Matt Wearn and Elyse Ainsworth impress at Princess Sofia Trophy

Published On: 10 April 2022

WAIS sailors Matt Wearn and Elyse Ainsworth have impressed at the Princess Sofia Trophy with Wearn claiming silver and Ainsworth claiming her first top 10.

Wearn started on the back foot in Palma, with two breakages on the opening day leaving him in 122nd place. Few could come back from that and lift to third place overall, to go on and win the Medal Race to claim the silver medal, with the Olympic Champion proving he is one of the greats.

Wearn won silver on one of the most difficult days of sailing this week. A predominantly 10 to 11 knot offshore breeze from the mountain was beset by lulls of 5 knots and gusts of 20 and 40-degree shifts. He picked the shifts well to lead the race from halfway up the first leg after an even start.

“It was very tricky sailing. We don’t normally do a downwind finish either, but it made the day exciting,” said Wearn.

“It was the motivation not to lose. Regardless of the position I’m in, I always go out to win. I came to Palma for one thing and one thing only.

“I rely on my processes when things are bad. I’ve done so much work over the last 10 years. Just keep competing and re-start again each time.”

For Ainsworth, the result was a significant boost after making her first medal race.

“I had absolutely nothing to lose so I went out and enjoyed myself. It was hard in the respect that the racing was so close. You have the jury following you around, so you’re not sure how hard to push it.”

“I was consistent this week and that’s a pretty good turning point for me. I sailed well against the best in the Medal Race. I am very excited for this year and what it holds. This week has given me confidence.”

In other WAIS results Chris Charlwood and Amelia Catt finished 18th and Nia Jerwood and Conor Nicholas 30th in the mixed 470. Zoe Thompson was 13th in the ILCA 6 and in the ILCA 7 Luke Elliott was 14th, Ethan McAullay 35th, Stefan Elliott-Shircore 73rd, Michael Compton 112th and Zac Littlewood 154th and Caelin Winchcombe was 69th in the iQFOiL.