written by Mark Seabrook
Considered by many as New Zealand yachting royalty, Steinlager 2 will be sailing into the Bay of Islands and will be berthed at the Bay of Islands Marina Superyacht Jetty (adjacent to the Opua Wharf) from 18th August – 24th September.An Open Day on Saturday 14th September 1pm – 4pm is scheduled, and everyone is welcome to come aboard and see the full workings of this magnificent yacht. From Blake’s bunk to the Nav Station to the massive Barient primary winches known as the ‘coffee grinders’ that immediately demonstrate the intense physical work the crew endured in both the freezing Southern Ocean and the stifling topics.
Steinlager 2, affectionately known as “Big Red,” stands as a testament to Sir Peter Blake’s remarkable ingenuity and unwavering determination, embodying his mastery of sailing and exceptional leadership.
The 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race stands as a pinnacle amongst Blake’s illustrious achievements. After five attempts, Steinlager 2 and her crew claimed victory in all six legs – an unprecedented feat in Whitbread and Volvo history.
Of the many components essential to achieving a successful global yachting campaign of the day, there were two defining brilliant moves that stand out as Sir Peter Blake’s genius.
The first was Steinlager 2’s fractional rigging—a pioneering concept for a Maxi yacht. Blake drew inspiration from Lady Bird, the family cruiser where he began his sailing life, which also featured a fractional rig.
When Blake initially proposed the idea, designer Bruce Farr was skeptical. However, Blake persisted, and they meticulously crunched the numbers, discovering the potential advantage of a fractional rig. As Farr was also designing competitor boats, they worked diligently to keep the fractional rigging a secret until it was too late for others to replicate. This innovation ultimately provided a marginal edge, especially in light winds.
The ’89/90 Whitbread was a captivating spectacle thanks to the intense rivalry between two massive Kiwi ketches: Steinlager 2 and her closest competitor, Fisher & Paykel, skippered by Grant Dalton. The Fremantle to Auckland leg of the race was legendary, with both boats locked in a 3,272-mile duel. Blake secured his dramatic hometown victory into Auckland with a tactical masterstroke.
Both maxis were within sight of each other on the final approach down the east coast of the North Island. Just off Kawau Island, with a freshening north-westerly and under spinnaker, Steinlager 2 held the lead with Fisher & Paykel closing the gap. The atmosphere onboard must have been electric.
The sky over Auckland was starting to look ominous so Blake directed Navigator Mike Quilter to tune into local radio Newstalk 1ZB and at that moment a listener had called from Titirangi reporting a southerly front had just passed through. That was all it took for Blakey to order a small genoa to be made ready and all crew on alert and ready to drop the spinnaker.
Below deck on Steinlager 2 – Sir Peter Blake’s original bunk.
Peter’s years of ocean-racing experience paid huge dividends in one dramatic moment when he screamed ‘Get rid of it’ the instant he saw the wind change on the water. F&P were not so prepared and seemed oblivious to the impending shift and were caught with their spinnaker up and were in big trouble losing precious ground they couldn’t recover.
This tactical brilliance handed victory to Blake and Steinlager 2, etching the moment into sailing legend and underpinning Blake’s reputation as a master tactician. It also fuelled the intense rivalry with Dalton, a rivalry that would span decades but ultimately remain in Blake’s favour.
This was international yachting at its best that will never be repeated. Never again will we see privately funded campaigns and never again will we hear the likes of the commentary of Peter Montgomery’s live Whitbread commentary on the satellite phone direct into the Steinlager 2’s nav station for those enthralling daily reports with Blakey. With his signature line “Hello Peter, how are you, where are you?!” It was raw and it was exciting. The radio would crackle and fade, but you just knew you were right there on the water with Steinlager 2 and all her crew.
After her triumphant ’89/90 Whitbread victory, Steinlager 2 spent a period in private hands, even languishing for a time on a Florida mooring. However, thanks to The New Zealand Sailing Trust, she was repatriated in 2012 and lovingly restored to her former glory.
Today, under the Trust’s stewardship, this iconic vessel sails on as a vibrant testament to Sir Peter Blake’s enduring legacy. Steinlager 2 serves as a unique platform, offering youth development programs and charters that allow a new generation to experience the magic of sailing and history of this legendary yacht.
The Trust’s youth initiatives, conducted aboard “Big Red,” focus on fostering leadership skills and instilling a deep appreciation for maritime heritage. Participants learn sailing skills, soak up the thrill of navigating a champion vessel, and gain insights into the strategic brilliance that defined Blake’s career.
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