Five selectors are needed to fill out New Zealand's Olympic Selection Panel for the LA2028 sailing campaign, with expressions of interest now open and successful appointees serving through to the conclusion of the Games.
The panel will assess sailor and crew performances across all Olympic classes and recommend nominations to the High Performance Advisory Group (HPAG). The HPAG considers those recommendations before nominating athletes to the New Zealand Olympic Committee, which holds the final call on team selection. All five selectors will contribute across every class rather than being assigned to individual disciplines.
The HPAG was established to replace the former Yachting New Zealand Olympic Committee, taking on a broader mandate covering high-performance strategy, policy and athlete pathways alongside its selection responsibilities. It is chaired by former ILCA 7 world champion Nik Burfoot and includes Jo Aleh, Leslie Egnot, Nick Gillies, Jenna Hansen, Henry Moore and Dan Willcox. The HPAG will lead the appointments process, with the Yachting New Zealand Board ratifying the final selections.
New Zealand sailing arrives at this cycle with plenty to build on. At Paris 2024, Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie took silver in the men's skiff (49er), while Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson claimed bronze in the mixed multihull (Nacra 17), lifting the nation's Olympic sailing tally to 25 medals.
Selectors are expected to bring independence, sound judgement and a firm grasp of what it takes to compete at the highest level. Sailing experience at Olympic level, including participation and medal-winning backgrounds, is highly valued, as are governance, legal and high-performance decision-making credentials. The aim is a panel that is collectively strong across all those areas, and applications are encouraged from individuals who bring one or more of them.
A gender-balanced panel is a stated priority, with a minimum of 40 per cent representation of either gender required.
Appointments are expected to be confirmed following Board approval.
