49th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Day 5: Aussies stand tall as Belcher and Ryan do it again

by David Sygall 6 Apr 2018 21:18 PDT 30 March - 7 April 2018

Mat Belcher / Will Ryan - 49th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Iberostar © Tomas Moya / Sailing Energy / Trofeo Princesa Sofia Iberostar

Fifteen years after claiming the first major title of his illustrious career at Palma in Spain, Australia's 470 Olympic gold and silver medallist Mat Belcher has secured yet another trophy after closing out the Trofeo Princesa Sofia before tomorrow's medal race.

And, in another outstanding result for the Australian Sailing Team, ever-improving Matt Wearn is poised to win the Laser class.

Belcher, this time sailing with crew Will Ryan, won at Palma in 2003 with Malcolm Page, setting off an elite career that has included seven world championships.

"To win here again 15 years after winning our first big regatta is pretty special." Belcher said.

"It is a nice feeling to have it won already. We just wanted to see where we're at and so we felt we raced pretty consistently this week. We had good speed but the break has helped and we are really relaxed here.

"We had no expectation and no pressure. We just tried to enjoy the racing. We have so much experience in these boats and I have been here so much you know the conditions. That all helps a lot."

Belcher and Ryan lead by 35 points from their nearest rivals and grabbed four 1st placings in the nine races so far.

Matt Wearn - 49th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Iberostar - photo © Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / Trofeo Princesa Sofia IBEROSTAR

Wearn, the 2017 Laser class bronze medallist, leads by 19 points from Olympic bronze medallist Sam Meech of New Zealand and a further seven points in front of silver medallist Tonci Stipanovic of Croatia, leaving him a relatively easy task to ensure victory.

"Palma definitely decided to throw everything at us today," Wearn said.

"It went from three knots to 20 knots and plenty of wind shifts between. I managed the conditions well to have two more solid results, which feels great.

"I am also happy to start the European summer of regattas off well and I am looking forward to consolidating everything I have learnt this week going forward to (the World Cup series event at) Hyeres."

Wearn's teammate, 2016 Olympic Laser gold medallist Tom Burton, is in eighth spot, Mitch Kennedy is 13th and Finn Alexander, who lead the fleet early in the regatta, scored a 7 and 4 to move up to 15th. 49erFX crew Natasha Bryant and Annie Wilmot had a solid day, capturing two third placings to move up to 17th place in gold fleet.

Australian Results after Day 5:

470

Mat Belcher/Will Ryan - 2, (13), 3, 1, 1, 1, 9, 1, 3 - 1st (Gold group)
Chris Charlwood/Josh Dawson - 12, 30, 10, 25, 30, 12, 27, 27, (31) – 34th (Gold)

470W

Nia Jerwood/Monique de Vries - 17, 8, 11, 19, 6, 2, 8, (UFD), 7, 3 – 28th (Silver)

49er

David Gilmour/Joel Turner - 10, 4, 11, 1, 5, 1, (BFD), 19, 19, 18, 19, 5, 19, 18, 2 - 16th (Gold)
Lachy Gilmour/Ryan Donaldson - 2, 15, 17, 8, 7, 10, 11, 3, 9, 1, (21), 3, 5, 5, 13 - 28th (Silver)
Kurt Hansen/Harry Morton - 19, 3, 4, 22, 13, 18, 19, (30), 22, 23, 19, 10, 23, 25, 6 – 41st (Silver)

49erFX

Natasha Bryant/Annie Wilmot - 22, 10, 6, 7, 15, 16, 22, (DNC), 18, 6, 13, 11, 3, 3, 16 - 17th (Gold)
Amelia Stabback/Ella Clark - 18, 14, 11, 20, 25, (UFD), 3, 2, 5, 14, 6, 1, 10, 4 – 31st (Silver)

Finn