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Scuttlebutt Updates
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Archived NewslettersSCUTTLEBUTT 2966 - Thursday, November 5, 2009Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today's sponsors are Ullman Sails and Melges Performance Sailboats. GROUPAMA 3 SWITCHES TO CODE GREEN French skipper Franck Cammas and his Groupama 3 team plan to set off on Thursday, November 5th on their bid to conquer the Jules Verne Trophy, a fully crewed round the world record attempt under sail. The time to beat is 50 days and 16 hours, which was the record set in 2005 by Bruno Peyron aboard the maxi catamaran Orange 2. For his second attempt at the record, Franck Cammas has put together a dream team that includes loyal Groupama members: Swiss sailor Stève Ravussin with whom Franck has already won two Transat Jacques Vabres, Fred Le Peutrec, Loïc Le Mignon, Ronan Le Goff as well as Jacques Caraës. Alongside them are some newcomers to the team in the form of Lionel Lemonchois, reigning champion of the Route du Rhum, Thomas Coville, solo Transatlantic recordman, Stan Honey, winning American navigator from the Volvo Ocean Race, as well as Bruno Jeanjean, World Champion Match Racer. This crew has been preparing for the attempt in earnest since the start of the year, covering 15,000 miles or two thirds of a circumnavigation of the globe since that time: "We know each other well, we get on well and we're eager to go, even though we know it will be difficult. Circumnavigating the globe under sail as fast as we can isn't something you do everyday. We'll have to be quick without causing Groupama 3 to suffer and by manoeuvring her well. Added to that we'll have to choose the best course," adds Cammas. The ten men on Groupama 3 intend to leave the quayside at the port of Le Château on Thursday at 1100 hours, in order to present themselves on the start line for the Jules Verne Trophy between 1600 and 1700 hours local time, in front of the Créac'h lighthouse on the island of Ushant. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/ydu44n9 STAN HONEY - SETTING RECORDS At fifty-two years of age, Stan Honey (USA) will be the most senior member on the 105-foot maxi trimaran Groupama 3 during their 2009 attempt to win the Jules Verne Trophy, a fully crewed round the world record attempt under sail. Stan is a new member of skipper Franck Cammas’ team, but hardly new to navigation. However, his commitment to the role dramatically increased in 2004 when he joined ABN AMRO’s winning campaign for the 2005-6 Volvo Ocean Race. Stan is currently the Technical Director for Team Origin, and here provide some insight into his latest project: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Explain the preparation for this record attempt. STAN HONEY: “The preparation is extensive. The shore crew goes through the boat entirely for the physical preparation. For sailing team preparation we did a TransAtlantic record attempt (3D 18H), and also a training trip from Lorient to Istanbul. There have been various other 1-5 day training passages. Recently the sailing team spent a week mountaineering in the Alps for team-building. That was more beneficial than I could have imagined, not having participated in a team-building exercise before. I also enjoyed seeing the Alps and learning something about rock climbing and climbing on snow, ice, and glaciers.” * As for your role, what you have done to prepare? STAN HONEY: “I've been working with the highly skilled Yann Riou on Groupama's electronics and setup, and I've spent many days with Sylvain Mondon at Meteo France in Toulouse France working on the weather. Sylvain is our shore meteorologist with whom I work both before and throughout record attempt passages on Groupama 3. It is a delight for me to be able to work with such a skilled meteorologist and one who has the extensive resources of Meteo France at his disposal.” * Explain the process to determine when to begin. STAN HONEY: “Getting around the South Atlantic High can go be time consuming if that High has a big lobe extending to the West at the time a boat is trying to pass. So you try to pick a departure time where the weather structure in the South Atlantic will provide for a clean passage pass the South Atlantic High and into the Southern Ocean. Of course you also need for that departure time to provide for a reasonably fast passage to the equator.” * What is the ideal time of year for a Jules Verne Trophy attempt? STAN HONEY: “Typically JV attempts have a standby period that extends from mid November through late March. That takes advantage of the Southern Ocean summer.” -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/1104a/ “THE BEAR” PROVES HER PROWESS ON THE GULF COAST Ullman Sails customers Caron and Steven Choate continue to monopolize top honors at the annual Lake Pontchartrain Racing Circuit regatta in New