Peter Burling joins Luna Rossa for 38th America’s Cup
Peter Burling, a three-time America’s Cup winner, has joined Luna Rossa as the Italian syndicate prepares for the 38th edition of the event in 2027 in Naples.
His move comes two months after concluding a long-standing collaboration with Emirates Team New Zealand, during which he secured the cup in 2017 and successfully defended it in 2021 and 2024.
Burling will contribute to both sailing operations and technical development as part of the Italian team’s upcoming campaign. In a statement, Luna Rossa says his transition follows a mutual agreement and was completed with both parties expressing respect for the process.
Burling has a record that includes three Olympic medals – gold at Rio 2016 and silver at London 2012 and Tokyo 2021 – as well as six world championships in the 49er class.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Peter Burling to Luna Rossa”, says Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa. “Peter has been a long-time rival, and over the years we’ve come to deeply respect both his exceptional sailing talent and his sportsmanship on the racecourse.
“Even though his exact role has yet to be defined, he will certainly be part of the sailing team, reinforcing Luna Rossa’s core leadership group and contributing to key areas of our development program. Peter brings tremendous sporting, technical, and personal value. We are confident his presence will give the team a significant boost, bringing renewed energy, expertise, and determination as we look ahead to the challenge before us”.
Burling adds: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining Luna Rossa for the 38th America’s Cup. I’ve always loved racing against Luna Rossa and now to join this iconic team is a real honour. The innovation and competitiveness they bring to the cup has always inspired me.
“I’m grateful for the warm welcome and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside a world-class team, doing my part to help win Luna Rossa’s first America’s Cup”.
It’s been a tumultuous period for the America’s Cup — the world’s oldest and most iconic sailing competition — which suffered a major blow when Alinghi Red Bull Racing terminated its campaign in April 2025.
The decision came just days after Ineos Britannia abandoned its challenge amid an increasingly acrimonious dispute with Athena Racing, the team of Ineos’ former skipper Sir Ben Ainslie.
In May, a spat broke out between Athena Racing, American Magic and Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) fielding accusations of ‘unreasonable allegations’, ‘lack of transparency’, ‘premature announcements’ and NDAs remaining unsigned.
