How the NZ Sailing Trust Keeps Sir Peter Blake's Legacy Alive

Picture this: you're standing on the deck of Steinlager 2, hands gripping the wheel that Sir Peter Blake once held as he steered this yacht to a clean sweep of the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race. You're not just sailing - you're part of continuing history.

That's what the New Zealand Sailing Trust offers, turning two of our most well-known racing yachts into floating classrooms where young Kiwis learn teamwork and push their limits.

Not Just Display Pieces

While other famous boats sit in maritime museums, Steinlager 2 and Lion New Zealand are still doing what they were built for: cutting through New Zealand waters and teaching new skills.

Steinlager 2 remains the only yacht in history to win all six legs of a Whitbread Round the World Race. Lion New Zealand, nicknamed "The Urban Assault Vehicle" after her 1984 Sydney Hobart victory, has just emerged from an 18-month refit at Yachting Developments with a new keel, mast, and sails.

What makes these boats useful isn't their trophies - it's that they're still actively creating new memories and teaching skills every time they leave the dock.

From Deckhands to Leaders

Since 2008, the NZ Sailing Trust has welcomed over 12,000 young New Zealanders aboard these yachts. Last year alone, 859 youngsters experienced life aboard these vessels over 159 sailing days. This year, with Lion New Zealand back in action, they're expecting closer to 1,400 participants.

These aren't passengers getting a harbour cruise. Every person aboard becomes crew, learning to navigate, trim sails, cook meals, and work as a team. The ocean doesn't care about your age or background - it demands respect, skill, and cooperation from everyone.

The programmes also reflect Sir Peter Blake's shift from racing champion to environmental advocate. Participants join beach clean-ups, conduct scientific investigations, and learn about marine conservation.

Something for Every Kiwi Sailor

While school groups form the backbone of the Trust's work, there are options for different parts of the sailing community. Five-day holiday programmes give 15 to 21-year-olds hands-on experience aboard a racing maxi for $1,575, building practical skills over four nights at sea.

Corporate groups find there's no better team-building exercise than working together to harness the wind. For the general public, the Trust offers Hauraki Gulf adventures, from overnight trips to three-day journeys.

Come December 17th, 2025, anyone can join the Christmas yacht race aboard Steinlager 2 or Lion New Zealand for $250. You'll race alongside Auckland's sailing community, then head to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the prize-giving. The Trust is also a Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award provider, meaning these voyages count towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Preserving Skills and Values

What the NZ Sailing Trust really preserves isn't fibreglass and carbon fibre - it's the practical skills and values that made Sir Peter Blake successful. Leadership, teamwork, and environmental awareness develop naturally when you're responsible for getting a 24-metre yacht safely from point A to point B.

Every time a young Kiwi learns to read the wind or work with their crewmates, we're building skills for the future of our maritime industries.

So next time you're out on the Hauraki Gulf and spot those familiar profiles cutting through the waves, you're seeing boats that are still working - connecting New Zealand's sailing past with people learning skills for the future.

Whether you're looking for adventure, leadership development, or want to experience sailing where champions have sailed, the NZ Sailing Trust shows that some experiences are worth preserving and sharing.