Burling tipped for cup helm

Rumours suggesting Tauranga sailor Peter Burling is set to replace Dean Barker as helm for Emirates Team New Zealand Team are being denied by officials.

NewstalkZB reported on Wednesday afternoon that Burling is to replace Barker, who has been in the role for over 12 years.

Peter Burling (right) with Blair Tuke after winning their second straight world championship in the 49er class. Photo: Jesusrenedo/Sailingenergy.

Peter Burling and 49er team mate Blair Tuke were signed by Team NZ following the America's Cup defeat in San Francisco in late 2013.

Team New Zealand released a short statement yesterday, describing the media reports as inaccurate and stating no decision has been made in relation to the helmsman role for the 2017 Americas Cup.

An additional statement was added shortly afterwards stating Team New Zealand is conducting a review across all operations - the sailing team included - with a view to decreasing costs and increasing competitiveness.

Barker was 28 when he was put at the helm for the last race of the 5-0 sweep of Prada in Auckland in 2000. He was also was also in charge when New Zealand lost 5-0 to Swiss challenger Alinghi three years later.

The 42-year-old was retained as skipper when Dalton saved the syndicate and pushed on to challenge for the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia. Team New Zealand lost that final 5-2 to Alinghi.

Barker survived again to lead the team into the America's Cup final against Oracle in San Francisco which was eventually lost 9-8, with the Kiwis failing to close out an 8-1 lead.

Tauranga sailor and Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat club member Burling is an Olympic medallist, a two-time Olympian and a double world champion.

Peter was 17 when he competed in the 470 class with Carl Evans, and became the youngest sailor to represent New Zealand at the Olympics.

The 24-year-old was helm in the 49er class when he and Blair Tuke won the silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

World championship titles include the 420 in 2006 and 2007, and the 49er in 2013 and 2014.

He beat Dean Barker to win the prestigious foiling Moth World Championship in January.

Peter and Blair were signed with Emirates Team New Zealand in January last year, with the former sharing skipper's duties with Barker over the eight-regatta Extreme Sailing series.

A four-time New Zealand Young Sailor of the Year winner, Peter was named young sailors of the year in 2013 along with Blair, after he skippered the NZL Sailing Team to victory in the inaugural Red Bull Youth America's Cup.

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1 comment

No taxpayers handout please

Posted on 19-02-2015 10:29 | By Annalist

Congratulations to Peter, our local sailor. But I think the government needs to be sent a clear message that no taxpayer funding should be given to Team NZ. After all this is a team that could afford to pay what, a couple of million dollars to Grant Dalton? This isn't a sport, it's a business and should survive without corporate welfare.


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