2027 World Championships Brighton & Seacliffe Yacht Club  11-22 January 2027

About The Contender

The International Contender was designed by Bob Miller (Ben Lexcen) and was selected in 1967, during trials, as a potential Olympic successor to the Finn dinghy. The Contender was awarded International status in 1968 and now has fleets in more than twelve countries throughout the world

The Contender Class is truly International, holding ISAF International status. As well as a strong Australian fleet, there are fleets in the United Kingdom, North America, and right across Europe. The World Championship routinely attracts turnouts of over 100 boats. 

2027 Contender World Championships

The Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club (BSYC) will host the 2027 Contender World Championships in Beautiful Adelaide, South Australia

Racing will be conducted on the sparkling waters fo the Gulf of St Vincent, BSYC offers ideal Sailing Conditions, modern facilities and a vibrant sailing conditions with decades of experience hosting top tier regattas

Click Here for the event website

More information can be found on the Australian Contender Facebook Group 

2026 Australian National Championships - Final Wrap Up

The 56th National Championship were held at Sunshine NSW hosted by the South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club (SLMASC) from 12-15 Jan 2026.

All 10 scheduled races were completed in winds that seemed to build with each race.

Racing was tight through out the fleet with all sailors walking away with smiles on their faces.

Reigning World Champion Mark Bulka from McCrae Yacht Club in Victoria claimed the title however he was pushed all the way by Geoff Fischer from Bundaberg QLD, Sam Ellis from Gosford NSW, Simon Barwood from RFBYC in WA with Andre Webster from Canberrra Yacht Club also claiming a heat win and rounding out the top 5.

Mark also claimed the Masters title with Michael Vandenberg from Somers Victoria taking the Grand Masters.

Emily Stilgoe representing Hervey Bay Sailing Club claimed the Womens and Junior division.

Link to Full Results 

News and Updates for the event will be posted on Facebook

Where can you sail against other Contenders?

You will find Contenders being sailed at the following clubs

NSW

Gosford Sailing Club

Teralba Sailing Clubs on Lake Macquarie

Balmoral on Sydney Harbour

Connels Point Sailing Club

ACT

Canberra Yacht Club

VIC

Black Rock Yacht Club - Blairgowrie Yacht Club - McCrae Yacht Club - Royal Geelong Yacht Club

Port Melbourne Yacht Club - Sandringham Yacht Club - Mordialloc Sailing Club - Somers Yacht Club

QLD

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

Humpybong Yacht Club

Airlie Beach Sailing Club

WA

Royal Freshwater Yacht Club

SA

Adelaide Sailing Club

Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club

International Contender Association