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Scuttlebutt Updates
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Archived NewslettersSCUTTLEBUTT 2564 – March 31, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. APPLES AND ASTEROIDS Comparing Snipes and Lightnings is like comparing apples and oranges. They are similar, but not the same. Same goes for comparing Farr 40s and TP 52s on the grand prix circuit. However, comparing America’s Cup class boats and offshore multihulls is like comparing apples and asteroids. Okay, maybe not that far apart, but if they didn’t both float and use sails, the list would get pretty short. Regardless, with the next Cup looking to be a showdown between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing in multihulls, both teams still appear to be using their talented monohull sailors, and enlisting multihull coaches to fill in the gaps. Based on the tremendous failure experienced this weekend by the Alinghi team, we now know the size of the gap: think Grand Canyon. Read on: (March 29, 2008) AT 11:30 this morning, in 20 plus knots and a lumpy Atlantic swell, the 60ft trimaran Foncia capsized off Lorient, France with Alinghi sailors onboard. Of the 10 crew onboard, Piet van Niekerk and Francesco Rapetti were airlifted to hospital, both are safe and with no serious injuries. The rest of the crew, along with helmsman Ed Baird and consultant Alain Gautier, were involved in securing the boat and towing it upside down ashore, where it will be craned out and assessed for damage. The capsize occurred when the team was bearing away and buried the leeward and the central bows. -- Complete release: http://www.alinghi.com/en/news/news/index.php?idIndex=200&idContent=15333 * If you were wondering what helmsman Ed Baird was thinking before this fateful outing, here is an interview with Ed from the day before: http://tinyurl.com/yv4vk8 PHOTO GALLERIES * Teaching America’s Cup sailors in the finer points of multihull sailing might be harder than some thought. There are the subtle nuance to learn… like how not to capsize. Photographer Thierry Martinez was on the scene when the Alinghi team arrived in port – upside down. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0329 * Spanish teams Iker Martínez & Xabi Fernández and Federico & Arturo Alonso finished the 49er European championship as the top two teams, beating out 62 other entrants in Palma, Spain. The lone North American team, Tim Wadlow and Chris Rast (USA), finished sixth overall. Brilliant photos by Ingrid Abery and Claire Matches. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0326 * The inaugural Virgin Island Race Week began this past weekend with the International Rolex Regatta in the US Virgin Islands, and from a look at the images from shooter Ingrid Abery, the event looks to have a nice mix of sun, scenery, and competition. We’ll take a round, and keep the tab open. Enjoy! -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0330a * The St. Barth’s Bucket is an invitational regatta set in the Corinthian spirit, open to yachts over 100-feet in length. Swanky yachts, Caribbean location, and more cocktail parties than races leads to some sweet imagery, provided here by photographer Cory Silken. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0330 PUMA GOES YACHT RACING... If you are going to Sail Newport's "COME SEE PUMA FLY" presentation this Thursday in Newport, RI, then consider yourself lucky! But the rest of you can still be a part of skipper Ken Read’s Volvo Ocean Racing team by visiting the Team One Newport's website and buying some really cool Puma team gear. Be sure to check out the new Ronstan watches too! And the new Woolrich clogs and thongs as well as the Olukai sandals are in too!! Shop from the team that has the best service, selection, and expertise. Call 800-VIP-GEAR or check out http://www.team1newport.com * Curmudgeon’s Comment: Seven teams are committed for the VOR, which will be starting October 4th. New boats are already beginning to splash, so look for the pace of race updates to soon speed up. To learn more about attending this week’s PUMA event, go to http://www.sailnewport.org/npt/m/_general/pumatix.asp TOLLING AGREEMENTS 101 The latest in the legal drama that has become the America’s Cup finds the defender Alinghi back in court to determine when the 33rd event must be held. They have submitted their position papers, as have the Challenger of Record club Golden Gate Yacht Club, for the April 2, 2008 hearing. Scuttlebutt’s legal analyst Cory Friedman has reviewed both sides, and as you will find in his opinion below, a new phrase has now entered our knowledge base: Tolling Agreement. Here is Cory’s 19th report: (March 30, 2008) In response to letters from both Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG) and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), Justice Cahn has set a 9:30 am hearing on April 2, 2008, presumably to consider setting a date for AC 33, the Deed of Gift (DOG) Challenge. GGYC has set October 1, 3 and 5, 2008 as the dates and SNG is insisting on nothing earlier than May 1, 2009. SNG should be sitting pretty going into this hearing. Indeed, SNG should be in a position to push the Match out for years. Instead, thanks to a spectacular blunder, almost as bad as not going around a mark, SNG is going into the hearing with its pants around its ankles begging for mercy from Justice Cahn, whose decision on SNG’s last motions practically had “we are not amused,” as the refrain. How did SNG dig itself this hole? If, based upon past history, you chose (a) “overreaching,” you win and move on to the next round. Ordinarily, the deadline to do anything is unaffected by litigation. In special cases, statutes provide a stay while litigation is pending. For example, governmental entities usually get an automatic stay of enforcement of a judgment while they appeal. Those statutory stays are relatively rare and none apply to this case. At the very first hearing on September 10, 2007, Justice Cahn suggested a tolling agreement to stop the clock on GGYC’s July 4, 6 and 8, 2008 challenge. Both sides supported in general terms a toll of the July 2008 dates, but with no specificity and no court reporter to take a detailed “agreement” down, New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) 2104 renders their statements unenforceable, unless reduced to a writing and signed by the parties, which customarily then would be submitted to Justice Cahn for his signature and entry on the docket. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/cf/#p19 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar FOR THE RECORD The stopwatch is back in action aboard Gitana 13. On standby in San Francisco since February 28th after setting a new record for La Route de l’Or (New York to SF), the 110-foot maxi-catamaran set off this Saturday March 29th at 22h45’45” UT, for a record attempt between San Francisco and Yokohama, Japan. Lionel Lemonchois and his ten crew are tackling the North Pacific crossing, hoping to beat the current record of 14 days 22 hours 40 minutes and 41 seconds set by Olivier de Kersauson and his team aboard Geronimo on April 27, 2006. When Olivier de Kersauson and his ten men set off on April 12, 2006, the conditions reigning over the Pacific forced them to choose a very southerly route over the first few days at sea, distancing them from the direct course. Though Geronimo made the most of it to pass between the Hawaiian Islands, rounding the mark of "Diamond Head" after 4 days and 19 hours. In so doing, it established a new reference time between San Francisco and Honolulu (Hawaii). This passage off Honolulu, also proved to be an opportunity for Olivier de Kersauson and his crew to glean the record between Honolulu and Yokohama. * The Gitana 13 team hosted a press junket last week, where they took media types for a buzz on San Francisco Bay. Here is a report of the event shared by the Latitude 38 publication: http://tinyurl.com/yoodo9 SAILING SHORTS * The Sailing World College Rankings as of March 25 has St Mary’s still in the lead of both the coed and women’s divisions. -- http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5941 * Auckland, New Zealand (March 29, 2008) The conclusion of the Laser Radial Men and Youth World Championships provided some familiar names among the 113 boats. Canadian Olympic Laser representative Michael Leigh won the Laser Radial Men division, with another Laser sailor, Brad Funk (USA), finishing second. On the youth side, Claire Dennis was sixth. Complete results: http://www.takapunaworlds.org/index.cfm?Nid=43086&RequestTimeOut=180 * The 2008 circuit for the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series has been unveiled with five European events focusing on high-octane, competitive close-quarter racing, accessible to the viewing public whilst providing an unforgettable VIP experience. Five new catamarans have been constructed, bringing the total fleet size to 14 – and three America’s Cup teams now own Extreme 40s. -- Full report: http://www.isharescup.com/container.asp?id=13579 St. Thomas, USVI (March 30, 2008) -- After completing a single distance race Sunday, the eight class leaders nailed down overall victories at the 35th annual International Rolex Regatta, which began Friday. The trade winds that made the prior two days so exciting delivered once again as sailors on 90 boats completed the Pillsbury Sound course, set between the east end of St. Thomas, where host St. Thomas Yacht Club is located, and its smaller sister island of St. John. The International Rolex Regatta