NZ’S TWO MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORS
After four years of steering towards their Rio Gold Olympic Medal and taking out the Auld Mug with their team last week, there hasn’t been much time for dating for two of New Zealand’s most eligible bachelors.
Even before the unbridled enthusiasm emanating from the 80,000 packed parade in downtown Auckland on Thursday, Peter Burling and Blair
Tuke were discovering the juggernaut which is their new celebrity status.
Autograph chasers found the boys before they made it to the city and we are told a big adjustment is needed for both, as they get used to their new-found fame. We hear if Burling fits in a Volvo Ocean Race, Tuke, will be there too.
One of the most special parts of the day for the team was when they arrived at the Viaduct for the speeches and were surprised by musician David Dallas singing his hit song, Runnin, which had been on auto play constantly throughout their training and run to victory.
Before the team hopped on the boat with the cup for their harbour welcome, the team’s family and friends had booked out most of Leo Malloy’s restaurant Headquarters located beside the stage, where the speeches were given. The PM Bill English mixed it up with them, as did Mayor Phil Goff and government ministers Simon Bridges and Jonathan Coleman.
The respite of Headquarters gave the boys a quick minute to refresh and one Rich List female fan was ecstatic when she ran into Tuke in the unisex bathrooms.
After the team mingled with wellwishers, they and their families and friends headed to the Royal Yacht Squadron where they partied till late. The team chose not to go to the many after parties put on around the Viaduct and went to mates’ houses and Pineapple bar in Parnell.
After parades across the country over the next week, Burling and Tuke are looking forward to visiting their hometowns of Tauranga and Kerikeri for some downtime. The boys will then head back to Auckland, where Burling has a base in Parnell and Tuke will couch surf until he finds a new Auckland pad. Then both will figure out what their next challenge will be.