Australian Sailing Squad sailor and Rio 2016 Olympian Jake Lilley has successfully defended his Australian Finn title, being the first Australian home at the RONSTAN 2019 International Finn Australian Championship last week in Melbourne.

The event at Black Rock Yacht Club was won by reigning Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott from Great Britain, with Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne winner Nicholas Heiner from the Netherlands in second and Lilley third.

The event saw some spectacular conditions at Black Rock, with physically challenging 15 to 20 knot southerly sea breezes building throughout the week, before culminating in a wild final day with a solid 20 knot sea breeze leading to only 25 of the original 40 boats surviving the war of attrition.

“The last day was out of control, we had very strong winds and huge waves with many boats capsizing” Lilley said after the regatta. He was pleased to defend the National Finn crown he won at Royal Queensland last year but was already looking forward to the Finn Gold Cup to be held in Melbourne later this year.

“It is great to win a National title especially to do it in Melbourne, and prepare for the World championships happening over here later this year.”

It has been a big summer for the big international Finn fleet, with many of the top sailors training and competing as they ready themselves for their 2019 campaign.

“We’ve had a really good summer to have the British, the Kiwis and the Dutch all come down to Australia” Lilley mentioned.

“The Nationals was a culmination of all the training and the hard work everyone has put in. Giles and Nicholas are the two most skillful Finn sailors in the world and to be fighting them was really exciting.”

Other Australian Sailing Squad members filled out the top 10 places at the regatta, with Oliver Tweddell (VIC) in 7^th, Jock Calvert (TAS) in 9^th and Lewis Brake (QLD) finishing in 10^th.

Lilley is now readying himself for his 2019 season, with the first stop being the Miami leg of the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series which starts on January 26.

“I am looking forward to Miami. I am really keen to check in with the other half of the World Finn fleet, to see how we stack up there as well,” said Lilley.

Australian Sailing Team Results

Jake Lilley (Qld) – 3^rd

Oliver Tweddell (Vic) – 7^th

Jock Calvert (Tas) – 9^th

Lewis Brake (Qld) – 10th

Click here to see full RESULTS LIST