SailGP: Australian Nathan Outteridge looms as perfect replacement for championship-chasing New Zealand in Sydney

There aren't many sailors able to fill Peter Burling's boots, but New Zealand have a very able deputy in Nathan Outteridge for this weekend's Sydney leg of SailGP.  

With New Zealand hot on the heels of championship leaders Australia, Outteridge will sail under the Kiwi flag, in the hope of overtaking the six-point gap at the top of the season four standings.  

The Australian will fill in for Burling for the weekend, as he and his wife welcome their first child.  

And in Outteridge, the Kiwi crew have the perfect replacement.

In SailGP, the 38-year-old already boasts experience sailing with both Japan and Switzerland, as well as having an Olympic gold medal won at London 2012.  

And given the chance to add New Zealand to that list, Outteridge didn't hesitate.  

"It's obviously an exciting opportunity," he told Newshub. "You're always happy to help Pete out when he has family requirements.  

"[It's] really exciting to be here in Sydney, I'm looking forward to the racing this weekend."  

Outteridge won't have to work too hard to get acquainted with his new teammates either.  

As part of Team New Zealand's defence of the America's Cup in Barcelona later this year, Outteridge is already familiar with the Kiwi crew, even if it comes with verbal barbs from his countrymen.

"The banter's always great," he added. "That's one good thing about our sport, and the Australia-New Zealand rivalry.  

"I work with Pete, Blair [Tuke] and the rest of the team at Emirates Team New Zealand.  

"Hopefully it's a smooth transition for me, we spend a lot of time together talking about the other type of sailing we do.

"Hopefully this weekend we can just roll into it and get a good result."  

While wild weather in Sydney has seen Friday's practice session called off, organisers are confident of racing going ahead come this weekend.   

Tune into Three or ThreeNow for live, free-to-air coverage of all 12 SailGP events this season.

There aren't many sailors able to fill Peter Burling's boots, but New Zealand have a very able deputy in Nathan Outteridge for this weekend's Sydney leg of SailGP.  

With New Zealand hot on the heels of championship leaders Australia, Outteridge will sail under the Kiwi flag, in the hope of overtaking the six-point gap at the top of the season four standings.  

The Australian will fill in for Burling for the weekend, as he and his wife welcome their first child.  

And in Outteridge, the Kiwi crew have the perfect replacement.

In SailGP, the 38-year-old already boasts experience sailing with both Japan and Switzerland, as well as having an Olympic gold medal won at London 2012.  

And given the chance to add New Zealand to that list, Outteridge didn't hesitate.  

"It's obviously an exciting opportunity," he told Newshub. "You're always happy to help Pete out when he has family requirements.  

"[It's] really exciting to be here in Sydney, I'm looking forward to the racing this weekend."  

Outteridge won't have to work too hard to get acquainted with his new teammates either.  

As part of Team New Zealand's defence of the America's Cup in Barcelona later this year, Outteridge is already familiar with the Kiwi crew, even if it comes with verbal barbs from his countrymen.

"The banter's always great," he added. "That's one good thing about our sport, and the Australia-New Zealand rivalry.  

"I work with Pete, Blair [Tuke] and the rest of the team at Emirates Team New Zealand.  

"Hopefully it's a smooth transition for me, we spend a lot of time together talking about the other type of sailing we do.

"Hopefully this weekend we can just roll into it and get a good result."  

While wild weather in Sydney has seen Friday's practice session called off, organisers are confident of racing going ahead come this weekend.   

Tune into Three or ThreeNow for live, free-to-air coverage of all 12 SailGP events this season.

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