Peter Burling set to go head-to-head with America's Cup rivals

Peter Burling will meet his America's Cup rivals in a more relaxed environment in Lake Garda next week. Photo/PHOTOSPORT.

Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling will next week face off against his America's Cup rivals once more.

Less than a month after lifting the America's Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand in Bermuda, Burling is set to line up in the moth world championships in Lake Garda, Italy.

The moth - a small development class dinghy that is capable of foiling - has become an increasingly popular class among the best sailors in the world, particularly since the introduction of foiling technology to the America's Cup.

Next week's regatta has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport, including Artemis skipper Nathan Outteridge, and Oracle's Tom Slingsby and Kyle Langford. The trio are part of a large contingent of Australian sailors in the event, with other notable entries including Tom Burton, 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the laser class, and Iain Jensen, Outteridge's partner in the 49er class and Artemis wing trimmer.

In his only major regatta in the single-handed class, Burling took out the moth world championship in 2015, outclassing some seasoned America's Cup sailors in that event.

Burling admitted he has not sailed the moth for two years, with his main focus over that time being his Olympic campaign with Blair Tuke in the 49er skiff, and his commitments with Team New Zealand.

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But with Tuke leaving Auckland this weekend to link up with Spanish team MAPFRE for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, Burling has time to chase his own opportunities over the next year.

Given his preparation for the event has been limited, it will be a tough ask for Burling to add a second moth world crown to his already impressive CV.

Outteridge, Burling's long-time friend and rival in the 49er class, will be one of the favourites for the regatta.

The double Olympic medalist has been training for the event since Artemis' exit from the America's Cup in the Louis Vuitton challenger final.