Seventeen kiwi sailors are in Hyres, France to represent New Zealand at the 2012 Semaine Olympique Francaise Regatta for Olympic class sailors. The Semaine Olympique Francaise, or simply Hyres as it is commonly known, is one of the major regattas in the International Olympic Sailing Circuit and is the fourth of seven regattas in the 2011-12 ISAF Sailing World Cup series. Racing starts in France on Sunday April 22nd, and runs for six days with medal races and prize-giving planned for Friday April 27th. This regatta follows on from the Princess Sofia World Cup Regatta in Palma de Majorca, where Dan Slater (Finn) and Hamish Pepper with Jim Turner (Star) both finished fifth just two weeks ago. The NZL Sailing Team once again has a strong contingent sailing in the Laser class with 2011 Laser World bronze medallist and 2012 Olympic representative Andrew Murdoch leading an extremely talented group of young men. This event will be a warm up for the Laser World Championships which start on May 4th in Boltenhagen, Germany, and Laser Radial which are at the same venue starting May 15th. After this event there is a short lead in to the 2012 World Championships for most crews; the Stars and 49er crews will stay in Hyres for their World Championships starting on 2nd and 4th May respectively. The Finn and 470 World Championships start two weeks after this Hyres World Cup event, in Falmouth, England and Barcelona, Spain. The Womens Match Racing are the last to squeeze their World Championships in before London 2012, to be held June 25-30 in Gothenburg, Sweeden. The 2012 RS:X World Championships have already been completed, and New Zealands JP Tobin finished on the podium with a bronze medal. Neither of the NZL Sailing Teams 470 crews will be attending the Hyres World Cup Regatta, both having just completed the 470 Spring Cup at the top of the charts. Paul Snow Hansen and Jason Saunders won the event with 14 points to spare in the 59 boat mixed fleet, while Jo Aleh and Olivia (Polly) Powrie were the top ranked female team and 11th overall. Representing New Zealand in Hyeres is... Laser Andrew Murdoch Andy Maloney Sam Meech Michael Cate Thomas Saunders 49er Peter Burling and Blair Tuke Josh Porebski / Marcus Hansen RS:X Women Natalia Kosinska Star Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner Finn Dan Slater Matt Coutts Womens Match Racing Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen, Susannah Pyatt These sailors are supported by a coaching team of Jez Fanstone, Mark Howard, Phil Douglas and Caroline Brisebois
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