WA 49er Aussie Pairing Triumph in Tough European Conditions

22-Jul-2010
Photo: WA team of Steven Thomas, past 29er World champion, and his new crew Nick Brownie.

ualifying in the gold fleet marked a great achievement for the young WA team of Steven Thomas, past 29er World champion, and his new crew Nick Brownie who enjoyed his first European circuit tour.

The offshore conditions in Gdynia, Poland at the 49er Europeans proved tough for many with big shifts on the race course close to shore – not so for Thomas and Brownie who had some great races on the first day, starting the regatta with a 2nd but failing to finish the second race due to gear failure which set them back for one race. Finals on the third day saw the fleet of 82 split into Gold, Silver and Bronze for the finals with the WA pair and their New Zealand training partners qualifying for Gold.

Steve Thomas and Nick Brownie sailed well notching two wins and a 5th to finally place 10th overall behind their Kiwi sparing partners Peter Burling and Blair Tuke who crewed for Thomas to win the 29er Worlds in Lake Garda last year.


Results:
1st GBR Chris Draper & Peter Greenhalgh
2nd FR Manu Dyen & Stephane Christidis
3rd GBR Steve Mirrison & Ben Rhodes
For more information:
www.wa.yachting.org.au