Orleans. Over the last two weekends in October, the Choates’ and crew on Wavelength 24 “The Bear” not only won their division, but were named Boat of the Regatta for the fourth time! Powered by 100% Ullman Sails, the team finished six races with seven total points. Other top Ullman customers included Ken Buhler’s J/30 “Jalapeno” team and Lee Eikel’s Melges 32 “Last Call.” Committed to your performance for over 40 years. Ullman Sails - Go faster. http://www.ullmansails.com. BUSINESS AS USUAL San Diego, CA (November 4, 2009) - The BMW Oracle Racing base showed little urgency today, which might be surprising given that the team broke their mast nearly 24 hours earlier, a sum rumored to be $10 million. A mid-morning Scuttlebutt visit noted the focus of the team was not on the boat, which showed no appearance of obvious damage. Neither was the focus on the mast, which was placed on supports with the broken end available for public viewing. The two large tents were quiet, though they were undoubtedly full of staff busily preparing the next mast. On the team’s newly launched blog, Ian Burns, the design team coordinator remarked, “Well, it's never nice to lose a beautiful mast. But I don't see it as being a major setback unless we need the mast and currently, that's not our intention or plan. As far as the overall project is concerned, the new rig platform we were planning to use next week was going to become our main testing stream. In that sense this mast wasn't scheduled to sail beyond this week so it's possible it's only missed two or three days of sailing in its life.” He also said that after holding meetings Tuesday night, and looking at the available data, the team has a good idea as to what happened. “We've had a look at it, but there was nothing really out of the ordinary. The boat was loaded heavily as it always is. The crew push right to the limits that we provide for them and everything was on the edge of the red line which is where we always sail. “Conditions were perfect so there's no indication that had anything to do with it. It was really just a factor of pushing the boat harder and harder every day and going to new levels of performance and I think that's the direct cause of it. We know that sailing at full capacity is close to the limit. But that's how you have to design and sail these boats.” Scuttlebutt photos: http://tinyurl.com/Scuttleblog-110409 Team blog: http://bmworacleracingblog.blogspot.com US SAILING AND THE USOC On February 20, 2009, a Hearing Panel appointed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) issued a decision that stated the provisions of the International Sailing Federation’s (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing governing the conduct of protests and requests for redress did not comply with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Bylaws. USOC provided US SAILING with a timeline to correct its non-compliance, and when US SAILING submitted its plan, USOC was not fully satisfied. In their August 28, 2009 decision, the USOC Hearing Panel thanked US SAILING’s efforts to resolve this matter, and while they believe that significant progress had been made in that regard, there were still certain issues that remain. The notice of non-compliance first surfaced following a redress hearing at the 2007 U.S. Olympic Trials in the RS:X event involving Farrah Hall. To help resolve the remaining issues of non-compliance, Hall and her attorney Doug Smith and advisor John Bertrand met with representatives from the USOC and US SAILING this past Monday in an all day session. Commenting on the meeting, new US SAILING President Gary Jobson said, “We went through all the issues. It was not contentious at all, and my goal now is to try and get US SAILING’s part resolved in the next two weeks.” Smith will be working with US SAILING Appeals Committee chair Dave Perry on the recommendations, which Jobson will present to the US SAILING Board of Director’s meeting on November 16th. Said Jobson, “Hopefully the Board will be happy with it, and given the approval of Farrah, we will jointly submit our plan at the USOC Board of Director’s meeting in San Francisco on December 14th, and work with Farrah on what positive things can come out of it for our sport so these kinds of situations never happen again.” The crux of the remaining issues has to do with how far the USOC guidelines extend into the sport in the U.S. Said Jobson, “The USOC Hearing Panel has quite a lengthy list of requirements, and some of them are fine, and others are complicated as it relates to sailing, and then we have to work with ISAF rules too. So during our group session, that was what we were working our way through, line by line. What was great was how everyone involved understands the sport, and was seeking solutions that would really benefit the sport.” -- Read the latest documents here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/1103/ VINEYARD VINES PRO AM REGATTA The annual fantasy camp for sailors has commenced this week - the Vineyard Vines Pro Am Regatta at the Bitter End YC. The BEYC is a premiere luxury water sports resort in Virgin Gorda, BVI, and the Pro Am event schedule combines the skills of professional skipper with the desire of hotel guests in a series of racing events. Wednesday was a layday for participants (a break from all the hard ‘work’), with comments here from Pro Paul Cayard regarding the Scuttlebutt “State of the Sport” Discussion held on Tuesday: “After the racing, Tom Leweck hosted a panel with Zack Railey, Ken Read, Anna Tunnicliffe and myself. The subject varied from the Volvo to the Olympics and yes a bit of the AC. But really, none of us know what is happening with the AC except that it is bad. The crowd had some good questions and listened attentively. I have to say, that the passion fell to Zack and Anna. They are the USA's two best prospects in our sport. Both in their early 20's, both with Olympic medals already. The world is theirs and they are going for it. Both are specifically training for the 2012 Olympics in England. We, the USA, really need to support these great athletes!” Event website: http://www.beyc.com/index.php/proam.html SAVE THE DATES: AUDI MELGES 20 MIAMI WINTER SERIES The International Audi Melges 20 Class is excited to announce the upcoming Inaugural Miami Winter Series, hosted by Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Shake-A-Leg and supported by Melges Performance Sailboats. The series, comprised of three regattas spanning December through March, offers Audi Melges 20 sailors a great escape from the cold and snow to enjoy the Florida sunshine, top flight competition, the very best in sportboat sailing conditions and high level race management. The Inaugural Miami Winter Series leads off the eight high-powered events on the 2010 Audi Melges 20 USA Sailing Series schedule. Additional information at http://www.melges20.com and Coconut Grove Sailing Club at http://www.cgsc.org A HISTORY OF 12 METRES AND AMERICA’S CUP ACTION ‘The Golden Year of 12 Metres’ is a Jobson Sailing Film produced and narrated by Gary Jobson, and will be on ESPN Classic Saturday, November 7 at 1:00pm eastern (10:00am pacific). This film brings you through a history of 12 Metres and America’s Cup action, and includes extensive footage of the recent 2009 12 Metre Worlds in Newport, RI. Filmed from the air, on board the racing sailboats and from the water, highlights include an exclusive look at what it is like to race on board with Russell Coutts and Bill Koch. A special feature is the 2009 Candy Store Cup where all the Twelves competing in the Worlds raced under full spinnaker from one long starting line in Rhode Island Sound to Bannister’s Wharf in Newport Harbor. For those America’s Cup aficionados, the film has exclusive footage of Race 7 of the 1983 America's Cup with comments by Dennis Conner and Tom Whidden. Other interviews include Ted Turner recalling his days on American Eagle and a heartwarming piece on Paul Callahan. Sailing trivia fans will enjoy the “visual proof” of which American Presidents sailed on 12 Metres. In Newport, RI on the 6th of November, a Pre-Screening of the film will be held at the Jane Pickens Theatre. Prior to the “Director’s Cut” screening, there will be a Legends Forum moderated by Gary Jobson, For ticketing information, visit http://www.goldenyear2009.com SAILING SHORTS * Fort Myers, FL (November 4, 2009) - Competitors at the 2.4mR World Championships completed three scheduled races, with winds from seven to ten knots and the full-moon tidal current made its presence known. After seven races in the series, preliminary results have only eight points separating the top four positions: 1. John Ruf, USA; 2. Carl Horrocks, USA; 3. Paul Tingley, Canada; 4. Hans Asklund, Sweden. Pictures, results and blog at http://24mrworlds09.edisonsailingcenter.org * Sailing World's college rankings as of Nov. 4, 2009 finds Yale topping both the coed and women's college sailing rankings. Complete list here: http://tinyurl.com/y9hdybx * University of Michigan athletic director Bill Martin, who helped launch a pair of multimillion-dollar renovations to campus facilities and brought in new coaches for the football and men's basketball programs, will retire Sept. 4, 2010. Martin, 69, a former president of US SAILING, became director of athletics at Michigan in 2000 on an interim basis. -- Full story: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20091022_Michigan_AD_to_retire_in_2010. html AMERICA’S CUP LEGAL NEWS FLASH By Cory E. Friedman, America’s Cup legal analyst (November 4, 2009) - Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and Société Nautique De Genève (SNG) both report that SNG today filed its appeal from Justice Kornreich's October 30, 2009 order disapproving RAK as the venue for the 33rd