SAILING: It was a strong start yesterday for Australia’s 470 Silver Medallists at Sailing World Cup Melbourne, the final event of the 2016 circuit.
The Aussie duo of Mat Belcher and Will Ryan won their first race in convincing style, and finished the second race of the day in second place. They are currently in first place overall, two points ahead of the Japanese pairing of Takayama and Imamura.
“We sailed quite well today and we were happy with our results,” said Belcher after racing yesterday.
“It was really nice was for Will and I to get back in the boat and into our rhythm. We really enjoyed being back together. The conditions were difficult, but it was great to start the regatta well.“
Rio Silver Medallists in the Nacra class, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin, have also had a strong start to their first day at SWC Melbourne. Racing together for the first time since Rio, the Aussies won all three races in the Nacra class, and are currently leading overall, two points ahead of the British team of Gimson and Burnet who are lying second overall.
“It was so good to be back on the Nacra,” said Darmanin at the conclusion of racing yesterday.
“We had brilliant conditions, with a moderate sea breeze. It was really close racing with shifts all over the place! Day one of our Tokyo 2020 campaign is done!”
It was also a strong start for Jake Lilley in the Finn class. Lilley won both of his races, and is currently lying first overall, four points ahead of Caleb Paine of the USA. Oliver Tweddell is currently fourth overall after a fifth and a third in yesterday’s two races.
Australia’s Matt Wearn is currently lying third overall in the Laser class after two races, on equal points with the last two Olympic Silver medallists in the class, Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus and Tonci Stepanovic of Croatia. Wearn scored two seconds in yesterday’s two races. Meanwhile Rio Gold Medallist, Tom Burton finished his two races with a seventh and a fourth and is currently lying fifth overall.
In the Laser Radial event, Australian Youth Sailing Team member Zoe Thomson had a strong start to her regatta and is currently lying fourth overall after a third and an eighth. Australia’s Laser Radial Olympic representative, Ashley Stoddart is currently lying 11th overall having finished yesterday’s two races in 12th and 10th.
In the 470 women’s event, Carrie Smith and Jaime Ryan are currently fourth overall after a fifth and a fourth in their two races.
In the 49er class, Harry Price and Harry Morton are the best placed Aussies after three races. They’re currently lying sixth overall, while Lachy Gilmour and Ryan Donaldson are seventh; David Gilmour and Joel Turner are eighth and the Phillips brothers are in 10th place.
