Please select your home edition
Edition
J Composites J/99

2025 Victorian Contender Class Championship at McCrae Yacht Club - Day 1

by Shane Baker 22 Mar 14:24 GMT 22-23 March 2025

The picturesque waters and surroundings of McCrae, southeast of Melbourne, were the centerpiece for this year's Contender Class Victorian Championships, held on 22-23 March 2025.

With a record 45 entries, the competition was filled with exceptional talent. Notable names included multiple world champions Andrea Bonezzi, Mark Bulka, and Barry Watson, along with Simon Barwood and Lindsay Irwin, both having podium finishes at the last Australian Worlds.

Local McCrae Contender legends included:

  • Scott Watson
  • Joey Randell
  • Michael Macdonald
  • Michael Hughes
  • Jeff Owen

Would the local sailors have the advantage on home waters, or would emerging talent rise to the challenge?

How it unfolded:

A sunny 5-10 knot west-south-westerly breeze characterized the conditions for the three races that were held on Day 1. The course featured a triangle followed by a windward return triangle finish, with a tight and highly competitive start line—a make-or-break moment for many. A significant wind shift rewarded the sailors who chose the left side of the course, with the tide having little effect on the racing.

But it was Randell and Bulka battling it out, with some discussion between them at various points on the racetrack.

Provisional Results after Day 1:

1. Mark Bulka
2. Joey Randall
3. Grant Robinson
4. Michael MacDonald
5. Andre Webster
6. Simon Barwood
7. Andrea Bonezzi
8. James Ellis
9. John Humphries
10. Lindsay Irwin

The sailors returned to shore for an awesome gourmet dinner, where they socialized and recapped the day's thrilling events.

During dinner, the audience was entertained by several guest speakers. Barry Watson, a guy called Crazy, John Lindholm, and Sam Reid with some past Contender adventures.

Racing will continue tomorrow.

For more information, check out the links below:

Related Articles

2025 Victorian Contender Championship overall
Bulka adds another regatta victory to his name Light weather continued to prevail, with glassy conditions greeting the sailors. Perhaps a few sore heads from the previous night's festivities—those who know, know. Posted on 23 Mar
Contender Worlds at Pensacola overall
British winner after lights winds on the final two days of the event After a very chilly third day, the final two days of racing were forecast to be in light winds. On day 4, PRO Hal Smith and his professional crew were able to make a start on time, but the wind also decided it was too cold to hang around. Posted on 27 Feb
Contender Worlds at Pensacola day 3
Day 2 lost to a screaming wind With a sparkling day one in the bag the forecast promised more of everything. As the first boats launched into screaming breeze the RO put his sensible hat on and sent all ashore, from here nothing else happened on day 2. Posted on 22 Feb
Contender Worlds at Pensacola day 1
15kt northerly with plenty of shifts to keep the sailors guessing The 2024 Contender World Championships stands out for numerous reasons, it takes place in 2025, it is the first event in North America for 8 years, and is being held at the beautiful Pensacola Yacht Club. Posted on 20 Feb
Contenders in 2025
Dates for the season ahead The 2025 season for the Contender fleet is looking like one the best in recent history and a great time to join the class in the UK. Posted on 24 Dec 2024
Contender Final Fling at Rutland
An autumnal feel in the air with leaves covering the dinghy park With colder mornings, leaves covering the dinghy park, shorter days and an autumnal feel in the air, it can only mean one thing, it must be time for the Contenders annual trip to the waters of Rutland. Posted on 17 Oct 2024
Contenders at Castle Cove
Glamorous conditions on Portland harbour The Castle Cove Contender open meeting was held over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of September on Portland harbour in what would turn out to be glamorous conditions with blue skies, sunshine and around 10 knots of wind. Posted on 20 Sep 2024
Contender Travellers Series at Weston
Forecast of warm conditions and a reasonable breeze encourages 19 keen competitors Weston Sailing Club were the hosts for the latest round of the Contender Travellers Series over the weekend of 3rd/4th August. A forecast of warm conditions and a reasonable breeze had encouraged 19 keen competitors to enter for the weekend. Posted on 7 Aug 2024
Contenders at Shoreham
A lumpy sea venue, but with a handy harbour to launch into, to save on bow erosion Shoreham Sailing Club is perfectly formed for Contenders, A lumpy sea venue, but one with a handy harbour to launch into, to save on bow erosion. So good in fact, it will be the Venue for the 2025 Nationals, this then would be the pre-event. Posted on 25 Jul 2024
Contenders Travellers Trophy at Hythe and Saltwood
Should you risk being the first to launch on a hairy day? The weekend of 6th-7th July saw Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club hosting the seventh round of the British Contender Traveller Series. The entry for this event amounted to fifteen boats with three locals and twelve visitors. Posted on 10 Jul 2024