Global Sailing is mourning the loss of Peter “Pete” Lester, a sailing icon whose influence spanned decades on the racecourse and through the airwaves. Pete passed away suddenly on August 8, 2025, at the age of 70, following complications from a heart attack suffered a week earlier.
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Global Sailing Beginnings
Born and raised in Canterbury, New Zealand, Lester first made his mark in the OK dinghy class, securing the Junior World Championship in 1974 and winning the senior world title on home waters in 1977—earning him New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year.
A decade later, he captured the honour again after leading the New Zealand squad to victory at the prestigious Admiral’s Cup, helming the yacht Propaganda, which was also recognised as the top-performing boat.
America’s Cup journey (1988)
Lester’s America’s Cup journey began dramatically in 1988 when he served as tactician aboard the colossal KZ 1, part of New Zealand’s “Big Boat” challenge.
He later coached Spain’s Desafío España team in 1992 and acted as tactician for the Tag Heuer Challenge in 1995. Beyond Cup campaigns, Lester also triumphed in the One Ton Cup —including a 1993 win with the German Pinta team.
Becoming a Global Sailing Mentor
Transitioning from competitor to mentor, Lester served as High-Performance Manager at Yachting New Zealand, guiding Olympic squads in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Athens (2004) and later contributing to elite sailing initiatives in Qatar.
However, it was as a commentator and analyst where Lester became truly unforgettable.
Unforgettable Broadcasting
Invited into broadcasting during the 1992 Louis Vuitton Cup in San Diego, his articulate, warm and deeply knowledgeable style resonated immediately with audiences, making him a fixture of sailing coverage for over three decades—including the 2024 America’s Cup in Barcelona.
Peers and fans remember Lester not just for his sailing acumen but also for his generosity and down-to-earth character. Emirates Team New Zealand’s Grant Dalton called him “a very good friend” whose “strong understanding of the Cup… and his infectious laugh” will be deeply missed. Former Olympic gold medallist and broadcast colleague Shirley Robertson described him as “a standout broadcaster… with an enviable sense of fun”. Yachting New Zealand credited him with nurturing talent and “inspiring generations” through his enthusiasm and insight.
A Loss to the Sailing World
Peter Lester is survived by his wife Susie, to whom he had been married for over 40 years, their three sons, and four grandchildren. The sailing world has lost a luminary—one whose passion, wisdom, and spirit elevated every race and broadcast. His legacy endures in the countless lives he influenced, and in every broadcast where his voice still echoes across the water.
ICOMIA’s thoughts are with the Lester family at this difficult time.
Main Photo Credit: Richard Hodder / Emirates Team New Zealand
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