Blake’s wind in racers sails
Thrills and almost spills a- plenty resulted as boat teams faced off on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.
National champion Susannah Pyatt’s North Sails and Southern Spars team emerged as the winners after the final leg of the first Great Blake Race.
The race is named for one of New Zealand’s greatest sailors, Sir Peter Blake.
Each team of three was paired with a world- class skipper aboard 7m Elliot keelboats.
These inlcuded Olympic gold medalists Jo Aleh and Olivia ‘‘Polly’’ Powrie, Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies and grinder Richard Meacham.
Olympic silver medalist and skipper of the 1995 All Women’s America’s Cup Team Leslie Egnot of Coatesville, Olympic Finn class bronze medalist and 1995/2000 Team New Zealand grinder Craig Monk joined in.
Former America’s Cup skipper Chris Dickson and top Kiwi sailors Susannah Pyatt, Shaun Mason and Carla Holgate also took part.
Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive Shelley Campbell thanks all the skippers and teams.
Money raised from the Great Blake Race will help fund expeditions, Campbell says.
These include to locations such as the Auckland Islands where work for the Blake Station climate and ocean change research base, underway.
‘ ‘ Young New Zealand leaders will have the opportunity to take part in lifechanging Young Blake Expeditions,’’ Campbell says. ‘‘This is where they will gain invaluable education on important marine environmental issues.
‘‘On their return, they will be able to share their knowledge and passion with the rest of New Zealand.’’
Sir Peter Blake’s daughter, Sarah-Jane Blake, presented the trophy to the winning team at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Go to sirpeterblaketrust.org for information.
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