Boardsailor Jon Paul Tobin was relieved to hear that he had been selected as New Zealand's representative for its defence of the Olympic RS:X title at next year's Olympic Games in London.
After he and defending Olympic champion Tom Ashley finished in fifth and sixth places respectively at the ISAF Sailing World Championships at Perth at the weekend, there was speculation the selectors would dwell on who should represent New Zealand at the Olympics.
However, the choice was made on Wednesday and Tobin admitted he was relieved there had been no dallying over the selection.
"It's more of a relief than a surprise," he said. "It's been a long year and I've nailed a number of regattas that have been nominated so it was nice to have the final word."
A delay in the selection would have upset his training routine as he would have needed to be already into the training cycle required by the delay.
"The actual time between the world champs and the Olympic Games is too tight and it [the decision] has given me a way nicer run into the Olympic Games."
Tobin said it was a fact that his rivalry with Ashley had been a boost for their respective standards but it was also reflective of contests in New Zealand wind-surfing history.
Bruce Kendall and Aaron McIntosh had been earlier examples of the close rivalry that can exist.
"Now it's just my job to go and emulate the success New Zealand windsurfing has had at the Olympic Games."
Their relationship was 'competitive' and that had been a spur for them both as Tobin said he had not yet had any contact with Ashley. Having been in the same position himself in the past he knew how the defending Olympic champion would be feeling.
Tobin said he had an extensive build-up to the Olympics. He will work with his training partner Dorian van Rijsselberghe, the world RS:X champion, and coach Aaron McIntosh.
"We'll be ticking some of the boxes we need to refine a bit from this last programme and really just getting more at home in Weymouth," he said.
Tobin said the Olympic venue was one that he felt at home and he has had some good results there.
"I picked up a medal at the Sail for Gold there, I'm happy to race there and it is a place I enjoy racing. It's just that there is quite a variety [in sailing conditions], it is quite like sailing here [Auckland], flat water and the breeze can get in quite strong.
"There's a number of guys who have potential there and I'm definitely one of them," he said.