The season begins - Contenders in 2025

Hartley Boats Contender British Nationals day 2 © Tom Wild

The 2025 season for the Contender fleet is looking like one the best in recent history and a great time to join the class in the UK.

One of the primary draws of the Contender (apart from good looks and easy performance) is the advantage of having a true international fleet with big competitions, a factor that keeps the sailors in Contender class committed to the boat over the years.

And 2025 is a strong one, with a late 2024 World championship in Sunny Florida to get the year started and then the 2025 Worlds at lake Garda in July. It a bit late to get to Florida with the UK container already on its way, but now is the time to get into the class if you desire sailing in a 150-boat fleet at Lake Garda.

The UK Class continues to be strong with 15+ boats at all opens, a mix of new and regular helms in fleet give competition all over the course, especially as the speed difference in the Boats are minimal meaning close racing from start to finish.

Graeme Wilcox of Netley is still the man to beat having retained his nation title and looking toward the international ones, but Graeme doesn't have it all his own way with a mixture of helms taking races in 2024.

The boats are now of a very high standard with Hartley's able to provide a competitive package from new, as well as the grade of second-hand boat improving, any Bonezzi, Chris Somner, or older still capable of taking titles. The Contender is so robust that 10-20-year-old boats do not lose performance. This makes entry relatively inexpensive.

Contender Nationals (take two) at Castle Cove - photo © Rick Bowers

This year's UK Championship is in the favourite venue of Shoreham SC from the 4-7th September, this event is expected to be well attended with the class freelance marketing man, Richard Batten, ensuring that more and more club sailor join the fleet for the annual UK Contender Jamboree, we are also likely to welcome several international riders to the event that will have onsite camping and socials that keep us all together.

The BCA will be running its annual training day for all new and intermediate sailors at Oxford SC (chosen for its easy travel from most regions and conditions conducive to training). The event will be open to all but will be aimed at developing the skills of those new to the class or looking to improve. The training is free to all BCA members and will be run by an experienced coach, with input from Contender hot shots to get that boat specific info. Please contact the class via the website if you are interested.

Please come and join us, if you own a Contender and have been hoping to improve you will receive a warm welcome. Demo sails are available at all of the events mention or at clubs around the country, please get in touch to try one out, via www.sailcontender.org.uk

2025 British Contender Fixtures:

Hartley Boats Contender British Nationals day 3 - photo © Tom Wild