Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Burling and Tuke chase another 49er world title

by Yachting NZ 7 Feb 2020 19:36 PST
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 2019 Hyundai 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Worlds final day © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy

If they hadn't already won a few, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke might have felt a bit short-changed with their latest stint as 49er world champions. The pair won their fifth 49er world title in Auckland as recently as December and are now intent on winning a sixth in Melbourne next week.

The small matter of the Olympic Games interferes with normal transmission so this year's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 world championships are being held early in the year, even though it has been only two months since the last.

"I don’t think it really matters," Burling said. "It was pretty similar to how it happened last [Olympic] cycle. We had a world champs in Buenos Aires and then one in Clearwater a couple of months later. It’s the way it works out sometimes. It just gives you a bit more motivation to go out there and try to win another one."

It won't be easy.

The Olympics are rapidly coming into view and many nations will be using the world championships as a selection event for the Tokyo Games, putting pressure on crews to perform, and Melbourne will also bring a different set of complexities.

"It’s Melbourne and it changes more than Auckland," Tuke said. "It’s a really classic place to sail."

The pair got a taste of it earlier this week during the four-day Oceania championships, the warmup event for the world championships, when strong winds buffeted the race course.

Burling and Tuke finished second in that, with fellow Kiwis Logan Dunning Beck and Oscar Gunn third and Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie fifth, further illustrating the depth of the New Zealand 49er squad.

"It was pretty full-on out there," Tuke said. "It’s been a while since we’ve sailed an event with four solid days like that. There was some good action, that’s for sure.

"It was pretty good for us to have that warmup event a week out from the worlds. It gave us a pretty good test. It was windy the whole time so it was really good to get that many races in strong breezes. It gets you back into shape pretty quickly. We are happy with how we are going and where we are at a few days out."

Burling and Tuke have just emerged from an intense period of training with Emirates Team New Zealand and it's nothing short of impressive that they've been able to juggle all of their commitments, which recently included the launch of an environmental charity, and still be at the top of their game.

"It’s definitely been a pretty busy time for Blair and myself," Burling said. "We really enjoyed a couple of weeks off over the Christmas break, which was the first decent time off we had had for a year or so.

"It’s been great also to do some more [America's] Cup sailing in the big boat and then launch the little boat. Now we can get into full 49er mode and try to build up to this worlds. It’s been a really fun period."

Burling and Tuke will be among a strong contingent of New Zealand sailors in Melbourne, and the Laser world championships also start across town on Tuesday.

Nine 49er combinations will line up in Geelong, where the skiffs and catamarans will be competing, along with two in the 49erFX and four in the Nacra 17 to make New Zealand the most represented country behind hosts Australia.

Alex Maloney and Molly Meech are among the contenders in the 49erFX and are keen to add to the world title they won in 2013 and bronze they collected in 2017.

They were disappointed to finish sixth at the last world championships in Auckland but come in on the back of some good form when they were also second at the Oceania championships, stringing together eight top-five results in their 10 races.

"The Oceania champs was a nice warmup event, a good chance to get back into racing routines and to test out the venue for the world champs," Maloney said. "So far we've experienced quite shifty conditions, so heads-out-of-the-boat racing. Sailing smart and staying consistent throughout the week will be key.

"It's pretty cool to have another world championships so soon after the last one. It's an exciting opportunity to race for a world title."

New Zealand sailors competing at the 2020 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 world championships:

49er: Peter Burling and Blair Tuke; Logan Dunning Beck and Oscar Gunn; Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie; Markus Somerville and Jack Simpson; Jackson Keon and Scott McKenzie; Sam Bacon and Henry Gautrey; Sam Morgan and Pat Morgan; Campbell Stanton and Will Shapland; Lewis Anderson and Reece Caulfied.

49erFX: Alex Maloney and Molly Meech; Crystal Sun and Olivia Hobbs.

Nacra 17: Gemma Jones and Josh Porebski; Liv Mackay and Jason Saunders; Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson; Helena Sanderson and Henry Haslett.

Pic: Peter Burling and Blair Tuke claimed a fifth 49er world title in Auckland in December. Photo: Sailing Energy.

Related content Tags

Related Articles

VISIONF Yachts unveils Superfast 46
A new speedboat with 80 knots max speed VISIONF Yachts, renowned for its cutting-edge luxury power catamarans, has revealed the latest jewel in its performance portfolio — the VISIONF Superfast 46, a 14-meter, high-speed masterpiece capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots. Posted on 7 Jul
Inside Maritimo Newsletter - Take a Virtual Tour
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo Take a moment to indulge in our immersive virtual tours, available through the form link below. Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo, all from the comfort of your own home. Posted on 4 Jul
Baglietto launch first DOM115 Superyacht
A 35-meter masterpiece by Stefano Vafiadis with interiors by Baglietto design team The first unit of the DOM115, the entry-level model of the line designed by Stefano Vafiadis, was officially launched in recent days. Posted on 3 Jul
Grand Trawler 63
A new benchmark in elegant voyaging With the launch of the Grand Trawler 63, BENETEAU sets a new benchmark in long-distance luxury cruising. Posted on 3 Jul
Palm Beach GT60 Jet Drive
A head-turning vision that sets a new standard in customization It's a question often asked by outsiders looking at Palm Beach Motor Yacht's vibrant new product introductions and development pipeline: What was the genesis for this particular design? Posted on 2 Jul
The new Beneteau Swift Trawler 37
The latest family cruiser from the world's leading marine brand The eye-catching new arrival in the fleet of BENETEAU's modern passagemakers is the Swift Trawler 37. The latest family cruiser from the world's leading marine brand replaces the Swift Trawler 35, balancing enhanced design and comfort on board. Posted on 2 Jul
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted on 2 Jul
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
Baglietto and Meyer Davis unveil concept Vesta56
A 56m superyacht collaboration Baglietto, the Italian shipyard with over 170 years of heritage and excellence, along with Meyer Davis, the multi-disciplinary design studio, announce a new creative partnership. Posted on 29 Jun
2025 Flotilla to Alaska Day 30
Explorer Basin to Red Bluff Bay So many more whales this morning, right off the bat as we exited Explorer Basin, outside of Tebenkof Bay. Posted on 28 Jun
Maritimo M75Palm Beach Motor Yachts