The Laser Radial sailor was not able to be named by the Australian Olympic Committee with the rest of the sailing team on Thursday as an appeal was still pending. 

Sarah BLANCK switched to the Laser Radial class in 2005 after being Australia’s highest placed sailor in Athens 2004 with a fourth in the Europe class, a class in which she was World Champion in 2002.

In 2007 she has won the Laser Radial division at the Sydney International Regatta, placed second at the Australian Laser Championship and third at Kiel Week. BLANCK is the current Australian Female Sailor of the Year and the Australian Sailing Team co-captain with Malcolm PAGE.

The Australian Olympic sailing team boasts five current World Champions with officials confident of bringing home at least four medals.

Current Laser World Champion Tom SLINGSBY was nominated ahead of close rival Michael BLACKBURN, while Nathan WILMOT and Malcolm PAGE – also World Champions in their class – will contest the Men's 470. Darren BUNDOCK and Glenn ASHBY, current Australian Male Sailors of the Year will contest the Tornado class.

Veteran sailor Iain MURRAY won his first ever Olympic selection and will contest the men's Star class with teammate Andrew PALFREY, while 470 women's crew Elise RECHICHI and Tessa PARKINSON are also considered a medal prospect.

The rest of the Australian sailing squad includes RS:X sailboarder Jessica CRISP, Yngling crew Nicky BETHWAITE, Karyn GOJNICH and Angela FARRELL, Anthony NOSSITER (Finn) and 49ers pair Nathan OUTTERIDGE and Ben AUSTIN.