Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo S Series

Chris Packer in a coma in Perth hospital

by John Flint, Sunday Times and Sail-World on 30 Apr 2006
Top New Zealand sailor and adventurer, Chris Packer, is reported to be fighting for his life after suffering a massive heart attack.

The Perth based Sunday Times newspaper says the former yachting champion was last night in a coma at Fremantle Hospital. He is not expected to survive.

Chris Packer (53) is said to have suffered a heart attack while playing golf last Sunday lunchtime.

His girlfriend Gianna Botto, who was on an around-the-world voyage with Chris, has been at his bedside this week.

The Sunday Times reports that his brother, Tony Packer, yesterday said it had been a horrific week for his family including his elderly parents. He confirmed Chris Packer was in a coma.

The Sunday Times understands Chris Packer's luxury boat Lissa, a converted grain carrier, is moored in Fremantle.

The 55m vessel has been Packer's home since he bought it six years ago.
The multi-millionaire, has two children.

Born in Cape Town, Chris Packer came to Perth with his family in 1952 and was educated at Christ Church Grammar School.

As a teenager, he sailed a yacht from Perth to the Seychelles.

A winner of the Sydney-Hobart race, he is the second oldest of four brothers in one of Perth's wealthiest families.

Chris Packer competed for New Zealand and Australia in a long sailing career, winning two of the three classic races, or trophies, in world offshore sailing.

In 1979, he represented Australia as part of their Admirals Cup team. They won the Admirals Cup, then regarded as the world championship of offshore racing. The Fastnet Race, the triple-scoring, last race of the Admirals Cup series claimed the lives of 15 sailors that year after being hit by a freak storm.

Packer also won the 1975 Sydney Hobart Race, sailing Rampage.

In New Zealand, Chris Packer owned and raced the Davidson 52fter Starlight Express, one of New Zealand's most celebrated and long-lived ocean racers.

Chris Packer was also one of the prime movers behind the re-establishment of Southern Spars and built the company to the point where it was recognised as a world leader in its field, prior to its sale to US interests, under which its growth has continued. Southern Spars are used by several America's Cup syndicates and the leading yacht in the Volvo Ocean Race, ABN Amro One.

After the sale of Southern Spars, Chris Packer took up ocean cruising, and has had a number of colourful exploits in various parts of the world.
Sea Sure 2025Maritimo M50Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

Snipe Women's World Championship day 2
The breeze started to build up earlier in the hot morning temperature As predicted, the temperatures were very hot the morning of the second day and the breeze started to build up earlier than day one. The first race, a windward/leeward course, began at 11 am in 15-17 knots and increasing chop.
Posted today at 3:24 pm
Independence Cup Preview
Takes place off Burnham Harbor this weekend Dozens of sailors with physical limitations from all over the world will compete this weekend in the Independence Cup race at Burnham Harbor from July 24-27.
Posted today at 3:09 pm
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 7
Sarah-Quita Offringa survives Super Final scare to earn 16th Freestyle world title Sarah-Quita Offringa survives Super Final scare to earn 16th Freestyle world title and 27th overall, while Yentel Caers powers to victory in Men's.
Posted today at 3:02 pm
Vaikobi V-DRY-X Team Kit
We speak to Pat Langley and Bart Milczarczyk V-DRY-X is a major launch for the Australian technical clothing brand Vaikobi, launching into the yacht racing team market with high performance outer layer clothing specifically designed to be customised with the branding and colours of that team.
Posted today at 12:59 pm
Admiral's Cup Tom Hicks Thursday Photo Gallery
He is always ready to capture Solent action Tom Hicks is always ready to capture Solent action, and the Admiral's Cup naturally delivered. These shots are from Thursday 24th July 2025.
Posted today at 9:27 am
WASZP Games 2025 Day 4 Photo Gallery
A snapshot of the day by Mark Jardine It was a case of grabbing the wind and sunshine while it lasted on Day 4 of the 2025 WASZP Games, and each of the fleets got a bit of racing in before the rain started to fall and the breeze died away.
Posted today at 6:35 am
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Day 3
Youth, grit and glory define inshore battle The final day of inshore racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup delivered high drama, high stakes and no shortage of action, especially at race starts. Three intense races pushed crews to the limit and completed the six-race inshore series.
Posted today at 4:58 am
WASZP Games 2025 Day 4
The Weymouth weather continued to keep the fleet guessing The Weymouth weather continued to keep the fleet guessing, with the northerly breeze hanging in the early forecast before giving way to a westerly build.
Posted today at 4:38 am
Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Thursday Photo Gallery
The battle points ahead of the Fastnet race intense The six-race inshore series has now been completed with an unstable northerly, swinging to the west later. The starts were particularly intense as the teams battled for points ahead of the Fastnet, and Paul Wyeth was on hand to capture the action.
Posted today at 4:18 am
Catalyst 45: Project Render delivery voyage
Catalyst 45 proved its versatility, and seaworthiness completing a 1,100nm Pacific Ocean voyage. While better known as an America's Cup tender, the Catalyst 45 proved the versatility, and seaworthiness of the design completing a 1,290nm Pacific Ocean delivery voyage to Fiji. Here's the story...
Posted on 24 Jul