Peter Burling skipped New Zealand to victory in last year's America's Cup in Barcelona. Photo: Georgia Schofield / www.photosport.nz
Successful America's Cup skipper Peter Burling is parting ways with Team New Zealand.
Burling, who skippered the team's win in the America's Cup in Barcelona, will not be part of the next defence, he said in a statement released with team principal Grant Dalton.
Discussions by the team management and Burling have been ongoing since Barcelona, but an agreement was not able to be reached.
"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," Dalton said.
"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, who is also skipper of New Zealand's Black Foils team in the SailGP regatta, doesn't address in the statement the failure to reach an agreement.
"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."
The statement said Team NZ and Burling "move forward with respect for one another and share pride in the journey they've been on together".
In a post on Instagram, Burling enlarges on his pride in the team's achievements and also thanks his family and fans.
"I'm proud of the battles, the wins, and being part of one of the greatest sporting teams in the world.
"I want to take this time to thank you all. My family, friends and Kiwi sailing fans for the amazing support over the past decade. I'm hugely grateful to everyone who's been part of this chapter.
"I'm incredibly excited for the future - growing the Black Foils, proudly representing New Zealand both at home and on the global stage, and driving positive ocean action through Live Ocean. "
Live Ocean is the foundation that Burling and fellow sailor Blair Tuke are involved in to fund action for a healthy ocean.
"I wish ETNZ all the very best for their defence of the 38th America's Cup."
Team NZ announced last week that Auckland would not host the next Cup, after failing to get government financial backing.
Auckland Council's Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) released a statement saying it was disappointed that the city's bid for the 2027 event was not going ahead.
"Auckland's bid was contingent on a three-way funding partnership between Auckland Council, central government and the private sector. MBIE [Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment] has informed TAU that the government is unable provide the funds required and on that basis the bid cannot proceed."
Auckland Council said it would support hosting any future America's Cup events in the region.
Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling and Team New Zealand Boss Grant Dalton hold aloft the Americas Cup during the Team New Zealand victory Parade in Auckland in July 2017. Photo: Photosport
Team NZ said 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."
While discussions are ongoing about the venue and date for the next America's Cup, Team NZ said it had 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 sixth time against what will be another formidable line up of very strong challengers.''
Burling skipped Team NZ to America's Cup wins in Bermuda (2017), Auckland (2021) and Barcelona (2024).
The Burling news comes a day after British syndicate INEOS Britannia said it was abandoning its challenge for the next Cup.
The syndicate had failed to reach a settlement with former skipper Ben Ainslie's team.
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