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Scuttlebutt Updates
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Archived NewslettersSCUTTLEBUTT 3069 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010Scuttlebutt 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: APS, North Sails, and J/Boats. KEN READ - PREPPING FOR ANOTHER LAP PUMA announced last week that it will participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 after placing second overall in the 2008-2009 competition. Led by skipper Ken Read in the last race, Read is again in charge of the PUMA Ocean Racing team, and here in Part 2 of this four part interview, shares his thoughts about the team, the lessons learned in the last race, and how they seek to improve for the next race. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * In preparing for the 2008-9 Volvo Ocean Race, what proved to be an important element for success that was not fully anticipated? What I didn’t expect was how challenging it would be to achieve good crew chemistry. We threw an all-star team together, and really just assumed that chemistry would work itself out. In almost any other boat you sail on, you throw a bunch of people together, you go sailing, and everyone gets along and life is good. But the Volvo Ocean Race is different. You are in such intense situations and you are together for so long. You are either baking hot or freezing cold, and soaking wet 24 hours a day. Things can get tense. I think more attention has to be given to seeking good chemistry. It is not that the people are good guys or bad guys; it’s just that things get tense and we need to find exactly the right mix. * The winning team Ericsson 4 made no crew changes in the last race, while every other team made changes. You said your plan all along was to have a crew rotation, but were your crew changes ultimately about both providing rest and seeking better chemistry? Yes, they were probably a little bit of both. A crew rotation in the last race was our game plan from the start, and we are talking about that long and hard right now for this next race. What is the right mix? Once you do find the right chemistry, is it then trying to go around with exactly the same group or do you still implement a rotation? Last time I was committed to it (the rotation), that was our idea from the start and that’s how we signed people up. So we stuck to our position on that. Jerry Kirby was a perfect example, as he simply could not do the whole race as he has a ‘real job’ managing his construction company. But we wanted him involved, so his legs were pre-planned before the race started. So do you stuff like that again, or do you try to go all the way around with the same group? We are right in the middle of that debate right now. I think you find historically that the better the team, the fewer the crew members. Both of the last two winners (ABN AMRO ONE and Ericsson 4) went around with exactly the same crew. Everybody always talks about how E4 seemed to have great chemistry and the rest of the fleet didn’t. Well, I am not sure they did have great chemistry first of all, but winning sure does breed happiness. * What are some of the aspects of the last campaign that you will seek to improve on? Besides improving the crew chemistry, we need to improve our organizational structure. We need to become less reliant on a few people to make every big decision and more reliant on the team coming together as a team. There is a million ways to skin this cat. In the last race, we threw a team together that did a spectacular job, and I am deeply indebted to every single person last time around, but we do want to change up the attitude a little bit and how we go about handling the little details. Whether it is working on the boat, putting together logistical details, dealing with the sponsor, dealing with the race management… I just think every single aspect in its own way can get better. By doing so, every individual and entity involved in this program benefits; they feel like they are move a part of the operation. When you enjoy what you do, you tend to be more successful. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0411/#2 KIWI-SPANISH ALLIANCE ENTER VOLVO OCEAN RACE Camper, the Spanish-based international footwear brand, has confirmed that it will field an entry in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race. The campaign, now the fifth declared entry, will be run by Emirates Team New Zealand, which had thus far been focused mainly on the America’s Cup. The Volvo Open 70 will be known as Camper and will carry the burgees of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Real Club Náutico de Palma. The collaboration with Emirates Team New Zealand sees the return to the race of Grant Dalton, the ETNZ managing director. New Zealander Dalton has competed in the Whitbread/Volvo six times. He was part of the winning crew onboard Flyer in 1981-82, and took the maxi class honours with New Zealand Endeavour in 1993-94. He finished second on