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With a flurry of engagements, public appearances, club visits and Awards ceremonies since standing on the podium in Weymouth, Aleh and Powrie have taken their time to consider what comes next.

Olympic Programme Director at Yachting New Zealand Jez Fanstone is understandably delighted that both Aleh and Powrie will be part of the NZL Sailing Team in this next cycle.

"It is great news - not just for our next Olympic campaign - but also for yachting in New Zealand," said Fanstone. "At 26 and 24 years old, Jo and Olivia are young sailors with obvious potential to represent New Zealand with more success in future."

"Sailors who make the NZL Sailing Team, such as our recent medallists, are all super talented and hugely committed. Over the coming four years we'll target key regattas including Oceanbridge Sail Auckland here in New Zealand and the internationals such as ISAF Sailing World Cup events and World Championships to put us back in medal winning form for Rio.

"Their success makes us all proud, and with their faces in the spotlight there'll be plenty more junior sailors out there wanting to be 'just like Jo and Polly'. And they are our future champions."

Aleh and Powrie were made to fight all the way for their gold medal at London 2012 with Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR) pushing them all the way throughout the week. With leads changes aplenty, the scores going into the Medal Race were level meaning it was do or die for both teams.

In a furious pre-start Aleh and Powrie sneaked away from the pack leaving Mills and Clark fighting amongst the pack. The New Zealanders led at the first mark and never looked back as they comfortably to the bullet in front of 5,000 paying spectators.

You can re-live a memorable fortnight of Olympic sailing by purchasing the official London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition DVD. Find out more here.