Date of Issue: November 25, 2009New Zealand post issued this set of five stamps, miniature sheet, and limited edition imperforated miniature sheets, presentation packs etc., for Sir Peter James Blake - an inspirational leader, brilliant yachtsman, record breaker, passionate Kiwi and ardent environmentalist.
Sir Peter Blake was a New Zealand yachtsman who won the Whitbread Round the World Race (now known as Volvo Round the World Race), the Jules Verne Trophy – setting the fastest time around the world of 74 days 22 hours 17 minutes 22 seconds on catamaran Enza, and led his country to successive victories in the America’s Cup.
Sir Peter was on the Amazon River monitoring environment change when he was murdered in Brazil on 6th December 2001.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand (Rt. Hon. Helen Clark) called Sir Peter a living legend and a national hero in her eulogy she said in part:
Our small nation went into shock. Peter Blake was a living legend. As an outstanding sailor, he had brought great honour and fame to New Zealand. His death was unthinkable.
Sir Peter Blake is buried at Warblington churchyard, near Emsworth on the south coast of England. His headstone bears the words of John Masefield's famous poem, Sea Fever: "I must down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky, and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by....".
Text source: wikipedia
Many thanks to my swap partner and friend, Ms. Corinne Pegler from New Zealand for sending me this beautiful set of stamps.
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