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Being commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is a prestigious position but it took on even more significance on May 15, 1995.
On that day, Peter Hay, as Squadron commodore, officially received the America's Cup from the San Diego Yacht Club after Team New Zealand had whitewashed Stars and Stripes 5-0.
Hay, who passed away on August 4, will forever be known as the first New Zealand commodore to receive the America's Cup (and second in the Cup's long history) but he contributed so much more to the New Zealand yachting and boating landscape.
He gave 45 years service to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, joined the general committee in 1983, served as commodore from 1994-96, was a trustee from 1999 and made a life member in 2015.
"He was the ultimate gentleman," said Ian Cook, who was Squadron commodore from 2018-20. "He really listened to everyone and was a guiding hand when I was commodore.
"He put an awful lot back into the sport in terms of administration and guidance that people probably don't realise."
Hay worked closely with Sir Peter Blake as a member of the planning group for the 2000 America's Cup defence, and also served on the Sir Peter Blake board.
It wasn't all good memories for Hay during that period and in 1996 he received a phone call from his wife Jan alerting him to the fact the America's Cup trophy had been vandalised inside the RNZYS.
“Do you want the good news or the bad news?” she asked Hay.
“What is the bad news?” he asked. “The Cup has been smashed,” she replied.
“Well, what is the good news?” Peter asked. “You are not the commodore anymore,” was her reply.
One of Hay's last races on his beloved Zamzamah was at Bay Week earlier this year when he helmed the boat to a race win, which was a fitting result.
Peter Hay is survived by his wife, three children and seven grandchildren. A celebration of Hay's life will be held at St Mary's-in-Holy-Trinity on August 14.
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Pic: Peter Hay, right, lifts the America's Cup in 1995 with Sir Peter Blake. Photo: Ivor Wilkins.
