Yachting NZ has been accused of mishandling its Olympic selections after one of its star crews was picked for the Paris Games despite failing to meet the required performance standard.
Jo Aleh and Molly Meech, who teamed up in the 49erFX class in early 2022, headlined the announcement of the New Zealand sailing team for the Games last month. With five previous Games at the Games and three Olympic medals between them, the two are the most experienced of the nine-member team named so far.
But according to Yachting NZ selection documents, the duo were ineligible for nomination after failing to achieve a top 10 finish at any of the designated selection regattas. The selection was signed off by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).
Both organizations are convinced that the correct procedure was followed in the nomination and selection of the couple.
However, Yachting NZ's apparent willingness to fudge the criteria for Aleh and Meech, along with a perceived inconsistent application of the 'emerging talent' clause, has led to several disputes over its handling of selections and accusations of bias.
Secret selection criteria have been leaked
Yachting NZ has long maintained a secrecy surrounding the way it selects its athletes for the Olympic Games. It is the only national body that does not publicly share its nomination criteria – contrary to the NZOC's nomination and selection regulations – and sailors wishing to be considered for the flagship event must agree to keep this confidential.
However, RNZ has obtained a copy of the selection documents.
New Zealand sailors must clear an even higher bar than the NZOC's already lofty “top 16” criteria to be nominated for selection. Under the primary selection criteria, Yachting NZ selectors will only nominate athletes deemed capable of winning a medal.
As a starting point, to be eligible, sailors and crews must have achieved a top 10 placing in at least one selection regatta, or medaled at a world championship during that Olympic cycle.
There is a second pathway for sailors or crew who are deemed by Yachting NZ selectors as 'emerging talent' and who have the potential to medal at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Under these criteria they must sailors in the top 16 countries finish at one of the selection regattas to qualify.
Aleh and former sailing partner Polly Powrie, affectionately known as Team Jolly, won gold in the women's 470 in London and silver in Rio.
Meech was also a silver medalist in Rio, alongside teammate Alex Maloney in the 49erFX class. The popular duo went their separate ways after a disappointing 12th place in Tokyo.
Meech then joined Aleh in early 2022 to form Team Jolly 2.0.
Despite their credentials, the new combination have produced mixed results on the international circuit.
In the first of two selection regattas, Aleh and Meech finished 34th at the European Championships in Portugal last year – well outside the top 10 benchmark – before recording 12th at the World Championships earlier this year.
Before being named to the Games team last month, the duo had achieved just one top 10 result at a major international regatta in two-and-a-half seasons – a sixth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships.
It is clear that the selectors relied heavily on this result, despite it not being an official selection regatta.
Under the criteria, selectors can also consider “a sailor's or crew's record of success at previous Olympic Games.” However, those familiar with the policy say these factors only come into play in final deliberations once sailors have met the underlying eligibility criteria.
RNZ has spoken to several former and current members of the NZL sailing team, who have expressed concerns about the way Yachting NZ is handling this year's selections. No one wanted to appear on the record for fear of disparaging Aleh and Meech.
They all said they would not have wanted to see the 49erFX pair left out of the Olympic team, but a recurring theme in the conversations was that Yachting NZ's perceived inconsistent approach to selections has created distrust in the system.
Aleh did not want to be drawn into the debate over the merits of her inclusion in the team, but told RNZ via text message that she is “very pro-selection, having had close friends in the past who were influenced by the selection policy”.
“In terms of the YNZ policy, we were pleased to be selected and for us it was just a small step towards what we are trying to do in Paris. So our focus is very much on making sure that we do everything we possible in the coming months,” she wrote.
Since being named to the Olympic team, Aleh and Meech achieved a breakthrough performance at the French Olympic Week in Hyeres last month, claiming the bronze medal – a promising sign that the pair are beginning to perfect their partnership.
But when one reads the criteria, it is clear that Yachting NZ has exercised an extraordinary amount of discretion in including Aleh and Meech in the team.
