Burling to return for NZ SailGP in home leg

Peter Burling will be back at the helm when the New Zealand SailGP team return to Christchurch next weekend.

Burling sat out last month’s regatta in Sydney on parental leave, which saw the Kiwi outfit recruit Australian star and fellow Team New Zealand America’s Cup helmsman Nathan Outteridge to drive in his place.

The Kiwis finished third in Sydney, a decent result but not without frustration after they botched the start in the final.

“I thought the whole team did an exceptional job to do their areas well and make it easy for Nathan stepping in, and Nathan did a really good job,” wing trimmer Blair Tuke told the Herald after the Sydney event.

It was the second time in as many events that Outteridge replaced a sailor on paternity leave, after he filled in for Denmark driver Nicolai Sehested at Abu Dhabi, though with significantly less success in the light airs of the Arabian Gulf than he had with New Zealand.

The 38-year-old has been in limbo in SailGP the past couple of years after the demise of his Japanese team at the start of last season.

Outteridge opened up on his frustrations since his team was dropped by the league.

“It’s been a very hard couple of years for me,” Outteridge said, speaking on the latest episode of Racing on the Edge, SailGP’s episodical documentary series.

“To be in a supporting role when you’re in the prime of your career, it’s hard to do that. I hope I’ll find a drive again in the future.”

However, Outteridge indicated he could be more involved in the league next season, ending the Sydney event with an offer from an unidentified team.