Wearn in Contention at Miami World Cup Event

Published On: 30 January 2015

Matt Wearn has enjoyed a strong campaign in Miami

WAIS sailor Matthew Wearn currently sits in third place in the men’s laser at the ISAF Miami World Cup Event in the US.

Competing amongst a fleet of 126 boats, Wearn led the competition up until Thursday, but remains in strong contention for a podium finish, in an event that accrues qualification points for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

British sailor Nick Thompson currently leads, with Wearn in third, one spot ahead of five-time Olympic medallist Robert Scheidt of Brazil.

Australian multiple world champion Tom Burton is in 15thplace, battling to make up ground for Saturday’s medal race, after being struck down recently through illness.

At 19 years of age, Wearn continues to be one of Australia’s brightest young talents, with the West Australian posting six top 10 finishes across nine completed races, including back to back race wins in races three and four.

A podium finish would be an enormous confidence boost for Wearn, considering the strength of the field, and he said earlier in the week that he was pleased with his racing form.

“Racing has been great so far,” he said. “With racing as close as it is in the laser, it was extremely important to be on top of the shifts. Any small mistake was costly. I found this out in the first race of the day to score the 20. But I managed to get my head around the shifts in the second race to finish with a fourth.”

“With four more races over the next two days and the medal race on Saturday, it’s still wide open for anyone in conditions like these,” Wearn said. “I will just need to sail smart and take it as it comes and I’m looking forward to the challenges.”

Wearn is joined in action in Miami by fellow WAIS skiff sailors David Gilmour (men’s 49er) and Caitlin Elks (women’s 49erFX).

Gilmour and his partner Rhys Mara have endured fluctuating results, with six top ten finishes stymied by four races well outside of contention. They currently sit 19th, out of medal race calculations.

Elks and her skipper Tess Lloyd have continued their impress form of 2014, holding a position of 11th place nearing the medal race. There is work still to be done for the pair to qualify, but importantly they are the top ranked Australian crew by a nose, ahead of fellow Australian sailors Olivia Price and Eliza Solly in 12th.

Results can be found at – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/results/index.php?view=schedule&rgtaid=18007&regattaid=18007#results__18007