Sailing: Blair Tuke and Peter Burling set for final showdown to decide Volvo Ocean Race

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will square off for the Volvo Ocean Race title. Photo: Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race

It's safe to say Peter Burling hasn't started planning his next sailing trip around the world.

In fact, the Kiwi simply laughed off the idea ahead of the final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

"I'm not saying I wouldn't do it again, but I definitely wouldn't do it again next week," Burling told the Weekend Herald. "It's pretty hard on the body, it's got a pretty incredible toll and, obviously it's a pretty incredible journey and I've enjoyed every minute of it, but I'm also looking forward to doing something different."

The fleet set out from Gothenburg in Sweden on Thursday night (NZ time) on the 700 nautical mile (1296km) journey to the Hague in the Netherlands, where they were expected to arrive on Sunday. Sailing with Team Brunel, Burling was one of three Kiwis competing in the final leg with a shot at claiming the title, alongside Daryl Wislang (DongFeng Race Team) and Blair Tuke (MAPFRE).

It was a different situation for Burling and Tuke. Having won Olympic gold and the America's Cup together, the were going head to head for the chance the claim Volvo Ocean Race glory.

"There has been a bit [of banter] - the whole way around the world," Tuke said of the rivalry. "But it hasn't been too different for us... once we're out there – Brunel versus MAPFRE versus DongFeng – that's just the way it is. We'll certainly share a beer at the end of it and share what's been an amazing experience."

✔ Three skippers fighting for the prize 🎯
✔ There can only be one winner 🏆
✔ One leg to go – it's all on the line 😵

Who will take the ultimate glory? The #VolvoOceanRace will be decided on #Leg11 💪 pic.twitter.com/xAc3CKjSZ0

— The Ocean Race (@theoceanrace) June 20, 2018

While Tuke and MAPFRE got off to a flying start, Burling's Brunel left their charge into the title conversation late. At the halfway point in Auckland in February, six legs into the 11 leg race, Brunel were 14 points behind MAPFRE in the standings.

But vital wins on three of the following four legs, including two worth double points, saw them rapidly rise up the leaderboard.

DongFeng were yet to win a leg, but with consistent podium finishes, the crew have been in the hunt for the title for the whole race.

Burling said it was a bit ironic that the fleet has raised the whole way around the world, and it's going to take a three-day sprint finish to separate three of the teams.

"It's been a pretty incredible turnaround for us and it's pretty cool to have it all coming down to the last race," Burling said.

"We've spent well over 100 days on the water and for it to come down to a couple of days at the end, it's a pretty incredible thing."

It hasn't all been easy going through the eight months of the race, the journey taking a massive toll on the sailors.

Tuke said he was looking forward to one final leg before enjoying some downtime.

"It's a real endurance battle and I'm feeling pretty tired and run down at the moment, but it's only a few days to go now and there's plenty of motivation to keep pushing on so we'll give it our all.

"It's going to be tight, we know that, and we're going to have to fight for every metre."