Peter Blake (yachtsman)
Sir Peter Blake (October 1, 1948 - December 6, 2001) was a New Zealand yachtsman who led his country to two successive America's Cup victories. He won the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. In 1995 he was created a knight (KBE) for services to yachting and New ZealandHe was shot dead by armed intruders, who boarded the his vessel Blakexpeditions, while on a voyage passing through the Amazon.
Blake won the Jules Verne Trophy in 1994 by setting the fastest time around the world of 74 days 22 hours 17 minutes 22 seconds on catamaran Enza.
Blake is the only sailor to have taken part in the first five Whitbread Round the World races.
In 1974 Blake competed in his first Whitbread race as a watch officer on Les Williams' and Alan Smith's damage-riddled Burton Cutter.
In the 1977-78 race he rejoined Les Williams this time with co-skipper Robin Knox-Johnston on board Heath’s Condor
For the 1981-82 race Blake mounted his own campaign as skipper of Ceramco New Zealand, a 68ft sloop designed by an up-and-coming naval architect called Bruce Farr.
Blake returned to the Whitbread Round the World race in 1985 with one of the race favourites, Lion New Zealand, sponsored by the Lion Brewery.
In the 1989-90 Whitbread race, Blake skippered Steinlager to an unprecedented clean sweep — his team walked off with line, handicap and overall honors on each of the race's six legs.
Brought in at the last minute by Michael Fay to manage New Zealand's 1992 America's Cup challenge, Blake led the Kiwi team to the challenger finals with NZL-20. However, Italy emerged from the controversial series with the Louis Vuitton Cup, and went on to face America³ in the America's Cup match.
In 1995 Blake was back, this time as the syndicate head of Team New Zealand.
On October 23, 2002 the International Olympic Committee awarded the Olympic Order, one of its highest honors, posthumously to Blake.Whitbread Round the World Race
America's Cup
His Death and His Legacy
