Please select your home edition
Edition

World Championship fourth a wake-up call, says Rio star Scott

by British Sailing Team 21 Dec 2019 09:35 GMT 16-21 December 2019
Giles Scott - Finn Gold Cup © Robert Deaves

Giles Scott says missing out on a World Championship medal will serve as a "wake-up call" as he prepares to defend his Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.

Rio 2016 gold medallist Scott had to settle for fourth at the Finn Gold Cup, the class's World Championships, as racing came to a climax in Melbourne today.

Gold was out of reach for Scott, 32, as he went into the final double-points race but with just five points splitting second to fourth, the silver medal was still within his grasp.

A testing race in big seas and strong winds saw Scott, who won the European title in May, cross the line in eighth while podium rivals Zsombor Berecz (HUN) and Nicholas Heiner (NED) took second and third respectively.

Heiner secured the silver medal, while Berecz took bronze. The title went to New Zealand's Josh Junior.

"Today was a big day - we had 20 knots gusting 25, and a heavy sea state off the sea wall here in Melbourne," Scott, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, said.

"It was tough racing, and unfortunately for me it wasn't the way I wanted to end the regatta. I didn't really get the swing of it and ended up struggling in the medal race."

Despite eight top ten finishes over the ten-race regatta, a 16th for Scott in the very first race meant little room for error in a 60-boat fleet packed with world champions and Olympic medallists. A 17th on the penultimate day put a fifth world title beyond his grasp.

"I just wasn't quite consistent enough," Scott admitted. "Yesterday I was well within a shot of bridging towards Josh who's been the standout performer this week, but I got the last race wrong and so had to count my 16 which I was discarding. It comes down to consistency and I didn't quite execute that.

"It's frustrating to finish fourth, no-one wants that, but equally I didn't want to finish second or third. It would definitely have been nice to have finished this year as European and world champion but ultimately it's not about world titles, it's about preparation for the Games."

Similar to Junior and fellow New Zealander Andy Maloney, Scott juggles Olympic campaigning with his full-time commitments to Ben Ainslie's America's Cup challenge.

He's under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead to defend his gold medal when the Olympics kicks off in Enoshima, just south of Tokyo, in July.

"Like the Kiwi lads I've got another big project on the go with the America's Cup, but I will get a lot of time in the Finn between now and Tokyo," he said.

"I think I'm still in a good place. The competition is right up there - the Kiwis, Zsombor, Heiner and I have been generally on the podium this year so it's going to be hard fought. This week will serve as a bit of a wake-up call."

Scott's compatriots Ed Wright and Henry Wetherell finished the regatta in 13th and 24th respectively.

Full results from the regatta can be found here.

Follow the British Sailing Team at www.britishsailingteam.com and via our social media channels.

Related Articles

Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy
As Brits dominate in Palma Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser. Posted on 7 Apr
Princess Sofia Trophy marks start of LA 2028 cycle
British Sailing Team ready for 54th edition of this prestigious regatta The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta will take place in Palma, Mallorca. This year there are four sites making up the event: Arenal (49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, 470), Ca'n Pastilla (ILCA 6 and 7), Portixol (iQFOiL) and Playa de Palma beach (Formula Kite). Posted on 27 Mar
Medals aplenty in Cadiz
British Sailing Team picked up silverware at the second round of the iQFOiL Games There was a flurry of medals for the British Sailing Team this weekend in the build-up to the Princess Sofia Trophy regatta, the historic season opener. Posted on 17 Mar
Wilson and Watson bring home iQFOiL Games spoils
Gold and bronze for British pair Emma Wilson marked her return to Olympic class racing with a resounding victory at the 2025 season opener, as teammate Islay Watson picked up bronze. Posted on 3 Feb
Emma Wilson launches LA 2028 campaign in Lanzarote
The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on Wednesday The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on the Canary Island of Lanzarote on Wednesday January 29 and concludes on Sunday February 2. Posted on 28 Jan
Ellie Aldridge made MBE in New Year's Honours
Following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at Paris 2024 Ellie Aldridge has been made an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Aldridge shortlisted for World Sailor of the Year
After becoming the first ever Formula Kite gold medallist in Marseille Team GB's history-making athlete Ellie Aldridge has been shortlisted for the prestigious World Sailor of the Year award. Posted on 21 Oct 2024
Olympian raises £18k by raffling Paris 2024 boat
All the £18,053 raised will go to the Andrew Simpson Foundation Olympic sailor Micky Beckett has raised over £18,000 to help kids get on the water by raffling the boat he raced at Paris 2024. Posted on 14 Oct 2024
Brown and Barton rule the waves in Cagliari
Silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL Europeans It was double delight for Brits Andy Brown and Matt Barton as they scooped silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL European Championships. Posted on 12 Oct 2024
iQFOiL Euros kickstart LA cycle for Brits
GBR windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari The British Sailing Team's windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari, with six female athletes and five male athletes competing. Posted on 3 Oct 2024