Australia's Wilmot/Page win third 470 Worlds

by 470 Class/Sail-World on 14 Jul 2007 The Aussies picked up their second medal of the day and second gold medal of the Championships in the Men’s 470 Medal Race. Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (AUS) had already done the hard work, going into the race with an 18-point lead. As long as they didn’t finish last they were assured of the title and they duly delivered, crossing the line in third place.

Sven Coster and Kalle Coster (NED) kept their second place overall and took the silver medal, but it turned out to be a nightmare race for Alvaro Marinho and Miguel Nunes (POR). The home favourites were relegated to last place after banging the corner to the left and getting to the top mark tenth, from which they never recovered.

Gideon Kliger and Udi Gal (ISR) completed a remarkable comeback. Two days into the regatta they were lying outside the top 40 and at one point today they were back in ninth, but they caught a gust and sailed through the fleet to cross the line in fifth, just enough to squeeze the Portuguese off the podium and take the bronze medal.

It is the third World title in four years for the Aussie pair (and they lost the gold in China last year under controversial circumstances). They were leading at the top mark in the final race and did not see a change in pumping rules, with race officials not using the standard fog horns to draw attention to it. After a disappointing performance in Athens three years ago, their performance in Cascais bodes well for their hopes of Olympic success this time round in Qingdao.

Following the medal ceremony for the Men’s 470, the presentation of the President of the IOC Cup brought to an end the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships. Great Britain retained the Cup they won in 2003 after finishing top of the medal table with two Golds and four Bronze medals. Australia also had great Championships with two Golds and two Bronzes putting them second in the medal table, whilst Brazil and Spain tie for third with two Golds apiece.