Hi Everyone,
We have just finished the second World Cup event in Miami for this season and we are pleased to report that we have come away with a silver medal. It was a tough event with all top teams competing – making for some very close racing. After 5 days of hard fought racing only two points separated the top four teams leaving the medals to be decided in the medal race.
After we had a slow start to the regatta, we posted some solid races towards the end of the regatta, moving us into second going into the medal race. It was a close and exciting race with the top positions changing frequently. In the end it came down to the last 50 meters from the finishing line, providing the spectators with plenty of action. We finished the medal race in 3rd position. Sweden the eventual winners won the race with Israel and England coming in 5th and 6th respectively, all finishing within a few seconds of each other. For the complete results see this link. http://www.ussailing.org/Rolex/2010/470m/470m.html
Given the high quality fleet we are happy with our performance. Moreover, we have maintained our current number 1 position in the world cup.
We are also certainly looking forward to sailing our own equipment again. Using a charter boat in Miami meant that we lost a lot of time before the regatta preparing and fixing the boat for racing. We are now on our way home for a few weeks rest before starting our training again in mid February. We will be heading back to Europe for the start of the 3rd World Cup regatta in Spain in late March.
We would like to thank you all for your support and wishes.
Final press release can be found here http://www.yachting.org.au/default.asp?Page=45942
[The medal race is the last race of the regatta whereby the top 10 ranked boats race against each other. What makes this race so special is that you are not able to discard, usually only half the length of a ‘normal race’ it also counts as double points. If you win the race you receive 2 points, if you are second in the race you receive 4 points etc. These points then get added to your 10 normal races and your total points decide the winner.]
Take care,
Mathew Belcher & Malcolm Page
470 Men – AUS 11
Australian Sailing Team
