Rio Olympic 2016 hopefuls sail off with gold medal double for Australia at controversial test event

SAILORS saved Australia from medal embarrassment at the London Olympics with the sport set to star again in Rio next year.

Rio winds blow sailors to double gold

AUSTRALIA’S youngest and newest pairing and one of its most winning sailors of all time have overcome issues with pollution and debry in Rio to race off with two gold medals in an encouraging sign ahead of the 2016 Olympics.

Sailors saved Australia from medal embarrassment at the London Olympics with a haul of five medals with the sport set to again be a leader for Australia in Rio next year.

Sydney skipper Jason Waterhouse and cousin Lisa Darmanin, just 23, won gold in the new Nacra 17 class after defending their lead in the finals Medal Race on Sunday.

London Olympic gold medallist Mat Belcher, who is attempting to become the first Australian skipper in history to defend an Olympic title, combined with crewmate Will Ryan for gold in the men’s 470 class.

While a number of sailors fell ill at the polluted and smelly site sailors hope will be cleaner — and safer — by the Rio Olympics, Australians excelled in the challenging conditions.

On Sunday Waterhouse and Darmanian kept their cool in the finale of their regatta to snare their first major win in Rio waters.

“We got second at the world’s this year which we were really thrilled with but we really wanted to bring home gold here on the Olympic waters,’’ Darmanin said.

“This is our first time racing in Rio and we’ve taken to it well. It’s a pretty tricky place but we’re going to be back.’’

In another sign the sailing team is on track to be a star performer for Australia next year, Belcher and Ryan defended the title they won at last year’s Test event in the 470 dinghy class.

Belcher said before the event winning would be a major confidence boost ahead of the Olympics.

Matt Belcher, Will Ryan and coach Victor Kovalenko. Pic: Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy

“We’re really happy with how it’s going and hopefully in one years time we can repeat what we did today,’’ said Belcher who won gold with his former crewmate Mal Page at the London Olympics.

While London gold medallist Tom Slingsby is now concentrating on an America’s Cup career, new Laser sailor Tom Burton has proved he will be a medal threat in Rio in 2016 with his third at this week’s Test event.

Also in the mix to defend one of Australia’s three gold medals from the London Olympics are the 49er team of Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen who finished sixth.

Both Outteridge and Jensen, multiple world champions in the 49er skiff, are also campaigning for the next America’s Cup.

Originally published as Rio Olympic 2016 hopefuls sail off with gold medal double for Australia at controversial test event