Yachting New Zealand selects Jon Paul Tobin over Tom Ashley for the 2012 Olympics
Yachting New Zealand has selected Jon Paul Tobin to represent the country at the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games as the sailor put up a good show at the 2011 Perth ISAF Sailing World Championship. Tobin finished fifth in the RS:X Men standings to surpass
the former Olympic gold medallist, Tom Ashley, who took sixth position.
After the selection was announced, many expected that Ashley will oppose and challenge the decision but it did not happen. Ashley broke his silence and said that he will not challenge the selection nor he will criticise Yachting New Zealand for their choice.
After Tobin’s selection for the 2012 London Olympic Games, Ashley’s career has come at distinct crossroads. Certainly, he cannot wait for the next four years to see himself standing inside an Olympic stadium, holding his country’s flag with a gold medal
around his neck again. He was left with two choices, either to appeal against the selection of Tobin or be happy with the decision.
Had he challenged Tobin’s decision, he would have had no strong point to put forward because Tobin had definitely surpassed him during the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Australia and he would only have made a joke of himself. Instead, he made a wise
decision not to go against the selection board and let Tobin represent the country.
Speaking to the Fairfax Media about his opinion upon the selection, Ashley said, “I've got no interest in trying to fight it. I don't think it would be good for anyone. I respect their decision and I respect the people involved. It just wouldn't be fair.
You never know exactly what the selectors are thinking.”
The 2008 Olympic gold medallist added, “In the end it's not 100 per cent dependable on results but obviously you want to beat the other guy, and I didn't. I won't try to second guess them. They obviously thought long and hard about it and they wouldn't take
a decision lightly. They've sent the person they think is best and that's good enough.”
Ashley brought a gold medal to the country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and spectators were expecting him to retain glory but he was not selected. This time, Yachting New Zealand has given Tobin the best possible opportunity, selecting him for the Olympics,
hoping that he will be able to grab the gold medal for their country.
Including Tobin, 12 sailors will represent New Zealand at the Olympics next year. Tobin is quite happy after his selection, as has overtaken Ashley for the third time in the current year.
Four Kiwi windsurfers including Jon Paul Tobin, Tom Ashley, Antonio Cozzolino and Carl Evans participated at the World championship’s RS:X Men category, but Tobin, due to his fifth finish, was the only one stand up to the expectations of the selectors.
New Zealand RS:X Men standings at 2011 Perth ISAF Sailing World Championship:
5. Jon Paul TOBIN NZL 6, 4, 6, 10, 6, 3, (24), 2, 7, 7, 10 = 61 points
6. Tom ASHLEY NZL 2, 7, 3, 2, 12, (20), 10, 4, 1, 5, 18 = 64 points
57. Antonio COZZOLINO NZL 25, 32, 25, 33, 24, 15, 5, 4, (46) BFD, 13 = 176 points
77. Carl EVANS NZL 37, (47) DNF, 34, 38, 47 OCS, 14, 29, 21, 46 BFD, 22 = 288 points
Tags: