Team New Zealand sign sailing young guns Josh Junior and Andy Maloney

Josh Junior and Andy Maloney (Supplied)
Josh Junior and Andy Maloney (Supplied)

Talented sailors Josh Junior and Andy Maloney have joined Team New Zealand for next year's America's Cup.

The 26-year-olds join the crew, achieving lifelong goals after watching the 1995 event at the age of five.

"It's a dream come true," said Maloney.

"Sailing for Emirates Team New Zealand has always been a huge goal of mine.

"It's been awesome watching the [America's] Cup evolve over the past few cycles, and now to be sailing on the high performance foiling machines is just epic."

Junior, who finished with a seventh place at the Rio Olympics in the Finn class is excited at the immense challenge in front of him.

"Learning everyday from the best guys in their respective fields is just awesome," he said.

"A huge challenge and an honour at the same time."

Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton said the team can only benefit from the talented duo coming on board but they have a steep learning curve ahead.

"These guys are young and powerful, but will have to work hard to learn everything about sailing in the America's Cup," Dalton said.

"They have the raw talent and motivation as well as some pretty valuable experienced guys like Glenn Ashby & Ray Davies to guide them."

The two young guns have already began training on the water with the AC45 test boat.

Newshub.