Burn a splashing success in Czech Republic
Young Picton sailing star Taylor Burn is Marlborough's newest world champion, after storming to a convincing victory in the Splash Class World Championships at Lake Lipno in the Czech Republic on Friday.
In securing the title, 15-year-old Burn is following in the footsteps of older brother Declan, who won the same world title in Wales in 2009 before finishing a close second at the 2010 regatta in Auckland.
An unlucky second at the splash national championships in March, Taylor Burn wasted no time in underlining his credentials as a favourite to take the title on the first of five days of racing on Monday. Sailing in mist and rain and light, shifty wind conditions, he collected wins in the opening two races before finishing third in the last race of the day to give him a 13-point lead.
A lack of wind prevented any races from being completed on the second and third days, but on the one occasion the 67-strong fleet came close to finishing an entire race, Burn was on track for a top-two placing.
The light breeze continued to have an effect on Thursday, but late in the afternoon the only race of the day was completed and Burn further enhanced his chances with another commanding victory after port-tacking the fleet at the start line.
That gave him a massive 26-point advantage going into the last day of the regatta on Friday and the Picton teenager made no mistake in wrapping up the world championship by finishing second, ninth, fourth, and third in the final four races of the regatta.
In an email from Lake Lipno, father Rob said his son "sailed hard and consistently over a wide range of conditions experienced in the eight races", and thoroughly deserved the world title. He put out a "huge thank you" to all the friends, family and sponsors who had helped Taylor and said after nearly a month away, the pair looked forward to getting home.
CONGRATULATIONS to Taylor from Pegasus Rental Cars Picton