is the first part of Virgin Islands Race Week, which bridges this event with the BVI Spring Regatta. – Daily reports and results: http://www.rolexcupregatta.com/index2.php * (March 30, 2008) After starting on Saturday, it took about a day for the fastest boats to overcome the 24-hour head start by some of the slowest-rated boats in Balboa Yacht Club's biennial Corona del Mar, CA to Cabo San Lucas race. About halfway through the 800-nautical mile race down the Baja peninsula by Sunday afternoon, leaders Doug Baker’s Andrews 80 Magnitude 80, was now well inshore of Jim Madden’s Reichel/Pugh 66 Stark Raving Mad III. Two boats have dropped out---Tom Holthus’ J/145 Bad Pak with steering problems and George Minardos’ Aeolos Beneteau 44 with a broken boom. -- Daily report: http://www.balboayachtclub.com/docmanager/Cabo/RR_3_30.pdf * Clarification: In the letter from Thomas Hubbell, Vice President, US SAILING that was in Issue 2563, he made a reference to infer that the bilge water discharge issue is over. It is not. The current exemption for recreational boats to have a permit to discharge clean bilge, cockpit water, or deck water overboard will expire September 30, 2008. US SAILING and many other boating organizations are actively working to get new legislation passed before then that would permanently exempt recreational boats from the permit process. It is recommended that interested boater contact their two US Senators to voice their opinion on this matter, with additional information available at http://www.BoatBlue.org JUD SMITH JOINS THE PARALOC RUNNING RIGGING REVOLUTION Congratulations to Jud Smith for finishing second at the 2008 Etchells Midwinters. Jud equipped his brand-new Etchells with Paraloc running rigging. Paraloc’s patented parallel braid interlocks the lines cover and core fibers, producing a line that resists kinking and has better holding power in clutches. Whether you’re a world class Etchells sailor or recreational cruiser, if you’re looking for simpler, more precise sail trim, its time to join the running rigging revolution. Paraloc can be found at Sound Rigging (Essex, CT) Ontario Yachts (Burlington, Ontario), Rig Pro, (Newport, RI) and Rigging Systems (Miami, FL) or visit http://www.rwrope.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Ross Emmans: In his letter in ‘butt 2563, Mr Cockburn noted to have finished well behind Mr Dane in the 1967 Sears Cup sailed in Sharks, but he's learned a thing or two since then. He beat 68 other teams to win the 2002 and 2003 Shark Worlds. I remember that exciting summer of sailing in '67, having sailed in my first world championship in the OK Dinghy, where I finished behind almost everybody. * From Chris Chatain, Chicago, IL: And don't forget that John won the Flying Dutchman US Championship in 1969. He crewed for me in that regatta in Jackson, MS and together we went on to Adelaide in Australia, where we came in 8th in the 1970 FD World Championship. I think those were the only two regattas he ever sailed in an FD. The Adelaide Worlds was very windy, and I think he decided the view from a trapeze didn't suit him. * From Derek Blanke: In ‘butt 2562, Doran Cushing asks in his letter regarding monohulls and multihulls, “Why does anyone want to go slow when you can go twice as fast with less effort and less crew?” Easy one to answer – mooring charges. As most boats remain unused most the time, hanging around in marinas and on moorings while the owners beaver away to pay for them, the cost of a monohull is considerably less than a multihull (all one word…). Parking boats is a big enough issue without doubling the size of them! Most multihulls (all one word…) are small boats sailed off beaches or massive racing machines – have you ever wondered why? * From Brad Avery: (regarding racing to Hawaii in ‘butt 2563) As a card-carrying member of Transpac Anonymous, I couldn't agree more about the bait-n-switch tactics of Transpac marketing. This shameful practice has been going on a hundred years, luring in the inexperienced and veterans alike every two years. Some of sailing's most miserable moments (days...) have been spent crashing westward in a freezing early July northwesterly. Sometimes the sun comes out on day seven or eight. Despite all this, many of us fall off the wagon every odd year. I think TPA needs to schedule some meetings prior to the "Race to Paradise." I'm afraid my case is chronic, but others might be saved. Pacific Cuppers should be saved too. I'm not sure which race is more "fun," but I think it has something to do with the group of addicts you sail with. * From Robert D. "Dan" O'Brien: Shame on you for being so provincial. There is another race to Hawaii that is way more fun than the other "Fun Race to Hawaii", that being the Victoria BC to Lahaina Maui Race, or just plain