Latest news with #PeterLester
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Tributes flow for Kiwi sailing great
Peter Lester and sister Jill Ineson hoisting the America's Cup. Photo: Facebook Tributes have been flowing from around the country and the world for Lyttelton sailing icon Peter Lester – with America's Cup officials, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Yachting New Zealand among them. Lester died on Friday after suffering a heart attack a week earlier. He was 70. He has also been remembered closer to home. Before Lester became an America's Cup tactician and popular sailing commentator, he learnt his craft on Lyttelton Harbour. As a teenager, Lester was part of the Christchurch Yacht Club and the Canterbury Yacht Motor Boat Club, where his family had long-standing ties. He would sail Z-class and local P-class dinghies built by his father, Gordon. Lester also attended West Lyttelton Primary School where he became a prefect. Naval Point Club sailing committee member Ross May was among those lucky enough to see Lester in his early sailing days, and got a glimpse of his future capabilities. 'He was a really dominant sailor in our area, way, way ahead of any of the kids around.' '(He was) one of those sort of people who had an innate talent,' May said. He and Lester would run into each other at various events and said he was always easy to talk to, down to earth and never forgot where he came from. 'To go from Lyttelton sporting level to being on the top of the world stage, I would have thought he must have had a fantastic life and that's well deserved, I think everyone would say that,' he said. The Naval Point Club honoured Lester at its Old Salts Lunch at noon on Tuesday with a minute's silence, and flew the flag at half mast. Members who sailed alongside him also exchanged stories and memories. Lester moved to Auckland in his early 20s after switching from a dinghy to a keelboat, where he soon won the OK Dinghy World Championship in 1977, putting himself on the map. He was named New Zealand yachtsman of the year in 1977 and would achieve the feat again in 1987 when he skippered Propaganda to an Admiral's Cup win. Lester went on to serve as tactician for the NZ Challenges in the 1988 America's Cup, coached the Spanish team in 1992, and was tactician again in 1995. He pivoted to broadcasting when TVNZ asked him to join the commentary team during the 1992 America's Cup campaign. From there, he built a 30-year long career in the industry, his voice becoming synonymous with major sailing events. Former Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie described Lester as 'generous with his time' and 'a great storyteller'. 'Pete had a wonderful memory for detail and was never afraid to call it as he saw it,' he said. Lester is survived by his wife Susie, three sons, and grandchildren.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Lyttelton mourns a sailing icon
Tributes have flown in from around the country and the world for Lyttelton icon Peter Lester – with America's Cup officials, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Yachting New Zealand among them. Lester died on Friday after suffering a heart attack a week earlier. He was 70. He has also been remembered closer to home. Before Lester became an America's Cup tactician and popular sailing commentator, he learnt his craft on Lyttelton Harbour. As a teenager, Lester was part of the Christchurch Yacht Club and the Canterbury Yacht Motor Boat Club, where his family had long-standing ties. He would sail Z-class and local P-class dinghies built by his father, Gordon. Lester also attended West Lyttelton Primary School where he became a prefect. Naval Point Club sailing committee member, Ross May, was among those lucky enough to see Lester in his early sailing days, and got a glimpse of his future capabilities. 'He was a really dominant sailor in our area, way, way ahead of any of the kids around.' '(He was) one of those sort of people who had an innate talent,' May said. He and Lester would run into each other at various events and said he was always easy to talk to, down to earth and never forgot where he came from. 'To go from Lyttelton sporting level to being on the top of the world stage, I would have thought he must have had a fantastic life and that's well deserved, I think everyone would say that,' he said. The Naval Point Club honoured Lester at its Old Salts Lunch at noon on Tuesday with a minute's silence, and flew the flag at half mast. Members who sailed alongside him also exchanged stories and memories. Lester moved to Auckland in his early 20s after switching from a dinghy to a keelboat, where he soon won the OK Dinghy World Championship in 1977, putting himself on the map. He was named New Zealand yachtsman of the year in 1977 and would achieve the feat again in 1987 when he skippered Propaganda to an Admiral's Cup win. Lester went on to serve as tactician for the NZ Challenges in the 1988 America's Cup, coached the Spanish team in 1992, and was tactician again in 1995. He pivoted to broadcasting when TVNZ asked him to join the commentary team during the 1992 America's Cup campaign. From there, he built a 30-year long career in the industry, his voice becoming synonymous with major sailing events. Former Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie described Lester as 'generous with his time' and 'a great storyteller'. 'Pete had a wonderful memory for detail and was never afraid to call it as he saw it,' he said. Lester is survived by his wife Susie, three sons, and grandchildren.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Peter Lester, New Zealand's two-time Yachtsman of the Year, beloved sailor and leading voice of the America's Cup, dies at 70
