Storms Benefit Belcher/Ryan (AUS)

The storms that ravaged much of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia last week provided an unexpected benefit for Australia's leading Olympic 470-class sailors, Mathew Belcher/Will Ryan - incredible training conditions. Belcher, who won London Olympic gold with Malcolm Page, and Ryan hit the water off the Gold Coast last week, and faced a 4m swell and 30-knot winds as they prepared for their first European season together next month.

"The storm cell provided us with some incredible conditions," said Belcher. "We put a lot of planning into the week and made sure we had all our bases covered, but once we got offshore we had amazing conditions, an extreme sailing environment.

"We had waves breaking over the hull of the boat and were bailing out of waves like we were a surfer - it was incredible.

"I've done a lot in the 470 class, winning three World Championship titles and Olympic gold, but you always want to test yourself, and this was a great challenge for Will and I as a new crew."

The pair has been sailing together only since November following the retirement of Page. They are training on the Gold Coast as Belcher took on a masters degree in urban development and sustainability at Bond University straight after the London Games.

"The run-off from the storms made the water really muddy but it cleared up offshore, which provided an incredible distinction," Belcher said.

"The waves on the Gold Coast are always extreme but the build-up over a couple of days produced conditions I've never sailed in before."

Since joining forces, they have proved unbeatable, winning both competitions they entered in December. "Will and I have started our Rio campaign well with wins at the recent Sail Melbourne and Sail Sydney regattas, and we're looking forward to the real test of lining up against the best in the world when we head to Europe in a few months," Belcher said.

Next up is the Australian 470 Championship in Port Stephens, NSW, from February 14-17, then it's Spain for ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma.

Follow Mat and Will on Facebook: www.facebook.com/belcherryan2016 and www.belcherryan2016.com

Source: Simon King/theaustralian.com.au

Image: © Victor Kovalenko