Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Belcher and Ryan continue winning streak in 470 class 50th anniversary

by Mat Belcher & Will Ryan on 13 Aug 2013
2013 World Champions Mat Belcher & Will Ryan
Australia's 470 sailors Mat Belcher and Will Ryan discuss the amazing year they've had so far, including their winning streak.

Well what a year. The 2013 470 World Championships marked the 50th anniversary of the 470, with many past, present and future champions present during the championships. La Rochelle, played host to the junior, masters and open world championships over two consecutive weeks.

It was a special venue for me, as it was the birth place of my sailing career, winning the 420 World Championships back in 2000. It was a great feeling to go back to the venue where things started for myself. We were kept busy during the lead up to the championships with an extensive onshore program to celebrate the achievements of many past champions.

We can't tell you how happy we are to take this title. The added pressure of our 'winning streak' this year and last meant we were undefeated coming into this event since team up. Something that is slightly unusual being a new team in the class but extremely rewarding. The championship chose a modified racing format to that of the Europeans. So your qualifying scores only counted as one race. We started the championships in great form with a one, one, two, one. However, unlike all previous world championships we were not allowed to carry to these scores through. Our qualifying scores were totalled to count as one final race only, we therefore decided to miss the last qualifying race to rest before the final series.


It was a close fought battle with many top teams, and the racing was intense. In what was our highest scoring event in almost two years, consistency was the key. Multiple sailing course areas were used which made it difficult to get accustomed to the conditions. Significant current also played havoc on the course producing some big scores if you got the timing wrong. With no more than 10 points separating the leaders the championship was always going to come down to the medal race. Keeping things simple we stayed with our main competitor and crossed the line just in front to secure the title. This title marked the fourth consecutive world championship win for myself and the first as a new team, adding to the Open European championships win a few months back.

As most of you know, this year has been extremely busy for us. Having competed in nine events this season, we are looking forward to some rest. This win keeps our winning streak alive now at nine events, and another eight events prior with Malcolm, a total of 17 events in a row. The racing and results have been extremely close in these events as many of you know, so we are very humbled to come out on top. In a touch of coincidence, we won this championship on exactly the one year anniversary of my Olympic games medal race. So maybe it was fate?


Thank you all for your kind words of support, on our Facebook page. We are very lucky to have such a big team around us, pushing and guiding us in the right direction. To our amazing coach now having won 16 470 world championships, to our amazing partners to tolerating our travels this year, friends and families thank you for your support. We will enjoy this moment, as things are just getting a whole lot harder come next year.

Hopefully see you all in a few months, when my wife and I re-surface after the birth. Belcher Ryan 2016

Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay Day 1
Sunshine, lighter airs, and no shortage of high-calibre racing Tuesday 8th July welcomed the opening day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup in Torquay with sunshine, lighter airs, and no shortage of high-calibre racing.
Posted today at 7:14 am
Meet the CYCA's Admiral's Cup Team
Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique.
Posted today at 6:59 am
Who made the right call to get to the breeze?
And how technology is changing the Transpac Race to Hawaii Boats racing in the 2025 Transpac continue to reel in the offshore miles toward the finish line off Honolulu, Hawaii, in the 53rd edition of this historic 2,225-nautical-mile race.
Posted today at 12:54 am
British Classic Week Day 2
An early start for Classes 1-3 as they prepared to race around the Isle of Wight It was an early start for the British Classic Week fleet on day two, as Classes 1-3 prepared to race around the Isle of Wight.
Posted on 8 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 3
The leaderboard tightens at the halfway mark after today's racing in a building breeze After a frustrating day of waiting ashore on Monday, Day 3 brought back the action in Aarhus Bay with spectacular foiling conditions and a full day of intense racing.
Posted on 8 Jul
Fleet advances to the last half of the AEGEAN 600
In contrast to yesterday's slow pace, the rate of progress has been much improved Most of the fleet of 59 Monohulls and Multihulls who are sailing in this year's AEGEAN 600 have either already entered the second half of the race at the island of Rhodes or are well on their way to reaching this important milestone.
Posted on 8 Jul
Mediterranean Regatta season in full swing
A+T instruments seen all over Europe delivering high-level performance for racing fleets As regatta season gathers speed, A+T instruments were seen all over Europe delivering high-level performance for the racing fleets.
Posted on 8 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 1
Storm cells circling Lake Garda lead to atypical and tricky conditions The 137 sailors representing 25 nations faced the first day of racing in conditions that were anything but typical for Malcesine, with unstable weather creating a complex, yet exciting, opening.
Posted on 8 Jul
Temptation/Oakcliff takes line honours
In a thrilling Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race finish The race delivered fast conditions, high drama, and unforgettable moments on the 363-nautical-mile dash to Nova Scotia.
Posted on 8 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
Teammates and Competitors Join Forces The strength of bonds forged in competition is a common theme among the second group of skippers and teams invited to compete in the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship.
Posted on 8 Jul