Tauranga's Olympic silver medallist Peter Burling has no concerns for his safety racing catamarans at the upcoming Youth America's Cup after British Olympian Andrew Simpson died when his Swedish team's catamaran crashed.
Burling will skipper the New Zealand team, that includes his fellow Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club members, JasonSaunders and Sam Meech, at the inaugural youth cup in September.
He told the Bay of Plenty Times, in an exclusive chat, he was surprised Germany had pulled out of the competition for 19 to 24-year-olds because of safety concerns following last week's tragedy.
Burling said the sailing community worldwide had been saddened by Simpson's death and he also had two of his close friends on board the stricken Swedish catamaran - the Australian pair who beat him and Blair Tuke to the gold medal in London last year.
But he said the 72-foot catamaran that crashed was different boat to the 45-footer he will skipper in September's regatta.
"I would not associate anywhere near the same risk with a 45 so it was a bit of a surprise to hear they had pulled out," Burling said.
"I suppose I didn't really see it coming or expect it.
"We have had a chat among [the New Zealand crew], and we feel that although it is really sad and an absolute tragedy what's happened, there is not the same risk and we are happy to keep going with our plan.
"I have never skippered a 72 or been on one when it has been fully wound up.
"I would say that the 72 at its peak would probably be 20 knots quicker maybe but the load is just phenomenal, and the kind of distances that you can fall and stuff are obviously a lot greater."
Burling knows the smaller catamaran well after he helmed for Team Korea at the World Series regatta in San Francisco last September.
He was comfortable getting back into racing the AC45 and said his team had an excellent chance of winning.
"There have been quite a few 45 events in the past. Obviously, we do take precautions and have a plan in place but I can't actually see there being too much of an issue.
"We think we have a pretty good chance. The boys are getting pretty fit and doing a lot of other sailing to complement it.
"We are really looking forward to getting over there and giving it a crack."
