Ralph Roberts

Ralph Roberts was a New Zealand sailor who was a multiple national champion in the Finn, Flying Dutchman and Soling classes. In 1958 Roberts and Geoff Smale won the Prince of Wales Trophy at an event held in Cowes, Isle of Wight. Two years later Roberts competed in the Finn class at the 1960 Roma Olympics where he finished in sixth place. For the 1964 Tokyo Olympics he was named as a reserve in the Flying Dutchman with fellow countrymen Helmer Pedersen and Earle Wells who won the gold medal. Roberts and Smale teamed up again for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics where the pair finished in eighth place in the Flying Dutchman.

After retiring as a competitor Roberts became the manager of the New Zealand Olympic Yachting Team. He attended the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where the New Zealand team won two gold medals and a bronze. For the 1988 Seoul Olympics he was appointed as a judge on the jury for the sailing regatta. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Roberts attended the Games in the role of New Zealand’s Chef de Mission.

From 1986 to 1989 Roberts was the President of Yachting New Zealand before being made a life member of the organisation in 2010. In 1993 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to yachting. Roberts served on the board of the Yachting New Zealand Board from 2006 to 2012 and was awarded with the New Zealand Olympic Order in 2011.