Wearn Secures Hyeres Bronze

WA sailor Matt Wearn has started his 2017 international campaign with a bronze medal at the Hyeres World Cup in France.

Wearn sailed home for a fifth place finish in the medal round, protecting his third position ranking, with an overall points tally of 78 points.

Cypriot Pavlos Kontides won gold on countback (63) over Italy’s Francesco Marrai (63), by virtue of two race wins to one over the course of the 11 race competition.

For Wearn, the result in France has secured him selection for the Aarhus test event later in the year, with the 21 year-old finishing ahead of Rio Olympic champion and fellow Australian Sailing Team member Tom Burton.

“For us this was the selection event for the Aarhus test event, so by beating Tom I have that,” Wearn said.” “(I’m) happy with that. (It) saves a lot of stress going forward.”

The battle was hard-fought throughout, with Burton closing his campaign in fifth place overall, whilst Great Britain’s dual world champion Nick Thompson, pushed Wearn all the way for his bronze medal on Sunday.

“At the top mark the first time I was with Tom and thought maybe I can go for gold here, but on the run, Kontides sailed through me and that was the end of my chance of advancement so I concentrated on covering Nick Thompson to secure bronze,” Wearn explained.

“I felt I executed a good race in the oscillating breeze. In the past when it has been a matter of holding positions, I haven’t really done it, so it was good to consolidate on the week and finish off reasonably well. For me this event was up and down. I had one bad day but otherwise I felt like I sailed quite well.”

Fellow West Australian laser sailor Luke Elliott closed his campaign in 37th position overall.

There was further medal success for the Australian Sailing Team in Hyeres, with Mat Belcher and Will Ryan claiming victory in the men’s 470 class. The pair captured gold ahead of the medal round, carrying an unassailable 24 point advantage through to Sunday’s race.