America s Cup winning skipper Burling parts ways with Team New Zealand

Team New Zealand and three-times Americas Cup-winning skipper Peter Burling have parted ways after failing to agree to terms ahead of the 38th edition of the regatta.

Team NZ said its management and Burling had been in discussions since the third successive Cup triumph against Britain in Barcelona last year but were unable to reach agreement.

Pete has been a central figure who has grown incredibly within Emirates Team New Zealand since he joined 10 years ago, Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton said in a statement on Friday.

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.

The decision comes days after INEOS Britannia withdrew its intention to challenge for the next Cup, having split with skipper Ben Ainslie in January.

Briton Ainslie has vowed to compete in the 38th edition with his British Americas Cup team now known as Athena Racing.

Burling joined Team NZ after winning gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics sailing with teammate Blair Tuke.

He helmed New Zealand to victory over defender Team USA in Bermuda in 2017, becoming the youngest skipper to win an Americas Cup at the age of 26.

Four years later, he guided New Zealands successful defence against Luna Rossa in Auckland while juggling preparations for the Tokyo Olympics where he won another silver medal in the 49er class with Tuke.

Team NZ did not specify why discussions had broken down but Dalton suggested there may have been a sticking point over Burlings role going forward.

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, he