CAN | Outer Harbour Centerboard Club | 26 | [29] | 27 | 18 | 29 | 24 | 124 |
| 31 | 2708 | Ed Presley | GBR | Castle Cove Sailing Club | [DNF] | DNC | 14 | UFD | 21 | 21 | 130 |
| 32 | 2428 | Bernie Bieber (M) | CAN | OHCC | [30] | 24 | 29 | 22 | 28 | 30 | 133 |
| 33 | 2537 | Tim Willett (M) | CAN | OHCC | 31 | [DNC] | DNF | DNC | DNC | 28 | 170 |
| 34 | 2498 | Lawrence Christian (GM) | USA | Massabesic Yacth | [DNC] | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 27 | 175 |
| 35 | 2541 | Riccardo Cugini (M) | USA | Sail Sand Point | [DNC] | DNC | 30 | DNC | DNC | DNC | 178 |
| 36 | 2399 | Roger Martin (GM) | CAN | BBYC | [DNC] | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 185 |
