Defending world champions Mat Belcher and Will Ryan claimed three victories on the opening day of the ISAF 470 World Championships ©Getty Images

Reigning world champions Mat Belcher and Will Ryan of Australia got their title defence off to the best possible start by securing a hat-trick of wins on the opening day of the 2015 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) 470 World Championships in Haifa Bay, Israel.

In perfect sailing conditions, the Australian duo, winners of the recent Rio 2016 test event, began in ominous fashion by dominating the first set of races as they bid to seal a third straight world crown.

Their nearest challengers are Britain’s Luke Patience, who won silver in the 470 class on home waters at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and teammate Elliot Willis, with American pair Stuart McNay and David Hughes third.

The competing teams in the men’s event were split into yellow and blue fleets, contesting three races, while the women’s involved a single fleet who raced twice.

The top ten fleets from the qualification phase of the competition, which concludes tomorrow, will progress to the medal races while six Rio 2016 berths will also be up for grabs for the 16 participating men's nations.

“It was a little bit of a fight back,” Belcher said.

“One of the races we had a really good start and extended really well.

“We had a really good rhythm together but one race we had a terrible start and were quite lucky as we took a fair bit of risk and it really paid off for us.

“So I guess it was a bit of a mix today.

“We feel very happy as it could very easily have been three mediocre races as it was that kind of day.”

London 2012 silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are third in the women's event after the first day
London 2012 silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are third in the women's event after the first day ©Getty Images

In the women’s competition, Polish pair Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Irmina Mrozek Gliszczynska sprung a surprise lead after the opening two races, topping the overall leaderboard ahead of France’s Camille Lecointre and Helene Defrance.

Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, silver medallists at London 2012, are third, with defending world champions Lara Vadlau and Jolanta Ogar of Poland a place further back in fourth.

“I think this is the most beautiful day in our sailing career,” Skrzypulec said.

“Winning two races at a World Championship is an amazing feeling.

“After the finish of race one, we were a little bit shocked and nervous and we were tingly over our bodies.”

The women’s event at the 470 World Championships will also offer Olympic qualification as three Rio 2016 places will be up for grabs.