Class History
contender147hi2007 celebrated the 40th anniversary of the International Contender.  Travel through time with boat archivist David Henshall and find out about the sailors and boats of yesteryear, and how the class has developed.


This history was written by David Henshall; copyright remains with Bearfacemedia for information in this section.
Click on a chapter title or follow the 'next' arrows for the full story.
Want to know more?  David's book "Hooked On - The Contender Story" is out soon!
   Display # 
1 The early years B.C?(Before Contenders) 4945
2 On trial 3722
3 Dorothy is dropped 3882
4 The class is launched 3671
5 A star is born 3708
6 First world championships 3614
7 Competitive high spirits 3537
8 Antipodean heaven 3310
9 Globetrotting 3396
10 The magical 3 figure mark 3439
11 California Dreaming 3404
12 21 today! 3306
13 Another year, another island 4233
14 New kid on the block, the RS 600 3780
15 Back to the roots 3383
16 Island hopping 3190
17 Gonna party like it's 1999 3218
18 Farewell to Freddie 3339
19 The Doctor calls 3361
20 The Contender today 3710