Finn Gold Cup – Australian Sailors post solid results
by Cora Zillich on 24 Nov 2015
Oliver Tweddell - 2015 Finn Gold Cup Finn Class
http://www.finnclass.org
Racing at the 2015 Finn Gold Cup, the Finn Class World Championship, got under way today, Tuesday 24 November 2015 in Takapuna, New Zealand in 8-10 knots and clear sky with Australian Sailing Squad’s sailors posting two solid results.
Oliver Tweddell (VIC) had a consistent day posting a 17th and 12th, which put him in overall tenth in the 76 boat fleet. Jake Lilley (QLD) struggled in the first race, resulting in a 56th but made up for it in race two by coming second. This puts him into overall 34th after the first two races.
“I started off today trying to get two consistent races in as it will be a tricky week,” Oliver Tweddell said. “It was really key that I get two solid scores and I managed to do that. I’m happy with today and pleased to get away with two good solid scores on the board and looking forward to another two races tomorrow.”
Racing at the Finn Gold Cup runs from Tuesday 24 to Sunday 29 November with ten races scheduled until Saturday 28 November, with the medal race and final race on Sunday 29 November.
Australia secured country qualification for the Finn class for Rio 2016 at last year’s ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander, Spain. But who will be representing Australia in the class is yet to be decided.
With selection still ongoing the Finn World Cup will be an important event for the current world number two Jake Lilley and world number six Oliver Tweddell.
Jake Lilley has only been in the class just under two years but, although still a junior, he has been making his mark at the top with a steady series of good results. He represented Australia at the 2015 Rio Test event in August, where he finished sixth, after qualifying Australia in Santander. But Oliver Tweddell is ready to chase his teammate, which will make for a good battle this week.
Lilley and Tweddell are coached by Australian Sailing’s Finn Coach and American Olympic bronze medallist John Bertrand.
Results 2015 Finn Gold Cup results (as of November 24)
- Oliver Tweddell (VIC/VIS/SYC/SSBC) – ASS: 17, 12 – 10th
- Jake Lilley (QLD/QAS/RQYS) – ASS: 56, 2 – 34th
Other Australian, non AST/ASS entries:
- Joseph McMillan (WSC): 54, 56 – 58th
- Ian McKillorp (PAYC): 64, 60 – 63rd
- John Condie (Yarra Bay): 68, 64 – 67th
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