Paris 2024 Olympics: Matt Wearn leads ILCA 7, Brin Liddell, Rhiannan Brown racing

Matt Wearn’s gold medal chase is on track as big winds blew into Marseille and a crew of young guns raced for the first time and ran into strife. Olympic sailing wrap and latest news.

Rhiannan Brown and Brin Liddell started their Olympic campaign in the Nacra foiling class. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

He’s more often than not in the spotlight as the defending Olympic champion but it was different on the Bay of Marseille on Saturday for Matt Wearn.

His racing in the ILCA 7 conflicted with the finals series for both the women’s and men’s foiling windsurfers with Australian Grae Morris guaranteed a medal at the start of the day and leaving the water with a silver at the end of it.

While Australia celebrated its first medal of the Olympics, out at sea on the ILCA 7 course two-time world champion Wearn was back to his best.

Wearn put down his second win of the regatta with a second place in the next race consolidating his lead in good breeze.

Rhiannan Brown and Brin Liddell on the water off Marseille. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images

AUSSIE YOUNG GUNS HIT WATER

The young teaming of Nacra 17 sailor Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown conquered first Olympic nerves and annoying equipment damage pre-race to put in a pair of identical results on their opening day.

The pair posted two 11th placings followed by a 13th to be in 13th overall in the 19-strong fleet.

“On the way out to the start line we had breakage. The cunny blocks snapped off the mast three times. I put them on so I have only myself to blame,’’ said Liddell.

“It took us about 20 minutes to fix on the way to the start.’’

The Nacra 17s had no significant pre-regatta training which is where such issues are usually ironed out.

“That meant today was the day we tested it unfortunately,’’ Brown said.

Zoe Thomson racing the ILCA 6.

ZOE THOMSON: ILCA 6

Fellow Perth sailor Zoe Thomson made some grounds on the third day of the ILCA 6 racing in Marseille in her Olympic debut.

Thomson went into the days racing in 18th place after a 12th, 37th and 22nd in her openers.

She added an 11-16-6 to creep up to 13th overall.

“It was all right, super physical,’’ said Thomson who raced in winds between 14-22 knots and on choppy waster.

“Still a few little mistakes I’m trying to iron out.

“There’s still a good few races yet. I won’t be giving up.’’