15 Jan 2014

Team NZ begins rebuilding America's Cup crew

11:28 am on 15 January 2014

Team New Zealand has added two Olympic silver medallists for the next Americas Cup campaign in an effort to stay at the forefront of international sailing.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke were medalists in the 49er class at the 2012 Olympics, and will attempt to win gold in Rio in 2016.

Team New Zealand Manager Grant Dalton says bringing young sailors up through the ranks is critical to their success.

Dalton says the pair are two of the country's most promising sailors, and he expects them to balance the demands of Olympic and Americas Cup sailing.

Peter Burling says it's something the pair have dreamt of and says both sailing fraternities have seen it as positive.

Dalton expects the next Cup to be held in San Francisco in 2017.