Contender (dinghy)

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Template:Short description Template:Infobox sailboat specifications

The International Contender is a single-handed high performance sailing dinghy, designed by Bob Miller, latterly known as Ben Lexcen, (Australia) in 1967 as a possible successor to the Finn dinghy for Olympic competition.[1][2]

The Contender is recognised as an International Class by World Sailing, the governing body of sail boat racing, which administers the class rules.

Background

"Single-handed" means sailed by only one person. The boat has a trapeze which allows the sailor to use their weight more effectively. The design of the boat does not favour sailors within a narrow or extreme size or weight range, past champions have ranged from 60 kg to more than 90 kg. While physical fitness, agility and strength are advantageous, good technical sailing skills and experience can count for more.

Sailors wishing to master the Contender must learn how to trapeze and steer the boat at the same time, and how to move about the boat while keeping it level. As part of race tuning, the Contender mast is commonly raked well aft, which results in restricted space between the boom and deck. Tacking consequently requires technique and practice to avoid getting stuck under the boom. Sailing the boat level at all times (except in very light winds) is fastest and reduces capsizes, which can happen fast if the boom dips into the water. There is a trade-off between raking the mast far aft and keeping the kicker (boom vang) tight at all times (which is faster) and the higher probability of capsizing due to this less forgiving set up. Unlike older and heavier dinghy designs, the Contender requires the centerboard to be lowered at least somewhat to avoid quick capsizes when reaching and running in a breeze.

Class rule changes

The class rules are overseen by the International Contender Association. Proposals for changes to the rules are written down and presented to the class members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Before a rule change is taken into effect, the proposal needs to be approved by 2/3 of the member attending the AGM. If the proposal is approved, a next voting round will be done using a postal ballot. If a majority approves, the proposal will go to World Sailing for their approval. If this passes, the rules are updated and effected. Notable changes to the class rules are for instance:

  • allow other materials than aluminium for masts; proposal in 2000 [3][4] and a rule change in 2002
  • allow loose footed sail; proposal in 2000 [3][4] and a rule change in 2002
  • allow other material than aluminium for the boom; proposal in 2002 [5][6] and a rule change in 2003

The Contender Microsite on World Sailing has a section with the latest class rules.[7]

Events

World Championships

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European Championships

Year Location First Second Third Ref
1974 Script error: No such module "flag"., Kiel Template:Flagathlete
1975 Script error: No such module "flag"., Strömstad Template:Flagathlete
1976 Script error: No such module "flag"., Hayling Island Template:Flagathlete
1977 Script error: No such module "flag"., Medemblik Template:Flagathlete
1978 Script error: No such module "flag"., Lake Garda Template:Flagathlete
1979 Script error: No such module "flag"., Lake Silvaplana Template:Flagathlete
1980 ? Script error: No such module "flag"., Travemunde
1983 Script error: No such module "flag"., Porto Sant'Elpidio Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete
1985 ? Script error: No such module "flag"., Struer
1988 Script error: No such module "flag"., Medemblik Template:Flagathlete
1989 Script error: No such module "flag"., Imperia Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [8]
1992 Script error: No such module "flag"., Båstad Template:Flagathlete
1995 Script error: No such module "flag"., Warnemünde Template:Flagathlete
1997 Script error: No such module "flag"., Aarhus Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [9]
2001 Script error: No such module "flag"., Loctudy Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [10]
2002 Script error: No such module "flag"., Hellerup Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [11]
2006 Script error: No such module "flag"., Ebensee Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [12]
2008 Script error: No such module "flag"., Punta Alta Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [13]
2010 Script error: No such module "flag"., La Rochelle Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [14]
2012 Script error: No such module "flag"., Gottskär Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete
2014 Script error: No such module "flag"., Kühlungsborn Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [15][16]
2016 Script error: No such module "flag"., Highcliffe Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [17]
2018 Script error: No such module "flag"., Lake Garda Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [18][19][20]
2021 Script error: No such module "flag"., Warnemünde Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete Template:Flagathlete [21]

References

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  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

External links

Template:Sister project

Class associations

Others

Template:International Sailing Federation Classes Script error: No such module "Navbox".

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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