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The NZL Sailing Team were in the media spotlight today in Auckland with New Zealand’s current Olympic sailing World Champions talking to New Zealand media while back in New Zealand briefly between key events.
Fresh from the 2014 Olympic Test Event in Rio, where the team won four medals earlier this month, a handful of sailors returned to New Zealand before flying to Santander, Spain for the up-coming ISAF Sailing World Championships. Attending the media session was;
Jez Fanstone – YNZ High Performance Director
Peter Burling – 49er Skiff 2012 Olympic Silver medallist, defending World Champion and gold medallists at the recent 2014 Olympic Test Event
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie – Women’s 470 2012 Olympic Gold Medallists, ISAF Female Sailor of the Year, defending World Champions and gold medallists at the recent 2014 Olympic Test Event
Alexandra Maloney – 49erFX Skiff helm, defending World Champion and silver medallist at the recent 2014 Olympic Test Event
The 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander, Spain next month, features racing all ten Olympic sailing events with three New Zealand crews defending their 2013 World titles.
Jez Fanstone says; “Rio Olympic Test Event was a learning opportunity – we want to be as familiar with the 2016 Olympic sailing venue as possible. And the ISAF Sailing World Championships are a country qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games.”
“Both events are a chance to see where we measure up against our major rivals and check we’re on track for our main goal – to be on the podium at the 2016 Olympic Games.”
“In 2013 New Zealand was the most successful nation across the Olympic Class World Championships – we would love to be in that position again in 2014.”
Not only are the 2014 world titles up for grabs but so is national qualification for Rio 2016 with the first round of national places set to be given out based on performance in Santander.
More here about the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition Qualification System.
