NZL Sailing Team head to Palma, Spain   26 Mar 2015

After spending the New Zealand summer training, preparing and competing domestically the NZL Sailing Team are Europe-bound getting ready for some northern hemisphere competition.

Most will be at 2015 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta in Palma de Mallorca, Spain to open their international campaigning for 2015. Despite the regatta being dropped from the ISAF Sailing World Cup programme the long-standing regatta has attracted strong entries for its 46th edition and the kiwis will be competing against most of their major rivals.

Jez Fanstone, High Performance Director for Yachting New Zealand says, “This is the first European regatta for the NZL Sailing team this season and traditionally it is a well attended event. It’s an opportunity to try out things leant in training over the summer in New Zealand.”

Fanstone explains that the coming year holds plenty of exciting challenges; “We’ve got a busy year ahead with the change in format to the ISAF Sailing World Cup series and the Rio Olympic Test event in August.”

Those changes made to the ISAF Sailing World Cup will see entries to up-coming ISAF World Cup regattas restricted in numbers to 40 boats per class at the Hyeres, Weymouth and Qingdao 2015 events, and to 20 per class at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi in November. ISAF World rankings in the Olympic classes will be released more regularly with the top ranked sailors earning an invitation to compete at the next ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta.

A final opportunity for un-qualified sailors is on offer at certain nominated events, and 2015 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta provides that final chance for an entry to ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres on in late April.

Racing starts in Spain on Monday 30th March and runs for six days with the medals set to be decided on 4th April. Here’s a list of kiwis on the entry list…

2015 Trofeo Princesa Sofia, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

2015 NZL Sailing Team

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 49er
Josh Porebski and Marcus Hansen – 49er
Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech – 49erFX
Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie – Women’s 470
Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox – Men’s 470
Thomas Saunders – Laser
Michael Bullot – Laser
Sara Winther – Laser Radial
Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders – Nacra 17
Josh Junior – Finn

Other New Zealand sailors competing

Susannah Pyatt – Laser Radial
Andrew McKenzie – Laser
Antonio Cozzolino - RS:X

ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres follows soon after, from 20-26th April, where a full contingent of the NZL Sailing Team will be competing.

About the NZL Sailing Team

NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who have made the top 20% in their most recent (respective) class World Championships or pinnacle event and have shown consistency of performance over the year including other significant Championships.

NZL Sailing Team sailors all started out at grass roots yacht clubs around the country and with commitment, dedication and drive have risen to be world class athletes; they work hard in the gym, train long hours on the water and are supported by great coaches.

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