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Yachting New Zealand has announced that one of the country's most prestigious sailing awards will be renamed in honour of Peter Lester, one of the sport's most influential and respected figures.
Lester, 70, passed away at his Auckland home early last month, a day after being discharged from hospital following heart surgery. His death was deeply felt across the sailing community, with tributes flowing in from around the world for the America's Cup legend, Olympic coach, broadcaster and mentor, and hundreds gathering at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and online for a memorial service to remember him.
The Outstanding Contribution Award, which recognises clubs, organisations and individuals who have made a significant impact on New Zealand sailing, will now be known as the Peter Lester Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sailing. It will be presented under its new title at the Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards in November.
"Peter Lester gave so much to sailing in New Zealand and beyond," said Yachting New Zealand interim chief executive Raynor Haagh. "Renaming this award ensures his contribution is remembered and celebrated, and inspires generations to come. The Barfoot & Thompson Excellence Awards recognise those who make our sport exceptional - and Pete was the very definition of that."
Born in Canterbury and raised on Lyttelton Harbour, Lester began sailing in a Z Class before moving into a P Class dinghy built by his father. He quickly rose to prominence, winning the OK Dinghy junior world championships in 1974 and the senior title in 1977.
He was selected to represent New Zealand in the Finn class at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but the country's boycott meant he never got the chance. In 1987, Lester skippered Bevan Woolley's Propaganda to Admiral's Cup victory, before repeating the feat six years later with Willi Illbruck's Pinta, which also secured the One Ton Cup.
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 was part of Chris Dickson's 1995 challenge. His influence also extended into high-performance coaching, serving as Yachting New Zealand's first high-performance director in 1994, coaching Olympic teams through Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, and later managing the Athens campaign. He also led the Aspire Academy Olympic programme in Qatar between 2007 and 2009.
Off the water, Lester became one of New Zealand's most recognisable voices in sailing through his commentary of the Olympics, America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race.
Lester remained closely involved with Yachting New Zealand, serving for many years on the judging panel for the excellence awards - an event where he was himself twice crowned Yachtsman of the Year.
Haagh said Lester's connection to both the organisation and the awards made the renaming especially fitting. "He touched so many lives, whether through the enjoyment he gave as a sailor, the knowledge he shared as a coach, or the countless memories he created as a commentator. Peter embodied the very essence of this award."
The accolade, first introduced in 2001 as the President's Award before later becoming the Outstanding Contribution Award, has previously been awarded to Emirates Team New Zealand, Bay of Islands Sailing Week, Pete Dawson, Jude Eades and Gary Smith among others.
The 2025 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards will be held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Friday, 28 November. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 15 September.
