2024 Contender Nationals
The Australian International Contender Championships hosted by Gippsland Lakes YC, Paynesville attracted fifty entries including current and four-time World Champion Mark Bulka and seven-time World Champion Andrea Bonezzi.
The sailing was delayed on day one due to 30-knot winds from the east. The locals were already saying “it’s not normally like this”.
Day two presented a patchy and shifty 8 to 12-knot easterly with three heats completed. Mark Bulka convincingly won all three heats with highlights belonging to Blairgowrie’s Paul Wilson (2, 15, 9) and Callum Burns (15, 2, 13). Already the strong competition and tricky conditions were producing wild fluctuations in the results. After day one, Andrea Bonezzi was second (9, 4, 5). John Lindholm (8,26,18) and Ned Lindholm (31,38,28) both showed signs at times.
Day three had light winds with thunderstorms on the horizon with two races being completed. The first in 6 to 10 knots from the east and the second in 20 knots from the west after the thunderstorm went through in between races. After a dominant first day, Mark Bulka went the wrong way and ended the first race in 29th place. He did recover for a 2nd in the second race. Callum and his reinvigorated Contender mojo had a terrific day with a 10th and 3rd consolidating a top 10 outcome. Paul was again grinning after a solid 13th and 17th whilst John (18, 14) and Ned (25, 28) both improved on their day two efforts.
Day four presented a grim forecast – 20 to 30 knots by lunchtime. It was 20 plus knots when the fleet departed at 10.30 am with a number electing not to venture out. Notwithstanding, the RO managed two races with Callum (14, 19) and Paul (12, 15) leading the Blairgowrie charge.
Congratulations to Mark Bulka on defending his Australian title, Lindsay Irwin 2nd, and Andre Webster 3rd. Well done to Callum Burns on achieving 9th place overall and Paul Wilson 12th place overall. John Lindholm was 21st and Ned Lindholm 31st.