America’s Cup in February, 2010. SNG simultaneously moved for an expedited appeal and for a stay of Justice Kornreich's RAK order. The motion for an expedited appeal (a gimme) was granted. It is not clear whether GGYC actively opposed an expedited appeal. SNG's motion for a stay of Justice Kornreich’s RAK order was denied. GGYC's brief in opposition is due November 11, 2009 and SNG's reply brief is due either the next day or the day after that. Oral argument could be as soon as the following week, but will more likely be Thanksgiving week (Nov. 23,24,26,27). A decision presumably quickly would follow. Without a stay, the calendar is SNG's adversary, as a December decision, possibly followed by an appeal to the Court of Appeals if one of the extremely limited grounds applies, or further proceedings before Justice Kornreich, leaves little time if RAK is not reinstated. Of course, if Alinghi 5 is a one trick pony that cannot successfully compete anywhere except RAK, the appeal is really the ball game for SNG if SNG cannot go south. On for this Friday is likely the issue of whether the Deed of Gift’s six month notice provision of Justice Cahn’s order prevents SNG from designating any other venue without GGYC’s consent. Also up are supposed to be the three expert witnesses who, according to Richard Gladwell, an ANZAC IJ with presumed sources, may have decided they want to do it their way, which is meet the next day and prepare a report, rather than Justice Kornreich’s way, which is to appear live and answer her questions and follow up questions and questions from the parties’ counsel. More about that in another report, but the experts’ way may not give Justice Kornreich what she needs for an order that will withstand appeal and may not be acceptable to her. * GGYC statement: http://tinyurl.com/GGYC-110409 * SNG statement: None at time of publication WHO SAYS THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH? The Scuttlebutt Event Calendar is a free, self-serve tool that is powered by the most utilized database in the sport. Used primarily for event marketing, the crew list service is also widely accessed to help connect available people with skippers in need. To view all the events, or to post your own event, visit the calendar at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Paul Tara, Lead Instructor/Co-director, Stockton Sail Camp: Wow, Bruce Kirby's article, "The Square Boat That Still Can" about the Opti Team Trials in the November's issue of Sailing World was quite revealing. Here are a few of the thoughts I came away from reading it with: 1. There's a lot of "bumping", but no one dares call it fouling. 2. "Creative sculling" is OK. 3. Most fouls go unprotested. 4. That, according to one Judge, "this astonishing seamanship" has improved the "quality of racing" in other junior boats. 5. Some parents and Coaches are a problem - to the extent that they apparently had to be assisted by the regatta organizers to "mellow out" with a keg. Talk about culture shock. At Stockton Sail Camp, held for a week every July in Stockton, California, on the San Joaquin River, we have a different philosophy. We don't believe "rubbing is racing" like in NASCAR. Our kids are taught, right from Beginners, that if you touch another boat, it's a foul, and, if you are wrong, you should do your circle. If not, you should protest (and maybe still do your circle to cover yourself). They are taught to plan ahead to avoid "big fur balls" or use them to advantage. If the instructors see a foul, they are expected to call it. The camp is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, with absolutely no parent or private coaching allowed. Finally, it's a "dry" event (and it's a hell of a lot hotter in Stockton in July, than in Connecticut in April). This isn't about sailing. It's about teaching ethics and personal responsibility. The place to start is right at the beginning. * From Mike Taggett Maybe a survey of Scuttlebutt folks regarding: "Should engines be allowed?" I think it will be 95% against and 5% for, but it would be interesting. Personally I think it’s a travesty for the America’s Cup. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Good guess…it was 91% against when we held the poll in July 2009: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/polls/09/0721/ * From Robert Wilkes: As the Optimist approaches 50 years of World Champions, I am trying to trace the early champions. I am trying to make contact with Doug Bull, champion in 1966 & 1969. He sailed in college with Augie Diaz for Tulane in the 70s. If any reader knows him, please contact me at mailto:robert@wilkessail.net CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION The best sermons are lived, not preached. Special thanks to Ullman Sails and Melges Performance Sailboats. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
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