Yachting: 'Famous Five' rise to challenge the old hands

Andrew Murdoch relishes the competition. Photo / APN

After a medals drought that has lasted over two decades, New Zealand's Laser yachtsmen are ready to break through at Olympic level.

The team are racing in Perth this weekend at a test event for the world championships there next year, which will double as the final Olympic qualification regatta.

Seasoned observers agree that the Laser class in New Zealand is the most competitive it has been for years, possibly ever. Old hands such as Andrew Murdoch (three-time world championship medallist) and Mike Bullot (world championship silver medallist) are being challenged by a posse of young guns, keen to take their spots. The rising tide was best illustrated at the world championships this year, where the five Kiwis all finished in the top 25.

Murdoch, who was fifth at the 2008 Olympics, doesn't see a threat: "It is healthy competition and can only help me," says the 28-year-old. "In the past there has always been one or two good sailors but to have five at the same time is exceptional. Plenty of international guys would be jealous of what we have at the moment."

As with all Olympic sailing events, only one representative is allowed from each country, which can can seem unfair.

"For us, it is not just about sending someone to the Olympics," says Murdoch. "They need to perform, so there is no easy path. Whoever ends up going - and obviously I hope it is me - will be at the best they can be."

New Zealand laser squad coach Mark Howard says Murdoch realises that the competition is good for the team.

"He likes the battle and it will push him towards an Olympic spot," Howard says.

Howard sailed Lasers for Britain, narrowly missing out on the 2004 Athens spot before switching to coaching. He says the Kiwis stand out with their genuine passion for the sport.

"These guys just love sailing and being on the water. Compared to other countries they seem to enjoy it more and want to do the best they can."

At the world championships in August, Murdoch finished third. Josh Junior, aged just 20, was sixth, Bullot (26) came in 13th, Andy Maloney (20) was 16th and Sam Meech (19) was 25th.

Howard feels all are contenders though Murdoch and Bullot should have the edge in the battle for London.

"They have experience of sailing in numerous international competitions, which is irreplaceable," says Howard. "We train hard and obviously try to simulate racing conditions but there are certain things you can't teach out at Takapuna.

Junior, who hails from Wellington, says the team approach implemented by Howard in the last 18 months has been crucial.

"We all train together and it has made the class stronger. Obviously we are competitors but I think the Olympics is sitting a long way at the back of everybody's mind. We all need to improve; then we can think about dominating the world."

Junior got into Lasers because it suited his weight; at 82kg he sits within the narrow optimal range of 80-82kg for the class; much heavier means struggling in light winds; much lighter results in less speed in high winds.

He started as a 16-year-old and knew "reasonably quickly" that he had talent; a second at the 2007 world youth championships confirmed it. He has put university studies on the backburner until at least the end of next year.

Junior enjoys being one of the trio of young guns - "there is less pressure, less expectation" - and he says they regularly mock Murdoch and Bullot for being "ancient".

He is however, hard-nosed about his goals, saying he has "no idea" what he will do if he doesn't get the spot for London. After pondering, he says he would "probably help out whoever qualifies" and then look to try a different class.

New Zealand has enjoyed rich success in Olympic sailing down the years but has not medalled in Lasers since it became an Olympic event in 1996.

Hamish Pepper finished 10th in Atlanta and 7th in Athens; Peter Fox was 21st in 2000 and Murdoch was two places out in Qingdao.

The 'famous five' should give the best chance of breaking the drought, though 2012 will be a tricky test due to the variable conditions expected at Weymouth.