Dynamic duo sets sights on double success
Blair Tuke says he and Peter Burling’s decision to juggle their America’s Cup commitments with another Olympic quest will ultimately benefit both campaigns.
The star sailing duo yesterday confirmed their intention to try for a second-straight 49er gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as well as being part of Team New Zealand’s defence of the Auld Mug the following year.
It’s a massive undertaking, which Burling and Tuke know all about having combined the two roles to great effect on the way to winning gold in Rio 2016 and the America’s Cup last year.
It is not a decision they made lightly. They were always keen to commit to the Olympics but wanted to wait until the completion of the Volvo Ocean Race, which ended, last month, before making the final call.
‘‘The Olympic class is the pure form of sailing and sailing small boats like that makes you better sailors, which you need to be if you want to be at the top of your game,’’ Tuke told Stuff.
‘‘Time is probably the biggest thing [to consider]. Taking on Team New Zealand commitments as well as the Olympics is no small feat but we proved last time that they can be very beneficial for each other so we’re keen to give it another crack.’’
Burling echoed his team-mate’s sentiments.
‘‘We know the combination of Olympic and America’s Cup sailing complement each other,’’ he said.
The pair have gone from strength to strength since claiming silver in the 49er class at the 2012 London Games.
They dominated the last Olympic cycle on the way to going one better in Rio, winning every major regatta including four consecutive world titles.
They then played a key part in bringing the America’s Cup back to these shores, culminating in the 7-1 rout of Oracle Team USA in Bermuda.
But while Tuke felt they were lucky to be able to draw from that experience, he said they were now operating under a ‘‘different landscape’’.
‘‘There’s new challenges both in the two-year campaign for the Olympics, which is pretty tight, and then the America’s Cup. It’s going to be a lot different from Bermuda.’’