The sailing community worldwide mourns the loss of Peter Lester , who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday at the age of 70. The New Zealand Sailing Team confirmed Lester's death in an Instagram post on Sunday, August 10, honoring the legacy of one of the sport's most beloved and familiar identities. It said, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Lester - world-class sailor, Olympic coach, and one of the most loved and respected voices in sailing," Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Peter Lester's sailing journey began in Canterbury, New Zealand, where his grandfather introduced him to the sport in a P-class dinghy. Rising quickly through the ranks, he became Junior World Champion in the OK Dinghy class in 1974 and went on to win the World Championship in 1977 on home waters at Takapuna Beach. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo He was twice named New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year , in 1977 and again in 1987. America's Cup and Competitive Sailing Live Events Peter's association with the America's Cup started in 1988 when he served as tactician on the New Zealand challenger KZ1. Although that campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, he remained a prominent figure in the Cup's community, contributing to multiple syndicates over the years. He also succeeded in other prestigious regattas, winning the One Ton Cup three times and playing key roles in the Admiral's Cup and Kenwood Cup competitions. His versatility across Olympic classes and international Grand Prix yachting was widely respected. Coaching and Leadership Beyond competition, Peter was a dedicated coach and mentor. He served as High-Performance Manager at Yachting New Zealand and coached Olympic sailing teams for the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games. He also managed the team during the 2004 Athens Olympics. His expertise was sought worldwide, including a coaching stint at the Aspire Academy in Qatar and leadership roles with European teams. Broadcasting Legacy Millions of fans associate Peter Lester's voice with the America's Cup. Beginning his broadcast career in 1992, his clear, insightful analysis helped demystify the complexities of sailing for viewers new and old. His infectious laugh and generous spirit made him a beloved commentator alongside colleagues like Peter Montgomery. He covered major events including the America's Cup, the Olympics, the Extreme Sailing Series, and the Volvo Ocean Race, enriching the sport's global reach. As per Stuff, Lester was part of the world feed commentary team for the America's Cup in 2024. Personal Life and Legacy Peter cherished his family, his wife Susie, three sons, and grandchildren and was known for his warmth, humor, and kindness.. Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Event and Team New Zealand, summed it up: 'Our sport and the Cup will not be the same without his constant presence.'
1News
6 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
New Zealand sailing great Peter Lester dies aged 70
New Zealand sailing icon and America's Cup commentator Peter Lester has died aged 70. Lester, a two-time Yachtsman of the Year and former America's Cup tactician, was a towering figure in the sport both on and off the water. After a decorated racing career, including three America's Cup campaigns and multiple international titles, Lester became a beloved local television analyst. He was a key voice in Cup coverage for more than 30 years, known for his deep knowledge and ability to explain complex racing to a wide audience. Yachting NZ said in a statement it was "deeply saddened" to hear of Lester's death, describing him as a "world-class sailor, Olympic coach, and one of the most loved and respected voices in sailing". ADVERTISEMENT "Peter's knowledge, generosity, and infectious enthusiasm inspired generations - from his triumphs in the America's Cup, Admiral's Cup and beyond, to his brilliant and insightful commentary. "He was a true original and a great friend to our sport. Our thoughts are with his wife Susie, his children and grandchildren, as well as all who knew him." Lester first made waves in 1977 when he won the OK Dinghy World Championship off Auckland's Takapuna Beach and was subsequently named yachtsman of the year. His long association with the Auld Mug began in 1988 as a tactician on board the KZ1 challenger. He went on to contribute to multiple syndicates in various roles. In 1992, he stepped into the commentary box and became one of the sport's most trusted voices. For more than 30 years, his voice, often alongside race caller Peter Montgomery, became synonymous with Team New Zealand's success on the water.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Sailor and broadcaster Peter Lester dies
After competing, Peter Lester became a sailing commentator at the 1992 America's Cup and went on to become a well-regarded voice for the sport. Photo: LinkedIn The New Zealand yachting fraternity is mourning the death of decorated former sailor and broadcaster Peter Lester. He was 70. Lester's death was confirmed by the New Zealand Sailing Team in a social media post which honoured the legacy of one of the most beloved and familiar identities in the sport. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Lester - world-class sailor, Olympic coach, and one of the most loved and respected voices in sailing," the post read. "Peter's knowledge, generosity, and infectious enthusiasm inspired generations - from his triumphs in the America's Cup, Admiral's Cup and beyond, to his brilliant and insightful commentary. "He was a true original and a great friend to our sport. Our thoughts are with his wife Susie, his children and grandchildren, as well as all who knew him." The New Zealand Herald reported Lester died on Friday after having suffered a heart attack a week earlier. Lester first rose to fame in 1977 as a world champion in the OK Dinghy class in home waters off Takapuna Beach and was named New Zealand yachtsman of the year for his achievement. He began a long association with the America's Cup - on and off the water - in 1988 when he was a tactician on board the failed New Zealand big boat KZ1 challenge which failed to wrest the Auld Mug off United States defenders Stars and Stripes. Lester went on to take up a number of roles for a variety of America's Cup syndicates and his versatility was always obvious in multiple Olympic classes and one-off races around the globe. Notably he was victorious three times at the famed One Ton Cup regatta for 6m dinghies. He took up a formal role as a sailing commentator at the 1992 America's Cup and went on to become a well-regarded voice for the sport - his analysis renowned for its clarity and ability to explain a sport not familiar to many listeners and viewers. Along with race caller Peter Montgomery, Lester's voice is closely associated with Team New Zealand's triumphant period of success in the America's Cup over the last 30 years.
