Yachting: Team named for pre-Olympics regatta

Laser specialist Andrew Murdoch. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) has named an 11-strong team in seven Olympic classes for a pre-Olympics regatta in England later this year.

Sailors for Laser, Laser Radial, men's and women's 470, Star, Finn and 49er classes were named for the Olympic Test Event in Weymouth from August 1-14.

The regatta is staged at the same time and venue as next year's Olympic Games to give organisers and national teams an opportunity to polish their preparations.

"The Olympic Test Event is our chance for a full dress rehearsal before next year's Olympics,'' said YNZ Olympic programme manager Jez Fanstone.

"Our aim is to be the best prepared we can be come August 2012, and this event is an important part of that process."

Selection for the three remaining Olympic classes to compete at the pre-Olympics regatta - women's Match Racing and men's and women's RS:X - will be made after the Sail for Gold regatta at the same venue in June.

The first members of the sailing team for the London Olympics will not be named until after the sailing world championships in Perth in December.

Team: Laser: Andrew Murdoch; Laser Radial: Sara Winther; Women's 470: Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie; Men's 470: Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders; Star: Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk; Finn: Dan Slater; 49er: Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.

- NZPA