Wearn Fourth at Tokyo Test Event

Matthew Wearn has finished fourth at the Tokyo Test Event in Enoshima following another tense week of racing with Olympic nomination calculations on the line.

 

The World Championship silver medallist fought hard all week but saw his rival for selection on the Australian Olympic Team, Tom Burton advance his own claims with a silver medal performance.

 

As has been a long running theme in the pair’s battles in the laser class, very little separated them throughout, with Wearn having the better of the early regatta, before Burton made his move late.

 

Wearn recorded a lower overall total scorecard (88 points to 90), but with Burton dropping his one poor race, his carded total cleared Wearn’s by three net points (63 to 66).

 

With only one selection regatta remaining for nominations, Burton now holds the upper hand, having won the Laser World Championship title in 2019 and finished ahead of Wearn at this week’s Test Event.

 

Wearn outpointed Burton at this year’s European Laser Championships but will now need to finish well clear of his rival at the up-coming Tokyo World Cup event in order to force Australian selectors into a difficult decision.

 

One thing that has been prevalent in the competitive history of the two elite sailors over the years, has been to expect the unexpected, so until a final decision is made, watch this space.

 

 

The Western Australia 470 sailing duo of Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries were disappointed to miss out on their fleet’s medal round in Enoshima.

 

The young talents recently secured Australia a boat at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, but on this occasion were not able to force selectors’ hand with top 10 finish.

 

Despite that, their progression has been strong in the past 18 months, and they remain a realistic prospect to stay in the hunt for an Olympic debut in 2020.