Sailing World Cup Melbourne – Aussies revel in seabreeze conditions

by Megan McKay – Australian Sailing on 7 Dec 2016 Another day of good sailing conditions in Melbourne made for a memorable day for Australia’s sailors competing in the Sailing World Cup Melbourne event, the final of the World Cup circuit for 2016. The Aussies sit atop the leaderboard in several classes, and are revelling in the seabreeze conditions Melbourne has served up.

In the 470 Men’s event, Mat Belcher and Will Ryan had another strong day winning both of their two races. They currently lead overall, five points ahead of China’s team of Lan/Wang.

“It was a good day,” said Belcher. “The conditions were tricky - a little lighter than yesterday but a really good seabreeze developed. It’s nice to be out there – we’re really relaxed.

“There’s some good talent coming through in the 470 men’s class in Australia. We’re working more with the younger 470 sailors. It’s good to be able to see where they’re at, and we’re looking forward to doing a lot more training with them.”

Australia’s women’s 470 pairing of Carrie Smith and Jaime Ryan had a strong second day of the regatta, winning the first race of the day, and crossing the finish line second in their final race of the day. The Aussies are currently lying second overall.

Proving they haven’t lost their form, Rio 2016 Silver Medallists, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin have continued their strong run at Sailing World Cup Melbourne today, winning two of today’s three races, and finishing second in the final race of the day. The Aussies are lying first overall, with a six point lead over the second placed team from New Zealand of MacKay and Wilkinson.

“It’s really good to be back on the Nacra,” said Waterhouse after racing today. “It’s the first time Lisa and I have sailed together since the medal race in Rio, and it’s nice to warm up into next year’s European season. This is the beginning of a new chapter.

“It’s a great course out there and the racing between the top boats has been really close, so I’m really enjoying it!”

Meanwhile Queenslander Jake Lilley followed up his strong start to the regatta with another consistent day. Lilley scored a third and a second in today’s two races, and hangs on to the overall lead by two points, ahead of Great Britain’s Ed Wright. Victorian Oliver Tweddell scored a sixth and a 16th in today’s two races and is currently fifth overall.

In the Laser class, a world-class fleet is showcasing some tight racing on Port Phillip Bay. Australia’s Matt Wearn is sitting in second place overall, only one point behind Cypriot Pavlos Kontides. Wearn scored a 2, 5 in today’s two races. Meanwhile Rio Gold Medallist, Tom Burton also had a stronger day, winning the first race of the day, then crossing the finish line in seventh place in the second. He is currently third overall.

In the Laser Radial event, Australia’s Ashley Stoddart found the form that saw her finish top 10 at the Olympic Games. Stoddart finished today’s two races with a 3, 2, and has moved up into fourth place overall. She comes up against a classy international fleet which includes Marit Bouwmeester of the Netherlands who is the current Olympic champion. Bouwmeester is leading the fleet overall.

In the 49er class, Australia’s Sam and Will Phillips were the boat to beat today. In their three races, the Aussies came away with two wins and a third place. Those results move them up into third place overall. Harry Price and Harry Morton are currently sixth overall, while David Gilmour and Joel Turner have moved up into seventh.

All eyes will be watching the weather conditions overnight as a front is expected to bring strong winds to Port Phillip Bay tomorrow.

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, 1, 2 - Second

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

Mens’ Skiff – 49er
- Will and Sam Phillips (VIC): 5, (DNF), 8, 1, 1, 3 – Third
- David Gilmour (WAIS) and Joel Turner (QAS): 6, (16), 6, 6, 2, 7 – Seventh

Men's One Person Dinghy (Heavyweight) – Finn
- Jake Lilley (QAS): 1, 1, (3), 2 – first
- Oliver Tweddell (VIS): 5, 2, 6, (16) - Fifth

Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
- Tom Burton (NSW): 7, 4, 1 (7) – Third
- Matt Wearn (WAIS): 2, 2, 2, (5) - Second

Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17
- Jason Waterhouse (NSW) and Lisa Darmanin (NSW): 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, (2) - First

Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Ashley Stoddard (QAS) : (12), 9, 3, 2 – Fifth