Issue date
Yachting New Zealand is pleased to announce six crews selected to compete at Aquece Rio - International Sailing Regatta 2015 this August.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 49er (Men’s skiff)
Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech - 49erFX (Women’s skiff)
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie - Women’s 470 (Women’s double-handed dinghy)
Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox - Men’s 470 (Men’s double-handed dinghy)
Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders - Nacra 17 (Mixed multihull)
Josh Junior - Finn (Men’s heavy-weight dinghy)
Yachting New Zealand selectors will consider nominations for the Laser and Laser Radial classes following 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth which runs from 8-14 June 2015.
The Aquece Rio - International Sailing Regatta 2015, often referred to as the Olympic Test Event, is a dress rehearsal for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Regatta.
Aquece Rio - International Sailing Regatta 2015 features Olympic size fleets, uses the same race course areas and the base facilities of the Olympic venue that will be the setting for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games sailing.
Jez Fanstone, Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Director explains the significance of this regatta for the New Zealand sailors and the coaching and support team; “It’s another opportunity to race at the venue and to test out our preparations both on and off the water.”
“2015 is about performing at this test event; it is a pinnacle event for the year.”
Fanstone adds, “We’re targeting consistent podium finishes throughout the year at major championships including the individual class world championships and ISAF World Cup regattas.”
“The NZL Sailing Team aims to perform under pressure at these events and does everything possible in the build-up and preparation whilst maintaining a strong, supportive culture.”
The regatta runs from 15 – 22 August, will be based at Marina da Gloria on Rio’s inner harbour, and is based on the same format and schedule for racing that will be used one year on at the Rio Olympic Games.
In Olympic sailing a maximum of one crew can represent each qualified nation in each of the Olympic events.
For more information:
Jodie Bakewell-White
Tel. 021 709 065
Email. jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
