Blake, Peter James (1948-2001)

New Zealand sailor and environmentalist. His yachting career included contesting every Whitbread Round the World race from its inauguration 1973-74 until his victory with Steinlager 2 1989-90. In 1994, he won the Jules Verne Trophy by sailing non-stop around the world, with co-skipper Robin Knox-Johnston, on the catamaran Enza NZ. In 1995, he became a national hero by leading a successful New Zealand challenge for the Americas Cup. He successfully defended the cup in 2000. He was killed by pirates in the Amazon in 2001.

In 2000, Blake gave up ocean racing to found blakexpeditions, to undertake voyages to areas considered of prime importance to the world's ecosystems. At the time of his death, he was with his schooner Seamaster on an expedition to the Amazon and Orinoco rivers.