Sailing: Tuke in team with eye on Rio

Blair Tuke (left) and Peter Burling sailing at the Santander ISAF Sailing World Championship in Spain last year. Photo / Supplied

Local sailing hero and Olympic silver medallist Blair Tuke has signalled he's on track for Rio 2016 after his selection in the 2015 New Zealand sailing team.

Tuke will be chasing the ultimate goal of Olympic glory in 2016, but this year is crucial in terms of achieving results on the world stage.

Northland pair Andrew Murdoch and Marcus Hansen were also named in the squad highlighting the notable quality of sailors coming out of the region.

Twelve sailors named yesterday were part of the 2014 New Zealand sailing team, while the other three (Sara Winther, Laser Radial; Michael Bullot, Laser; Jon-Paul Tobin, Men's RS:X) are returning team members who have been included in this year's team after demonstrating their commitment to the Olympic goal with top results last year.

All team members will be competing in Auckland today in the 2015 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland, New Zealand's premier Olympic and Paralympic classes regatta which will run until Sunday.

Each sailor will then embark on their own pre-planned programme of international competition.

Last year New Zealand was one of only three nations to secure qualification for an Olympic berth in all 10 sailing events to be contested at the Rio 2016 Games.

"Having qualified in all 10 classes so early is an enviable position to be in," said Jez Fanstone, Yachting New Zealand high performance manager.

"And now the NZL sailing team crews will be acutely aware that Olympic selectors will be keeping a keen eye on their performances at the major international regattas this year."

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; Andy Maloney Laser; Sam Meech Laser; Thomas Saunders Laser; Michael Bullot Laser; Sara Winther Laser Radial; Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders Nacra 17; Jon-Paul Tobin Men's RS:X; Natalia Kosinska Women's RS:X; Andrew Murdoch Finn; Josh Junior Finn.