In news that is set the shock the nation, and the sailing world, Three-Pete Peter Burling is leaving Emirates Team New Zealand.
How you feeling? Have you reached for the rum to take a shot yet?
Peter Burling rose to fame when he was handed the keys to Emirates Team New Zealand, taking over from Dean Barker.
He was at the helm when New Zealand won the 2017 (Bermuda), 2021 (Auckland) and 2024 (Barcelona) America’s Cup events.
He’s a unicorn of the sailing world – one of the best, but does he come as a packaged deal with long-time sailing partner Blair Tuke? Will we soon hear news that he is departing as well?
We have to remember one simple thing – pro sailors are professionals. Sailing is their job. It’s how they put a roof over their heads and food on their table, and a Rolex on their wrist
Pete’s decision to leave is one that we respect. He’s putting is faith in himself and pushing ahead with his own path.
But that doesn’t mean we won’t see him with an America’s Cup team in the future. We reckon (but don’t know for sure), that other teams will be lining up with their cheque books ready to sign one of the legends of the sport.
Three-Pete Peter Burling. Photo: Georgia Schofield / Live Sail Die
Official Statement on Peter Burling leaving Emirates Team New Zealand
Emirates Team New Zealand and Peter Burling have today confirmed that they have agreed to part ways ahead of the 38th America’s Cup.
Discussions by the team management and Burling have been ongoing since Barcelona, however an agreement was not able to be reached.
With the America’s Cup now shaping up to be contested in more regular cycles, the requirements on team members are changing. As the balance between design, simulation, boat build, testing and racing windows become more compressed, the integration of key sailors with the design team becomes more critical than ever.
Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said: “Pete has been a central figure who has grown incredibly within Emirates Team New Zealand since he joined 10 years ago. We can all look back with great pride on what has been achieved, having enjoyed unprecedented success as a team with Pete at the helm,” continued Dalton.
“Winning the America’s Cup three times in a row was uncharted territory, but what has enabled winning in the past does not always equate to winning in the future, especially in much tighter America’s Cup cycles which require a dedicated and new approach for continued success.”
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