Having been pipped for Sail GP glory last campaign, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are delighted at the chance to already refocus and chase an elusive title.
The pair will lead the NZ team at this weekend’s season opener in Chicago - just over a month after falling agonisingly short for the overall crown.
As they look to refocus, the talk of America’s Cup controversies have once again emerged.
Amongst the colour and chaos of Chicago, Burling and Tuke are more than happy flying under the radar.
"Chicago’s obviously an unreal sporting city," Tuke told Newshub.
"We raced here for the first time last year and it's epic."
In a city where Michael Jordan is still king, NZ sailing royalty is ready to begin a new voyage in Sail GP.
That hunger is intensified by the pain of San Francisco, when they came up short in a last gasp sprint to the Australians in the competition finale just five weeks ago.
"[The pain] is definitely still there," Tuke admitted.
Victory would've completed a remarkable turnaround for the NZ challenge, after a rollercoaster campaign.
But they're no longer the flailing and trailing hunters. They’re now fending off the chasers at the front of the pack.
"Reviewing the race and seeing the opportunities we had, I think almost makes it more painful, but you’ve still got to take the positives out of it," said Burling.
"The team's come an incredible distance."
It’s fitting that a frantic year and a half for Burling and Tuke will begin in the 'Windy City', as they chase redemption in SailGP while also trying to defend the America's Cup.
But controversy once again lingers around the 'Auld Mug'.
Later this year, a pre-Cup preliminary regatta will be held in Saudi Arabia - a country with a poor human rights record. Security concerns have already seen American Magic try to pull out.
Are the New Zealanders considering following suit and taking a stance themselves?
"Next question. Not on your first night in Chicago, mate."
They can do their talking on the water instead.
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