Chris Symonds (TAS) and Alison Weatherly (VIC) have claimed Silver at the 2019 Para World Sailing Championships competing in the Hansa 303 Men’s and Women’s fleets.

Four sets of medals were awarded Sunday in Puerto Sherry, with Australians on the podium in two classes.  Australia was not represented in the 2.4mR or RS Venture Connect in this edition of the Para Worlds.

In the Hansa 303 Men’s class of 36 entries, Piotr Cichocki (POL) and Symonds sailed in separate fleets throughout the qualification stages and Cichocki was able to build a sizeable points gap.  He then clinched the 2019 title with a Medal Race victory, finishing 19 points ahead of the rest of the pack.

“It’s a very big success for me and I’ve worked very hard,” said Cichocki. “I was feeling comfortable because I had a big lead and I knew there would be a fight for second and third, but I stayed focused. Last year I lost my title and this year, after a long regatta of 13 races, the title is back with me, so I’m happy.”

Chris Symonds (AUS) and Chi-Chian Wu (TPE) did enough in the final race to hold onto their respective second and third positions.

The Hansa 303 Women’s class was not so clear-cut, with most of the six-boat Medal Race fleet still in with a chance at a podium spot. But it was del Reino who kept her composure to clinch the final victory and with it, the gold medal in her home country.

“I feel great; I had a fun battle today which I really enjoyed and I’m very pleased to win gold,” she said. “I got a bad start and Alison (Weatherly) passed me. I thought ‘I’m done, but never mind, I’ll keep fighting,’ and I didn’t give up.

“Halfway through I passed her and knew I had a chance; I held on and in the end it was all okay. I haven’t actually sailed here before, so it was new to me too, but being at home was nice and I got lots of support, which really helped.”

Weatherly (AUS) crossed the line next after del Reino to pick up silver, with last year’s winner Ana Paula Marques (BRA) taking bronze this time around.

Last year’s Silver medallist in the Women’s Hansa 303, Genevieve Wickham (WA), finished 7th, just missing out on the medal race.

In the Men’s fleet, Jason Elwes (NSW) finished 18th and Robert Crofts (WA) in 26th.

TOP THREE OF EACH CLASS

Hansa 303 Women:

Gold: Violeta del Reino (ESP), 30 points

Silver: Alison Weatherly (AUS), 36 points

Bronze: Ana Paula Marques (BRA), 40 points

Hansa 303 Men:

Gold: Piotr Cichocki (POL), 16 points

Silver: Chris Symonds (AUS), 35 points

Bronze: Chi-Chian Wu (TPE), 37 points

2.4mR:

Gold: Damien Seguin (FRA), 15 points

Silver: Antonio Squizzato (ITA), 33 points

Bronze: Bjørnar Erikstad (NOR), 40 points

RS Venture Connect (winner-takes-all final race):

Gold: Fabrizio Olmi & Davide Di Maria (ITA)

Silver: John McRoberts & Scott Lutes (CAN)

Bronze: Will Street & Johnny Currell (GBR)

Twenty-eight nations were represented at the 2019 Para World Sailing Championships held from July 3-7 in Puerto Sherry (Cadiz), Spain.

Classes were 2.4mR, Men’s and Women’s Hansa 303, and the two person RS Venture Connect. 

The event webpage and results can be found at here.