Team New Zealand's Peter Burling celebrates winning the 36th America's Cup in Auckland. Photo / Photosport
Team New Zealand's Peter Burling celebrates winning the 36th America's Cup in Auckland. Photo / Photosport
Three-time America’s Cup-winning helmsman Peter Burling will not be returning to Emirates Team New Zealand for the next Cup cycle.
Discussions by the team management and Burling have been ongoing since Barcelona, however, an agreement was not able to be reached.
Team NZ confirmed the news this morning in a statement, noting that with the America’s Cup now shaping up to be contested in more regular cycles, the requirements on team members were changing. As the balance between design, simulation, boat build, testing and racing windows become more compressed, the integration of key sailors with the design team becomes more critical than ever.
“Pete has been a central figure who has grown incredibly within Emirates Team New Zealand since he joined 10 years ago,” team chief executive Grant Dalton said.
“We can all look back with great pride on what has been achieved, having enjoyed unprecedented success as a team with Pete at the helm.
Peter Burling celebrates winning the America's Cup in Barcelona last year. Photo / Ricardo Pinto / America's Cup
“Winning the America’s Cup three times in a row was uncharted territory, but what has enabled winning in the past does not always equate to winning in the future, especially in much tighter America’s Cup cycles which require a dedicated and new approach for continued success.”
Burling said: “While I won’t be continuing with Emirates Team New Zealand for the 38th America’s Cup, I want to take a moment to reflect on an amazing journey. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of being part of something truly special – from intense battles to unforgettable victories, and friendships that extend well beyond sailing. I’m immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved together and grateful to everyone who has been part of this chapter.”
Both Emirates Team New Zealand and Burling move forward with “respect for one another and share pride in the journey they’ve been on together,” the statement said.
The team are currently working towards establishing the foundations for the 38th America’s Cup, including the venue and protocol which are expected to be finalised and released before the end of June.
The statement said Emirates Team New Zealand had been working to secure a strong combination of experience and new talent for their next campaign, and expected a strong line-up of challengers again.
Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling after winning the 2017 America's Cup. Photo/ Photosport
Burling’s America’s Cup record
2017 - 7-1 over Oracle Team USA
2021 - 7–3 over Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
2024 - 7-2 over Ineos Brittania
- Three-time America’s Cup winner
- Has won the most America’s Cup races (22) in history, beating the record of 17 previously held by Jimmy Spithill.
- Youngest winning helmsman in the history of the America’s Cup (2017).
- Youngest ever skipper to win the America’s Cup (2021).
