For people interested in the International Contender Class. A Contender is 4.87 meters (16 feet) long. The helmsman uses a trapeze to balance the force of the wind. Sailing one well is challenging and tremendous fun. Recent technical innovations include carbon fibre masts and booms, Kevlar and Mylar in some sails.

Boats are distributed in 16 countries and 3 continents. Over 140 helms have sailed the Worlds in recent championships at Lake Garda, Italia, Medemblik, Netherlands, Weymouth, U.K., and Travemünde, Germany.

Antonio Lambertini of Italy won the 2012 Contender World Championships held at St Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida, USA. Stephanie Mah of Canada won the Women's Championship. Bo Frohne of Germany won the Junior Championship. Joachim Harpprecht of Germany was the first Master (50+) and Emilio Betta of Italy was the first Grand Master 60+. Races were held with minimum wind strength of 4 knots and some races were sailed in over 12 knots.

44 Competitors came from 7 countries on three continents.

The USA Open Contender Championship (sailed just prior to the Worlds) was won by Joachim Harpprecht of Germany. The USA National Champion was won by Ethan Bixby of St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.


Additional results at http://www.spyc.org/default.aspx?p=v35ArticleView&itemID=270502

The 2013 Campionato de Mondial (World Championships) will be held in Gravedona on Lake Como, Italy 14 July to 20 July. This promises to have a record number of competitors from many nations.