The widows of four sailors who died in the 1998 Sydney-Hobart race are suing the event organisers, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, and the Bureau of Meteorology for negligence.
The husbands of Shirley Bannister, Penny Dean and Denise Lawler were aboard the Winston Churchill which foundered at the height
of the savage storm on December 27.
Stephanie Skeggs, whose husband was trapped under water when Business Post Naiad rolled, has also filed suit. She alleges the race committee was negligent in letting the yacht start because its certificate of stability was below race requirements.
Sailing commentators say that if the actions are successful, the way in which clubs and race committees manage ocean events could be changed for ever.
Just sailing
Launched this week, Pacific Yachting magazine is devoted to the top end of sailing. The first issue features three 50ft-plus yachts built here, a look at the explosion of boatbuilding and a unique slant on the Volvo Ocean race through the eyes of some of the sailors.
The magazine is from the D & B publishing stable which produces Propeller and Pacific Motor Yacht.
WaterWatch
There are two full days of action off Westhaven this weekend as the National Sport Boat Regatta is sailed. The boats are small keelers with a crew of five, four of them on trapezes.
Racing is fast and spectacular, especially if there is plenty of breeze. Start times both days is 10.45 am.
Other highlights:
Saturday: Regency regatta, Eastern Beach (BBYC); Auckland 3.7 championships (Howick); Cruising races (RYC and RNZYS); Duder Cup (DYC); Classic yacht, Frank Winstone Memorial and Col Wild Cup (CYA); Single-handed race to Kawau (BBYC); Around the islands race (VCC); Brin Wilson Gold Cup, pre-start from 9.45 off Orakei Wharf (RAYC); M-Class Logan Memorial and ffl15 Alan Ballantyne Memorial (RAYC).
Sunday: Master swimmers Rangitoto to St Heliers, 9.30 start; Murray Ross Trophy (PCC); Single-handed race from Kawau (BBYC); Manukau regatta at Weymouth (WYC).
* Clubs and organisations planning events on or in the water on the Manukau and Waitemata harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.
