Issue date
A celebration of the life of one of New Zealand's most iconic sailors and much-loved voices in the sport, Peter Lester, will be held on Sunday, 24 August, at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Lester passed away suddenly on Friday, 8 August, at the age of 70, a day after being discharged from hospital following heart surgery. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across New Zealand and around the world, reflecting the respect he earned as a competitor, coach, and broadcaster.
The event will start at 4pm and all are welcome to attend, and for those unable to be there in person, the proceedings will be livestreamed (see link below). Messages of support for the Lester family can also be sent to sean.robert.lester@gmail.com.
Born in Canterbury and raised on Lyttelton Harbour, Lester began sailing in a Z Class before moving into a P Class built by his father. He won the OK Dinghy junior world championship in 1974 and the senior title in 1977, earning the first of two Yachtsman of the Year awards.
His sailing career included world championship victories, multiple America's Cup campaigns, and leadership roles with New Zealand's Olympic sailing teams, including head coach for the Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Athens (2004) Games. He also served as Yachting New Zealand's first high-performance director, helping to nurture the country's sailing talent.
Off the water, Lester became one of the sport's most respected broadcasters, covering America’s Cups, Olympic Games, and the Volvo Ocean Race with insight, clarity, and enthusiasm.
He remained actively involved in the sport through mentoring programmes, judging panels, and youth initiatives. Former Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie highlighted his generosity and storytelling, while Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton described him as a trusted friend with unmatched knowledge of the Cup.
Lester is survived by his wife Susie, three sons, and grandchildren.
Follow the celebration of Peter Lester’s life here: https://youtu.be/soTBVTAQhso
