Please select your home edition
Edition
B&G Zeus SR AUS

Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia Mapre - Success for Aussies Belcher and Page

by Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page on 10 Apr 2012
On our way to winning race 9 and 10 - Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Mapre 2012 Victor Kovalenko
Sailors Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page experienced a successful re-introduction to the Europe season at the Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia Mapre regatta. They share with us their experience in Palma, Spain:

The racing was some of the most difficult we have had in recent times. It was like Groundhog Day for the training week and first four days of the regatta we were in Palma. We had 5-7knts, very choppy wave conditions, 18 degrees temperature and sunny skies. These conditions have traditionally (indeed for most Aussies) been our weakest point of sailing. So it was great to be able to match the fleet and keep in the front part of the results after each day.

With these difficult conditions it was a game of attrition. Basically you just needed to not do anything stupid to keep yourself in the running...

Then day five arrived... We suddenly had 15knts combined with large waves. We were in our element! It had been such a long time since sailing in decent wind, that the 15knts felt like it was a gale. We handled it well and came away with 2x bullets. This suddenly threw some dominance over the results, and gave us a 14 point lead going into the final Medal race, and with the great strength of knowing our worst position would be a silver medal.


The Medal race day dawned and the wind just kept coming. The conditions were now even bigger waves and 20knts of wind. If the day before was a gale this felt like we were in Bass Strait (although neither of us have actually sailed in Bass Strait). Our medal race strategy was pretty simple, 'keep it upright and get around the course'. We did this without too much trouble and crossed the line in second, and won the regatta by 18 points.

One of the most exciting things for us was that our training partners Sam and Will AUS13, finished the regatta with a 10th place overall. With two days of racing to go, they were in third position and had the red jersey on. They had some bad luck in the medal race with their mainsail falling down with a breakage, but they battled on and finished just the same, showing some great fighting Aussie spirit. They have spent every day on the water with us over the last two years and supported each other in our development and improvement towards the event later in the year. They earned this great result through hard work, against all the best 470 sailors in the world.

Thanks for your support.
Malcolm and Mathew



Belcher and Page Blog

Excess CatamaransHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeMaritimo M75

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | Welcome from Cowes
Bow Caddy Media provide an introduction and interview with Shane Guanaria from Zen Ahead of the first race, Crosbie Lorimer provides an introduction and interviews Shane Guanaria from Zen
Posted today at 11:12 pm
Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win
The BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance in Portsmouth Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth.
Posted today at 9:27 pm
4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted today at 5:41 pm
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted today at 4:14 pm
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted today at 1:26 pm
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted today at 1:18 pm
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return.
Posted today at 9:08 am
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place.
Posted today at 6:53 am
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 2
A classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and drizzle The second day of the WASZP Pre-Games served up a classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and with a hug of fresh drizzle.
Posted today at 5:25 am