Australia's sailing contingent at the Paris Olympics has been bolstered by a further five representatives, including four new faces.
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Currently preparing in France near the competition course at Marseilles, Tokyo Olympian Nia Jerwood was named alongside Conor Nicholas, with the pair contesting the new mixed-470 event.
Zoe Thomson will compete in her first Olympics in the ILCA-6 while Nacra-17 sailors Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown have also been selected to their debut Olympic team.
Their confirmation brings Australia's Games sailing squad to 12, joining Breianna Whitehead, Evie Haseldine, Matt Wearn, Grae Morris, Jim Colley, Olivia Price and Shaun Connor who were previously selected.
Jerwood said she was excited to be the first to race in the mixed-gender class with fellow West Australian Nicholas.
"The change to the mixed teams for the 470 meant I could team up with Conor," the 26-year-old said.
"We've been mates since sailing Optimists and always had the same competitive drive so it made a lot of sense to join up, it is safe to say it was a great decision."
The duo will compete in two more major regattas before settling in at Marseilles, working with Italian Andrea Mannini, a gold medal 470 coach from the Rio 2016 Olympics.
"We will then go to Marseille with two months lead in and do a lot of coaches regattas, which is really important to get used to conditions and get acclimatised to the venue," said Nicholas, also aged 26.
Another West Australian, Thomson last month finished second at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Spain and has hopes of becoming the country's first female sailing individual medallist.
In the mixed-multihull, 21-year-olds Liddell and Brown have had an amazing trajectory over the past few months to secure their spot on the team.
The duo, out of the Wangi Sailing Club south of Newcastle, are coached by dual Olympic medallist Darren Bundock.
"As a coach, it's exciting as it's likely Brin and Rhiannan will be the youngest team," Bundock said.
"Their learning curve is steep and despite their constant improvement I still see so many areas to improve in technique, racing skills and speed leading into the Olympics."
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares congratulated the athletes on their selection.
"Their passion, commitment and talent have got them to this point, and I'm excited to see what they can accomplish on the Olympic stage," Meares said.
"I have no doubt they will make Australia proud."
Australian Associated Press