Fisher & Paykel in 1989-90 after an epic battle with eventual winner and fellow-Kiwi Peter Blake on Steinlager 2. His most recent appearance was aboard Amer Sports One in 2001-02. Dalton said a Volvo Ocean Race campaign was a natural fit for the team. "Our objective was always to diversify, once the team had re-established its credentials, as a means of keeping our people busy, focused and creative," he said. "With Louis Vuitton, the team started the Louis Vuitton Trophy, Dean Barker and the team campaigned successfully on the Audi MedCup TP52 circuit last year and now we have a Volvo Ocean Race campaign to organise from scratch.” Full report: http://tinyurl.com/y8xfkx3 Dalton television interview: http://tinyurl.com/y785czs Dalton believes Alinghi team to enter VOR: http://tinyurl.com/y5rpth7 Dean Barker will not skipper ETNZ entry: http://tinyurl.com/y5nhflt => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Shopping for the stylish Camper footwear would take me to stores I don’t tend to frequent, but if anyone wants to send me a pair of Runner K3 or Romeo (US size 11 in brown), here’s the mailing address: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/about.asp IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS With Annapolis NOODs on the horizon and warm weather here, Annapolis is once again buzzing with some of the world's best sailing. In the middle of it all you'll find APS, the World Leader in Outfitting Performance Sailors. Coming to town for our NOODs? Whether you need some last minute gloves or hi-tech rigging we'll be opening our doors early every day just for you. If you don't need anything we still invite you stop in anyway and see what makes APS the sailor's candy store. Not coming to Annapolis? Check out the best selection of OD goodies anywhere: http://bit.ly/bVcxZy THE UNDERGROUND PASSAGE By Dave Perry Only a few boats in each race have the luxury of going wherever they want on the first beat with no concern for keeping their air clear. The rest of us have to grovel for any lane of clear air we can find… Here is a suggestion for dealing with one of the toughest calls to make on a crowded beat when you are not in the top five in the race: When to tack and head back towards the middle, while working to the right on port tack? Obviously the closer you are to the starboard layline when you tack, the more likely it is that a boat ahead will come across and tack right on your air, because they are also trying to get to the mark as quickly as possible. If you overstand from a long way out, you not only sail a lot of extra distance, you lose if the wind shifts in either direction. And you are doubly hammered if someone comes out and tacks on you. Here’s an alternative: Tack about a minute before the layline. You are far enough under the starboard layline that there is little reason for a crossing port tacker to tack right on you. If a port tacker is just slightly ahead, you can wave them across so they don’t leebow you. I am always impressed how far you can sail in clear air in this “underground passage.” -- Read on: http://media.ussailing.org/US_SAILING_Media_Home/Latest_News/Perry__4.htm WHAT TO DO WITH AGING PERPETUAL TROPHIES What do you do with perpetual trophies whose relevance have been altered? There are countless perpetual trophies that were once deeded for specific events, but as the sporting climate changes, and with the decrease in participation, many of these historic trophies are in need of future direction. Here is a recent example: * Mike Horn, Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association past president: I find it inappropriate that the Arthur Knapp Trophy is now presented to the highest placed service academy finisher in the Eastern Old Guard Trophy regatta. The Knapp Trophy was established for competition amongst Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. It may no longer seem relevant in the current scheme of ICSA competition, but, if so, the trophy should simply be retired. It honors one of the early great college sailors... Knapp sailed for Princeton, and Harvard and Yale joined with Princeton in promoting college sailing in its earliest years. The Knapp Trophy used to stand alone … In the last few years, more and more trophies with historic significance have had their conditions altered. Were there accurate records of deeds of gift - for most trophies were donated by individuals - such changes would be seen clearly to violate those deeds. Again, the proper approach would be to establish new trophies for events with new formats and retire the old. * Bryan McDonald, Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Hall of Fame inductee With all due respect, I beg to differ. If an old trophy can be revitalized into a new form that sailors appreciate, I think that's much better than tossing it into the bin and introducing a new trophy with no history or legacy. When looking at some of the old trophies, I can see the rich tradition and background within them. In my opinion, that makes them that