Belcher to skipper Team Australia

Hamilton Island Yacht Club (HIYC) has begun its four-year Australian Challenge for the 35th America’s Cup in 2017 with the christening of Team Australia’s AC45 catamaran and the announcement of Australian Sailing Team’s Olympic Gold Medallist Mathew Belcher as its skipper.

Yachting Australia’s Performance Director Peter Conde congratulated Belcher on his appointment and said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Mat and we are very excited for him as well as for our sponsor Hamilton Island and the Oatley family who have been strong supporters of the Australian Sailing Team over the last decade."

"I congratulate both Mat and also our Australian Sailing Squad member David Gilmour who both have been named on Team Australia. The Australian Sailing Team will be a big supporter of Team Australia."

At the Team Australia media launch Iain Murray, CEO of Team Australia, said Hamilton Island Yacht Club was keen for the immense talents of Australia’s sailors to be showcased.

"As a country, we’ve proven we can produce some of the best sailors in the world, and now it’s our turn to build an all-Aussie winning team skippered by one of most awarded Australian sailors. Mat is a remarkable example of an elite athlete and one of the most accomplished sailors that Australia has ever produced," explained Murray.

Belcher, the 2013 Rolex ISAF World Sailor of Year, Olympic Champion, five-time World 470 Champion and quadruple 2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup Winner, will lead Team Australia’s first training sessions on iconic Sydney Harbour with Oracle Team USA.

Mat Belcher, on being announced Skipper of Team Australia said: "I’m humbled and excited by this honour. It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m looking forward to the journey, coming aboard and working together with the crew to bring the Cup back to Australia."

With the appointment of Mat Belcher as skipper of Team Australia and Olympic Gold Medallists Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen part of the Artemis race team, three current Australian Sailing Team members form part of the 35th America’s Cup Challenge. Olympic Gold medallist Tom Slingsby continues his America’s Cup campaign as part of team Oracle, while Olympic medallist Glenn Asbhy will once again play a key role in Team New Zealand’s challenge.

Team Australia will use the training sessions on Sydney Harbour this week to rotate a number of crew through the boat, introducing them to the AC45 catamaran, as they race against Oracle Team USA.

Website: www.team-australia.americascup.com