Matt Wearn makes flying start to 2020 with Australian laser national title

WAIS sailor Matt Wearn has made a flying start to 2020 winning the Australian Laser title for the fourth time.

After an outstanding 2020 season that saw him earn selection to the Australian Olympic Team for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Wearn has wasted little time in finding the top step of the podium again.

The 24-year-old has claimed a medal the last seven years in a sign of his consistency. The field was also stacked with international talent including dual world champion Nick Thompson of Great Britain and worlds medallist George Gautrey (New Zealand)

“Obviously it’s always good to win an event on the same waters that the Worlds will be sailed on. They were strange conditions, though. We didn’t have a sea breeze all week,” said Wearn.

Wearn will now compete at the Oceania Championships, Sail Melbourne and the World Championships over the next month as part of his preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Luke Elliott made it two WAIS sailors in the top 10 finishing in eighth, just eight points outside the medals and Ethan McAullay claimed the under 21 gold.

In other categories Toby Coote was the top Australian finisher in the Laser 4.7, in third overall and Mia Lovelady finished the top youth female. Michael Compton and Stefan Elliot Shircore were the top two youth finishers in the Laser Radial. In the 29ers Axel Fleet and Kieran Bucktin finished as the second Australian pair, having lead until the final match race. Georgia Payne and Nathan Bryant finished second in the Nacra.