New Zealand sailing duo Josh Junior and Andy Maloney maybe in a head-to-head race for a spot in the 2020 Olympic team, but they are willing to help each other in the process.
The Team New Zealand teammates are working alongside each other sharing information in the hope the one of the pair will deliver Olympic Gold for the nation in Tokyo.
"We share the same coach, we live together, we travel together and we train together, and basically we just try and encourage each other to be better," Junior told Newshub.
"So when we're out training and someone's doing something well, we’ll talk to each other and try understanding what they're doing and try learning off each other."
The two will travel together to Denmark later this month to compete in the sailing World Championships, looking to qualify their Finn for the Olympics.
But there's just one New Zealand spot available at the Games.
"We're just trying to improve and be the best we can, and hopefully the guy that does go has the best chance at a gold medal," Junior said.
It's just the first step in a long journey that will see both sailors juggling Olympic and America's Cup commitments, with the first AC event creeping up next year.
"There's going to be some challenges, trying to do the Olympics at the same time," said Junior.
"But it's an exciting opportunity for Andy and I to be able to do the Olympic thing and the America's Cup, and they’re very supportive of that.
"And for Team New Zealand it's a good way to keep the sailors sailing and at a very high level.
"It's an incredibly exciting time at Team New Zealand for the designers in particular, the rule's pretty much out and they’re just trying to build the fastest boat possible," Junior said.
Newshub.
