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Just hours from the start of the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony we bring you this update from the NZL Sailing Team.
Watch here our video where the NZL Sailing Team reveal the names they’ve given their Olympic boats, and in three words, how they’re feeling about Rio 2016. https://youtu.be/F5R0EAWZbEk
New Zealand sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will lead the New Zealand Olympic Team into Maracanã Stadium for the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony and become the first co-captains to do so for New Zealand. The Opening Ceremony starts at 8:30pm Brazil time – 12:30pm NZ time.
A strong contingent of kiwi sailors will be among the group lead by Burling and Tuke and the faces of the NZL Sailing Team will feature prominently as the world watches what is expected to be a uniquely Brazilian Opening Ceremony.
After enjoying the festivities the team plan to return their focus to the competition with equipment inspections scheduled over the days leading up to kick off.
The first of the NZL Sailing Team to go racing is Laser campaigner Sam Meech with two races scheduled for day one of the sailing competition starting at 1300 on 8 August with New Zealand’s other single-handed sailor Josh Junior starting the next day on 9 August.
On 10 August both 470 crews get underway including Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, and Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox. The new mixed multihull also starts on Wednesday with Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders set to sail three races.
Finally both the men’s and women’s skiff events – featuring Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (49er), and Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (49erFX) - start racing on Friday 12 August.
Medal races are scheduled between 15-18 August (with 19 August as a reserve).
Download our Fan Guide here: yachtingnz.org.nz/racing/olympic/2016-olympic-sailing-team
Daily Update: Straight from the Marina da Gloria Press Centre at the sailing venue a daily NZL Sailing Team report will provide the low-down on how the kiwi sailors have performed. Sign up by ticking Media Releases here.
Social Media: Head to social media for updates on the NZL Sailing Team with live updates and race results on NZL Sailing Team Twitter during racing. NZL Sailing Team Instagram will feature images live from the race track, while NZL Sailing Team Facebook with have updates, reports, a daily gallery of images and more.
NZL Sailing Team Twitter @nzlsailingteam
NZL Sailing Team Facebook facebook.com/NZLSailingTeam
NZL Sailing Team Instgram instagram.com/nzlsailingteam
World Sailing: World Sailing has live 2D and 3D tracking of all boats on all courses during each day of racing, and plenty more on the Olympic World Sailing website: sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/home.php
NZ Olympic Team app: To follow the entire New Zealand Olympic Team, including the sailors, download the NZ Olympic Team app
Editorial Images: NZL Sailing Team’s official photographers are the brilliant Sailing Energy Team of Jesus Renedo and Pedro Martinez and their images of the NZL Sailing Team in action can be requested by media for editorial use. Email jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
Live on SKY: SKY TV are New Zealand’s host broadcaster of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and will bring you all races being provided LIVE by the Olympic News Service featuring the NZL Sailing Team, including all the medal races, as well as daily highlights from the sailing. Check the SKY schedule for details.
