A cup of tea with... PETER LESTER

THE SAILOR TELLS WHY THE SPORT IS SO HARD ON FAMILIES

- Karyn Henger

TNVZ 1 America’s Cup commentator Peter Lester, 66, is a familiar voice on television and radio, and his views are widely respected in the competitive sailing world and by the public alike. The world-class sailor won the New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year award, in both 1977 and 1987, and competed in three America’s Cup campaigns. The Weekly catches up with the grandfather of-two to talk about marriage, family and his appetite for a good win.

Peter, congratulations! We hear you recently celebrated your 39th wedding anniversary.

Thank you, yes we have. It was on January 16. We were married in 1978. No, it was 1980. No, 1982.

Oh dear, Peter…

And do you know, the only reason I can remember Susie’s birthday is because it’s the same day as mine – August 14. But I was born in 1954 and Susie in 1956.

From your wedding picture, it looks like you had a very low-key wedding.

That would be an understatement! I was in Wellington and competing in a regatta, and we decided that week to get married. It was held in Eastbourne on Susie’s father’s back lawn. We didn’t tell many people, so the invite list was only family. We wore outfits we already had in our wardrobes.

What’s your secret to wedded bliss?