In 1995 Kiwis embraced Sir Peter Blake's "lucky red socks" as a symbol of support for Kiwi yachties taking on the world.
20 years on and the young sailors competing in New Zealand's largest youth sailing regatta were not even born during the time of the "lucky red socks".
The2015 Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta sponsored by Volvo Cars is being held on 5 and 6 December at Torbay Sailing Club on Auckland's North Shore. This year's 14th edition of the regatta will see over 400 young Kiwi sailors given a pair of red socks in remembrance of Sir Peter and as a reminder of the heritage of their sport.
2012 Olympic Sailing Gold Medalist Jo Aleh came from a non-sailing family but was inspired to take up the sport after watching Sir Peter Blake and his lucky red socks on television back in 1995. That inspiration led to multiple world championship wins for Jo and her sailing partner Polly Powrie, the Olympic Gold at London 2012 and World Sailor of the Year Award in 2013 - following in Sir Peter's red sock clad footsteps as he received the same award in 1994!
On her way to this success Jo was awarded the Sir Peter Blake Trophy as the top youth sailor at the Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta in 2004. Jo will return to Torbay to present the regatta prizes to the over 20 sailing classes competing at this year's regatta and will be wearing her lucky red socks!
"Sir Peter Blake was a hero to me when I decided to take up the sport of sailing and I remember his red socks well. To me they symbolise teamwork, never giving up, and staying humble - attributes Polly and I still try to keep at the core of our sailing campaign" she said.
