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Tributes flowed freely in New Zealand on Friday, where Peter Blake was considered a national hero for his competitive exploits on the water and for his environmental commitment.
Blake's mother, Joyce Blake, said his actions in attempting to defend his crew and his boat moments before his own death were typical of his character.
She said from boyhood, Peter pushed sailing boundaries "to see
how far he could go. He loved boats, he loved racing and the water."
Joyce Blake said while her son's participation in round-the-world yachting caused family members to be concerned about his welfare in difficult conditions, his environmental protection mission was "a different sort of danger. This was danger to himself personally, not just the boat."
"(He) did protect the crew and boat. It is absolutely typical of him."
Mortgaging his home to secure an entry into the 1995 America's
Cup was the measure of Blake's commitment, said Bob Field, chief
executive of Toyota New Zealand, a sponsor of Blake's challenge.
"He basically put his family fortune at risk," Field said.
"That convinced us to join the campaign. He was very determined
and humble."
Former Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts had an acrimonious split with Blake last year before joining a Swiss syndicate for next year's America's Cup.
"He made a huge contribution, not only to New Zealand sailing
but to world sailing," Coutts said. "His reputation speaks for
itself. He was a great leader, very fair."
New Zealand sailor Grant Dalton, skipper of Amer Sports One, which finished fifth in the Cape Town to Sydney leg of the Volvo Ocean Race this week, said he had not slept since hearing of Blake's death.
"Peter was his own man," Dalton said. "He had a style of
management, which has carried him through to this very day. Peter
always knew what he wanted, and in those days he wanted to win the
round-the-world race."
-- The Associated Press
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