much cooler to win (even if counter to the original deed of gift). Forum: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9564 NEW YORK TO BARCELONA TRANSOCEANIC RECORD New York, NY (April 12, 2010; Day 5) - If ever any small measure of additional motivation was required for the two IMOCA Open 60 teams competing to set the New York to Barcelona Transoceanic Record, it came early this morning when W Hotels spotted their sole rivals Estrella Damm on the horizon only five or six miles away after four days and 1400 miles of racing since the pair set their transatlantic duel in motion, departing New York’s Ambrose Light last Thursday. Both teams were keen to highlight on Sunday that light, capricious breezes were much more stressful and tiring than the high speed, on the edge reaching which they have enjoyed since they left. W Hotels’ Tono Piris (ESP) admitted that he is getting no more than an hour’s sleep in eight, and even when he did lie down to rest, the level of stress and adrenalin, hearing his team-mates working tirelessly on deck was not conducive to switching off and achieving restful sleep easily. Their key focus during the hours of very light breezes and calms have been simply to keep the boat moving, though Piris explained today that they had already witnessed the ‘triple donuts’ on the speedo. On the IMOCA Open 60’s when the boat stops and steerage is lost, the boat can tack involuntarily and it takes many minutes to regain boat speed and to sort out the mess of sails and ropes which sometimes results. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/y2u4qpn Positions report (as of 20:30 UTC): Estrella Damm - 1452.8 nm from NY; 2213.8 nm to Barcelona W-Hotels - 1443.9 nm from NY; 2222.7 nm to Barcelona Video by Chris Museler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxGn9Brr__U FREE SAIL CARE & REPAIR FROM NORTH SAILS North Sails is providing free sail care & repair on all new North sails purchased in 2010. Honored anywhere in North’s worldwide network of sail care locations, you will be in good hands no matter where your travels take you. Free sail care & repair is available on North cruising, racing, and one-design sails. Sails MUST be registered online & some restrictions apply. When performance & durability matter, the choice is clear: http://na.northsails.com STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC The West Coast’s largest all-sail show comes this week to San Francisco Bay at Jack London Square in Oakland, California on Thursday through Sunday. Here are some updates: * Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck joins an all-star series of seminar presenters. Look for Scuttlebutt to premiere a very special new movie on Saturday. Full seminar schedule: http://tinyurl.com/y3rlf48 * Stay to the end of the show schedule on Friday and Saturday for the after-parties as exhibitors roll out the red carpet. Special event schedule: http://tinyurl.com/yyj3cbx * The BMW Oracle Racing team brings the America’s Cup to Strictly Sail Pacific on Thursday. Details: http://www.strictlysailpacific.com/shows/press_view.asp?view=1&id=126 * Discount tickets for Scuttlebutt readers. Save $5.00 here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9604 SAILING SHORTS * San Diego, CA (April 11, 2010) - Thirty-six teams at the Etchells Midwinters West concluded three days of tough competition in challenging 7 to 12 knot wind conditions. Brian Camet led after the first day, with Bruce Golison finding his groove on Saturday to put him on top with two races left in the final day. But Golison stumbled on Sunday, while Vince Brun finished the regatta the same why he started it…with a first place and top overall honors. -- Results: http://www.sdyc.org/raceinfo/results10/etchellsMids_res.htm * Having broken ground as the first skipper with diabetes to compete in a global solo sailing race - the 2002/2003 Around Alone - Canadian native John Dennis is set to take on the challenge again with his entry in the 2010 Velux 5 Oceans. Unfinished business remains for Dennis who was forced to retire from the Around Alone on the third leg of the race (from Cape Town to New Zealand) after 150 days at sea due to frustratingly insurmountable technical difficulties. -- Full report: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0412/ * The Star Class Western Hemisphere Championship returns to one of its favorite venues, The Nassau Yacht Club and the great winds of Montague Bay on April 14-17. The Star Class has held two World Championships in Nassau, Bahamas. The Nassau Yacht Club is the home of Class Commodore Sir Durward Knowles (92 years), who had won the Star World Championship in 1947 and then a Gold Medal in the Star during the 1964 Olympics. This year's list of talented Star sailors include Mark Reynolds, George Szabo, Richard Clarke, Andrew Campbell, Luca Modena, Mark Mendelblatt, and Hans Spitzauer. -- Details: http://www.starclass.org/search.cgi?Action=show_calendar&Event_id=1850 * Terry Kohler of Sheboygan Yacht Club, Sheboygan, WI, has been elected to the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall Of Fame. Terry has been awarded the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy, the most prestigious award given by US SAILING. A successful sail racer winning the Chicago Mackinac with a clean sweep in 1992, and many section races in the Mac. His success in business include his company Windway Capital Holding, which controls the Vollrath Company and the North Sails Group He was instrumental in having Sail Sheboygan, Ltd. become the fourth US SAILING Center in the United States. