The NZL Sailing Team and several other New Zealand Olympic and Paralympic class sailors are preparing for the biggest ISAF World Cup regatta of the season; the 2012 Skandia Sail for Gold regatta is due to commence on Monday June 4th. Over six days of racing in Weymouth, the 2012 Olympic Sailing venue, more than 700 sailors from 60 nations will take part in what is a dress rehearsal for the games themselves. The team is looking forward to competing here said Jez Fanstone, Yachting New Zealands Olympic Programme Manager. Everybody is fit and well, and for some this is the final run into the Olympic Games. Its been a busy year so far with three world championship medals earned in the Olympic classes, and there has been more good results from our rising stars he continued. Nearly 30 New Zealanders will be competing in this event, the largest gathering of Kiwis at an event of this calibre since the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth. Skandia Sail for Gold is the sixth of seven ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas. Last year, the NZL Sailing Team came away with one gold and two silver medals from this event and a total of nine boats in the top ten. This year, the focus is on the build up to the Games, and to keep learning about the venue in preparation for the end of July when the Olympics begin. Skandia Sail for Gold will be the first regatta for new NZL Sailing Team members Marcus Hansen, Josh Porebski and Jim Turner to wear the Team Racing bibs. Daily media reports will be issued by Yachting New Zealand, and frequent updates including photos online the NZL Sailing Team Facebook page and Twitter. Full results and more information can be found on the Regatta website. Representing New Zealand at this event will be: 2.4mR Paul Francis Brett Willcock 470 (mens) Paul Snow Hansen and Jason Saunders 470 (womens) Jo Aleh and Olivia (Polly) Powrie 49er Peter Burling and Blair Tuke Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski Finn Josh Junior Matt Coutts Rob Coutts Laser Andrew Murdoch Sam Meech Andy Maloney Laser Radial Sara Winther RS:X (mens) JP Tobin RS:X (womens) Natalia Kosinska Steffanie Williams Skud 18 Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel Star Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner Womens Match Racing Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen, Susannah Pyatt London 1908 Olympic Summer Games Sailing
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