49er world champions Peter Burling, left and Blair Tuke.
49er world champions Peter Burling, left and Blair Tuke.
Two medal-winning crews from the London Olympics headline first batch of New Zealand sailors named for the Rio Olympics.
Men's 49er
Men's skiff 49er (L-R) Blair Tuke and Peter Burling. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Peter Burling
Birthdate: 1/1/1991 Hometown: Tauranga Discipline: 49er Previous Olympics: 2nd London 2012, 11th Beijing 2008 (men's 470) Fact: In 2008 Burling became the youngest sailor to represent New Zealand at the OlympicGames when he and Carl Evans, both 17 years old, competed in the 470 class.
Birthdate: 25/07/1989 Hometown: Kerikeri Discipline: 49er Previous Olympics: 2nd London 2012 Fact: Tuke, along with his 49er partner Peter Burling, signed with Team New Zealand in early 2014.
49erFX
Women's skiff 49erFX (L-R) Molly Meech and Alexandra Maloney. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Alex Maloney
Birthdate: 19/03/1992 Hometown: Auckland Discipline: 49erFX Previous Olympics: nil Fact: Alex virtually grew up on a boat, spending her early years cruising around the South Pacific with her family.
Molly Meech
Birthdate: 31/03/1993 Hometown: Tauranga Discipline: 49erFX Previous Olympics: nil Fact: Meech's brother Sam, and Maloney's brother Andy, are rivals in the Laser class.
Women's 470
Women's 470 crew (L-R) Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Jo Aleh
Birthdate: 15/05/1986 Hometown: Auckland Discipline: 470 Previous Olympics: 1st London 2012, 7th Beijing 2008 (Laser Radial) Fact: Born to Israeli parents, Aleh is extremely popular in Israel, where her father still lives.
Polly Powrie
Birthdate: 09/12/1987 Hometown: Auckland Discipline: 470 Previous Olympics: 1st London 2012 Fact: Originally named Olivia, but known as Polly since she was young, Powrie changed her name by deed pool in 2014 to avoid any confusion.
Men's 470
Men's 470 crew (L-R) Daniel Willcox and Paul Snow-Hansen. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Daniel Willcox
Birthdate: 06/08/1990 Hometown: Auckland Discipline: 470 Previous Olympics: nil Fact: Daniel's father Hamish is a former world champion in the 470 class, and coaches the 49er pairing of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.
Birthdate: 03/09/1990 Hometown: Auckland Discipline: 470 Previous Olympics: 5th London 2012 (with Jason Saunders) Fact: The naming of the New Zealand Olympic sailors took place at Snow-Hansen's home yacht club of Wakatere Boating Club.
Nacra
Mixed gender multihull Nacra 17 (L-R) Jason Saunders and Gemma Jones. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Jason Saunders
Birthdate: 22/11/1990 Hometown: Tauranga Discipline: Nacra Previous Olympics: 5th London 2012 (Men's 470 with Paul Snow-Hansen) Fact: Jason was member of the Team New Zealand crew which won the Red Bull Youth America's Cup in 2013.
Gemma Jones
Birthdate: 7/1/1994 Hometown: Auckland Discipline: Nacra Previous Olympics: Nil Fact: Her father is America's Cup great Murray Jones.
