Olympic Gold, Silver and more milestones

The NZ Olympic Sailing Team achieved some memorable milestones at London 2012, not only in the medals awarded, but also New Zealand sailing history. Here are some of the quick facts:

• GOLD medal- Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie in the women’s 470. This was the third medal won by female sailors and the second gold, the only other being Barbara Kendall in 1992.  The only other 470 medal ever won by New Zealand was a silver to Leslie Egnot and Jan Shearer in 1992.
• SILVER medal- Peter Burling and Blair Tuke in the men’s 49er. Not only did this medal break NZ’s sailing 20 year ‘boards only’ medal haul, but it was New Zealand’s 100^th Olympic medal of all time. This was the first time NZ medalled in the 49er class, and it was a testament to the power of youth in 21 year old skipper Peter Burling, NZ’s youngest ever sailing Olympian who was only 17 when he sailed 470 in Beijing 2008.  This was also the first Olympic medal for Northland in 16 years- and it was awarded by Barbara Kendall!
• Both just 21 years old and punching well above their weight in the experienced men’s 470 fleet, Paul Snow Hansen and Jason Saunders achieved a massive career highlight- 5^th. Men have represented NZ in this class at nine Olympics, and this result is New Zealand’s best yet (Mark Paterson & Brett Bennett also got 5^th in 1976)
• Sailing in his fourth Olympics, Hamish Pepper reached his personal best – 5^th. He and Star crew Jim Turner finished on a high note, saving one of their best races for the final medal race where they finished 2^nd. This was the last Olympics for the Star.
• Sailing in his third Olympics, Dan Slater reached a personal Olympic best also – 7^th! He too finished with a smashing final medal race (2^nd) and in that race witnessed Ben Ainslie become the world’s most successful Olympic Sailor. Dan announced that he doesn’t plan to campaign for another Olympics.
• Boardsailor JP Tobin sailed in what may have been the last ever Olympic Windsurfing race – the event was won by his friend and training partner Dorian Van Rijsselberge who is coached by NZ’s Sydney 2000 bronze medallist windsurfer Aaron McIntosh. JP sounds interested in Rio 2016 regardless of what board sailing class is there. 
• Eight of NZ’s nine Olympic sailing crews finished inside the ten. This was our most successful sailing team result since 1992 when four medals were won.
• NZ was ranked 5^th best sailing nation at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and we are still 9^th best of all time.

The sailors and support staff have expressed their gratification with the event, not only in the professionalism in the way it was organized, but all the on-water race management and venue too. The weather held out well for all but one day’s sailing; the final of the men’s 470 race was postponed one day due to lack of wind.

For all of the daily reports, visit the NZL Sailing Team News http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/news/nzlst/archive

Final Standings

GOLD Jo Aleh/ Polly Powrie (470 W)

SILVER - Peter Burling/ Blair Tuke (49er)

5^th Paul Snow Hansen/ Jason Saunders (470 M)

5^th Andrew Murdoch (Laser)

5^th Hamish Pepper/ Jim Turner (Star)

7^th JP Tobin (RS:X)

7^th Dan Slater (Finn)  

9^th Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen, Susannah Pyatt (Match Racing)

20^th Sara Winther (Laser Radial)