Top five finish for Aussies at 470 Worlds

2:14 AM Sun 30 Aug 2009 GMT

'Elise Rechichi & Tess Parkinson 2008 Olympic 470 Gold Medallists finish fifth at first regatta back, 2009 Worlds.' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

The Australian Sailing Team crews of Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page, and Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson have both finished fifth at the 470 World Championship in Rungsted, Denmark.

Belcher and Page took victory in the men's fleet medal race to jump two positions to fifth overall, with the medal race win all the more impressive as it was their only first placing of the regatta.

The pair took the lead on the second beat of the race and never relinquished it, finishing ahead of new 470 World Champions Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic of Croatia.

Belcher commented, 'It was nice to end the regatta on a positive note in a very competitive fleet.'

In the women's medal race Rechichi and Parkinson finished in a fighting third position with the Dutch pair of Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout winning the race and world title.

The fifth placing for reigning Olympic champions Rechichi and Parkinson was all the more impressive as it was their first international regatta since victory in China over a year ago.

The Australian Sailing Development Squad crew of Stacey Omay and Chelsea Hall won the day's silver fleet race to make it five straight race victories, cruising to first overall in the silver fleet.

Jacqui Bonnitcha and Claudine Olgilvie finished 49th overall in the women's fleet.

In the men's gold fleet, Sam Kivell and Will Ryan finished an impressive 12th, a great performance in their first appearance in a 470 World Championship gold fleet.

Sydney's Alexander and Patrick Conway finished the regatta in 69th, ahead of Max Taylor and Klade Hauschildt in 74th.

The AST crews of Belcher and Page, and Rechichi and Parkinson now head to Weymouth, England, for the Sail for Gold regatta.

For more information visit www.australiansailingteam.com.au .

by Craig Heydon

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Top five finish for Aussies at 470 Worlds

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