Australian 470 National Championship - Day 3

Image: Belcher and Page lead to the mark © Victor Kovalenko

Unquestionable domination is being demonstrated by the Australian Sailing Team pair of Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page having won all seven races so far.

Sorrento is a venue requiring experience to master the tricky winds and strong tidal flow between the many sandbars. The slightest mistake is heavily punished. It is an excellent test of talent and skills.

Rising to the challenge and sitting in second place are Samuel Kivell and William Ryan who are racing in the Olympic Gold medal winning boat, ‘Australia’. The boat was named after a Nicole Kidman movie, a theme that Nathan Wilmotand Malcolm Page ran throughout their 470 campaigns and one which Page continues with Belcher in their quest for gold in London 2012, calling their new boat, ‘BMX Bandit’.

Australia’s top performing female team over the last two Australian seasons, Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall continue to grow in strength and sit in 3rd place overall on the leader board. The Australian coached Singaporean Team of Roy Jun Hao Tay and Terence Seng Kiat Koh are in fourth with two days of racing remaining until the champions are crowned.

The class decided to utilise the morning postponement and ran their AGM whilst waiting for the breeze to fill. A new class President was appointed with Malcolm Page stepping down so that he can focus on racing and training. Peter Crawford, whose sons, Matthew and Robert, race together in the 470 class has taken over the roll for 2010.

Top 10 after 7 races:
1. Mathew Belcher/Malcolm Page (AUS) - 6.00
2. Samuel Kivell/William Ryan (AUS) - 15.00
3. Stacey Omay/Chelsea Hall (AUS) - 21.00
4. Roy Jun Hao Tay /Terence Seng Kiat Koh (SIN) - 22.00
5. Shane Hughes/Felix Paterson (AUS) - 24.00
6. Alexander Conway/Patrick Conway (AUS) - 34.00
7. Max Taylor/Ben Gunther (AUS) - 37.00
8. Thomas Gordon/Jack Fletcher (AUS) - 46.00
9. Matthew Crawford/Robert Crawford (AUS) - 58.00
10. Matthew Taylor/Benjamin Taylor (AUS) - 60.00

More Information:
Event Website
Overall Results

Image: Belcher and Page lead to the mark © Victor Kovalenko