Stirring finish catapults Australia to gold at 2018 Laser European Championship
by David Sygall 13 May 2018 07:25 BST
5-12 May 2018
Matt Wearn - 2018 Laser European Championship - Day 5 © Thom Touw
The Australian Sailing Team's Matt Wearn has captured his second major title of the season, closing out the 2018 European Championship at La Rochelle in France in emphatic style overnight (AEST).
Wearn battled through a tense week-long tussle with New Zealand Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sam Meech and Cyprus' World Champion Pavlos Kontides, emerging victorious with a first placing in the last race of the regatta.
Last month Wearn defeated an equally strong fleet to secure the Trofeo Princesa Sofia at Palma in Spain.
"It feels great to get another win under my belt this year, especially at such a big event," the world No.4 said.
"I still feel there is plenty of work to be done before the worlds (in Denmark in July), but for now it's time for a little rest before getting back into it at home. Thank you to everyone for the support throughout the event."
Australia's reigning Olympic gold medallist Tom Burton was hampered by two BFDs early in the regatta, but sailed with typical focus to end up a fine 5th, just two points behind bronze medallist Kontides.
Fellow squad members Mitch Kennedy (12th) and Luke Elliott (17th) showed encouraging consistency to finish near the head of the 160-boat fleet. Rising star Finn Alexander grabbed a 3 in the final race to come 22nd overall, completing an excellent week for the Team under coach Michael Blackburn and assistant Tristan Brown.
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