London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Mathew Belcher dominated the men's 470 fleet with crew Malcolm Page in the lead up to the Games and has not stopped there. After a short break, Belcher announced a new campaign for 2016 with crew Will Ryan and returned to competition in December 2012 at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. Success was immediate and a winning streak that started in November 2011 continued into 2013. Three ISAF Sailing World Cup wins, the European title and his fourth consecutive 470 World Champion title takes Belcher's amazing winning streak to 17 consecutive regattas.
Achievements between 31 September 2012 and 31 August 2013
Major achievements
Results
2013 470 World Champion (4th consecutive title - 2012,2011,2010)
2012-2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup
1 - ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres, France - April 2013 (2012
1 - ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma, ESP - March 2013 (2012
1 - ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne, Melbourne, AUS - December 2012
100 point regattas
1 - Open 470 European Championships, Formia, ITA - June 2013
1 - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, NED - May 2013
1 - Sail Sydney, Woollahra, AUS - December 2012
1 - Zhik 470 NSW State Championship, Middle Harbour, AUS - February 2013
1 - 470 Australian National Championship, Port Stephens, AUS - February 2013
Q&A
What inspired you to take up sailing?
The dream of competing at the Olympic Games and the challenges
What was the first boat you ever sailed and how old were you?
A 10-year old wooden Sabot (similar to an Optimist) tied to the back of my parents boat when I was about 6 or 7 years old
Name your first sailing club
Southport Yacht Club and Royal Queensland Yacht Club
What was the first event you competed in and in what year?
A club race at Southport Yacht Club in 1989, my local yacht club
What are you personal sailing career highlights?
Winning gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games and becoming the first skipper in the history of our class to win four consecutive World Titles.
What are your future sailing goals?
To win another gold in Rio 2016.
Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing and career and why?
My family and my coach Victor Kovalenko who have guided me through my sailing career and enabled me to.
Who is your sailing hero?
I think every young sailor's here at some point would have to have been Paul Elvstrom and Ben Ainslie. However, what our coach Victor has achieved and the way he has guided us to the ultimate success, it would have to be him. He is an amazing man.
What other sports do you enjoy?
Running, Golf and Kite surfing and playing with my son (should be a sport).
What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you and how would you feel if you were voted the winner?
Being nominated is one of the greatest recognitions you can achieve in our sport. To be nominated now three times within the last four years is extremely humbling. It is truly a great honour to be nominated as one of the top sailors of our sport and being compared to the many sailing greats past and present. To possibly be the first 470 male sailor to win this award throughout the fifty-year history of our class, is exciting. It would be a complete honour.
