Tokyo Olympic sailing gold medal hopes Will Ryan, Mat Belcher on amazing win run
It could be one of the greatest purple patches seen in Australian sport this year and Newcastle’s Will Ryan is a central part of it.
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Two down. One to go.
Physically it’s been one of the arduous months of Olympian Will Ryan’s life.
But it could also be one of his most successful since pairing with multiple world champion skipper Mat Belcher.
The sailing pair won their first world title together since 2017 earlier this month, added victory at last week’s official Test event in Japan to the haul and now have the chance to add a third major title in the waters to be raced at next year’s Olympics.
“It’s pretty unusual to have three regattas like this so close and it’s also a pretty big ask to stay on top of the game for that amount of time,’’ Ryan said from Japan ahead of this week’s opening round of the 2019/20 World Cup.
“It will be a different ball game but if we can do it, it would be a great achievement for sure.’’
HOMESICK: What sailor Will Ryan did after winning his world title
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Ryan, who won silver with 2012 Olympic champion Belcher at his first Games in Rio in 2016, said competition at the top of the 470 dinghy class is fierce with European crews right in the mix for victory this week.
“It’s nice having won the world title. It has taken the pressure off us having to win,’’ the Newcastle sailor said.
“Mat and I are pretty competitive individuals, it’s hard to turn that side off, so we will definitely be going out to win.
“But I think there will be a big battle with the Spanish and Swedish here. We are all very close.’’
Also competing in the World Cup this week are Wangi sailors Nathan and Hayley Outteridge in the Nacra 17 class and Ryan’s sister Jamie who is sailing with Queenslander Tess Lloyd in the 49erFX regatta.
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Originally published as Tokyo Olympic sailing gold medal hopes Will Ryan, Mat Belcher on amazing win run