Aaron McIntosh

Aaron McIntosh and J P Tobin finalists in 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards

Here is a complete list of those recognised at the 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards…
Orbit Corporate Travel Sailor of the Year: Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie
Singapore Airlines Young Sailor of the Year Winner: Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski

Finalists included
Ellie Copeland and Erica Dawson - 5th at the 2012 ISAF Youth World Championships (Female 420)
Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski – 6th at the 2012 49er World Championships
Gemma Jones and Tomer Simhony – 5th at the 2012 ISAF Youth World Championships (SL16)
Andrew McKenzie – 2nd at the 2012 Laser Radial Youth World Championships

Australia and most of the Pacific Island nations support the decision for kite-board racing for the Olympics

Yachting New Zealand has confirmed that both Area L (SW Pacific) representatives will be voting in favour of kiteboards at the upcoming Annual meeting of the International Sailing Federation, despite lodging its own submission which supports the re-reinstatement of the Windsurfer as an Olympic event. Understandably this has created a great deal of consternation and anger in New Zealand, particularly in the windsurfing community.

Windsurfers and coach announced as Life Members of Yachting New Zealand

At their AGM today YNZ President Jan Dawson announced that all Olympic Medallists are to be made Life Members of YNZ. Barbara Kendall was made a Life Member in 2011, so the new windsurfing Life Members are Aaron McIntosh, Bruce Kendall and Tom Ashley. Also included is Grant Beck, NZ's most successful Olympic sailing coach (windsurfing), so a big boost for windsurfing and well deserved recognition. Congratulations from Windsurfing NZ!

2012 Olympic Mens RS:X Windsurfing - J P Tobin - news and results

Jon-Paul Tobin is the New Zealand Olympic Sailing - RS:X Windsurfing representative. 3rd at the World Champs, he's a top contender for a medal.
Final result:JP Tobin remained consistent finishing 7th overall. Dorian Van Rijsselberge (netherlands) his training partner won the event easily, and the other member of the team Zachary Plavsic (Canada) finished 8th behind JP. A great effort, the end of an era? Follow this link for more information.

Only Tom Ashley or Jon-Paul Tobin can go to Olympics 2012 - who will it be?

Tom Ashley and Jon-Paul Tobin are contenders for an Olympic gold medal but under the qualification rules only one athlete per country can contest the class. Ashley is the defending Olympic champion but Tobin is the form athlete this year; he is also fuelled with ambition, having been in and out of Ashley's shadow during the last two Games cycles.