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The quest for Olympic glory has been on the agenda for this young Kiwi sailor for some time. Since finishing 10th in Athens at the age of 20, ASHLEY has matured into a world beater on the windsurfing scene, a status he confirmed in January 2008 when he won the RS:X World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. A consistent series with four race wins saw ASHLEY start the final day at the top of the leaderboard and sail a tactical race to ensure he secured the Championship title in front of his home crowd.
A quick trip to Europe and a bronze medal at the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik and ASHLEY was set up for achieving his Olympic dream.
ASHLEY’s intensive training regime and focus on being the best all round sailor paid dividends again in Qingdao and with a consistent series he went into the Medal Race third overall but just one point behind the leader. ASHLEY sailed a near flawless Medal Race to win a tight three way battle for the gold medal, the first for New Zealand in sailing since 1992 and he ends the nomination period as World and Olympic Champion.
1 - RS:X New Zealand National Championships, Auckland, NZL - ISAF Grade 3 - Dec 2007
1 - RS:X World Championships, Auckland, NZL - ISAF Grade W - Jan 2008
3 - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, NED - ISAF Grade 1 - May 2008
1 - 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade W - Aug 2008
ISAF World Sailing Rankings position at the end of the nomination period (3 September 2008) – # 4
| Name |
Tom ASHLEY |
| Place of birth |
Auckland, New Zealand |
| Date of birth |
11 February 1984 |
| Profession |
Athlete |
| ISAF Sailor ID |
NZLTA1 |
| What inspired you to take up sailing? |
My Dad… used to hang out at yacht clubs and go keelboat sailing from a very young age |
| What was the first boat you sailed and how old were you? |
Optimist, age 8 |
| Name your first sailing club |
Takapuna Boating Club |
| What was the first event you competed in and in what year? |
Sofrana Unilines International Regatta, 1993 |
| What are your personal highlights of your career to date? |
Attending Optimist Worlds 1996, Winning IMCO and ISAF Youth Worlds 2002 and 2003, Winning RS:X Worlds 2008, Winning Olympic Games 2008. |
| What are your future sailing goals? |
Possibly another Olympic campaign. Would like to get involved mentoring younger athletes. |
| Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing career and why? |
My father John- I started sailing because of him and he coached me through Optimists, P-Class and windsurfing. Always a great source of advice. |
| What other sports do you enjoy? |
Cycling! |
| What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you? |
Any recognition for sporting excellence obviously comes after having achieved a major goal, which is satisfying in itself. Winning a sporting award is a chance to be seen as a good example to other athletes, and is also a responsibility for that reason. |
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