Blake's Sea mates stay loyal to the last

By PAULA OLIVER and NZPA

Some of Sir Peter Blake's oldest sailing mates are travelling to England to farewell him in a tiny church on the banks of a picturesque harbour.

The yachting legend's funeral, sure to be one of the largest the village of Emsworth will see, will be held in a 1000-year-old church overlooking the harbour.

Lady Pippa Blake chose the venue because it holds sentimental value for the family.

Members of America's Cup holder Team New Zealand were yesterday making final preparations to fly to southern England.

Among those leaving today and tomorrow are some of Sir Peter's oldest sailing colleagues, carrying with them memories of battling high seas in Steinlager 1 and 2, Enza and Lion New Zealand.

A Team New Zealand spokesman said trimmer Tony Rae, navigator Mike Quilter, Roy Mason, Barry McKay and team chief executive Ross Blackman would attend the service.

Dr Mark Orams, one of the last to see Sir Peter while on board the Seamaster on the Amazon River, would also travel to England.

"Blakey was a loyalty man," said spokesman Murray Taylor.

"These guys go a long way back with him, and that was important to him."

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard will attend the service, while Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is looking at the practicalities of going.

At least two sailors now involved in the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race are considering taking time out during the Sydney stopover to go to the funeral.

Others who cannot attend include longtime sailing rival Grant Dalton, who is in Auckland nursing a broken back.

He, like many others, intends to go to the local memorial service, which is being arranged by Internal Affairs and Auckland City Council officials in conjunction with the Blake family.

Potential venues include Auckland Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Domain.

Sir Peter's funeral, to be held on Friday (Saturday morning NZT), will be led by Canon Douglas Caiger, a close friend.

He said St Thomas a Becket Church, which seats 300, did not lend itself to such a large occasion, but "it was the church Pippa wanted".

"It was very precious to them both. It is a church by the waterside in the harbour and it had enormous sentimental value."

A marquee with a video link will be set up to take the overflow of mourners, and Sir Peter will probably be buried in the nearby cemetery.

Lady Pippa will finalise details of the service when she meets Canon Caiger in the next 24 hours.

Emsworth, population about 9000, has strong sailing and naval links. Local undertaker Paul Lee-Bapty said many knights and ladies lived in the area.


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