Olympic sailors face world championships

Six Olympic class sailing world championship regattas will be sailed in Europe over the next two weeks, each featuring New Zealand’s hottest yachting talent.

The Laser World Championships are the first to start tonight overnight (NZT), and five New Zealanders will be competing. Andrew Murdoch, the NZL Sailing Team’s representative for the London 2012 Olympic Games and recent Bronze medallist from the 2011 World Championships will be looking for another podium finish.

On Saturday overnight, the Star World Championships will commence in Hyeres, France. Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner will be putting in their best effort to earn one of the final four Olympic qualification berths for New Zealand to be given the opportunity to select a team for the Olympic Games. Hamish has a Gold and Silver medal to his name from previous Star World Championships, and will be a strong contender for top results this time too.

The Finn World Championships, known as the Gold Cup, are previewed by the UK Nationals that start this weekend with a entry of around 90 boats. The Gold Cup has, so far, 95 registered entries and the NZL Sailing Team’s Dan Slater will be doing his best to gain selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Most other remaining Olympic representatives will be starting their World Championship run later in the week, with the 49ers starting May 7th in Croatia, Finns at Falmouth and 470’s in Barcelona on May 13th, and the Laser Radial last to start on May 15th.

“We leave this Sunday and are excited to get back into racing again” said men’s 470 crew Jason Saunders.

“We have a big couple of months coming up, we will be doing three regattas, plus some training camps in Weymouth before coming home to freshen up." Jason continued. "With the Olympics less than 90 days away it’s all coming up very fast and we are looking forward to the challenges ahead”.

The RS:X World Championships were sailed in March, and JP Tobin came away with a Bronze medal, setting the bar high for the team to follow.

Daily updates for all events including results will be posted via the NZL Sailing Team’s Facebook Page and Twitter accounts. Further press releases will be issued from Yachting New Zealand.

REGATTA SPECIFICS

2012 Laser World Championships

Venue: Boltenhagen, Germany
Racing Starts: May 4th
Medal Races: May 10th

Representing New Zealand:  Andrew Murdoch, Sam Meech, Andy Maloney, Michael Cate, Thomas Saunders
Regatta Website: www.laserworldchampionship.com

2012 Star World Championships

Venue:  Hyeres, France
Racing Starts: May 5th
Medal Races: May 11th

Representing New Zealand:  Hamish Pepper/ Jim Turner
Regatta Website: www.starworlds2012.com

2012 49er World Championships

Venue: Zadar, Croatia
Racing Starts: May 7th
Medal Races: May 12th

Representing New Zealand: Peter Burling/Blair Tuke, Marcus Hansen/Josh Porebski
Regatta Website: www.49erworlds.org

2012 Finn World Championships

Venue: Falmouth, England
Racing Starts: May 13th
Medal Races: May 18th

Representing New Zealand:  Dan Slater, Matt Coutts, Rob Coutts
Regatta Website:  www.falmouthfinnfestival.com

2012 470 World Championships

Venue: Barcelona, Spain
Racing Starts: May 13th
Medal Races: May 19th

Representing New Zealand: Jo Aleh/ Olivia (Polly) Powrie, Paul Snow Hansen/Jason Saunders
Regatta Website: http://worlds.470.org

2012 Radial World Championships

Venue: Boltenhagen, Germany
Racing Starts: May 15th
Medal Races: May 20th

Representing New Zealand:  Sara Winther
Regatta Website: www.laserworldchampionship.com/