11:01 AM Mon 3 Aug 2009 GMT
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'Mark rounding action at the 2009 Int Contender Worlds'
Event Media
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The 2009 Contender Worlds, hosted by the Sonderborg Yacht Club, is over, and it was a Worlds that won't be forgotten quickly.
112 sailors from 13 countries (Italy, Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Britain, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Austria) met up in the small city of Sonderborg, Denmark (population 27,000), where the locals welcomed them with a lot of food and a lot of wind. Also of note was that this year over eight women and eight youths competed - the highest number ever at a Worlds and an indication of the fleets steady growth and diversity.
The first three days of the Worlds were for gold and silver fleet seeding, and there was good breeze to sort things out. Monday was the lightest of all three days (with winds around 8 - 12 knots), Tuesday opened with at least 12 knots (and built), and Wednesday opened with about 14 knots. At the end of the three days there were very few surprises about who was out on top. Andrea Bonezzi (ITA), already the winner of multiple Contender World titles, was in second, barely behind local boy Bjarke Johnsen (DEN) who sailed some consistent races to lead the pack. Also unsurprising was the third place of Soren Andreasen (no doubt inspired by the cheerleading of his new baby girl, Sofia) and Jens Langendorf. Aussies Jono Neate and Chris Piele were close on the heels of the Europeans, with mere points separating them all.
Thursday came in with a bang - 15 knots at 9am that built fast. By the time the gold fleet competitors were heading out, it was a steady 25 knots and climbing. It was an awesome sight watching guys like Cristoph Homeier and Cristoph Engel launch from the beach through crashing waves and black, whitecapped water, and sail out as though it was 8 knots and not 28. When the AP was finally thrown up, the returns were even more dramatic - sailors returned screaming downwind and other sailors waded waist deep to catch them as boats had to be carried out to the dollies. Ever hopeful that things would abate, the AP was held until 5pm, but with the wind still screaming through the rigging of the local yachts, the RC finally killed racing for the day. It is also worth mentioning that while the wind kept most sailors on shore (especially the majority of the silver fleet), Ann Siedel (GER) and Jacqueline Rufen?cht (SUI) were among those who suited up to head off. With only three points between them and both vying for the women's title, there was no way one would go and not the other. Unfortunately, on the way out of the harbour, Ann snapped her carbon mast during a bad capsize and that ended her valiant effort to race, and Jac decided to call it a day upon witnessing the wreckage. Ann did get a replacement for Friday. Breakage was a theme for many sailors over the course of the week, with blown vangs being a regular occurrence.
Friday opened with relatively 'calmer' conditions - 15 knots that built to a steady 20 for the day - and many of the lighter sailors in the silver fleet decided to watch the races from the shore. With such slim margins separating the leaders in the gold fleet, there were no doubt many people following them via the tractracs that sailors were carrying in their boats allowing for a live feed. With the wind favouring the big boys, it wasn't a huge surprise that Andrea Bonezzi pulled off the bullet in the first race.
Bjarke, a bit too light for the conditions, finished with an 18, but Andrea's victory wasn't secure with so many others doing well - and then, at the start of the second race of the day, Andrea's forestay tore out, and he was eventually towed back to shore where he quickly replaced it and shot back out hoping to make the third race. Simon Mussell (GBR), another man who savours big wind, pulled off a bullet in the second race.
'Boz', as he's known to the Aussies who have adopted him, made it back with just four minutes to spare before the third race was to start, and chased Mussell around the course. He never quite caught the Brit, but his second was enough for him to capture another World championship. Jono Neate's consistent finishes for the day gave him second, and local boy Jacob Lunding finished third. Another Dane (and current International Contender Association money man), Jens Langendorf, finished fourth, while Mussell's two bullets put him in the top five.
Jacqueline Rufen?cht, demonstrating why she has won the Women's championship title multiple times, finished all three races of the last day to capture it again, while Graham Scott (maker of the coveted Wavelength sails) captured the Master's title, and Alexander Gr?lich took the Youth title (and was the only youth to make it into the gold fleet - he's one to watch in the future).
Thanks go the Sonderborg Yacht Club and the many volunteers who demonstrated such amazing hospitality. Fleming Clausen, of SYC, did an amazing job of overseeing the regatta logistics, while Andreas Kuchler, the PRO, ran some incredible races.
Next year's Worlds will be in Australia in January at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron near Brisbane. With containers already being filled from Europe, the UK, and Italy, it also promises to be a great affair.
by Stephanie Mah
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Wilsons Promontory, VIC
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