Hyeres World Cup Report
A costly error in the medal round has thwarted a likely podium finish for WA sailor David Gilmour and crew Joel Turner at the Hyeres World Cup in France.
After a solid week of racing in the 49er class, Gilmour and Turner occupied a top three position leading into the final race but they were denied competition in the all-important medal round after receiving a blag flag disqualification (BFD) which relegated them to fourth overall.
An illegal start for the duo, after being penalised for an On Course Side (OCS) was enough to vanquish their shot for a world cup medal, but the broader picture for the pair is that they demonstrated a consistent ability to mix it with the best in the fleet, evidenced by one race win and three second place efforts over the course of fleet racing.
Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson took 27thposition overall, missing out on medal round racing.
Laser sailor Matt Wearn overcame a slow start to the week to find some of his best form and gate-crash into the top ten medal round.
He claimed sixth place in the medal round, finishing with a ninth place ranking overall and he will now turn his attentions to the European Laser Championships due to commence next week.
Wearn’s Australian rival Tom Burton fared better in Hyeres, claiming a bronze medal.
In the 49erFX class, West Aussie sailor Ella Clark – crewing for skipper Amelia Stabback – earned a 14th position ranking, whilst in the 470 ranks Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries were 23rd in the women’s and Chris Charlwood and Josh Dawson were 31st in the men’s.