Burling's interest in sailing was sparked when his parents bought his brother an Optimist. Initially, he didn't enjoy it much until he got into racing. "I really fell in love with the sport," Burling said. He joined the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club and has been training under coach Hamish Willcox.

Training and Achievements

Burling sails almost 300 days a year, dedicating significant time to honing his skills. His hard work has paid off with numerous accolades. In 2017, he was made Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sailing. He and Blair Tuke were flag bearers for New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In 2015, Burling and Tuke were named Male Sailors of the Year by World Sailing. They also won Yachting New Zealand's Sailors of the Year award in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Burling was named Yachting New Zealand's Young Sailor of the Year in 2008 and 2011.

Milestones and Records

At the 2012 London Olympics, Burling became the second youngest New Zealand sailor to win an Olympic medal. He and Carl Evans were the youngest New Zealand sailing crew to compete at an Olympic Games when they participated in Beijing 2008. Their victory at the 2006 Class World Championships made them the youngest crew to win a world championship title in an open international class.

Personal Life and Interests

Burling resides in Auckland and holds an Engineering degree from the University of Auckland. He speaks English and enjoys diving and surfing in his free time. His parents have been the most influential people in his career, while New Zealand sailor Russell Coutts is his idol.

Philosophy and Future Plans

Burling believes in performing at the highest level when needed. "It's more about practice and exposing yourself to pressure," he said. Looking ahead, he aims to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and triumph in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Live Ocean Initiative

In 2019, Burling and Tuke founded Live Ocean, an ocean conservation charity. "New Zealand should be a world leader in ocean health," Burling stated. The initiative aims to make significant contributions to global ocean health.

Recent Competitions

Burling helped New Zealand secure an America's Cup victory in 2017. He also competed with Team Brunel in the Volvo Ocean Race, finishing third in both 2017 and 2018.

Pete Burling continues to be a prominent figure in sailing, with numerous achievements and ambitious plans for the future.