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Peter Lester is being remembered as one of New Zealand's finest sailors and most respected voices in the sport, whose loss has come far too soon.
The America's Cup legend and much-loved sailing commentator died suddenly on Friday night, aged 70, a day after being discharged from hospital following heart surgery.
Lester's extraordinary career spanned world championship victories, multiple Cup campaigns, Olympic coaching roles, and a broadcasting tenure that brought sailing to a wide audience with his trademark clarity, insight, and infectious enthusiasm.
Tributes have poured in from across the globe following news of his passing.
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," Abercrombie said. "His passion for performance kept him sailing, and as an Olympic commentator he would still analyse individual performances and was always happy to provide feedback."
Abercrombie also highlighted Lester’s pioneering work as Yachting New Zealand's first high-performance director in 1994, following a stellar sailing career.
Lester was instrumental in developing and nurturing New Zealand's talent and served as head coach for the Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Athens (2004) Olympic Games, and as team manager in Athens, helping establish the country as an Olympic sailing powerhouse.
Peter Lester died on Friday. He was 70. Photo / Facebook
Born in Canterbury and raised on Lyttelton Harbour, Lester began crewing in a Z Class before learning in a P Class his father built. His breakthrough came with victory at the OK Dinghy junior world championships in 1974 before claiming the senior title in 1977, earning his first Yachtsman of the Year award. In 1987, he skippered Bevan Wooley’s Propaganda to victory at the Admiral's Cup, and six years later won both the Admiral's Cup and One Ton Cup with Willi Illbruck’s Pinta.
Lester's America's Cup career began as tactician on KZ1 in the 1988 Deed of Gift match, remembered for its "Cat vs Dog" controversy. He later coached Spain’s Desafío team in 1992 and joined Chris Dickson’s Tutukaka challenge in 1995.
In a statement on Sunday, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said the sailing community was "shocked and saddened" by Lester’s death.
"Pete was a very good friend. He had a strong understanding of the Cup - the people, the boats, the technology," Dalton said.
"I spoke to him often about different designs and decisions. In some ways it felt like I was getting his blessing, such was my respect for his knowledge and achievements. Our sport and the Cup will not be the same without his constant presence."
Lester had a long history with the America's Cup - as sailor and broadcaster. Photo / Live Sail Die
Selected for the Finn class at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Lester was denied the chance when New Zealand withdrew in protest at the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He went on to make a major impact off the water, including leading the Aspire Academy in Qatar from 2007 to 2009, coaching its Olympic pathway programme to notable success.
More recently, Lester remained committed to the sport through his long-standing role on the judging panel for Yachting New Zealand's annual excellence awards - he was himself a two-time recipient of the top honour, Yachtsman of the Year - and in efforts to give back to sailing.
"Pete always brought a thoroughly considered and sensible approach to selections," Abercrombie said. "He cared deeply about the sailing community and was instrumental in raising money for our St Johns Rotary scholarship and spoke regularly at their meets to acknowledge the positive impact it had on young sailors."
As a broadcaster, Lester’s blend of deep knowledge and easy delivery made him a natural. He brought insight to multiple America's Cups, Olympic Games, the Volvo Ocean Race, and other major events.
Double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson called him "a standout broadcaster" who "kept the audience on the edge of their seats… a class act", while Steven McIvor, anchor for the 37th America's Cup, added, "You could not find a more giving person… I will so miss his kindness and his unadulterated humour over large gins. We've lost a good one."
America's Cup veteran Harold Cudmore remembered Lester's "infectious enthusiasm for sailing and life", while Sir Ian Taylor, founder and managing director of sports technology and animation trailblazer Animation Research, said, "We have lost one of the greats far too early… While the rope of a waka can be severed, the bond you shared with so many will last forever."
A private funeral will be held, with a gathering planned at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in the coming weeks.
Lester is survived by his wife Susie, three sons, and grandchildren.
