Harrison and Boaden Set for Shot at World Championship Gold

WAIS athletes Colin Harrison and Russell Boaden are well positioned for a shot at World Championship gold in the Sonar class at the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships in Victoria.
 

Harrison and Boaden along with teammate Jonathan Harris built their lead over the second ranked British crew to six points after a first and second place in the two races held on day three. 

What had initially appeared a perfect day for sailing, instead lent context to Melbourne’s famed four seasons in a day reputation, as strong winds and tricky seas developed, creating some interesting racing as a consequence.
 

Australian Sonar coach Grant Alderson said conditions had tested his crew but he was pleased with the trio’s response. 

“It was pretty wild and just tough conditions with massive pressure bands and gusts and with breeze flicking one way and then the other, so it just was a tough day of sailing,” he said.

“The guys did rise to the challenge though. They actually didn’t come off the water that happy with their sailing performance, but they can take the results away and be happy with that. I think I just reminded them of the fact that a one and a two is a pretty good day on the scoreboard, and they won the day really. It was just a tough day and all the crews struggled with that.” 

“We’re halfway through the event and they are leading the regatta with their worst result being a second. At the moment they are dropping a second and that’s a good place to be. And I think they should be pretty happy with that. Obviously there are still quite a few races to go, so we just got a work on being consistent still and hopefully come through in the end,” Alderson added. 

The Championships run through until December 3 from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown. 

-with AST