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World Cup glory for Aust sailors

Olympic and world champion sailors Mat Belcher and Will Ryan have won another title, taking gold in Abu Dhabi.

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Source: AAP


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Australia's sailing champions have defended their World Cup titles in Abu Dhabi, with the team winning two gold medals and a bronze.

Olympic 470 champions Mat Belcher and Will Ryan won their second Abu Dhabi World Cup final in a row, weeks after wrapping up a hat-trick of world championship titles.

"Even though we had a small fleet the competition was tough. This small fleet size also meant close racing and little opportunity for anyone to extend on points coming into the medal race," Belcher said on Sunday.

The pair grabbed the yellow jersey on the first day's racing and never let go, securing a win in the medal race to wrap up first place.

They are now looking forward to a break before starting preparations for Rio 2016.

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Tom Burton defended the gold medal he won last year in the Laser, finishing first ahead of fellow Australian Matt Wearn who came third.

It's great to get some tough racing in the lead up to next year and having all the top Laser guys here was great," Burton said. "To come away with the win after not racing for a while was good."

Wearn said the windy conditions had been different to what he had prepared for, but was happy to come away with bronze in a close and competitive event.

In the Laser Radial, Ashley Stoddart went into the final medal race ranked fifth but copped a penalty for being late to the event, and finished seventh overall.

"A discretionary penalty of six points was given to myself and two other Radials for being late to the measurement inspection due to difficulties in getting a taxi in peak time," she said.

"I'm taking full responsibility for this ... (but) can't let it taint a good week of sailing and ultimately my preparation for the worlds."

Stoddart said she was now focused on the Laser Radial world championships in Oman in November.

Australians Alexander and Patrick Conway finished 10th overall in the 470.


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