Opinion ID: 1444016
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Exculpatory Releases

Text: [¶ 6] Lloyd first argues that the membership release was superseded, replaced, and discharged by the entry release because the entry release is more recent and applies to a specific race, and because the two releases are inconsistent. Lloyd claims that the membership release specifically releases claims of negligence whereas the entry release more generally releases any and all claims. Additionally, the entry release contains the indemnification clause providing for legal fees to be assessed against the releaser unless damages for willful and wanton negligence are awarded. [¶ 7] While these two releases overlap, they are not inconsistent. The fact that one release specifies negligence and the other is more general does not create an inconsistency nor does the fact that the entry release contains an indemnification clause. There is nothing in the parties' statements of material fact that indicates they intended the entry release to supersede or replace the membership release. In fact, the entry release affirmatively states that only NORBA members, that is, people who had signed a membership release, are allowed to sign up for the Widowmaker Challenge. We fail to discern any inconsistency that would demonstrate that the parties intended that the execution of the entry release would abrogate the membership release. The entry release is unambiguous and consistent with the membership release. Thus, we reject Lloyd's argument that the membership release is inapplicable. [¶ 8] In order for the releases signed by Lloyd to absolve Sugarloaf and NORBA of their own negligence, they must expressly spell out with the greatest particularity the intention of the parties contractually to extinguish negligence liability. Doyle v. Bowdoin Coll., 403 A.2d 1206, 1208 (Me.1979) (internal quotation marks omitted). We strictly construe such releases against the party seeking immunity from liability. Id. at 1207-08; see also Hardy v. St. Clair, 1999 ME 142, ¶ 6, 739 A.2d 368, 370. The membership release declares with specificity that Lloyd releases and discharges NORBA, as well as any sponsors and promoters, from all liability that arises directly or indirectly from the negligence of anyone connected with the sponsorship, organization, or execution of any bicycle race. Unlike the release in the Doyle case, 403 A.2d at 1208, but similar to the release in the Hardy case, 1999 ME 142, ¶ 4, 739 A.2d at 369, there is a specific reference in the membership release to the negligence of the parties seeking immunity. We conclude that the membership release, with its express reference to negligence, sufficiently spells out the parties' intent to extinguish the negligence liability of NORBA and Sugarloaf. [¶ 9] Lloyd contends the practice or inspection run in which he was injured was not sufficiently connected to the race to be covered by the releases. Given that the parties agree that the practice session was mandatory to participation in the race itself, it would be disingenuous to conclude that the practice run was not, in the words of the membership release, arising directly or indirectly from or attributable . . . to any negligence . . . in connection with . . . any bicycle racing or sporting event, and, therefore, we reject this contention. See Hardy, 1999 ME 142, ¶ 5, 739 A.2d at 370; see also Barnes v. New Hampshire Karting Ass'n, 128 N.H. 102, 509 A.2d 151, 155-56 (1986) (holding that participation in a practice lap came within release language of participating in the event). Because the practice run was mandatory, any negligence occurring during the practice run was attributable to the bicycle racing event. [¶ 10] Lloyd also argues that if the releases are otherwise valid we should nonetheless reject them as violating public policy. We have held that releases saving a party from damages due to that party's own negligence are not against public policy. Hardy, 1999 ME 142, ¶ 3 n. 1, 739 A.2d at 369 (citing Emery Waterhouse Co. v. Lea, 467 A.2d 986, 993 (Me.1983)). [¶ 11] Generally speaking, courts holding that similar releases for recreational activities are void as against public policy do so because they find that the activity is a public service or open to the public; the facility invites persons of every skill level to participate; the facility has the expertise and opportunity to control hazards and guard against negligence; the facility is in a better position to ensure against risks; and broad releases of liability would remove incentives for the facility to manage risks, thereby requiring the public generally to bear the costs. See Spencer v. Killington, Ltd., 167 Vt. 137, 702 A.2d 35, 36-38 (1997) (holding entry form release for ski racing event void as against public policy); Umali v. Mount Snow, Ltd., 247 F.Supp.2d 567, 575 (D.Vt.2003) (applying Vermont law and finding NORBA releases for mountain bike races void as against public policy). An example of an analysis by a jurisdiction holding that releases are not against public policy is Barnes, 128 N.H. 102, 509 A.2d 151. In holding that a release of liability of a kart racing facility was valid, the New Hampshire Supreme Court found that the provision of kart racing was neither a public service nor a practical necessity, that the plaintiff was under no compulsion to participate in racing, and, therefore, under no compulsion to sign the release. Id. at 155. See also Schutkowski v. Carey, 725 P.2d 1057, 1060 (Wyo.1986); Jones v. Dressel, 623 P.2d 370, 375 (Colo.1981). [¶ 12] Even if we had no precedent stating that releases like these are not violative of public policy, we would be hard-pressed on this record to conclude that provision of an event entitled Widowmaker Challenge is a public service or that its entrants were under any compulsion to sign the release. We do not accept Lloyd's invitation to overturn our previous decisions.