Carl Evans and Peter Burling won the first series of New Zealand selection trials for the 420 yachting world championships team.
The 2006 world champions emerged on top when the four-day series finished at Takapuna, having moved ahead of early regatta leaders Simon Cooke and Scott Illingworth.
TheAuckland pair finished in the top three in all but two of the 12 races, crossing the finish line in first place six times to establish a 15-point margin on the rest of the field.
As world champions, Evans and Burling already have automatic entry to sail at the 420 World Championships which start on January 3 at Takapuna.
Another 14 crews have confirmed places in the New Zealand team.
The top women's qualifiers were Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie who have climbed into the 420 from their usual class, the single-handed Laser Radial.
Sarah Bilkey and Rosie Sargisson were second in the women's division.
The top seven finishers, excluding Evans and Burling, can now represent New Zealand next month.
More places for New Zealand crews will be decided at a pre-worlds regatta, to be sailed between Christmas and New Year.
Sailing Kiwis
New Zealand Open 420 team:
Men: Carl Evans/Peter Burling, Simon Cooke/Scott Illingworth, Rowan Swanson/Bruce Kennedy, Paul Snow-Hansen/Chris Dawson, Alistair Thompson/Jason Saunders, Thomas Olds/Martin Pike, Derek Scott/Jamie Hunt, Mike Snow-Hansen/Josh McCormack
Women: Jo Aleh/Olivia Powrie, Sarah Bilkey/Rosie Sargisson, Shelley Hesson/Bianca Barbarich-Bacher, Georgina Hill/Nichola Trudgen, Sarah Berry/Emma Berry, Stephanie Hazard/Cindy Hazard, Susannah Pyatt/Danielle Bowater
