A run of 20 consecutive wins at 49er regattas spearheads their nomination, including victories at the 2015 Aquece Rio, Olympic Test event, ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas at Hyeres, Weymouth and Portland, as well as Trofeo Princesa Sofia.
Alongside their Olympic campaign, they have become the leading lights of Emirates Team New Zealand in the America's Cup World Series. With Burling at the helm, they finished second in the first leg in Portsmouth, then won a few weeks later in Gothenburg, Sweden to give them the overall advantage. Burling also dominated the Moth World Championships early in 2015 to take the title with Tuke following in sixth. Burling's parents, Heather and Richard Burling, said it was exciting to hear the news but not surprising after the year Burling and Tuke had had.
"They've both had an incredible run. They haven't been beaten since the London Olympics in the 49er, which is unheard of," Mrs Burling said.
She said it was a great achievement for both of them but was really just a reflection of their results at recent regattas.
"The other thing is that they're a lot younger than the other finalists. We're really proud of him."
As a former student of Tauranga Boys' College, principal Robert Mangan said the school was "certainly proud of Peter and everything he is achieving".
"He was a shining light at school and as a Year 13 student and sports captain he represented the country in Beijing. For Peter to be recognised at an international level is certainly an outstanding achievement."
The ISAF World Sailor Awards were launched in 1994, and just four other New Zealanders feature in the previous winners' list. They include Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie in 2013 (New Zealand's first winners in the female category), Sir Russell Coutts who won ISAF Male Sailor of the Year twice in 1995 and 2003, Mike Sanderson in 2006 and Sir Peter Blake in 1994.
The winner will be announced on November 10 at a ceremony in Sanya, China.
