Sport

Team NZ denies Barker's being replaced by Burling

18:20 pm on 18 February 2015

Team New Zealand are denying suggestions that the skipper Dean Barker is being dumped, and being replaced by Peter Burling.

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Three media organisations in New Zealand have reported that Barker will go from the team he skippered and helmed at the last America's Cup competition off San Francisco.

But Team New Zealand have issued a statement describing those reports as inaccurate, and they say no decision has been made in relation to helmsman for the America's Cup in 2017.

The statement says the team's been conducting a review across all operations, the sailing team included, with a view to decreasing costs and increasing competitiveness. The review is continuing.

The New Zealand sailor Peter Burling. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Radio New Zealand was unable to contact anyone from Team New Zealand for comment.