Support Belcher and Page's London 2012 campaign - and get the T-shirt

Australian sailors Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page barely have time to rest after winning their third World Championship in a row.

After winning at Perth 2011 the pair successfully defended their title, leading the 2012 regatta in Barcelona from start to finish with the varying conditions challenging all the competitors. Along the way they set a new record of eight "bullets" in one regatta.

Winning the 2012 World Championship continues Pages’ record as the most successful 470 sailor ever, and places the team in an ideal position of strength in the lead up to the Olympics in London.  “This win makes it six regattas in a row stretching back to last November, including two World Championships, we’re in a good position, are sailing well and feel like we’re getting better and better each time we go out on the water,” said Page.

 This will be Belcher’s first Olympics and he is looking forward to sharing the success with Page and their coach, Victor Kovalenko.  “It’s a great feeling to be part of our team, Malcolm and Victor are both amazing people. To be working with them at our level of sailing is just a great experience, but we know that we still have many things to do before the Games.”

One of those things is to get the campaign funds into shape. Campaigning for an Olympic gold medal is not cheap, so Belcher and Page are asking for your help.

The pair are selling magnificent 470 T-shirts to raise funds. On the front are repeated the numbers/words "470 AUS11" which of course is their class and sail number. On the back is the Belcher/Page London 2012 logo and a quote from coach Victor Kovalenko - "Trust yourself and follow your dreams."

Victor told mysailing editor Roger McMillan on Friday that he wants all the Belcher/Page supporters at Weymouth to wear the T-shirt on the opening day of competition, to show the boys how much support they have. But even if you can't be in Weymouth, you can show you care by buying a shirt or shirts. If you donate $35 to the campaign, you get one shirt, for $50 you get two, for $75 you get three and for $100 you get four.

Go to belcherpage2012.com to order.

- Andrew Hawkins/Mainsheet Media