Sailing: Zero rest for Kiwi podium toppers

Olympic 49er silver medallists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke's next stop is Qingdao, China, to meet up with Team New Zealand. Photo/Jesus Renedo

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are not often described as wicked, but their packed schedule begs to differ.

Rest was not on the agenda for the Olympic 49er silver medallists, who barely had a chance to celebrate their win in the second World Cup regatta in Hyeres, France before boarding a flight to Qingdao, China - where Burling competed at the 2008 Olympics - to meet up with Team New Zealand.

It is the duo's first chance to sail for TNZ in round three of the Extreme 40 World Series, from May 1-4.

In a quiet moment at Barcelona airport, Burling said he and Tuke got what they wanted from their first leg of their trip.

"We're both stoked with this trip to Europe - winning both our 49er World cup regattas - both with two races to spare," Burling said. "Topping the podium is a feeling you don't get tired of."

Their initial European success - at the Princess Sofia regatta in Palma, Mallorca in early-April - came in tough conditions at the first major European World Cup regatta of the season.

The regatta's 17 races between 80 49ers from 28 countries was contested in a variety of conditions ranging from light sea breezes to wild winds with a large swell.

"In race 12 every crew had at least one capsize, luckily for us we managed to win this race after being the last man standing at the finish."

The second World Cup stop started poorly, with the pair throwing away a good position by heading for the wrong mark and, subsequently, overlaying the top mark by some distance.

A consistent string of results earned them a sizeable lead going into the top 10 final day featuring three theatre-style races. A win in race one secured overall honours and a perfect start to the World Cup circuit.

The twin triumphs came after a busy summer at home, with the Sydney-to-Hobart race, Sail Auckland and 49er and A-class nationals keeping the pair on their toes.