Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have taken New Zealand's top honour in sailing for two years running after being named the Sailor of the Year at last night's Awards ceremony in Auckland.
Burling and Tuke went unbeaten this year at all major Olympic 49er regattas world-wide and notching up notable accomplishments in the Extreme 40, A-Class catamaran and offshore keelboat racing.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke on top of the winner's podium in Rio Photo: Yachting New Zealand
They defended their 49er World crown in Spain and also won the European title.
Burling says it's a big honour to win this Award, they had a great year last year, so to do it all again, to build on that is just brilliant.
The pair were also finalists for the world sailing award.
This Volvo Young Sailor of the Year, recognising outstanding achievement for sailors under the age of 21, also went to a pair of skiff sailors; Markus Somerville and Isaac McHardie, from Wakatere Boating Club have taken the honour following their 2014 results in the 29er skiff class.
