4 Jul 2015

Aleh and Powrie seal Euro win without even sailing

11:22 am on 4 July 2015

New Zealand 470 sailors Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are assured of the gold medal at the 2015 European Championship regatta in Denmark.

With no wind and hence no sailing, Aleh and Powrie can afford to sit back on the penultimate day.

The event's not set to conclude until Sunday after six days of competition, but Aleh and Powrie have an unassailable points lead, and are already assured of overall victory.

Polly Powrie and Jo Aleh in action in Miami

Polly Powrie and Jo Aleh in action Photo: Yachting New Zealand

The lack of wind had implications for men's team Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox. Unable to use the day to break back into the top 10, they wrap up the regatta in 17th overall.

Sam Barnett and Zak Merton end the series 24th in the silver fleet.

Meanwhile Andy Maloney has been selected to join the New Zealand team at the 2015 Aquece Rio International Regatta in August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 25-year-old, who sails in the single-handed Laser class, join the six New Zealand crews already named to compete at this year's test event being staged at the 2016 Olympic venue.