Peter Burling will join Luna Rossa for the 38th America's Cup in Italy. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kiwi sailing star Peter Burling has announced he will join Italians Luna Rossa for the 38th America's Cup.
"Throughout my career, I've always loved racing against Luna Rossa and now to join this iconic team is a real honour," he said. "I am looking forward to working alongside a world-class group of people."
This new chapter would allow him to keep pushing himself at the top level, while continuing a leadership role with the Black Foils in SailGP and supporting his ocean sustainability foundation Live Ocean.
Burling has become one of New Zealand's greatest sailors, with nine world championship crowns and Olympic medals - one gold and two silver - to his name, usually in tandem with Blair Tuke in the 49er class.
In 2017, he helped New Zealand regain the 'Auld Mug' at Bermuda, and defended it at Auckland 2021 and Barcelona last year, but announced his exit from Emirates Team NZ in April to concentrate on his SailGP commitments.
"On a personal note, the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Italian culture is a special one for our family," Burling said. "Lucinda and I are excited for this adventure and to experience life in Italy with our daughter, Paloma."
Luna Rossa chief executive Max Sirena said they were "thrilled" to welcome the three-time America's Cup winner.
"Peter has been a long-time rival and, over the years, we've come to deeply respect both his exceptional sailing talent and his sportsmanship on the racecourse," he said.
"Even though his exact role has yet to be defined, he will certainly be part of the sailing team, reinforcing Luna Rossa's core leadership group and contributing to key areas of our development programme.
"Peter brings tremendous sporting, technical and personal value. We are confident his presence will give the team a significant boost, bringing renewed energy, expertise and determination, as we look ahead to the challenge before us."
Luna Rossa has a proud America's Cup history, without ever quite lifting the world's oldest sporting trophy for Italy. They have twice won the challenger series - both in Auckland, 2000 and 2021 - but fell to the Kiwis in the cup regatta.
Significantly, they will 'host' the next edition of the cup at Naples in 2027, after Team NZ rejected the notion of returning to home waters and moved the event from Barcelona, where it was last sailed.
