Contender
6 Seasons
The Contender is a high performance racing dinghy, light, fast, and spectacular. A single hander, where the helmsman controls the boat from the trapeze wire to balance the forces from the large sail. Its excellent performance in stronger winds and waves reflects its Australian origin. The Contender was designed as a potential successor to the Finn dinghy as a class for Olympic single handed racing. For the last 40 years, the Contender has been the only high performance single-handed dinghy that offers international racing in competitive fleets. Worldwide, about 2,400 boats have been built and sailed in 17 countries.
The Contender has been a recognised International Class by the International Sailing Federation since 1968. It has proven to be suitable for a wide variety of sailors, both male and female. The weight of successful sailors range from 55kg to 95kg (120lbs to 210lbs) and heights from 165cm to 200cm (5ft 4 to 6ft 4). Sailing a Contender requires a good deal of agility and athletic ability. The close racing during championships rewards outstanding boat handling as well as tactical skill. A race in a Contender is a combination of physical and mental challenge, with equal chances for the fittest youngsters and the more experienced sailors. Contender champions’ ages vary from 20 to 50 years. The developments of the boat have enabled the boat to be raced even in rough open sea conditions.
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2018 Soho Lawyers Contender Australian Champs - Day One
Episode 1
Day One at the McCrae Yacht Club with the Contender's out in force for the Australian 2018 Nationals. Beebe looking ominous, leading overall, with plenty of competitors hot on his heels with the scorching weather arriving for Day Two and wind decreasing.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 Soho Lawyers Contender Australian Champs - Day Two
Episode 2
Second day at the Contender Aussie Nationals - perfect conditions for "Slip Slop Slap" and getting a tan - it looked like the wind also went to the beach too! Just one race and Mark Bulka picked up the bullet with Scotty Cunningham taking the overall lead.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 Soho Lawyers Contender Australian Champs - Final Day
Episode 3
Nip and tuck on the final day at the Contender Aussie Nationals - three races and the drops (discards) came in to play! The leader board went down under and the usual suspects came out top.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 iSail Whitsundays Contender World Champs - Practice Day
Episode 4
Registration and Practice Race - 90 Contenders are ready for the World's and McCrae Yacht Club is the backdrop for this showdown - sit back and enjoy the action.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 iSail Whitsundays Contender World Champs - Day One
Episode 5
Nip and tuck until the finish covering each other allowing the 2016 World Champion, local McCrea YC sailor, Mark Bulka to take the bullet. Jono Neate quietly sailing in clear air took second with Jason Beebe bringing up the rear in third.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 iSail Whitsundays Contender World Champs - Day Two
Episode 6
Jason Beebe, current World Champion, is dominating the competition and big start lines. Stretching his overall lead with 7th, 1st and 2nd giving him a four point difference from fellow Aussie, Scott Cunningham.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 iSail Whitsundays Contender World Champs - Day Three
Episode 7
It's official! It's a two horse race - everyone expected the duel between Bulka and Beebe - well they have it! Two points separating them after the discard came into play after Day Three of the Contender Worlds hosted by McCrae Yacht Club, Australia.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 iSail Whitsundays Contender World Champs - Day Four
Episode 8
What a fight for the Contender World's at McCrae Yacht Club. Mark Bulka dominated the penultimate day with two back to back wins but Jason Beebe won't let go of his title just yet.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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2018 iSail Whitsundays Contender World Champs - Final Day
Episode 9
The 'Grand Finale' between the two mighty Contenders - Mark Bulka and Jason Beebe. Two races were planned but light winds hampered the format so only one was held leaving Jason requiring at least five places to retain the title. Beebe came off the start line like a bullet but close behind shadowi...
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02:41Episode 10Welcome to McCrae Yacht Club
Episode 10
A little gem outside Melbourne - welcome to McCrae Yacht Club. Passionate about off the beach racing with an immense pedigree of World, National and even America's Cup winners as members. Worth a visit and guaranteed warm Aussie welcome!
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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02:06Episode 11RYA Dinghy Show 2018 - CST Interview
Episode 11
VRsport.tv caught up with Chris Dixon and Clynton Wade-Lehman, from Sydney based CST Composites, who popped over from Australia to showcase their carbon spars to the UK sailing community.
Video Producer: VR Sport Media
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Contender European Championship 2018 - Wrap Up
Episode 12
Circolo Vela Arco hosted the Contender Europeans on Lake Garda with the iconic stunning background for the sailors.
Video Producer: Emilio Santinelli
