Tuke and Burling report on the 49er Worlds

by Blair Tuke and Peter Burling

We’ve just finished the 2010 49er Worlds in the Bahamas finishing 17th overall out of the 62 boats and 10th country out of 25.

We had hoped for a higher placing but are pleased that our position has improved nine places since the Italy worlds five months ago. We managed 2nd place in three races one each in light, moderate and windy conditions, but it was hard to be consistent in the shifty conditions. The races were run on a short course inside the reef with four laps in most races.

As always at these events, the fleet was stacked with Olympic medallists and ex-World champions… with the Spaniards who won overall having won Gold at the Athens Olympics and Silver in Beijing. It is a great feeling to be racing surrounded by Olympic medallists and ex-World champions– the top sailors all having many years experience in 49er sailing.

It has been a fast learning curve since starting our 49er Olympic campaign 14 months ago; we are really enjoying ourselves along the way! Our lead-up regattas in Australia were really beneficial. We feel our starting was much better at these Worlds and are quickly building up the necessary 49er experience to take us to the next level.

We packed our boat on a ridiculous trailer which will arrive in Miami in a few days in time to compete in the 49er North Americans and the Miami World Cup event. We will be home early in February just in time to compete at Sail Auckland and then have a month off sailing to relax and recuperate.

The next major regatta we are working towards is the 49er European championship in Poland–early July. Our next 49er World championship is almost two years away, Perth Dec 2011 – which will also be the 2012 Olympic qualification regatta.

Yachting New Zealand