One last time
Mat Belcher and Will Ryan have won gold in the Men’s 470, signalling the end of Australia’s Tokyo 2020 sailing campaign.
05 August 2021
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Australian sailors Mat Belcher and Will Ryan have claimed the gold medal in the Men’s 470 at Tokyo 2020, securing the gold medal by 22 points.
The pair went into the final race, having built an unassailable lead over the week, only needing to not be disqualified to ensure gold before once again, taking first place.
The accomplishment marks Australia’s second sailing gold medal at Tokyo 2020, with Matt Wearn taking the Laser Class over the weekend.
This will be the last time the pair will race in a 470 Olympic event with the competition becoming mixed from London 2024 onwards.
“It’s a bloody good feeling,” said Belcher. “Just more relief.”
“We played it safe before the start and were a bit back, but halfway up the beat we realised we were in a position to do well in the race. Typical of our nation we flipped our gameplan and decided to try and win the race.”
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In Rio 2016, the pair secured silver medals in the Men’s 470.
“It’s been a long journey,” Belcher added. “It has taken five years to take just one more step up on the dais and realise that dream together.”
The win has secured Belcher as Australia’s most successful Olympic sailors and one of the world’s most successful 470 sailors, the Southport Yacht Club sailor now possessing two gold medals and one silver.
This haul of medals is equalled only by Great Britain’s Hannah Mills, the most successful Olympic women’s sailor, who won gold in the Women’s 470 earlier this week.
“I think we will just let this one sink in,” said Ryan. “I think we are pretty proud of what we put together over the last couple of years. We will take some time to relax and think about it all and tell each other how good we are.”
“They are a truly unique combination,” said Australian Sailing Team Coach Victor Kovalenko said. “They are absolutely incredible sailors. They complement and understand each other. They don’t need to speak too much to understand what the other is thinking.
Kovalenko’s Olympic medal tally as a coach now stands at seven gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
“We set a big goal for the three of us after Rio. We weren’t sure whether to campaign again, but we decided to do one more together, with that single goal being to win in Tokyo. And we did it. We reached our goal, our single goal. I am very proud of them and I am very proud to be their coach.”
“Every medal is special, but this one has been the most difficult medal to win.”
Australian Olympic Sailing Team Leader Iain Murray added that it was his great pleasure to lead the team of sailors, coaches and support staff.
“The work put into our team’s preparation and planning by the whole team has not only set new standards in how we operate, but it has also set new standards for all Olympic sailing teams.”
“I would like to thank all of those people who put us in this position to succeed. We have been given incredible support by the [Australian Institute of Sport], the National Institute Network, the Board of Australian Sailing, our Australian Sailing Team Partners, Australian Sailing Team Patrons, and the wider network of Australian Sailing staff across the country.”
“That support has always been on cue to deliver whatever has been necessary for the greater good of the team.”
To see the full results of the Tokyo 2020 Regatta, click here.
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