Blair Tuke is one half of New Zealand's hugely successful 49er skiff sailing crew, which won an Olympic silver medal at London 2012. It also happened to be New Zealand's 100th Olympic medal. Since that memorable performance, crewman Tuke and helmsman Peter Burling have amassed the incredible record of not losing a 49er regatta anywhere in the world. Their unbroken run of victories included four consecutive 49er world championship titles from 2013 through to 2016.
Tuke combines Olympic campaigning with his responsibilities as a key member of the Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup campaign. Along with Burling, he was named the 2015 Rolex World Sailor of the Year - the biggest honour conferred on international sailors. A proud Northlander, born in Kakakawa in 1989, Tuke represents the Kerikeri Cruising Club and returns home to enjoy recreational spear-fishing when he can.
Tuke went to Riverview Primary and Kerikeri High School. From an early age he played rugby with his brothers on the lawn and always wanted to be the best. In the classroom his mind wandered to lunchtime rugby games or sailing. He’d started sailing centreboard yachts aged 11 during a primary school sailing day.
The family moved to Auckland for his fifth form year where he went to St Kentigern College and knuckled down enough to pass his exams - in between sailing and playing rugby. Halfway through the next year he began an electrical apprenticeship, though sailing was always his priority. He went on to become the Splash world champion in 2006 at Riva del Garda, Italy, and 29er world champion with Steven Thomas, at the same venue, in 2009.
