WAIS Sailors in Action in

WAIS athletes competing at the Sailing World Cup , held in France from 27 April to 1 May, have commenced racing in windy conditions as the journey for Rio qualification remains alive in certain classes.

Carrie Smith (women’s 470), Caitlin Elks (women’s 49erFX), Matt Wearn (laser), Luke Elliott (laser) and Colin Harrison and Russell Boaden in the men’s sonar are all in action across the week.

After the disappointment of being overlooked for Olympic selection in the men’s laser class recently, WAIS athlete Matt Wearn has responded brightly across the opening day of racing in France, posting a race win followed by a seventh place finish to sit second overall.

NSW’s Matt Burton, who will compete for Australia in Rio, recorded third and ninth place finishes and is sixth overall. Elliott had mixed fortunes, finishing second in the opening race, before posting a 17th place finish in the second race of the day to occupy eighth spot.

WA’s Carrie Smith – racing with Queenslander Jaime Ryan – in the women’s 470 currently sit seventh overall, after 11th and sixth place results in the opening two races. The duo who are hoping to secure Olympic selection in the event, are currently ahead of fellow Australian crew Sasha Ryan and Ella Clark (18th overall).

WA sailors Colin Harrison and Russell Boaden, who compete in the Paralympic class sonar event, along with Jonathon Harris (NSW) had a trying first day, recording an eighth place finish in the only race of the day.

The crew finished second in in 2015 and will expect to force their way back towards the front of the fleet as the week progresses.

Racing has yet to begin in the 49erFX class, where another WA Olympic hopeful Caitlin Elks, will compete alongside skipper Tess Lloyd (VIC).  

The regatta features racing in all ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes, and will feature strong fleets across the board.