Peter Burling and Blair Tuke report on the 2010 49er Worlds

by Burling Media on 13 Jan 2010 The NZ 49er crew of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have just returned from the 49er Worlds in Grand Bahamas and filed this report:

We've just finished the 2010 49er Worlds in the Bahamas – finishing 17th overall out of the 62 boats and 10th country out of 25. We had hoped for a higher placing - but are pleased that our position has improved 9 places since the Italy worlds 5 months ago. We managed 2nd place in 3 races – one each in light, moderate and windy conditions, but it was hard to be consistent in the shifty conditions.

The temperature was a little cooler than expected, mid teens, with the water warmer than the air. . Most of the time we have jerseys on and it quickly cools down getting dark around 6.30pm. The races were run on a short course inside the reef with 4 laps most of the time.

With the top mark regularly just meters from the resort beach (boat park) - meaning great for spectators but a very shifty breeze. Day 2 was rather exciting ... it was gusting up to 30 knots with capsizes the whole way through the fleet. Only two races were possible this day due to the low tide leaving just a metre of water at the start line. The low tide was catastrophic for the Irish crew whose boat was badly damaged after a colliding with a rock.

As always at these events, the fleet was stacked with Olympic medalists and ex-World champions … with the Spaniards who won overall having won Gold at the Athens Olympics and Silver in Beijing. It is a great feeling to be racing surrounded by Olympic medalists and ex-World champions – the top sailors all having many years experience in 49er sailing.

It has been a fast learning curve since starting our 49er Olympic campaign 14 months ago; we are really enjoying ourselves along the way! Our lead-up regattas in Australia were really beneficial. We feel our starting was much better at these Worlds and are quickly building up the necessary 49er experience to take us to the next level.

We packed our boat on a ridiculous trailer which will arrive in Miami in a few days in time to compete in the 49er North Americans and the Miami World Cup event. We will be home early in February just in time to compete at Sail Auckland and then have a month off sailing to relax and recuperate.

The next major regatta we are working towards is the 49er European championship in Poland – early July. Our next 49er World championship is almost two years away, Perth Dec 2011 - which will also be the 2012 Olympic qualification regatta.

Thanks for your support and encouragement

Blair and Peter