Wearn Sixth in Palma
WAIS athlete and Rio 2016 hopeful Matt Wearn has finished sixth in the men’s laser event at the recent Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta in Palma, Spain.
Racing has been tight in the Laser fleet between Australia’s two leading Laser combatants – Tom Burton and Wearn – with the lead position changing between them over the course of the week at Palma.
In recent months, Burton claimed the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Melbourne just ahead of Wearn in second, whilst the West Aussie was on the podium at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami at the end of January, when Burton missed the medal race.
Palma’s medal race was not the best for either and a tenth place finish in the medal race for last year’s winner Tom Burton and a ninth place for Matt Wearn meant the pair finished the regatta outside the medal ranks in fifth and sixth place respectively.
Wearn said the week’s racing had been taxing but stressed the importance of finding consistency in his sailing.
“The entire regatta was extremely tough both mentally and physically,” he said. “Racing was close throughout the week so there was plenty of pressure to get good results.”
“Palma is always a great event to start year off with. Having a solid result here sets you up well for the year and now the way the World Cup circuit works it’s even more important to perform at every event.
“It has been great to keep pushing Tom throughout the regatta. I am sure we will have many more regattas where we are fighting it out at the top pushing for that Olympic spot.
“It’s a great motivator having someone there that you always want to beat,” he added when asked about the internal Australian ‘Laser battle’.
Fellow WAIS sailor Luke Elliot completed the men’s laser regatta in 17th place, whilst Caitlin Elks competing with Tess Lloyd in the 49erFX finished in 16th place.
WAIS athlete Carrie Smith and 470 – two person dinghy partner Jaime Ryan didn’t complete the regatta, but did record a race win in the first race of the series.
-with YachtingAus