Sail Melbourne Report

WAIS sailing athletes were involved in the recent Sail Melbourne World Cup event, with the young group returning some impressive results.

One of the more interesting results saw WAIS sailor Ella Clark winning a silver medal with NSW athlete Haylee Outteridge in the 49er FX class.

Clark – a 2013 Youth World Champion in the 420 class, had sailed just five times in a 49er FX boat before race 1 of competition, but her lack of experience was made up for in enthusiasm, with a second place finish a very encouraging sign.

Just a week after finishing in the top ten of the Laser World Championships in Oman, WAIS sailor Matt Wearn was back in action, firstly crossing the arbor with his boat so that he could contest Sail Melbourne, but secondly with some more quality racing to take third position.

As WAIS head coach Belinda Stowell pragmatically termed it, “He is after some good recovery this week.”

David Gilmour and crew Sam Phillips (VIC) sailed very well in the medal race, to climb into silver position in the 49er, behind the 2012 Gold Medallists, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen. Nathan is the older sibling or Haylee, who competed with Ella Clark.

Carrie Smith, sailing in place of Elise Rechichi, took on the 470 challenge with only a few days of training with crew Sarah Cook. Luke Elliot and Mark Spearman both had some great races in the Laser fleet, finishing ninth and eighth respectively.

Lachy Gilmour, sailing with WA state squad member Nia Jerwood finished second in the 420 to their training partners and WA state squad sailors, Will Boulden and Nick Gale.