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!
   Toon # 
1 The early years B.C?(Before Contenders) 5427
2 On trial 4031
3 Dorothy is dropped 4186
4 The class is launched 3988
5 A star is born 4027
6 First world championships 3942
7 Competitive high spirits 3837
8 Antipodean heaven 3628
9 Globetrotting 3728
10 The magical 3 figure mark 3751
11 California Dreaming 3686
12 21 today! 3642
13 Another year, another island 4515
14 New kid on the block, the RS 600 4148
15 Back to the roots 3667
16 Island hopping 3504
17 Gonna party like it's 1999 3550
18 Farewell to Freddie 3653
19 The Doctor calls 3648
20 The Contender today 4228