19 May 2009

Blue Water Black Magic - A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake

A major exhibition that will stand as a permanent tribute to one of New Zealand's most prominent yachtsmen, is now under construction at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum.

A tribute to the leadership and legacy of Sir Peter Blake, the exhibition will feature at its core, NZL 32 Black Magic, the yacht on which Team New Zealand, led by Sir Peter, won the America's Cup for New Zealand in 1995. NZL 32 was gifted to Te Papa and the people of New Zealand by Team New Zealand in 2001. It will soon be suspended in the Hall of Yachting, and the accompanying exhibition will surround the yacht over three levels.

The exhibition will also place the boat within the context of the history of New Zealand yachting and this country's tradition of innovative yacht design. The new building is replacing a segment of the Maritime Museum where the Hall of Yachting was housed - at the northern end of Hobson Wharf in the Viaduct Harbour. The new building wing has been designed by leading New Zealand architect Pete Bossley.

The big stories of Sir Peter Blake's exploits  in blue water and match racing events  will be brought to life, an aspect of the exhibition that one of his greatest friends and sailing mates, Don Robertson, has contributed so much to. "Peter was a top skipper and leader," says Don. "I remember a time on Seamaster in one of those screaming 50-knot mountainous stretches of the Southern Ocean, half-way between New Zealand and Cape Horn, when rather than box on in a gung-ho fashion as some would probably choose, Peter decided we'd reduce sail to the point when we had the whole boat under perfect control. It just wasn't about heroics, it was about true seamanship. We got the whole thing under control to the point we went down and played scrabble!"

The tribute honours the memory of Sir Peter Blake and places him in the context of the broader story of New Zealand yachting and innovative yacht design as a living and evolving exhibition. "The exhibition will be a much-loved tribute to a great New Zealander and will be an inspiration particularly for young people," said Maritime Museum CEO Paul Evans.  "It will give kids a chance to learn about leadership and taking risks in order to achieve goals. It's a great tribute - to a true hero, a leader, a masterful yachtsman."

Professional Skipper - May 2009