28-10-2021, 05:59 PM
I don't like Russell Coutts - not because he went over to another syndicate but because he took half the team with him. But to me, Peter Blake is the real hero of the America's Cup for New Zealand. Russell Coutts wouldn't even have had the chance to sail in it if it hadn't been for Peter Blake's fundraising, huge personality, and giving everyone the motivation to support the team. To me, Peter Blake is on a par with Ed Hillary and who knows what Peter could have achieved for the environment if his life had not been tragically cut short. He was an outstanding NZ hero - Russell Coutts was just a good sailor.