New Zealand sailing hero Peter Burling joins Team Brunel for Volvo Ocean Race<\/p>\n
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Ugo Fonolla\/Volvo Ocean Race<\/p>\n
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Ainhoa Sanchez\/Volvo Ocean Race<\/p>\n
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Ugo Fonolla\/Volvo Ocean Race<\/p>\n
Olympic gold medallist and America\u2019s Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling has joined Team Brunel for the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race (see more below)<\/p>\n
Olympic gold medallist and America\u2019s Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling has joined Team Brunel for the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race \u2013 and he\u2019s already out sailing with his new teammates in pre-race qualifying.<\/p>\n
The signing of the world\u2019s most in-demand sailor is a major coup for Brunel skipper Bouwe Bekking, and sets up what should be a compelling rivalry with Burling\u2019s long-term sailing partner Blair Tuke, who is competing with Spanish team MAPFRE.<\/p>\n
Together, Burling and Tuke carried the flag for New Zealand at the 2016 Olympics and came home from Rio with a gold medal in the 49er class.<\/p>\n
The pair followed up that success by playing influential roles in Emirates Team New Zealand\u2019s victory in the America\u2019s Cup earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Burling got his first taste of life onboard Brunel\u2019s Volvo Ocean 65 at the start of an overnight sprint from Plymouth, UK to Saint-Malo, France \u2013 the third stage of the Volvo Ocean Race\u2019s Leg Zero qualifying series.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to do this race \u2013 although I haven\u2019t done a lot offshore, I\u2019ve always been keen to get involved but always struggled to find the time,” Burling said at dockside in Plymouth. “It seems like good timing and a great opportunity to learn a lot off a pretty experienced team.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: “Round-the-world ocean racing has always excited me and I’m stoked to be part of Team Brunel on this epic edition. I can’t wait to be thrown into the challenge of extreme offshore racing and broaden my skills and sailing experience.”<\/p>\n
Still only 26, Burling is the youngest winning helmsman in America\u2019s Cup history.<\/p>\n
Either Burling or Tuke could become the first sailor to complete the Triple Crown of sailing\u2019s major events. To date, no one has won an Olympic gold medal, the America\u2019s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race. Both teams will start among the favourites.<\/p>\n
Burling continued: \u201cI\u2019ve sailed against Blair a lot in the past, and I think he\u2019s really enjoying his time onboard MAPFRE. I think both of us will learn a lot before the next time we sail together, and we\u2019ll take on a challenge again together soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Brunel were runners-up in 2014-15 under Bekking and have hit the ground running in their preparations for the upcoming race. Burling is the seventh sailor to be announced for the Dutch team following the signings of America’s Cup sailors Carlo Huisman (NED) and Kyle Langford (AUS); Argentinian Juanpa Marcos; and Volvo Ocean Race veterans Alberto Bolzan (ITA) and Maciel Cicchetti (ARG\/ITA), all sailing under skipper Bouwe Bekking (NED).<\/p>\n
Bekking said: \u201cPeter is one of the most talented sailors in the world, winning an Olympic gold in Rio and the America\u2019s Cup. He\u2019s a huge addition for our team. He is superb driver \u2013 one of the fastest \u2013 and I think he will adapt very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race begins from Alicante on 22 October. The race will take the teams 45,000 nautical miles around the world via a series of Host City stops \u2013 including Auckland.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s going to be pretty special to be on board to see Auckland, the City of Sails, welcome an epic race like the Volvo Ocean Race,” added Burling.<\/p>\n
“Having just toured New Zealand with the America’s Cup I got to witness how much Kiwis really do love sailing \u2013 and I know they will really get behind the Volvo Ocean Race coming to town.”<\/p>\n
via New Zealand sailing hero Peter Burling joins Team Brunel for Volvo Ocean Race| Volvo Ocean Race<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Zealand sailing hero Peter Burling joins Team Brunel for Volvo Ocean Race Download Ugo Fonolla\/Volvo Ocean Race Download Ainhoa Sanchez\/Volvo Ocean Race Download Ugo Fonolla\/Volvo Ocean Race Olympic gold medallist and America\u2019s Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling has joined … Continue reading