Yachting: NZ seas tougher hurdle than Everest

By Suzanne McFadden

He conquered Mt Everest, the North and South Poles and cycled the length of Russia.

But adventurer Fedor Konioukhov has been beaten by the seas off New Zealand.

The Russian skipper became the fifth sailor to withdraw from the Around Alone race as he made his way down the east coast of the North Island yesterday. He would have been disqualified anyway for failing to finish the second leg in Auckland before the deadline at Saturday lunchtime.

American Robin Davie is also out of the race, still 900 miles from Auckland. But he wants to continue sailing around the globe as an unofficial competitor.

Konioukhov, a famous figure in his homeland, has his family and a Russian television crew waiting for his arrival. He also wants to carry on his "personal quest."

Australian Neil Hunter was the last official finisher, crossing the line on Friday night.

Of the 16 competitors who set out from Charleston, in the United States, in September, 11 will leave Auckland for Punta del Este on Waitangi Day.

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Auckland's Anniversary Day regatta is taking a step back in time today and reigniting motor racing on the Waitemata Harbour.

Dinghies with Seagull outboard motors will fizz back and forth along the waterfront from Orakei Wharf to St Heliers.

Back in the 1960s, the annual regatta included powerboat racing, but the speed limit enforced in the harbour forced them out. The latest class can do only around eight knots.

The Navy's floating crane Hikanui will be moored to Orakei Wharf as a viewing platform for 13 races during the day. Around 500 boats are expected out on the water from nine different starting points, including Mahurangi and Rakino Island.

America's Cup and Around Alone yachts will join a sail-past, though the United States crews are planning a day off, glued in front of television to watch the Super Bowl.

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Death has rocked the Spanish America's Cup challengers, who have lost one of their top crewmen in a training accident.

Martin Wizner died instantly when he was hit in the head after the block of the genoa halyard broke.

The Spanish cup crew were out training in Valencia in 12 knots of breeze when the accident happened.

Wizner sailed for Spain in the 1995 America's Cup and was regarded as one of his country's leading yachtsmen.