Rio Olympics: Who is in NZ's sailing team?

Two medal-winning crews from the London Olympics headline first batch of New Zealand sailors named for the Rio Olympics.

Men's 49er

Men's skiff 49er (L-R) Blair Tuke and Peter Burling. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Peter Burling

Birthdate: 1/1/1991
Hometown: Tauranga
Discipline: 49er
Previous Olympics: 2nd London 2012, 11th Beijing 2008 (men's 470)
Fact: In 2008 Burling became the youngest sailor to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games when he and Carl Evans, both 17 years old, competed in the 470 class.

Blair Tuke

Birthdate: 25/07/1989
Hometown: Kerikeri
Discipline: 49er
Previous Olympics: 2nd London 2012
Fact: Tuke, along with his 49er partner Peter Burling, signed with Team New Zealand in early 2014.

49erFX

Women's skiff 49erFX (L-R) Molly Meech and Alexandra Maloney. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Alex Maloney

Birthdate: 19/03/1992
Hometown: Auckland
Discipline: 49erFX
Previous Olympics: nil
Fact: Alex virtually grew up on a boat, spending her early years cruising around the South Pacific with her family.

Molly Meech

Birthdate: 31/03/1993
Hometown: Tauranga
Discipline: 49erFX
Previous Olympics: nil
Fact: Meech's brother Sam, and Maloney's brother Andy, are rivals in the Laser class.

Women's 470

Women's 470 crew (L-R) Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Jo Aleh

Birthdate: 15/05/1986
Hometown: Auckland
Discipline: 470
Previous Olympics: 1st London 2012, 7th Beijing 2008 (Laser Radial)
Fact: Born to Israeli parents, Aleh is extremely popular in Israel, where her father still lives.

Polly Powrie

Birthdate: 09/12/1987
Hometown: Auckland
Discipline: 470
Previous Olympics: 1st London 2012
Fact: Originally named Olivia, but known as Polly since she was young, Powrie changed her name by deed pool in 2014 to avoid any confusion.

Men's 470

Men's 470 crew (L-R) Daniel Willcox and Paul Snow-Hansen. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Daniel Willcox

Birthdate: 06/08/1990
Hometown: Auckland
Discipline: 470
Previous Olympics: nil
Fact: Daniel's father Hamish is a former world champion in the 470 class, and coaches the 49er pairing of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.

Paul Snow-Hansen

Birthdate: 03/09/1990
Hometown: Auckland
Discipline: 470
Previous Olympics: 5th London 2012 (with Jason Saunders)
Fact: The naming of the New Zealand Olympic sailors took place at Snow-Hansen's home yacht club of Wakatere Boating Club.

Nacra

Mixed gender multihull Nacra 17 (L-R) Jason Saunders and Gemma Jones. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Jason Saunders

Birthdate: 22/11/1990
Hometown: Tauranga
Discipline: Nacra
Previous Olympics: 5th London 2012 (Men's 470 with Paul Snow-Hansen)
Fact: Jason was member of the Team New Zealand crew which won the Red Bull Youth America's Cup in 2013.

Gemma Jones

Birthdate: 7/1/1994
Hometown: Auckland
Discipline: Nacra
Previous Olympics: Nil
Fact: Her father is America's Cup great Murray Jones.