For a third year in a row, Team GB sailor Micky Beckett has dominated the ILCA7 dinghy class at the Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in Mallorca.
Ahead of the fleet’s final race, he is an unassailable 44 points ahead of France’s Jean Baptiste Bernaz in 2nd, meaning tomorrow will be a precession. Beckett is 61 points ahead of current Olympic champion Matt Wearn, to back up previous titles in 2022 and 2023.
Victory over Wearn is the latest chapter in a developing rivalry between the two.
Beckett finished behind his Aussie counterpart at the World Championships and narrowly pipped to gold at an Olympic test event in Marseille in July.
“I’ve won a medal at nearly every event over the last three years,” said Beckett, who is based in Portland.
“Every time I win a medal I almost surprise myself and have to pinch myself, knowing that eight years ago I was the person coming 100th in World Cups. It’s a pretty good feeling.
“When you come to a world-class event like this it’s about putting your best foot forward and showing everyone else that you’re the guy to beat.”
Beckett missed out on selection for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic regattas, but having consistently won medals at major championships more recently, was one of the first athletes to be named by Team GB for Paris 2024.
“My target is to medal,” added the 28-year-old from Solva in Pembrokeshire.
“To be honest I think I can win it. It’s no easy undertaking, it’s the Olympic Games, Everyone brings the best form they possible have.
“But, I personally believe I owe it to the fantastically large number of people who have helped me to perform on the biggest stage.”
Now a three-time winner of the prestigious Princess Sofia Trophy, Beckett will be among the favourites to repeat his medal success on the Mediterranean waters off Marseille between 28 July and 8 August 2024.
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