Blair Tuke is in his fourth America's Cup campaign with Emirates Team New Zealand. Photo / Photosport
When Blair Tuke re-signed with Emirates Team New Zealand for a fourth campaign, he knew there was a possibility his involvement would not include racing.
After three successful campaigns as part of the on-board crew as a cyclor, flight controller and trimmer, the 36-year-old is moving into an off-water role that will see him as a crucial link between the design and sailing teams.
Speaking to the Herald about the change, he said it was an evolution of his role and helping to bring through the next generation of Team New Zealand sailors had always been a key element for him.
The team confirmed Tuke’s transition to a new role ahead of next week’s first preliminary regatta in Cagliari.
“I knew when I joined the team for this Cup that there was a chance that I wouldn’t be on the boat for the Cup proper, but had to see how it worked out and, with all these things, you evolve, you move forward, different priorities in life, and the team’s in a different space now,” he said.
“We had to just see how it worked out and, as it evolved, it became apparent that it was time for that younger group and the new faces to step in and that I could help in other ways. So that’s the direction we’ve gone.
“I’m pretty content with it. I’ve known for six months. Looking into next week now, it’s a really exciting opportunity for the team. [We’ve] got a good group of experienced, emerging talent and new combinations, and then they get to test it out against the best sailors in the world, so that’s pretty awesome.”
Tuke said the move was one he led the conversation around.
“It’s [been] really good conversation the whole way. Right from initially coming back to the team and then when we had this, I guess, updated conversation as to how we were going to plan it going forward.
“I led it, but [it’s been a] really open conversation all the way through. If it wasn’t a good conversation, I wouldn’t still be here. So, you know, really stoked that I can still use my skills, my experience to help the team try and win next year again.”
Team New Zealand have welcomed plenty of new faces into their top team for this cycle. Locally, they have promoted impressive talents Jo Aleh, Seb Menzies, Jake Pye, Josh Armit, Serena Woodall and Helena Sanderson into their main group, along with non-national recruitments Iain Jensen (Australia) and Chris Draper (Great Britain).
Skipper Nathan Outteridge and flight controller Andy Maloney continue in sailing roles in a set-up that, so far, has shown plenty of pace and potential on home waters.
For Tuke, his new role focuses on harnessing that potential both from a design perspective and that of a sailor.
“I’m in a unique position that I can help do that after years of experience and I’ve got a lot of IP [intellectual property] there. So far, it’s working really well.”
With teams allowed to enter two AC40s in the regatta in Cagliari next week, Outteridge, Maloney, Jensen and Menzies have earned the opportunity to represent the main America’s Cup team, with Pye, Armit, Woodall and Women’s America’s Cup team helm Erica Dawson racing in the second boat.
Speaking to the Herald in June last year about his decision to return for another cycle, Tuke emphasised that he had more to give to the team after three successful campaigns and that helping to develop future talent was a big part of that.
Now, almost a year on, he has been impressed by what he has seen on the water.
“That young talent’s done a great job so far. They’re real hungry, a lot of raw talent, skill and I think it’s also a testament to the wider environment at the team. When you bring new people into anything, it’s when you really get tested as to how good your systems are and how good the culture is and all of that. Their ability to slot straight in and bring their own individual flair but then sort of come into that environment’s a testament to everyone.
“They’re doing a great job. It’s obviously a long way to go and next week will be a first little test of it, albeit in one-design boats – it’s not the same as the AC75 – but I’ve been really impressed with them.
“That’s so important to me just to see that next group come through and for them to grab it for themselves and take it on. I’ve said to them straight up that you’ve always got to respect the past and the people that have gone before and what’s been created, but then this is their opportunity to grab it and make it their own and they’re doing that so far.”
Tuke’s commitments outside of Team New Zealand also fed into his decision and desire to evolve his role within the team. He continues to lead the Black Foils in SailGP, alongside co-chief executive Peter Burling, while the pair also have commitments with Live Ocean, the conservation charity they founded in 2019.
This year, Tuke has been particularly busy with the latter, supporting Jono Ridler’s swim down the length of the North Island’s east coast before presenting a petition to ban bottom trawling on all seamounts to Parliament late last month.
“It’s no secret how busy the last five or 10 years has been for me,” he said.
“A lot on the plate, right, from SailGP, America’s Cup, Live Ocean. So that has all fed into into my decision and the evolution of how my career looks. Just had an awesome five months with the Swim4TheOcean; really one of the coolest projects I’ve been involved with, ever. Just someone absolutely pushing themselves to the limit with a clear purpose and what was pulling that mission together and then trying to get it to Parliament, it was really neat. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it tested me.
“Black Foils, you know, we’re pretty optimistic about getting on the water shortly, but it’s taking a lot of time. It’s quite a big beast in its own right and you know, certainly very motivated to continue to see that grow both from a wider brand business side of it and of course on the water. And then there’s you know, this role at Team NZ, which is a good one to be involved in something where you’re always pushing the limits and going further than people have is really awesome.”
And while he was content with his transition to an off-water role, that’s not to say he won’t miss being amongst the action on board.
“For sure I will. There’s been times over the last six months where I’ve been like ‘oh, I would have loved to be out there’ and you know, being out on the boat in the Hauraki Gulf or wherever it is around the world, it’s what I’ve done for the last 20 years,” he said.
“But in the same breath, you can’t do it all and, you know, I made this decision for what was right for me at my stage in life and you have to be content with that.
“So, no, I certainly still enjoy the opportunity when I get out there and keep them honest and push the young guys and the other guys. But yeah, you can’t do it all and [I’m] pretty content and happy that I can still contribute a huge amount to the team in this new role.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.