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Factfile
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| Name |
Mathew Belcher |
Maclolm Page |
| Nation |
Australia |
| Date of Birth |
20 September 1982 |
22 March 1972 |
|
| Place of Birth |
Gold Coast, Australia |
Sydney, Australia |
| Class sailed |
470 |
| Website |
www.belcherpage2012.com |
Twitter |
@PageMalcolm
@BelcherMathew |
Link to Photo Gallery |
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Over the past 12 months, Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page have been the personification of perfection, striving for glory across the world and establishing their names in the history books.
A run of seven consecutive regatta victories including two 470 World Championships, four ISAF Sailing World Cup Regattas and an Australian National Championship ensured they came into London 2012 with a run of form that could not be rivalled. Could they make it eight victories in a row?
Belcher and Page were the undisputed favourites for gold at London 2012. However, Great Britain's Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell turned their pre-Games hype into results and took an early initiative. As the most successful Men's 470 crew that have ever sailed the two-person dinghy Belcher and Page hit back taking five race wins and held firm in the Medal Race to take the title.
For Page it was his second consecutive gold medal success, the first time this has ever been achieved in the class.
Acheivements between 31 September 2011 and 31 August 2012
Gold Medal - London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition, Weymouth and Portland, GBR - August 2012
2012 470 World Champions - 470 World Championship, Barcelona, ESP - May 2012
2011 470 World Champions - Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, Perth, AUS - December 2011
2011-2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup Champions
#1 on the world rankigngs throughout nomination period
1 - Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, Weymouth and Portland, GBR June 2012
1 - Semaine Olympique Francaise de Voile, Hyeres, FRA - April 2012
1 - Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE, Palma de Majorca, ESP - March 2012
1 - US SAILING Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, USA - January 2012
2 - Sail Melbourne, Melbourne, AUS - November 2011
1 - 470 Australian National Championships, Perth, AUS - November 2011
Q&A
What inspired you to take up sailing?
Belcher: The dream of competing at the Olympic Games and the challenges that sailing represents.
Page: My big brother
What was the first boat you ever sailed and how old were you?
Belcher: 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.
Page: Manly Junior at 8 years old. It was wooden and called "Amber".
Name your first sailing club
Belcher: Southport Yacht Club & Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
Page: Hunters Hill Sailing Club
What was the first event you competed in and in what year?
Belcher: A junior handicap race at Southport Yacht Club in 1989
Page: 1984 Manly Junior National Championships
What are you personal sailing career highlights?
Belcher: Winning Gold at the London 2012 Olympics and becoming the first team in the history of our class to win three consecutive world titles.
Page: Winning my second Olympic gold medal and carrying the Australian flag at the Closing Ceremony.
What are your future sailing goals?
Belcher: To win another Gold in Rio 2016.
Page: Be involved in some great sailing teams and to direct th future of sailing through a management role.
Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing and career and why?
Belcher: My wife Rike, my parents and brother and my coach Victor Kovalenko who have guided me through my sailing career and enabled me to achieve my goals.
Page: Victor Kovalenko. Not only is he a great coach, but a friend and a mentor.
Who is your sailing hero?
Belcher: I think every young sailor's hero at some point would have to have been Paul Elvstrøm. 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.
Page: Paul Elvstrøm
What other sports do you enjoy?
Belcher: Running, golf and kitesurfing - although I haven't had much time to do either recently!
Page: Cycling and any team related sports.
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?
Belcher: Being nominated is one of the greatest recognitions you can achieve in our sport. We have had a very successful year this year and it's a rewarding feeling for our dedication and commitment to our sport. It is truly a great honour to be nominated as one of the top sailors and being compared to the many sailing greats past and present. To possibly be the first 470 sailor to win this award is exciting. It would be a complete honour.
Page: Being nominated is a humbling recognition of our amazing year. It would be an incredible honour not only for me but for the 470M Class and Australia.
