Is Peter Blake really a NZ hero/icon?

[98tls]

Peter Blake was born in New Zealand but lived in the UK. His wife is a Pom, so are his kids. He's buried there.

If people are to be identified with where they culturally align themselves, then Peter Blake is English. A Sam Neil in reverse.

There ya go then,pity theres not other Pacific nations with such an understanding welfare system.

[MisterD]

Peter Blake was born in New Zealand but lived in the UK. His wife is a Pom, so are his kids. He's buried there.

If people are to be identified with where they culturally align themselves, then Peter Blake is English. A Sam Neil in reverse.

I'm English, my wife is a Kiwi and so are my kids, I'll be buried here but I won't ever cease to be a Pom...as much as I do love my new country of residence.

[98tls]

I'm English, my wife is a Kiwi and so are my kids, I'll be buried here but I won't ever cease to be a Pom...as much as I do love my new country of residence.

Yea yea i believe ya just stop whinging eh.

[The Stranger:Me]

Peter Blake was born in New Zealand but lived in the UK. His wife is a Pom, so are his kids. He's buried there.

If people are to be identified with where they culturally align themselves, then Peter Blake is English. A Sam Neil in reverse.

He was born and raised in NZ. He spent a lot of time overseas - he was a yachtsman - he had to, there is no way he could have been who he was if he didn't.

Cultural? As in a passion for sailing? Hmm, now where could that have come from? Certainly not sailing the waters of the Waitemata as youth I expect. That plus his loooong and distinguished association with NZ yachting interests (Whitbread challenges and Americas cup etc) place him well and truly as a Kiwi.

[Hitcher]

If having him be a "kiwi" makes people feel better, then so be it.

[ynot slow]

Suppose so,Sir Ed was first up Everest,Sir Pete was second to take cup from yanks after Aussies in the time of it's history,only two countries to do so at the time.And he was at the top of his game for a few years,certainly had respect,don't think Coutts or Barker will manage this,irrespective of your thoughts on Coutts.Blake is similar to Coutts,Dickson that he had to work offshore for the money,except he didn't raise the ire of country doing it.

[The Stranger:Me]

If having him be a "kiwi" makes people feel better, then so be it.

Well, put it this way hitcher, it is comforting, as it goes some way toward cancelling out the thought of you being one anyway.

[Whynot]

Suppose so,Sir Ed was first up Everest,Sir Pete was second to take cup from yanks after Aussies in the time of it's history,only two countries to do so at the time.And he was at the top of his game for a few years,certainly had respect,don't think Coutts or Barker will manage this,irrespective of your thoughts on Coutts.Blake is similar to Coutts,Dickson that he had to work offshore for the money,except he didn't raise the ire of country doing it.

As far as i'm concerned what he managed in the whitbread and the jules verne are much bigger achievements than beating some americans in a 'round the buoys' race.

[Swoop]

As far as i'm concerned what he managed in the whitbread and the jules verne are much bigger achievements than beating some americans in a 'round the buoys' race.

Quite so. When the Whitbread was a proper race. None of this "sail for 5 days and you're at the next port" crap, which it has become.

Peter Blake.
A good man. A good sailor. A good person.

[Pixie]

Peter who?

Some sports associated person I suspect,seeing as it's NZ

[mister.koz]

Agree completely about "sports heros". Someone like Mahe Drysdale is worthy of respect though.

Interesting.

My perception of Sir Peter Blake is he was a toff. Like Mark Todd. A person who could make a living sailing in yacht competitions still doesn't match up with say, Ed Hillary or Charles Upham VC+Bar. Upham stood and faced German machineguns and protected his men. Hillary founded schools and helped the Sherpas immensely. Both remained modest throughout their lives.

Peter Blake lived in England. His family are English. Nothing wrong with that but at the time of his death it appeared his affinity was with England. He'd left NZ behind.

I reckon he was a cool dude for doing all he did, i disagree with the leader thing tho, i mean he lead a team of me in a big boat in allot of races and did a stellar job.

He was an icon and someone to look up to but I also disagree with the Hero thing. A hero does something for the good of people for the purpose of the people. Racing yachts and earning buckets of money does create pride for the people but he did that for himself.

All power to him though, he did great things

[Rcktfsh]

Why would a pom who won a couple of races in a little known elitist sport and died as a result of his inability to handle his piss be a NZ hero/icon?

[Blackbird]

I've met met Peter Blake two or 3 times. Our yacht club was one of his sponsors for his Lion New Zealand Round the World campaign. I was fortunate enough to be the member of our yacht club chosen to go to the Lion launch day and I remember several things from that day.

He was a true leader as opposed to a "manager". He had real authority/mana born out of ability rather than position and he wore it easily. It was clear from the body language of his crew and everyone associated with the launch as he supervised it just how respected he was.

The term hero/icon carries all sorts of connotations, and is unjustly conferred on some. As an ex-Pom who has lived in NZ for 34 years, Peter Blake epitomises what I think characterises truly great Kiwi leaders - a natural humility without false modesty and prepared to lead from the front.

[Swoop]

...in a little known elitist sport ... be a NZ hero/icon?

Odd. I think exacly the same of those moron's with a pointy ball.

[ynot slow]

As far as i'm concerned what he managed in the whitbread and the jules verne are much bigger achievements than beating some americans in a 'round the buoys' race.

Yep my point in a different way of saying,couldn't recall the events lol.Always interest in round the world with him and Dalton first abd second into Auckland.