Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 3

Contender Worlds at the WPNSA - Overall

by Duncan Ellis 28 Jul 2011 23:10 BST 18-22 July 2011

The 2011 Contender Worlds, over the week of the 18th to 22nd July, attracted a near record entry of 144 sailors from 12 countries to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

With a good breeze forecast for the start of the week and most entrants having spent 3 days practising at the British Nationals the week before, the lively practice race only attracted about 20 boats in the harbour. It was won by local Nick Grace.

As forecast day 1 dawned with 30 knots across the harbour, so all racing was postponed until 1pm. As the fleet headed out into the bay for the first of the 2 races the wind had moderated and become patchy with a variable strength up to force 3.

The first three days consisted of a round robin qualification series with 4 fleets in two flights. The first flight was won by John Browett with Ben Holden and Graham Scott following up. An over the moon, Neil Ferguson won the second followed by Soren Andreasen and Andrea Bonezzi in third.

The second round of heats saw Christoph Homeier win with Stuart Jones and Tim Holden next. Scott led the way in the other flight. Jesper Nielsen followed in second and Bjarke Johnsen in third. At the end of day one, Wavelength sail maker Graham Scott led.

As the forecast had now moderated day 2 saw the sailors hit the water at 9.30am for seven hours on the water. The wind was light and fickle and the weather cold and wet, more like autumn sailing, but the day's full 2 race schedule was completed.

Johnsen won the first flight with Jones in close attendance. These two were followed at some distance by the pack which was lead home by Stacey Bray. The second flight was won by Ben McGrane with David Bate and Markus Maisenbacher next.

The second set of heats were amazingly also won by the same two helms. Homeier and Scott this time followed Johnsen. McGrane was chased by Andreasen and Max Billerbeck. A special mention should go to Richard Buttner who led for the majority of the race and finishing 6th. The new leader at the end of day 2 was Bjarke Johnsen.

On day 3 the wind didn't materialize until the afternoon leading to the racing being held in Portland Harbour where it was strongest. Only one race was completed on the final day of qualifying.

In the first flight, with the right paying, Andreasen took line honours followed by Luca Bonezzi and Mike Murley. Scott got to the windward mark first, in the second flight and led throughout followed by Maisenbacher and Alex Knight.

This brought the end of the qualification series. The fleets were then divided into Gold and Silver. Bjarke Johnsen still led overall.

The day 4 forecast was for light winds so Frank Newton, the race officer, got the fleet out early in Portland Harbour, once more, to take advantage of the early gradient breeze. What breeze there was had many shifts and holes in it leading to a tricky days racing.

The first gold fleet race was won by Andreasen followed by Johnsen and Andrea Bonezzi. The silver fleet was won by Rik Thorborg followed by Stuart Backhouse and Malcolm Hall.

Following the first round of races the fleet returned for lunch as the wind had disappeared completely. A weak sea breeze did set in the afternoon allowing for one further race and even some trapesing.

The second gold race was narrowly won by Johnsen from Scott and Homier. Scott taking several places on the last beat after having been bumped into on the run by Andreasen. Andreasen did his costly turns. Rik Thorborg again won the silver fleet followed by Jeremy Blades and Backhouse.

Unfortunately that was it, as despite going afloat on the last day the wind wouldn't play it's part and racing was eventually abandoned.

This left Bjarke Johnsen as the new and deserving World Champion on count back from Graham Scott.

At the prizegiving dinner the competitors were left to reflect that although the wind and weather could have been better the racing was close and competitive and the socials and food were great. The new World Champion, just prior to an evening swim, thanked the many that helped to run the event and all of the sponsors.

Thanks to fotoboat.com for the images.

Gold Fleet

1st Bjarke Johnsen DEN 15pts
2nd Graham Scott GBR 15pts
3rd Soren Andreasen DEN 21pts
4th Christoph Homier GER 24pts
5th Stuart Jones GBR 25pts
6th Andrea Bonezzi ITA 28pts
7th Ben McGrane GBR 33pts

Other prizes

Veteran Peter Dives GBR
Lady Jacqueline Ruefenacht SUI
Youth Iain Horlock GBR

Silver Fleet

1st Stuart Backhouse GBR
2nd Rik Thorborg NED
3rd Iain Horlock GBR

Related Articles

Kieler Woche Day 10
Seven nations celebrate victories at the finale On the final sailing day of Kieler Woche 2025, there were beaming faces all around the Olympic Centre in Schilksee. Eleven decisions were made on Sunday and alongside Germany, Denmark, France, GB, Malta, Sweden, & Hungary were able to celebrate victories. Posted on 29 Jun
SGS Gold at Kieler Woche goes to France and GB
The best German team, Theresa Löffler and Christopher Hoerr, finished fifth With a victory in the final medal race of the Kieler Woche, the British team of Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris secured gold in the 470 class on Sunday (June 29). Posted on 29 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 9
Hosts without Sailing Grand Slam medals, but leading in five classes The final six medals in the mixed classes of the Olympic Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) at Kieler Woche will be awarded on Sunday (June 29) without any German contenders. Posted on 29 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday. Posted on 27 Jun
Poole Contender Open
Fine conditions for Travellers Trophy Round 4 The weekend of the 31st of May to the 1st of June saw the fourth round of the Contender travellers' trophy at Poole Yacht Club. With competitors making the trip from as far as Scotland, the last morning in May greeted them with glorious sunshine. Posted on 11 Jun
Yorkshire Dales Contender Open
Superb weather greeted the 17 helms over the weekend Superb weather greeted the seventeen Contenders attending the Open Meeting at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club over the weekend of 10th & 11th May. The forecast for the two days was good with the promise of slightly more breeze on Sunday. Posted on 13 May
Contender Open at Mount's Bay
A 'take your pick' forecast for the sailors Despite a 'take your pick' forecast and a few unlucky regulars whose boats were still in delayed container from US Worlds, 12 Contender sailors were all smiles arriving at their 2026 Nationals venue - the stunning Mount's Bay SC, to join the Ospreys. Posted on 8 May
Oxford Contender Open
A weekend of thrills and challenges The Oxford Sailing Club played host to an exhilarating weekend of racing at the Oxford Contender Open, where sailors faced a mix of sunny skies and blustery winds ranging from 14 to 22 knots. Posted on 11 Apr
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
2025 Victorian Contender Class Championship day 1
Exceptional talent converges... The picturesque waters and surroundings of McCrae, southeast of Melbourne, were the centerpiece for this year's Contender Class Victorian Championships. Posted on 22 Mar