Sailing in winter where its 40 degrees centigrade warmer

by Suellen Hurling on 5 Jan 2010 Right now some Canada sailors are sharpening the blades on their ice yachts and checking out the Canadian lake black ice developments online, but there is an alternative for sailors who are prepared to travel.

One of these is Ontario sailor Neil Smith, the President of the International Contender Class, a hard sailing single handed trapeze sailor.

Smith has been sailing on the Contender Class World Championship circuit for almost a decade. Kingston 2001, Plymouth 2003, Perth 2006, Medemblik 2007, Kingston 2008 and now in Brisbane 2010.

The Canadian said today ‘It’s nice to be there this week. When we hit the start line on Friday afternoon on Morton Bay, in Brisbane, Australia in the 40th International Contender world championships, it will be 26-28 degree centigrade, probably 40 degrees warmer than back home.

This is the 40th Contender World Championships and there are around 2500 Contender that have been built and 'they hold their ages better than the sailors.

'We are all very proud the class has grown and prospered. Over the years the class has worked hard to keep development both relevant and affordable.’

'We will publish much more from the Canadian team during the World Championships.

You can follow them on www.sail-world.com
There were much nicer conditions for the Contender sailors racing in the 2010 Contender Pre-Worlds (Australian Championship) on Waterloo Bay today.

Local sailor Matt Mulder (AUS) is currently leading the fleet ahead current world champion Andrea Bonezzi (ITA) and Simon Mussell (GBR) who are tied on 9 points.

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