Sights again on Olympic medal

Kerikeri sailor Andrew Murdoch has some unfinished business in the Laser Class - with a medal, preferably gold, his aim at next year's Olympic Games in London.
His quest isn't too lofty if you consider he was fifth in the class in his first Olympics in China in 2008.
"I'm certainly aiming high for the London games. If I have a good build-up then that's certainly a realistic aim to have," he said.
The Auckland-based 28-year-old left the country yesterday to begin his build-up in Europe for his major regattas of the year - the "Sail for Gold" regatta in June and the Pre-Olympic Test Regatta in August - both at the Olympic venue in Weymouth on England's south coast. But while Murdoch will be the only Kiwi Laser sailor at Weymouth for the test regatta, he knows he still needs to win the nomination next year, although he is the leading contender for the Olympic spot next year.
What's more, a gaggle of talented Kiwi Laser sailors is queuing up to take his spot, and Murdoch wouldn't have it any other way.
Last year at the World Championships in England six Kiwis were in the top 50: Josh Junior, Mike Bullot, Andy Maloney, Sam Meech, Max Andrew and James Sandall, making the Kiwi Laser fleet one of the best in the world.
Murdoch was the top Kiwi finisher at the World Championships in third, but he recognises the threat from his competitors.
"New Zealand's one of the more prominent nations - especially in the gold fleet or even in the top 20 - I haven't done the numbers on it but I know we'd be right up there," he said. "There are five of us who're really going at it. I mean there are more than that, but as far as the sailors with realistic chances (of Olympic qualifying) go, it's very competitive."
The competitive edge he's experienced during competition over the New Zealand summer - at the Laser nationals and Sail Auckland - has prepared him well for the European season.
"Both the nationals and Sail Auckland events went down to the last race but with different guys pushing me hard," he said.
Mike Bullot and Murdoch went head to head at Sail Auckland, the Kerikeri sailor getting the upper hand in the final race of the series, while at the Laser Nationals in Takapuna it was Sam Meecham who pushed Murdoch hard but again experience gave him the win. Experience on the Olympic course is what Murdoch is pursuing in Europe, with conditions expected to be more varied than the light breezes experienced at the last Olympics.
"We're expecting moderate breezes, but I think Weymouth is going to be a real all-rounders' venue and that's going to require being able to be strong in the breeze and also to be fast in the light as well ... and that should suit me well."
The rumour mill suggests that London will be Murdoch's last tilt at a Laser medal but when the question is asked, he refuses to confirm or deny. "We'll see about that. I'm sure there's a lot of people who want me to move on but we'll see what happens. I've got no set plans for after the Olympics yet. You have to stay focused on the task at hand," he said.
With good support from sponsor Hyundai NZ, YNZ and Sparc, he is confident he is ready for the challenges ahead. He now has to remain ahead of the chasing Kiwi pack to gain the New Zealand nomination next summer and once again take aim at an Olympic medal.