14-05-2025
Team NZ name new skipper after Burling's departure
Team New Zealand has named Nathan Outteridge as its new skipper for its next America's Cup defence.
Peter Burling, the helmsman and three-time winner of the America's Cup, parted ways with the team early last month after an agreement was unable to be reached.
The team today announced its team of five core sailors: Outteridge, Andy Maloney, Blair Tuke, Sam Meech and Chris Draper.
Outteridge, an Australian, was co-helmsman alongside Burling when they held on to the America's Cup in Barcelona last year.
Tuke, Maloney and Meech were all also returning for another campaign, while British sailor Draper is a new addition who last competed in Japan's challenge in 2017.
Meech was a back-up sailor in last year's defence in Barcelona and was likely to take a more prominent role this time around.
Team NZ said more sailors would be announced in due course.
Discussions between team management and Burling, 34, had been ongoing since the America's Cup was held in Barcelona last year, however an agreement was unable to be reached.
Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton told 1News at the time that the deal did not stick as they required certainty of commitment.
"2027 is a year when the guys have got to be here. We can't have people away at that time at all, and it's a critical period that the designers need the feedback of what they want."
Dalton said he thought the offer to Burling was "pretty good" but that it required certain dates.
"You do not win the America's Cup for the fourth time by prioritising anything else other than the organisation."
The helmsman and three-time winner of the America's Cup said he had been part of something "truly special" in his decade at Team NZ.
"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.