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9609 EXPAND YOUR SAILING HORIZONS WITH THE J/95 The J/95 (31') breaks new ground as a sporty, keel-centerboarder that sails 8, sleeps 4, and draws only 3.2' of water. With fingertip control (twin rudders) and "big boat" feel, this is a boat you have to sail to believe. It's also the Boat-of-the-Year for BOTH Sailing World and Cruising World. http://www.jboats.com/j95/ 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 Eric Sorensen: I was able to catch the third presentation of the America's Cup in the BMW Oracle tour this past weekend in Anacortes, WA. The first was at San Francisco and the second in San Diego, and now they had come to Anacortes because that was where Dogzilla and the Wing were built by Core Builders. There was a large crowd of 1,000 or so that filled the Port of Anacortes building. Standing room only and darn little of that. The Cup was brought right through the crowd from the rear of the building to the stage up front. It was escorted by the builders and a couple security dudes with white gloves on. The team members never got tired of saying USA was the fastest America's Cup boat to ever sail in the race! There was a good dog and pony show with big screen TVs alternating with interviews of the guys who put the effort together. There were a couple of wind tunnel models about 10-16' long. Photos of yourself with your own camera, standing next to the Cup (but don't touch!) if you wanted, and posters signed by the team members. It was worthy of attending! My kudos to team owner Larry Ellison and CEO Russell Coutts for bringing the Cup out of the dark. (Online event story: http://www.anacortesnow.com/content/view/1719/111/) * From steveold (re, the definition of circumnavigation) This might help, and as for the reference to five capes, any PROPER circumnavigation just happens to pass five capes. Purely coincidence. "A true circumnavigation of the world must pass through two points antipodean to each other." - Norris McWhirter, founding editor of Guinness, 1971. "A true circumnavigation of the world ... where the track passed over 2 points antipodean to each other ... a circumnavigation where the vessel passes through two points on the earth's surface which are diametrically opposite each other ..." - Sir Francis Chichester, Gipsy Moth Circles the World, 1967. "A true circumnavigation of the Earth must: start and finish at the same point, traveling in one general direction, reach two antipodes, cross the equator, cross all longitudes, cover a minimum of 40,000km." - (21,600 NM, the circumference of the world at the equator). - Explorers Web AdventureStats, 2007. As the charts will show, Jesse Martin's voyage was a True Circumnavigation. Jessica Watson's will not, nor will it qualify for a RTW. -- Forum, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9600#9600 * From Ed Vincent: (re, the definition of circumnavigation) The World Sailing Speed Record Council states: "To sail around the World, a vessel must start from and return to the same point, must cross all meridians of longitude and must cross the Equator. It may cross some but not all meridians more than once (i.e. two roundings of Antarctica do not count). The shortest orthodromic track of the vessel must be at least 21,600 nautical miles in length calculated based on a 'perfect sphere'. In calculating this distance, it is to be assumed that the vessel will sail around Antarctica in latitude 63 degrees south. A vessel starting from any point where the direct orthodromic distance is too short shall pass one single island or other fixed point on a required side so as to lengthen his orthodromic track to the minimum distance. No starting point will be permitted more south than 45 ° south. 1 degree of longitude at 63 degrees south will be taken as 27.24NM” Consequently, provided that Jessica Watson has sailed at least 21,600 NM, she will qualify as having truly having sailed Round The World. To do so single handed, at any age, is a remarkable achievement, whatever anyone thinks of single handed sailing. -- Forum, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9613#9613 CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION When you hear, "It would take too long to explain", the translation is "I have no idea how it works." Special thanks to APS, North Sails, and J/Boats. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
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