![Victors Gallery [2]](http://www.qldyachting.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Victors-Gallery-2.jpg "Victors Gallery [2]")
![Victors Gallery [1]](http://www.qldyachting.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Victors-Gallery-1.jpg "Victors Gallery [1]")
![Victors Gallery [3]](http://www.qldyachting.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Victors-Gallery-3.jpg "Victors Gallery [3]")
We are pleased to report that Will and I have just won the second European regatta of the season, the International Spring Cup in Marseille. With long days on the water and mostly light to medium conditions the racing was extremely close. Coming into the last day of this ISAF Grade 2 event, we were 2 points ahead, with another 5 points back to 3rd. The top three crews managed to separate enough points from the reminder of the fleet to fight between each other for the medals. Even though the large number of boats for this event (61 competitors from 26 nations), the organising committee decided to race everyone in the same fleet. This resulted in many black flag general recalls and large separation across the fleet as well as some pretty high scores for many teams. The result is pleasing as we managed to get back the upper hand on the French sailors Pierre and Vincent, (world Cup # 3 winners a few weeks ago in Palma) as well as our main rivals in the world cup from Israel, Gideon and Eran, who came in 3rd and 4th respectively. Our last race battle with the top Argentinean team (Bronze medallist from Sydney Games 2000) needed us to finish within the top 10 in the final race. We managed to come back from early 20’s to secure 7th position and take the overall win by a few points.Our preparation before the event with training partners from Japan meant we were quickly able to get up to speed before the event. I would like to thank Will Ryan for doing a great job for this event and filling in for Mal while he is competing in the Farr40 worlds as well as Sam Kivell for letting me borrow his crew. We are also pleased to report that Mal was busy himself winning the pre-worlds in the Dominican Republic aboard Estate Master Farr40. Fingers crossed for their worlds coming up in a week’s time.
We are now enjoying a few days rest before resuming our training again 100km further east along the French Cote d’Azur in Hyeres, the venue for the next ISAF World Sailing Cup Event.
More to follow. Enjoy Victors latest photos.
Final press release from the International 470 Class Association http://www.470.org/content.asp?id=1984
as well as Mal’s Farr40 Pre-Worlds release http://www.sail-world.com/Europe/2010-Rolex-Farr-40-Pre-Worlds-Results-Australia,-USA,USA/68635
Take care,
Mat and Mal
Mathew Belcher & Malcolm Page
470 Men – AUS 11
Australian Sailing Team
