Gilmour Brothers Take Sail Melbourne Title

The Gilmour brothers have continued their strong start to the summer series with another convincing win in the 49er ranks – this time at the Sail Melbourne regatta.

There were plenty of WA sailors in action, with Matt Wearn again victorious in the men’s laser, whilst WAIS scholarship talent were also in action across 470 and 49erFX fleets.

In the 49er class, David Gilmour reverted back to skipper as he and younger brother Lachie took victory in a fleet of 13 boats on 10 points.

They secured three race wins over the course of the seven race series, and finished five points clear of New South Welshmen Jim Colley and Shaun Connor in second.

Matt Wearn was made to work hard for victory in the laser ranks, with two Kiwi sailors putting in a serious challenge for the title.

In a fleet of 35 boats, Wearn modelled a consistent campaign taking two race wins, with a further three podium finishes to claim victory on 11 points, marginally ahead of Thomas Saunders (13 points) and Sam Meech (14).

Great Britain sailor Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini was fourth on 15 points, with those four athletes dominating the competition ahead of the next best, WA sailor Luke Elliott on 30 points.

Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries swapped places with a touring German crew to finish second in the 470 class, after they had won in Sydney a week earlier ahead of Frederike Loewe and Anna Markfort.

The German duo had the edge, winning six of seven races to claim gold on six points, ahead of Jerwood and de Vries on 13.

In the men’s 470, Chris Charlwood and Josh Dawson had a difficult series finishing seventh overall on 29 points, well back on gold medallists Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan on six points – via six wins from seven races.

Ella Clark and Lockie Dare took fourth place in the 49erFX on 21 points, with Caitlin Elks and Amelia Stabback one spot behind in fifth (21). Gold went to Victorian duo Tess Lloyd and Jaime Ryan on 13 points.