Great work Tom – and we’re right behind our other finalists, says North Shore City

21 August 2008

North Shore City is extremely proud of our latest Olympic Gold Medallist Tom Ashley, and wishes other North Shore athletes all the best in their finals.

Devonport raised boardsailer Ashley won Olympic Gold last night after finishing third in the final race of the gruelling RS X boardsailing series in Qingdao.

The 24-year old has been racing off Takapuna Beach throughout his boardsailing career, and in December last year he won the RS X World Championship at Takapuna.

Mayor Williams says that Tom Ashley’s medal is a huge achievement and is a great start to the recently signed sister city agreement with Qingdao where Ashley’s event was held.

“Having recently been in Qingdao to sign a sister city agreement with the city, I am aware of the heat and the humidity that our athletes face, on or off the water. This makes their successes even more outstanding.

“Tom is a real North Shore man – having grown up in Devonport and completing his schooling at Westlake Boys High School,” says Mayor Williams.

In the next few days three more North Shore athletes, kayakers Ben Fouhy and Steven Ferguson, and BMX racer Sarah Walker, will all compete in their finals.

Mayor Williams says that nearly one quarter of the entire New Zealand contingent are from the North Shore, and that is definitely something to celebrate.

“I am not quite sure what it is that inspires so many North Shore residents to strive for Olympic glory, but our athletes can rest assured that we congratulate each and every one.”

“We are especially proud of our medal winners, but we also salute all those who are competing at Olympic level, whether or not they finish in the top three. To simply get to Beijing is a huge achievement.”

Mayor Williams says that the New Zealand Olympic success has been a great boost to national pride, and a real midwinter pick-me-up for the entire nation.

ENDS

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