ISAF World Rankings Released 7 July 2010

QUICK REPORT: All change at the top of the 470 men's fleet, with Anton Dahlberg and Sebastian Ostling (SWE) sweeping into a career best and leading the world rankings.

Their assault to become the world number one team started at the beginning of this year, and they have put in some great performances, most recently a second place at Kieler Woche. Their move up has knocked the Coster brothers, Sven and Kalle, off the top spot they have held since September last year. The last time the Costers found themselves out of the world's top three was in April 2008 – so they will no doubt be looking for a top performance at next week's 470 World Championships to claim back some ranking points.

Also up are Australia's golden boys, Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page who move into second on the rankings. The pair are fresh from winning at Kieler Wocher, a result which also gave them the 2009-2010 ISAF Sailing World Cup crown.

Rounding out the world's top three are Gideon Kliger and Eran Sela (ISR), who were knocked out of second position by the Aussies.

Fifteen new teams move into the 470 men world rankings – with sailors from Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

Not quite so much movement in the women's fleet. Remaining dominant at the top are Ingrid Petitjean and Nadège Douroux (FRA) who maintain the position they claimed in February 2010 – and remain solid at the top for the fifth successive rankings release. They really are an awesome partnership, and Ingrid as helm has remained in the world's top five teams since August 2003, and most of that time as the world's number 1.

Emmanuelle Roi and Hélène Defrance (FRA) move up into second place on the rankings, up from third. Their move up knocks down the Italian pairing of Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol into third.

A career best for Marina Gallego and Julia Rita (ESP) who move into the world's top 10, at number ten, snapping close at the heels of team mates Tara Pacheco and Berta Betanzos ranked at number 7. Marina and Julia's move up the rankings was secured after their fifth place at the ISAF Grade 1 Kieler Woche, their best result at a Grade 1 event for a couple of years.

And as always a big welcome to the seven new women's teams making their debut on this release of the rankings, from Austria, Belarus, Germany, Poland and the USA.

More Information:
Women's 470 Rankings
Men's 470 Rankings

Image: Ingrid Petitjean and Nadège Douroux (FRA) at Rolex Miami OCR earlier this year © Rolex/Dan Nerney