Rolex Miami OCR: Kiwi 49er wins Medal Race to finish 8th overall

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke finish the regatta in 8th place. Image copyright Walter Cooper/US SAILING.

by Jodie Bakewell-White

Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta has concluded for 2010, with New Zealand’s 49er crew taking the bullet, leading from start to finish in the 49er Medal Race sailed this morning.

The classy finish wasn’t enough to improve their overall position, and Peter Burling and Blair Tuke finish the regatta in 8th place.

Richard Burling, Peter’s father, spoke to the boys after racing finished. “They led the medal race from start to finish. Conditions were sloppy with 8-10 knots onshore.”

“They said they couldn't manipulate the French boat in 7th overall (who was 2nd in the medal race) because they couldn't afford for the Canadian boat in 9th to have a good result and pass them.”

“They are pretty happy with their speed and racing overall but disappointed with the BFD and OCS which cost them a better result.”

The young kiwis set themselves high standards, and over the course of this regatta have demonstrated that they can foot it with the best scoring three race wins including the high pressure medal race. They were second in another four races and finished inside the top five in half of the 16 races sailed.

Opening their international 49er campaign in Australia in December, Burling and Tuke recently won the 49er North American Championships, also sailed in Miami.

Burling and Tuke arrive back in New Zealand early Tuesday morning in time to take to the water off Kohimarama Yacht Club for ISAF Grade One Singapore Airlines Sail Auckland.

NZL Sailing Team Final Results
2010 Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta

49er - Peter Burling & Blair Tuke – 8th (Total fleet 36)
Women’s Match-Racing – Samantha Osborne, Raynor Smeal and Jenna Hansen – 7th (Total fleet 23)
2.4 Metre – Joshua McKenzie-Brown – 19th (Total fleet 28)

Yachting New Zealand
Rolex Miami OCR