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18 MUSCLE & FITNESS JUNE 2016

SINCE TEAMING UP, Gold

Medallist Mat Belcher and Will Ryan

have been successful in winning all

three Men’s 470 World Championship

Sailing titles they have contested

(2013, 2014 and 2015). Now they have

Rio in their sights, with Mat keen to

duplicate his 2012 Olympic success.

THE DEMANDS OF SAILING

Sailing is surprisingly demanding –

both physical and mentally.

“Within the 470 class, the physical

demands of the boat are quite high

as the boat requires movements of

control and strength,” says Mat. “These

movements also require endurance,

as a race may last an hour.”

The size of the boat dictates that it

often performs better for people who

are within a certain weight category,

but that are tall enough to create

sufficient leverage when leaning or

“trapezing” from the side of the boat.

“This produces the righting moment

which offsets the power with the sails

to make the boat move forwards fast.”

As a result, Mat and Will combine

gym sessions, cardio training and

Pilates to increase strength and

endurance and reduce risks of injury.

“We spend five or six days on the

water per week, with the day split

between on-water sailing time, time

in the gym and time to manage the

logistics of our campaign and maintain

the equipment of our boats,” Will says.

In the lead-up to the Games, the

guys are focusing on getting as much

sailing time as possible at the venue

in Rio. “It’s important to be familiar

with the event location, to learn the

subtleties in the wind, the waves and

the different race tracks,” says Mat.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

“One of the greatest challenges

of sailing, but perhaps also one of

its biggest draw factors, is that

there are so many variables within

our sport,” says Mat. “No day can

ever be the same, and it draws the

analogies of playing soccer on a

field full of potholes or fighting an

invisible opponent – as the wind we

use to power our boats is invisible to

the eye.”

As a result, sailors must become

adaptable. “We need to be able to

adapt quickly and in the right way

to the changes that come our way,”

says Mat. “Ultimately it’s those that

can do this best that will win!”

Sailing also presents numerous

psychological challenges: “Mind games

present themselves, with fancy new

boats hidden away with potential

secrets beneath their covers, trying

to read other competitors minds as to

when they may attack during a race,

or event simply trying to understand

the intentions of another team as our

boats hurtle towards each other as

we try to avoid a crash,” says Mat.

OLYMPIC DREAMS

“The Olympics are such a unique

environment, and I guess you have

to be ready for anything,” says Will.

“Any team has the potential to be a

strong competitor, particularly in

our class of boat, as the diferences

are so small. The UK, Croatia,

France, USA, Greece, Russia, Spain,

Germany and New Zealand have all

demonstrated good racing results

in the past 18 months. But we are

competitive people, and we’ll ensure

we perform at our best!”

As the countdown to the Games

continues, Mat and Will continue to

focus on bringing home gold.

“The intricacies of the Rio Olympic

venue will place a premium on an all-

round sailor in a big mix of conditions,

and we’re using each day to make

sure we’re ready!” Will says.

To follow their progress, head to

sailing.org/2016-olympic-games

All at sea

Blackmores Well Being athletes Mat Belcher and Will Ryan

are set to dominate at the Rio Olympics this year.

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