News

Gdynia Day 1: Just Like Old Times For Iain 'Goobs' Jensen At 49er Euros

Published Mon 09 Jul 2018

Iain Jensen suspected he’d be a bit rusty stepping back into a 49er for the first time since the 2016 Rio Olympics, but the dual Olympic medallist and three-time World Champion settled seamlessly and provided Will Phillips some great support on Day 1 of the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships at Gydnia in Poland.

Phillips, who regularly sails with his brother Sam, said he was thankful to have ‘Goobs’ Jensen fill in for the Euros and the upcoming World Championships in Denmark while Sam continues to recover from a broken foot.

Phillips and Jensen flourished in the light conditions.

“I’m really lucky to have ‘Goobs’ in here for Europeans and Worlds, and we’re feeling pretty good on the boat,” he said.

The pair finished with two bullets and a 2 to start the regatta and head the 92-boat fleet. Australian Sailing Team duo David Gilmour and Joel Turner started with a 5, but ended the day mid-fleet.

Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson had two top 10 finishes.

Four races were sailed in the 49erFX competition, with Australian Sailing Squad members Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot the best placed, in 11th in the 48-boat fleet after winning the opening race.

"It was good to get the nerves out in the first race, have a good one and hopefully we can get a few more," Wilmot said.

In the Nacra 17, the fledgling team of Nathan Outteridge and Haylee Outteridge chipped away to score 6,3 and 5 and finish up 6th, just ahead of fellow Australians Paul Darmanin and Lucy Copeland. Rio silver medallists Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin struggled in race 3 but are still well placed in 16th in the 53-boat fleet.