Burling, Tuke to defend 49er title
WELLINGTON: New Zealanders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have confirmed they will attempt to defend their 49er title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The pair have also announced they will also be a part of Team New Zealand’s defence of the America’s Cup.
Burling and Tuke dominated the 49er class in the last Olympic cycle, winning every major regatta after the 2012 Olympics, including four consecutive world titles and Olympic gold in Rio 2016.
Since Rio, they dedicated themselves to helping Team New Zealand win the 35th America’s Cup in 2017 and more recently completed the latest edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The pair have made no secret that another Olympic campaign is high on their agenda but wanted to wait until the Volvo race had concluded to reset goals with their core team.
Burling and Tuke will once again work closely with Hamish Willcox and David Slyfield to try to win another Olympic gold medal in 2020.
‘‘It’s not a decision we made lightly’’ Tuke said. ‘‘Representing your country at Olympic level is the highest honour and we are both incredibly focused on defending the Cup for New Zealand as part of Emirates Team New Zealand. We wanted to ensure we could give both campaigns everything we’ve got.’’
Burling added: ‘‘We know the combination of Olympic and America’s Cup sailing comp lement each other. It creates a really highperformance environment across all areas of sailing for us to push ourselves and be at the top of our game’’.
The duo has the support of Team New Zealand and Yachting New Zealand.
‘‘It’s great to have them back in the 49er,’’ Yachting New Zealand high performance director Ian Stewart said.
‘‘They are special sailors and will strengthen our goal of winning at least three medals in Tokyo but, more than that, their experience and leadership will have a massive impact on the ongoing development of the NZL sailing team.’’
Team New Zealand chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge continued: ‘‘We are happy to have Peter and Blair back as part of the team dedicated to the defence of the America’s Cup. Once again, we’re fully supportive of them integrating the Olympic 49er campaign with America’s Cup commitments.’’ — RNZ