Race Day 7 - 470 Men Report
Written by RYA | 04 August 2012
Birthday Cheer for British 470 Boys
Birthday boy Luke Patience insisted the 470 Men’s contest was not “a two horse race” despite the British and Australian boats eking out a big advantage on day seven of the Olympic Sailing Regatta today (Saturday 4 August).
The Brits, who are making their Olympic debuts at these Games, collected scores of three and four from their two races today to sit in second place overall with 12 points after six races and heading into their rest day tomorrow.
The Australian triple World Champion pair, and pre-event favourites, Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page, lie in first position with eight points, while Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders (NZL) currently sit third with 31 points.
But although admitting they are delighted with their start to the regatta, Patience, who turned 26 today, and Bithell are not about to start getting carried away.
Patience said: “We’re pleased, it’s our first Games and it’s always a nerve racking thing. We’ve been wearing the coloured bibs so far for the first three days so we will take that. The Aussies are good at getting on a roll and we’re good at that too. They have had a string of three bullets in a row but their catchable.
“We’re just as quick when we are on our form but we have to keep our feet on the ground. As I have said every day it’s not a two horse race. Currently we’re doing a good job right now and we would take that going into the medal race but there are plenty of races left and 27 boats out there.”
The 470 Men are scheduled to resume at 12pm on Monday (6 August) with the boys scheduled to race on the Weymouth Bay West course.
The Olympic Sailing Regatta runs from Sunday 29 July – Saturday 11 August. The Men’s 470 medal race is scheduled for Friday 9 August (1pm).
Read more about: