KEY POINTS:
Staffan Kjelleberg tightens his grip on the binoculars as he watches the action in the 420 World Championships on the Hauraki Gulf.
Three of the Swede's sons were racing in 4.2m dinghies in 20 knot winds, and the squeeze on the binoculars showed the competition was picking up.
The family was one of dozens from around the world in Auckland to support the mainly teenage competitors.
New Zealand hosted the yachting class world champs for the first time this week, attracting 116 boats representing 15 countries to the Takapuna Boat Club.
Flags of each country lined the foreshore, in a colourful display. The beach was packed with onlookers on fine days during the weekend but spectators dwindled to family members and hardy souls with yesterday's overcast sky and high winds.
Local boats make up 29 of the 116 boats in the week-long regatta.
Australia and Germany sent the maximum contingent of 14 boats each, with Great Britain and Italy each sending 13.
North Shore City Council events manager Paul Dunphy said a $2 million boost to the local economy was an expected. The exposure would build the North Shore's sailing reputation internationally.
Mr Dunphy said it was hoped the momentum would continue to build next year, when the club would also host the Tornado class yachting and RSX windsurfing world champs.
Both would be Olympic qualifying events.
NZ 420 Association president Bryan Davies said the event was significant for New Zealand's yachting future. The 420s were a stepping stone for youth sailors with aspirations of sailing in the Olympic Games.
Much of the country's rising sailing talent was moving through the two-handed class before taking on bigger, Olympic class vessels, said Mr Davies.
Among the prospects were Carl Evans and Peter Burling, this week defending the 420 Open title they convincingly won at the last world champs. The pair, who, said Mr Davies, already had an Olympic class 470, clinched the 2006 title in the Canary Islands before the final race.
STEPPING STONE
* The 420s are a stepping stone for young sailors with aspirations of competing in the Olympic Games.
* Today is the final day of racing in the world championships.
* JF Kennedy Memorial Park, near Castor Bay on the North Shore, with its high vantage point over the Hauraki Gulf course, is a good place to watch the action (weather permitting).
