America's Cup: Burling and Tuke confirm commitment to ETNZ over 2024 Olympics
by Gemma Ross 24 Feb 2022 15:59 PST
25 February 2022
Peter Burling (left), Blair Tuke and Ray Davies take the America's Cup back to the ETNZ Victory Party - Emirates Team NZ - America's Cup - Day 7 - March 17, 2021 © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com
New Zealand sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have announced their commitment to Emirates Team New Zealand to help defend the 37th America's Cup.
They will be part of a core sailing team, just announced by Emirates Team New Zealand, which comprises four Olympic medalists and two Finn Gold Cup winners.
The three time Olympic medalists confirmed their decision not to campaign for the 2024 Olympic Games in the 49er class.
They continue to lead the New Zealand SailGP Team as well as playing a vital role with marine conservation foundation Live Ocean as its founders.
After a busy 2021 competition schedule the sailing partners took important time to evaluate and set goals for the next stage of their careers.
"We are excited to be part of Emirates Team New Zealand going for the third win in a row of the oldest sporting trophy in the world," says Tuke.
Burling and Tuke believe combining their America's Cup and SailGP programmes will complement each other incredibly well.
"The America's Cup and SailGP will create a super high performance environment that will push us to be our best and maximise our performance in both competitions,'' continues Burling.
Stepping out of the 49er wasn't an easy decision for the pair but after six World Championship titles, and three back to back Olympic campaigns resulting in two silver and one gold medal for their country they felt the time was right.
"It's not retirement from the Olympics, we'll never say never," says Tuke.
Tuke continues "we step aside knowing there is a breadth of talent within the New Zealand Sailing Team that will represent Aotearoa New Zealand strongly at the Olympic Games in Paris."
"It's exciting to get into the next phase of our careers representing New Zealand on the world stage. We'll also continue to champion the marine conservation foundation we established, Live Ocean. We know the ocean needs action now. We're ready to go and can't wait to get into it," concludes Burling.