New Zealand 470 Sailors Selected for 2011 Olympic Test Event

Yachting New Zealand have announced Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders in the 470 men and Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie in the 470 Women as the 470 teams who will compete at the test event for the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition, the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta.

Taking place from 31 July-13 August, the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta is aimed at testing all elements of the event – race management through to onshore logistics – as a test-event for the real thing next year. The Olympic Test Event, is staged at the same time and venue as the 2012 Olympic Games giving organizers and national teams an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations. Racing for the 470s will get underway on 5 August, with 10 races scheduled in the opening series prior to the final 470 Medal Races for the top ten boats in each fleet on 12 August.

The Yachting New Zealand Selectors will continue to monitor sailor performance in the on-going process towards selecting the 2012 Olympic Sailing Team. Places for next year are undecided with the earliest possible selections being made after the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship with others decided in the months leading up to the Games.

"The Olympic Test Event is our chance for a full 'dress rehearsal' before next year's Olympics," explains YNZ Olympic Programme Manager Jez Fanstone. "Our aim is to be the best prepared we can be come August 2012, and this event is an important part of that process.

"It's about knowledge gathering, the opportunity to work together as a team and to fine-tune things as we work towards Weymouth 2012. We'll be testing our people and plans both on the water and off the water."

Other sailors selected by New Zealand are:

Laser: Andrew Murdoch
Laser Radial: Sara Winther
Star: Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk
Finn: Dan Slater
49er: Peter Burling and Blair Tuke

Announcements regarding selection in the women's match racing, men's RS:X and women's RS:X events will be made after the 2011 Sail for Gold Regatta which runs from 6-11 June 2011.

Between now and August these sailors and other members of the NZL Sailing Team will be competing at various ISAF Sailing World Cup Series Regattas including Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma, 2-9 April, French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyeres, 22-29 April, Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, 24-29 May, Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth, 5-11 June, and Kiel Week in Germany, 18-22 June.

More Information:

Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie Team Website -
Test Event Notice of Race
ISAF 2012 Olympics Microsite
2012 Olympics Website

Images: © Christine Hansen
Source: Jodie Bakewell-White