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Belcher, Ryan win sailing world title

Australians Mat Belcher and Will Ryan have claimed their third 470 world championship in a row.

Olympic sailing gold medallist Mathew Belcher (right) and Will Ryan
Australians Mat Belcher and Will Ryan have claimed their third 470 world championship in a row. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Three sailing world championship wins in a row in the 470 class have Australians Mat Belcher and Will Ryan feeling ready for Rio.

The Olympic gold medallists finished fourth in the final race at the world titles in Haifa, Israel on Saturday to claim top spot on the podium.

"We are really proud to be able to perform under this pressure and it will help us come next year (at the Rio Olympics)," Belcher said on Sunday morning (AEDT).

"It's a special feeling to be world champion and to do it with Will and Victor (coach Victor Kovalenko) for the third time is really special."

The win makes it a record six in a row for Belcher, and an 18th world title for Kovalenko.

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"I never thought I would be able to achieve six world titles in a row, but everything for us is about next year," Belcher said.

Ryan said hot weather and light wind made it a tough week of sailing.

He had an extra reason to celebrate, with his sister Jaime Ryan and Carrie Smith finishing ninth overall in the women's 470 to qualify for Rio ahead of the Spanish team.

The pair had only recently been back in their boat after Smith's health problems.

"Coming into the last few days we got very, very hungry for the qualifying spot but also to make the medal race," Smith said.

"Our determination and hungriness was extremely high so we are so very happy it has paid off."

There are 10 Olympic boat classes and with this result Australia have secured spots in seven out of the nine boat classes it is aiming to qualify for.


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