Tidelines: Sanctuary show

Bookings for the 2002 Sanctuary Cove boat show, to be held from May 30 to June 2, are well ahead of last year's. Organisers say that as well as Australian products, boats from New Zealand, the United States, Britain, Canada and France will be exhibited. The show is the 14th annual exhibition staged at the Gold Coast venue.

Andersen out

Two of the United States' top marine companies have replaced Arthur Andersen with Ernst & Young as their independent auditors. Brunswick Marine and PWC manufacturer Polaris Industries announced the decision after Andersen was indicted by US federal prosecutors following the Enron collapse. Brunswick said the decision was part of an annual audit evaluation and the timing of the switch was coincidental.

Fishing fuel

When the 17th Lion Red Furuno fishing contest ends tonight at Pah Farm on Kawau Island, the 2000-plus contestants will have used about eight tonnes of bait. Furuno fishing club president Vern Ruffles says they will also have eaten more than 1000 rump steaks, 1500 sausages, 1400kg of chips, 800 meat pies, 90kg of bacon and garnished it all with 100 litres of tomato sauce. With prizes worth more than $95,000, the contest attracts serious fishers and a few party people, all trying to beat the record 13.02kg snapper caught by Peter Read in 1998.

Water-Watch

There's offshore powerboat racing off Maraetai today with a 1pm start for Round 5 of the national championship.

Yachting action is off the Viaduct Harbour today and tomorrow as the Line 7/Steinlager match-racing championships conclude.

Highlights this weekend are:

Saturday and Sunday: Ross 930 national championships (PCC); ff15 North Island and Dragon championships (RAYC).

Saturday: 30-mile Gulf race (Weiti and GHYC).

Sunday: Single-handed race (PYBC); Flap Martinego Memorial race (RYC);M-Class harbour race (VCC).

Clubs and organisations planning events in or on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline by phoning 0800 80 60 40.