Junior selection
Josh Junior has been named to New Zealand’s Olympic sailing squad to compete in the Finn class competition.
31 May 2021
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Yachting New Zealand has confirmed that sailor Josh Junior will be representing the country in the Finn class competition at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, currently scheduled for July.
The selection rounds out the New Zealand Sailing Team for this year’s Olympic competition, Junior joining 49er sailors Peter Burlin and Blair Tuke, 49erFX sailors Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, Laser sailor Sam Meech, 470 sailors Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox and Narca 17 sailors Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson.
The announcement follows a string of recent success for the 31-year-old, most recently being his third placing at this year’s Finn Gold Cup – the same competition he won in 2019, becoming the first New Zealander in history to do so.
Junior was also a member of Emirates Team New Zealand during their successful challenge of the 35th America’s Cup, with training partner and 2021 Finn Gold Cup winner Andy Maloney, and its defence at this year’s 36th America’s Cup.
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Yachting New Zealand did not name Maloney to the country’s Olympic sailing squad.
“I feel honoured and excited to get the chance to represent New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics,” said Junior. “It’s incredibly special to be a part of the team and I can’t wait to get there and try to win a gold medal for New Zealand.”
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, Junior placed seventh overall in the Finn competition.
“Rio was an amazing experience for me. Although the result was tough, it has taught us a lot that we have built into this campaign. I can’t wait to keep training and working with Andy as we look ahead to Tokyo.”
“It’s mixed feelings for me,” added Maloney, who also attempted to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the Laser class.
“I’m obviously disappointed to not be competing in Tokyo but can be happy with my progression in the Finn over the Olympic cycle. Thanks to Josh and our coaches I can bow out of the Finn as the world champ, which is pretty cool.
“Josh sailed incredibly well through our selection series, winning the 2019 world championships and then following it up with another spot on the podium this year. He’s quick and racing really well, so I can’t wait to continue pushing him over the next two months and supporting him through these final stages of the campaign.”
Yachting New Zealand High Performance Director Ian Stewart said Junior’s selection represented another milestone for the sailing team.
“We’re thrilled for JJ, but definitely feel for Andy [Maloney],” said Stewart.
“It’s a shame they both can’t be on the start line because they’ve set a new level for New Zealand sailors working together. Having both of them in Japan is a real strength to the team.
“Given the unknowns and added pressures of these COVID Olympics, it’s great to have an experienced and tight team.”
“This is a real testament to the depth of talent developed by Yachting New Zealand and we look forward to seeing Junior in action in two months’ time,” added New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Kereyn Smith.
New Zealand has qualified for all ten sailing events at the Tokyo Olympics but will not be competing in the women’s 470, Laser Radial and men’s and women’s RS:X.
The selection of Junior brings the total number of athletes selected to the New Zealand complete Olympic team to 49.
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