In a brief statement to RNZ, Yachting NZ boss David Abercrombie said the organization does not comment publicly on individual nominations, but all sailors and crew have been selected in accordance with its policies. The nomination of athletes “follows a rigorous process led by an independent panel with a wealth of sailing expertise and experience”.
NZOC secretary general Nicki Nicol also claimed the correct process had been followed.
“All selections are made by an experienced selection panel. Decisions are evidence-based and athletes are nominated by [national sports organisations] are assessed by the NZOC selectors against the agreed nomination criteria and NZOC selection policy,” she said in a statement.
Freedom of selection: pedigree versus potential
The discretion used to choose Aleh and Meech does not appear to have been so readily available to others.
RNZ understands that at least one sailor – kitefoiler Lukas Walton-Keim – has lodged a formal appeal with the Tribunal for Sports over his non-nomination in the new Olympic class.
Walton-Keim is the partner of Olympic pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, who last weekend spoke out about the NZOC's controversial 'top 16' selection policy, arguing that qualified athletes should not be denied entry to the Olympics.
It is understood Walton-Keim's case will be heard this week unless a resolution can be reached in the meantime.
All parties agree to confidentiality when a case comes before the tribunal, but it is understood Walton-Keim is seeking an appointment under the 'emerging talent' clause.
Based on this criterion, two athletes have been selected: board sailor Veerle ten Have in the women's IQ foil, and Greta Pilkington, who is expected to be confirmed during an official announcement in Ilca 6 on Tuesday morning.
Ten Have finished 22nd and 21st overall in her two selection events, but easily ranked in the top 16 countries for both events.
Pilkington made a shaky start to her campaign, finishing 53rd and 44th in the first two selection events earlier this year before pulling out the stops at the final event in Hyeres last month. There the 20-year-old finished 16th and 14th country.
Walton-Keim's case is expected to focus on the inconsistent application of the “emerging talent” clause.
Walton-Keim finished 28th, 17th and 27th in his three selection regattas. His 17th place finish at the European Championships last year put him in the top 16 countries.
Although they are not official selection regattas, the 28-year-old has also been following recent events closely. He finished 11th at the French Olympic Week in Hyeres, or ninth country, and 17th at the Formula Kite World Championships (15th country) earlier this week.
After the event, Walton-Keim posted on Instagram: “Not sure what's next, I'd like to race some more in 2024… let's see.”
'Strict' with rules 'when it suits them'
A former international sailor said the governing body's flexibility is at odds with its past “rigid” approach to not only Olympic nomination but also funding decisions and selection for the 'Fast Track' development programme.
“YNZ will follow the rules to a T when it suits them. We're always told, 'Well, the policy is very clear', but then when they want to bring someone into the team, suddenly there's all this gray.” area,” they said.
Abercrombie did not directly address whether he is concerned about the perception of bias and growing distrust in the system. But in a statement he said Yachting NZ's policy is “transparent and available to every athlete throughout their campaigns”.
The organization's long-serving CEO also said the current policy was “developed following an athlete-led review following the Tokyo Olympics” and that athletes will continue to be involved in refining the policy for future cycles.
Nicol also sidestepped whether the NZOC had any concerns about Yachting NZ's handling of selections.
“While we cannot comment on individual cases, we do understand the hardship on athletes who may not have been nominated by their sport for selection to a NZ team.”
It is not the first time questions have been raised about Yachting NZ's approach to selection for top events. In 2016, Sara Winther (Laser Radial) and Natalia Kosinska (RS:X) filed cases before the Tribunal for Sports over their non-nomination for the Rio Games.
While the tribunal ultimately ruled in favor of Yachting NZ, the then chairman of the arbitration body, Sir Bruce Robertson, was highly critical of the sport's handling of selections.
“I am concerned about the inadequacy of communication by YNZ to both athletes. Although the selection policy is designed to afford YNZ great discretion, this does not detract from its obligations to adhere to the rules of natural justice and to to ensure fundamental fairness in its implementation,” Sir Bruce wrote in his decision.