Three-Way Battle Developing in Laser Class at Hyeres World Cup
Despite light winds restricting day two to a single race, WA sailor Matt Wearn has moved into second place in the laser class at the Hyeres World Cup in France.
The laser field has taken on a uniquely non-European feel in France, with many of the continent’s best having competed at the earlier Genoa World Cup – which was a selection event for the highly important European Championships, which will be held later this month in Portugal.
That hasn’t diminished the star power in Hyeres however, with reigning Olympic champion Tom Burton and Rio 2016 bronze medallist Sam Meech both providing Wearn with a stiff test of his credentials.
On early evidence, it appears the three will be engaged in a battle royale for bragging rights, with Kiwi sailor Meech currently ruling the roost ahead of Wearn and Burton. With only three races completed however, there is much yet still to unfold at this regatta.
Meech won both races on day one, but slipped to ninth in the single race completed on day two. With that currently discarded, he leads on two net points, ahead of Wearn on three.
Wearn was seventh in the opening race, before winning the second and then taking second place on the single race completed on day two. With his first race currently scratched, his results from races two and three are currently active.
Burton has dropped his opening fourth place finish, and is currently ranked on four net points from a third place and subsequent race win from the two that followed.
This means Burton is well placed, given that his total score is lowest of all competitors and he will maintain a strong net score if he remains towards the front of the fleet in coming races.
Having enjoyed a career best year in 2018, Wearn said he was hopeful of further strong results ahead of what shapes as a pivotal third day of competition with three races scheduled.
“I managed a second in the only race for today which I’m happy with,” he said. “Three races scheduled for tomorrow so I’m looking forward to getting some gold racing in then.”
West Australian Luke Elliott has made a good fist of early racing himself to currently hold fifth rank on six net points.
In the laser radial class, WA has three athletes in action with the Ainsworth sisters joined by Zoe Thomson.
Jacinta Ainsworth is currently best ranked of the three, on 35 points in 11th place, set up predominantly from a strong opening day of racing.
She was ninth and third from the two, but a 41st placed effort in the second race of day two, meant she needed to card a 23rd place finish which saw her slip from the top 10 positions.
Thomson holds 17th place which includes 42 points from a series of 19th, 19th, a third and a discarded 25th.
Elyse Ainsworth is 27th overall on 63 net points.