Blake, New Zealand Sailor, in Long Beach

Peter Blake, the skipper of New Zealand’s entry in the Whitbread Round-the-World sailing race next year, will speak tonight at a crew party for this weekend’s Speedsailing Grand Prix in Long Beach.

The event, starting at 5 p.m. at the Viscount Hotel near the bow of the Queen Mary--is free and open to the public, with complimentary refreshments and a buffet. At 7:30, Blake will show a video of the new 60-foot Steinlager I trimaran he will sail in the Round Australia race in August.

The racing, for $5,000 in prize money, will start off Belmont Pier with heats at noon today, followed by the main event at 3. The racing may be viewed from the beaches and bluffs along Ocean Boulevard.