SailGP: New Zealand driver Peter Burling ruled out of Sydney event
Monday, 19 February 2024
New Zealand driver expecting first child with his wife
Nathan Outteridge stepping behind the wheel in Sydney
Burling will return to duties for Christchurch leg of series
Peter Burling won’t be on deck for the New Zealand SailGP team in Sydney this weekend.
Instead he will trade the briny for nappies as he returns home to support his wife, who is expecting to welcome their first child into the world.
Driver and co-chief executive officer Burling announced on Monday he had made the decision to be with his wife in New Zealand, meaning veteran Nathan Outteridge will step behind the wheel of New Zealand’s F50 ‘Amokura’.
“While I’d love to be racing - staying home for such an important milestone for me and my family is an obvious decision,’’ Burling said.
“We’ll be supporting the team from across the Tasman this weekend, and can’t wait to get back out there in front of our fans, friends, and family next month in Christchurch.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have someone of Nathan’s calibre able to join us - he’s one of the best, and we know he’ll slot right in.’’
Burling will return to driving duties ahead of the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch on March 23-24.
Outteridge, who previously steered Japan to two season finals, is no stranger to SailGP or the New Zealand team, having raced with many of the Kiwi crew as part of their America’s Cup defence.
New Zealand enters the Australia Sail Grand Prix second overall after back-to-back event wins in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The event marks just over halfway through the Season 4 championship, and the final stop before New Zealand’s only home event in Christchurch, which also hosted the event last year.
Christchurch was added to the calendar after Auckland declared in November that the unavailability of a suitable spectator facility meant it couldn’t host the event.
The Sydney event also marks a hopeful return to bigger breeze for the crews, with strong wind expected following a handful of light-air stopovers in Europe and the Middle East.
Burling is now the third SailGP driver to miss an event this season due to parental leave.
Jimmy Spithill stepped in for Aussie driver Tom Slingsby in Dubai, while Outteridge also received the call up to drive for Denmark last month in Abu Dhabi.
Outteridge maintains a regular advisory role with the Swiss SailGP Team, often competing as co-driver alongside Sebastian Sehested in Season 3.