Malcolm's Story
Malcolm Page, who narrowly missed competing at Sydney 2000, joined with Nathan Wilmot to win the gold medal in the men’s 470s at Beijing 2008. They were world champions in the class going into Athens 2004, where they finished a relatively disappointing twelfth. Two more world championships, in 2005 and 2007, meant that they had great form approaching the Olympic regatta. The performance at Athens was also a driving force behind an improved showing at the Qingdao Sailing Centre on Fushan Bay. Page and Wilmot had the gold medal in their keeping before the final race. Their gold medal, ahead of the British and French crews, was on the same day as Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi won the women’s 470 class. Victor Kovalenko coached both champion crews.
Page made his third consecutive Games appearance in 2012 as he lined up alongside partner Mathew Belcher with whom he had won the 2010 and 2011 470 World Championships. The pair pulled off five race victories heading into the medal race where they finished second to ensure they knocked off the Brits on their own waters and take home the gold. Page was the only Australian to defend an Olympic title at the London Games.
