Polly Powrie

Polly Powrie is a two-time Olympic medallist having won gold at London 2012 and silver at Rio 2016 alongside teammate Jo Aleh.

Jo and Polly, known as team Jolly, completed a remarkable comeback to claim their podium spot in Rio. The defending champions in the women's 470 class overcame two early disqualifications to battle their way back to second on the table.

In London the pair went into the final race of the Olympic regatta tied on points with the Great Britain crew. Out on the racecourse they sailed superbly to win the double-points race and clinch the gold medal.

When they reached the shore members of the New Zealand team carried the women and their boat from the water high on their shoulders in a traditional celebration.

Polly grew up in an Auckland sailing family and started her career in the sport at the local Kohimarama Yacht Club progressing through the junior classes and then honing her skills in a range of boats including the 420, Yngling and Laser Radial before pairing with Aleh to launch their women's 470 campaign in 2009. 

Aleh and Powrie were coached by Nathan Handley. Powrie retired from Olympic sailing in 2017 and was appointed to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Athlete Support Team.