America's Cup: Team NZ and Peter Burling 'part ways'

Skipper Peter Burling and Team New Zealand have agreed to 'part ways' ahead of the next America's Cup, the team said in a statement.

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.

Requirements on team members were changing with the America's Cup to be contested more often, the team said.

"As the balance between design, simulation, boat build, testing and racing windows become more compressed, the integration of key sailors with the design team becomes more critical than ever."

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."

Burling said he wanted to thank his family, friends and Kiwi sailing fans for the "amazing support".

"I’m incredibly excited for the future - growing the Black Foils, proudly representing New Zealand both at home and on the global stage, and driving positive ocean action through Live Ocean."

Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton said Burling had been a "central figure" in the team since he joined 10 years ago.

"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 67-year-old told 1News the parting was amicable.

"We just couldn't come to an arrangement, we couldn't make a deal stick."

Now that the America's Cup was on a shorter cycle, the team needed certainty of commitment, he said.

"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."

Burling skippered three successful America's Cup campaigns in Bermuda, Auckland, and Barcelona, in 2017, 2021 and 2024 respectively.

He is the second helmsman to win three consecutive America's Cups, and with his win in Bermuda aged 26, he was the youngest-winning helmsman in the history of the cup.