World Championship Bronze for Wearn
Matt Wearn has won a bronze medal at the 2017 Laser World Championships in Croatia after the final two races were cancelled due to unsuitable weather.
The lost racing meant there was no change to leaderboard from Monday’s action, seeing Wearn take third position, behind Australian Sailing Teammate Tom Burton and World Champion Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus.
Wearn said he “couldn’t be happier with the result” and at 22 years of age, he continues to build a highly credentialed resume, having posted impressive results at all key international regattas that he has contested.
The bronze medal is the Woodvale resident’s first podium at World Championship level and he was joined in a career best performance by fellow West Australian Luke Elliott, who completed competition in 14th rank.
Wearn secured two race wins and three podiums across the campaign but Pavlos was a deserving champion. The Cypriot won five of the 10 completed races, stamping his class with a further two podium efforts outside of that.
The overall campaign was a highly successful one for the Aussies, with all competing sailors registering best ever performances at Worlds level.
The Laser class has been a key strength in Australian sailing in recent times, with the last two Olympic titles claimed by Aussies, with Tom Slingsby saluting in London, followed by reigning champion Tom Burton who won gold in Rio last year.