Nacra 17 @Rio 2016: Waterhouse & Darmanin will represent Australia

Photo: Rio2016 Test Event – Alexandre Loureiro. –  I had some rumours on this but I was expecting actual final racing trials to define the spot. Nevertheless Jason & Lisa in the last year had a more consistent top performance and Championships wins including 2016 Test Event at Rio.
Darren Bundock with Nina Curtis are left without the chance to defend Bundy’s medal from Beijing.
His Tornado mate, Santiago Lange will be at Rio and Echavarri or Iker selection for Spain is still pending.

Great achievement & challenge for the ‘Hobie 16’ racing born kids, check their story at catsailingnews.com/2014/10/jason-waterhouse-interview-youth.html

Outteridge & Jensen and Belcher & Ryan are confirmed for 49er / 470 respectively.
Source Austrlian Olympic Team https://rio2016.olympics.com.au/news/first-sailors-selected-include-three-defending-champions
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“…It’s been a successful 2015 for Darmanin and Waterhouse, winning the Rio Test Event and finishing second at the World Championships. Darmanin was also named Australian female sailor of the year last month.

“Our focus is strong and going back to Brazil reminds us how it all began and how far we’ve come. We’ve won two out of two in Brazil (The Youth Worlds and Test Event) so looking forward to the continuing that strike rate next year,” Darmanin said.
Waterhouse said selection brings them closer to the aim of a podium finish next year.

“It’s a goal we’ve been working towards for a long time and it’s a relief, it’s a stepping stone to gold at Rio,” Waterhouse said.
“It’s special to get to go to the Olympics with family. Our families support has been amazing.”

Further selections to the Sailing Section of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team will take place in May, with a total of 12 sailors expected.

In other classes the nomination process is ongoing and competition super tight. In men’s Laser, Tom Burton and Matt Wearn are both ranked in the top three in the world and only one boat can be entered per country.
Sailing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will take place from Monday 8 August – Friday 19 August at Marina da Gloria, in the Copacabana region of Rio.
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