Building CONTENDER
Datec 1970
Object numberANMS1136[007]
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 215 × 170 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA black and white photograph depicting two men holding fibreglass moulds of CONTENDER.HistoryBen Lexcen (formerly Bob Miller) 1936-1988 was one of Australia’s principle yacht designers from the 1960s until his death in 1988. He created a number of revolutionary and unorthodox designs and gained International respect. The ocean racing yachts MERCEDES III, APOLLO and GINGKO were amongst his most significant designs, along with the IYRU Contender Class single handed dinghy, and the 18-foot skiffs TAIPAN and VENOM. He was the designer of America’s Cup boats from 1974 until 1987, including SOUTHERN CROSS and AUSTRALIA and was the designer for AUSTRALIA II which won the America's Cup in 1983, a major National and International sporting achievement.
His career began under the name Bob Miller, and formed a sail making and design partnership with Craig Whitworth during the 1960s called Miller & Whitworth, which lasted until the mid-1970s. At that time he changed his name to Ben Lexcen, and had a brief design partnership with Johan Valentjin to design AUSTRALIA KA5 and other yachts. This was disbanded around 1978, and he worked under the Lexcen name with a small staff based in his home at David Place Seaforth. After the design of AUSTRALIA II for the 1983 America’s Cup win he established a drawing office which included Peter Lowe as a senior partner. This became Lexcen Lowe Design and a few years after he died it became Peter Lowe Design.
SignificanceThe Contender was a created in response to request for a new single-handed high performance sailing dinghy. After the first set of International trial races in Europe in which the prototype performed very well, the freeboard was increased as this was a criticism of the design. After winning the second set of trials the Contender became an international class.