Burling (34) won the America’s Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand in 2017, 2021, and 2024, prior to which, sailing with Blair Tuke, he dominated the Olympic 49er class – winning six world championships along with one gold and two silver Olympic medals.
Burling also won the 2015 Moth World Championship and raced around the world with Dutch entry Team Brunel in the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sailing. Alongside Tuke, Burling also leads New Zealand’s Black Foils SailGP Team.
The announcement of Burling’s exit from Emirates Team New Zealand came as a shock to the sailing world. At the time the Kiwi team’s CEO Grant Dalton said the two parties had been unable to agree terms. A particular sticking point appeared to be around Burling’s role with the Black Foils, which Dalton believed would not fit in with the team’s requirements for in the lead-up to the 38th America’s Cup.
Under the rules of the last America’s Cup – AC37, held in Barcelona, Spain last year – a no poaching clause prohibited any sailor who competed in the previous edition from sailing for another team. The yet-to-be-confirmed draft protocol released by Emirates Team New Zealand a few weeks ago allows teams to field up to two non-national crew members – providing they do not break the no poaching criteria.
In the Luna Rossa announcement CEO Maxi Sirena said the team was thrilled to welcome Burling on board.
