Contender European Championship at Highcliffe SC - Runners and Riders

Contender Traveller Series at Highcliffe © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Yesterday we previewed the upcoming Contender Europeans. But who are the main challengers and which country will go away with bragging rights?

Hosted by Highcliffe the home favourites have to be ex-World champion Simon Mussell and his stable-mate Gary Langdown. The problem for Simon could be the few days of calm. Surely 2016 is the year for the Brits with Stu Jones in great form and being pushed hard on the open circuit by Carl Tagoe and Nick Noble. And then there's the evergreen Graham Scott to watch out for.

Anyone on the Contender Facebook page will know the most prolific Facebooker of all time from Holland, Paul Verhallen. He can add to his title Italian National Champion having won that title just a few weeks ago. Maybe this is Paul's year.

Second most prolific Facebooker is from Italy and that's class boat builder Luca Bonezzi. Problem is that most of Luca's Facebook activity is climbing mountains, cycling or eating posh Italian nosh. Never ever seen a picture of him actually building a boat. Worrying. But the Italians do like the light stuff, so assuming they survive Hurricane Gaston then watch out, especially with 2012 world champion Antonio Lambertini in attendance.

Germany is also sending a strong fleet including class builder Karsten Kraus and ex-world champion Jan van der Bank. Let's hope it doesn't go to penalties.

The Danish team will be without local hero and ex world champ Soren Andreasen as he's claiming to have used all his Brownie points so can't come. But Jesper Nielsen will be there together with countryman Henning Wermuth.

Finally, Switzerland. Defending ladies champion Jacqueline Rufenacht is competing in her lovely home built boat.

New UK Contender builder Hartley Boats are one of the event sponsors. Yet to build a boat but already showing an active interest in the class.

The talking is over. Let sailing commence!