Big Olympic Statement Brewing for WA Sailing Duo
Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries have put themselves within striking distance of a significant result to aid their Olympic selection prospects, currently sitting in first place after four races of the Tokyo World Cup in Enoshima.
The duo recently secured Australia’s position for the Olympic Games in the women’s 470 class at the World Championships and they’re now making a firm pitch to fill that role with the young West Aussie duo sitting first in the class on eight net points with six races and a medal round to go.
They posted a 10th place finish in the opening race but have currently dropped that score after following up with a fourth, second and another second place effort in their subsequent races.
The field is lacking top quality depth of international talent, but with 21 crews still in action, any podium finish would represent a compelling advert of their talents as team selectors begin forming their Tokyo plans.
In the men’s laser class, Matt Wearn currently holds sixth position – one spot and one point behind world champion Tom Burton.
Burton is on 37 net points, with Wearn breathing down his neck on 38. Fellow WA sailor Luke Elliott is in 29th position on 91 points.
In the men’s 470 class, a new WA combination of skipper Chris Charlwood and crew Conor Nicholas are performing well in 24thposition.
The Australian combination of Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan currently lead and are all but certain of leading Australia’s medal charge in Tokyo next year, pending official ratification.
In other WA results at hand, David Gilmour and Lachie Gilmour are currently 11th whilst Elyse Ainsworth is in 35th place in the laser radial.