Good start to Sailing World Cup Melbourne for Aussies

by Australian Sailing on 6 Dec 2016 It was a strong start today 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 today. “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 today, 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 today. “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 today’s 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 today’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 today’s two races. Meanwhile Rio Gold Medallist, Tom Burton finished today’s 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 has had a strong start to her regatta and is currently lying fourth overall after a third and an eighth today. Australia’s Laser Radial Olympic representative, Ashley Stoddart is currently lying 11th overall having finished today’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 today’s 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.

Australian Sailing Team at Sailing World Cup Sailing World Cup Melbourne 2016:

Women's Two Person Dinghy – 470W
- Carrie Smith (WAIS) and Jaime Ryan (QAS): 5, 4, - Fourth

Men’s Two Person Dinghy – 470M
- Mathew Belcher (QAS) and Will Ryan (QAS): 1, 2 – First

Mens’ Skiff – 49er
- Will and Sam Phillips (VIC): 5, (DNF), 8 – 10th
- David Gilmour (WAIS) and Joel Turner (QAS): 6, (16), 6 – Eighth

Men's One Person Dinghy (Heavyweight) – Finn
- Jake Lilley (QAS): 1, 1 – First
- Oliver Tweddell (VIS): 5, 3, - Fourth

Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
- Tom Burton (NSW): 7, 4 – Fifth
- Matt Wearn (WAIS): 2, 2 - Third

Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17
- Jason Waterhouse (NSW) and Lisa Darmanin (NSW): (1), 1, 1 - First

Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Ashley Stoddard (QAS) : 12, 9 – 10th