Auckland to Russell daysail part of 49er duo’s training

by Jodie Bakewell-White

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke update us on their continued campaigning in the 49er skiff:

They have trained through winter out of Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland, competing in the NZ Youth Match Racing Nationals in Wellington during September, and a number of other events.

They now have a brand new Mackay 49er and are enjoying the precision of the stiff hull.

A big challenge was taking a shot as unofficial entrants at the 119nm course from Auckland to Russell on the same day as the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic yacht race.

Peter and Blair completed that course in 9.5 hours, much of it under a fantastic gennaker ride and two sail reaching, until Brett when the last 15nm was a gruelling beat into Russell.

Two pitchpole capsizes led to some great bruises, but they are now refreshed and ready to continue their race campaign, which includes the 49er World Champs in the Bahamas in January. The fitness and sailing training continues, while Peter finishes his University engineering exams, and Blair his last electrical exam in November. The pair will fly to Sydney later this month to train and race in the Australian 49er Nationals, and the Sydney International and Sail Melbourne Nationals.

Yachting New Zealand