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.
With the America’s Cup now shaping up to be contested in more regular cycles, the requirements on team members are 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.
Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said: “Pete has been a central figure who has grown incredibly within Emirates Team New Zealand since he joined 10 years ago. 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.
“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.
As the foundations of the 38th America’s Cup, like the protocol and the host venue are progressing, the management of Emirates Team New Zealand has also been working hard to secure a powerful combination of existing experience and new talent across all departments to ensure every chance of winning the America’s Cup for the 6th time against what will be another formidable line-up of very strong challengers.
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).
- Only the second helmsman to win three America’s Cups in consecutive contests.
1 comment
Why don't I care?
Posted on 13-04-2025 18:40 | By morepork
Peter Burling is an outstanding yachtsman and has served this country well. (To be fair, he was well-served also...) I should feel sad he's going, but I don't. I actually don't care about ANY of them. (It's not personal, I recognize their ability; just a statement of fact.)
The America's cup used to share the same bond with the Kiwi public that the All Blacks do. The nation would go into mourning if they lost. We all bought our red socks and cheered our guys on - until serious money came on the scene. It became the playground of the very rich, and lost engagement with the Kiwis following it on TV. We saw the kind of hulls we all recognize as a "boat", transformed by technology and aeronautics into something none of us can recognize or relate to. I wish them well, but I really don't care.
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