old Vic-Maui. True it isn't fun for the wimps that can't stand a few days of slogging to weather, or those not smart enough to get around the Pacific High. Vic-Maui is co sponsored by real Yacht Clubs. The prestigious Royal Vancouver Yacht Club of Vancouver BC, and that notorious nest of decadence the Lahaina Yacht Club of Lahaina Maui. Who ever heard of anyone having fun in Lahaina? This year marks the 21st edition of the event so please don't forget to mention the really fun race to Hawaii. The race where the "veddy veddy" and the not so "veddy" can square off and get it on. What could be more fun than that? * From Emory Heisler: (RE: Photos Of The Week and the Curmudgeon's apparent ignorance of the Buccaneer 18 Class) For hundreds of years, the Buccaneer 18 fleet has pillaged its way across the high seas…oops…wrong Buccaneer story. ARRRR! The Buccaneer 18 was designed in 1966 by Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs. An integrated spinnaker launch tube, roller furling jib, and well-constructed sail plan make it a great two-handed racing dinghy. The original builder - Chrysler Marine - produced over 4000 boats, and over 5000 have been produced in the past 40 years. The Bucc 18 is currently produced by Nickels Boat Works, with the largest fleets concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, greater Chicago-land, Denver and, yes, of all places, Arizona, where there are over 25 of these speedy little dinghies. -- http://buccaneer18.org * From Keith Taylor, Auckland, NZ: (Re "How to save the America's Cup" - Scuttlebutt #2563) Bravo, bravissimo Vincenzo Onorato! With the exception of last year in Valencia, I was involved in some way or another with every America's Cup defense since 1967 and I'm only too aware of the power of the Cup to influence attitudes. Ernesto Bertarelli has employed legions of lawyers and endless verbosity to underpin his fumbling efforts to hijack the America's Cup and it seems he hasn't even "got it" yet! Vincenzo on the other hand has nailed it in one. Tons of great one-liners in this treatise. My favorite is: "I do not agree with Alinghi's avidity, which unfortunately is not even backed by an intelligent commercial strategy." Anyone who calls into question the months of wrangling and name-calling we've endured over the past months should be made to read this Cup challenger's insights - slowly, and aloud - at least three times. * From Fred Bieberbach: (In response to Tom Hubbell, Vice President, US SAILING’s comments about the “sailing tax” in ‘butt 2563’) Vice President Hubbell is correct. We should maybe not be “listening to the non-members carping about the value of US SAILING”…but we should maybe listen to its members? One would expect a member of the Executive Board or a Cabinet Member to defend their existence and expound on the features, benefits and advantages of “big brother taking care of business for us”. Big politics always seems to slip into the forefront and present itself as the savior of the masses. There are many other organizations and individuals that are constantly in the forefront on issues (such as the gray-water issue/ bilge-water, etc.) but look to their memberships for donations and encourage others to join them. Vice President Hubbell’s comment: “The money I save insuring 3 small boats via US SAILING pays for my membership; seems like a real value to me. The money I saved registering for 12 regattas last year covers another year of membership; so just those two benefits put me $60 ahead”... is EXACTLY what US SAILING should be selling. Telling individuals (as individual as sailors can often be) that they must become members… is the wrong approach to encouragement. * From John Wade: Regarding Tom Hubble's note (in ‘butt 2563) promoting the proposed membership requirement, he notes advantages such as insurance provided through US Sailing. The only thing I ever received from US Sailing was a membership card. I have never been advised of any specials on boat insurance. I don't even get a new rules book when they come out. Do you have to be a vice-president to enjoy these perks? THE COMPANY YOU KEEP Mariette, Rebecca, Meteor, Puma, Groupama, Parlay, Barking Mad, Orange II, Arcadia, Belle Aventure, Hissar, Ranger, Alinghi, Black Knight, Perseus, Morning Glory, Rambler, Excellence III, Endeavour, Intuition, Stealth, Turmoil, Wild Horses, Limitless, Zingaro, Whisper, Georgia, Scheherazade, Twizzle, Oracle, Adix, Hetairos, Moon River..... The Wall of Fame at Newport Shipyard. 401-846-6002, mailto:dockoffice@newportshipyard.com CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." - Plato (427-347 B.C.) Special thanks to Team One Newport, R & W Rope, and Newport Shipyard. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
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