Erin Taylor will become the first woman to represent New Zealand in flatwater kayaking at an Olympic Games.
North Shore paddler Taylor, 20, had targetted the 2012 Games in London until rapid improvement in the K1 500m accelerated her Olympic dream and she was named today to competeat Beijing in August.
She will be joined by world champion and Olympic silver medallist Ben Fouhy, who will again race the K1 1000m, Steven Ferguson in the K2 1000m and K1 500m and Mike Walker in the K2 1000m.
The team will be coached by kayaking icons and Olympic gold medallists Paul MacDonald and Ian Ferguson.
New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general Barry Maister said Taylor clearly warranted selection.
"Erin is currently ranked 16th in the world but her recent improvement suggests she is well capable of an even better result at Beijing," Maister said.
Steven Ferguson, who first represented New Zealand at an Olympics as a swimmer at Sydney 2000, changed codes for Athens 2004 when he joined Fouhy in the K2 1000m, making the final.
Beijing will be Walker's first Olympics. He is currently ranked seventh in the world.
Team manager Grant Restall believed New Zealand would make their presence known on the water of Beijing.
"This is our strongest team in some years and we've got very experienced Olympic coaches managing the team's performance through our European build-up and on to China. We're looking forward to a good result at Beijing."
