YNZ announces Squad for Pre-Pre Olympics

by Jodie Perkins on 1 Aug 2006 New Zealand will be represented by nine entries at the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta known as the pre-pre Olympics which start on 18 August.

14 sailors make up the New Zealand team including seven members of the elite Yachting New Zealand Olympic Squad.

The team includes some seasoned campaigners as well as some up and coming young sailors. The group will be supported by the Olympic Director, Rod Davis, Olympic Logistics Manager, Leslie Egnot and a three man coaching team. A weather advisor will also be in Qingdao with the team

Sailing Team

Sharon Ferris, Raynor Smeal & Ashley Holtum – Yngling (YNZ Olympic Squad)
Steffanie Williams – Women’s RS:X
Jo Aleh – Laser Radial (YNZ Olympic Squad)
Shelly Hesson & Bianca Barbarich-Bacher – Women’s 470
Dan Slater – Finn (YNZ Olympic Squad)
Andrew Murdoch – Laser (YNZ Olympic Squad)
Tom Ashley – Men’s RS:X (YNZ Olympic Squad)
Geoff Woolley & Mark Overington – Men’s 470
Stephen Keen & Philip Keen – Men’s 470

Support Team

Rod Davis – Yachting New Zealand Olympic Director
Leslie Egnot – Yachting New Zealand Olympic Logistics Manager
Sally Garrett – Weather Advisor
Nathan Handley – Coach
Ian Neely – Coach
Paul Page – Coach

Team Characteristics

 9 entries competing in 8 different classes
 14 sailors including 3 past Olympians
 6 support crew (including 2 Olympic medallists)
 Youngest team member 13 years old (Bianca Barbarich-Bacher)


Best Racing Results & top performers include…

Dan Slater – Finn
1st – Kiel Week 2006
4th – Semaine Olympique Francaise 2006
4th – Rolex Miami OCR 2006
2nd – Finn European Championships 2005

Jo Aleh – Laser Radial
3rd – Holland Regatta 2006
4th – Semaine Olympique Francaise 2006

Andrew Murdoch – Laser
1st – Sail Auckland 2006
5th – Holland Regatta 2006
4th – Semaine Olympique Francaise 2006
3rd – Laser World Championships 2005

Tom Ashley – Men’s RS:X
2nd – ISAF World Sailing Games 2006
8th – RS:X European Championships 2006
3rd HRH Princess Sofia Trophy 2006

Sharon Ferris, Raynor Smeal & Ashley Holtum – Yngling
2nd – Yngling World Championships 2005

Remarks/Comments

Rod Davis, Yachting New Zealand Olympic Director:

'The 2006 Pre-Olympics will be held in Qingdao, China, site of the next Olympic Games. It will be our first chance to have a full scale regatta preview of 2008 Olympic sailing.'

'The team will be focused on learning what we will have to deal with, even over our on the water results. Not having the funds that many other nations have, we need to be smarter in how get an edge over our competition. Big picture is where we are focusing this time.'

Leslie Egnot, Yachting New Zealand Olympic Logistics Manager:

'Having our team compete in Qingdao in this year's International Regatta provides a valuable opportunity to learn about the Olympic venue, the sailing conditions and to also learn more about the Chinese culture.'

'I was fortunate to have visited Qingdao earlier this year with Yachting New Zealand Chief Executive, Des Brennan. We were very impressed with the progress made with the Olympic Sailing Centre and its surrounds. We were also impressed with the how helpful and efficient the service providers were that we met and I look forward to continuing to work with them through to the 2008 Games.'