ISAF Sailing World Cup - Sail Melbourne success for Belcher and Page
by Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page on 15 Nov 2011
Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page - Sail Melbourne 2011 Mat Belcher
Aussie sailors Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page have wrapped up their Sail Melbourne experience with success after claiming the Silver Medal at the ISAF Sailing World Cup event. They now share their journey at the event and how they are looking on to Perth 2011.
It's been a long week for Malcolm and I with our first event back after racing in the Olympic test event. We managed another Silver medal at the first world cup for 2012 after our Silver at the Olympic test event.
Our performance was not up to our level, however we gained some valuable lessons coming into the Worlds (5-12 December 2012). Although a relatively small fleet, the participants were top, including Beijing representatives and world number number six ranked Stu McNay and Graham Biehl from USA. After finishing second to us for the last three years they had the better of us this week and took out the title. Our training partners Sam Kivell and Will Ryan (world ranked number nine) had a good performance rounding out the podium.
This event has been a great warm up towards our national championships starting in Perth this coming weekend. Our equipment has been packed and is currently on its way to Fremantle where we will unpack and get back on the water in a few days’ time. We are enjoying some valuable rest after some long hours on the water preparing to qualify Australia for next year’s Olympic Games.
We are also pleased to announce Malcolm's inclusion into the AIS hall of fame along side Ricky Ponting (Cricket), Matt Cowdrey (Swimming), Jamie Dwyer (Hockey) and Anna Meares (cycling). Malcolm's results over the past decade have earned him the title of being the most successful 470 sailor in the history of the class. This is a great honour for himself but also the sport of sailing. Read full article.
Our next update will be from the west coast, Freemantle, WA leading up to the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth.
Thank you for your support
Mat and Malcolm
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