From The Archives: Outteridge, IRC, and Little

Here are some moments in sailing history stored in the Scuttlebutt archives…

5 years ago: What happened to those iconic figures that we had grown to know at the helm of America’s Cup yachts? In America’s Cup 2.0, they have been pushed out, replaced now by a generation of Olympic pros. Among the new faces is 26-year old Aussie skiff sailor Nathan Outteridge, who is spending a lot of time on the water and in airports as he juggles his new role with Team Korea and the push for a medal in the 2012 Olympics with 49er crew Iain Jensen. (Scuttlebutt 3548)

10 years ago: How long has it been since anybody answered the phone at US-IRC? Maybe you know something I don’t, but my personal count is over a month, and yes, I left messages. Having waved the flag for IRC a time or two, and being of the opinion that racing in the USA is better off with IRC, I’m a bit perturbed at the lack of obvious momentum. No, we don’t expect the ranks of IRC-rated boats to continue growing as rapidly as they did when the rule was introduced, but it’s not a good sign to go to US-IRC.org three months into 2007 and see the website touting IRC Rules for 2006 Explained. (Scuttlebutt 2295)

15 years ago: Walter B. Little was born in Tacoma, WA on April 29, 1909 and died in Seattle, WA on February 28, 2002, at the age of 92. In 1966, Walt brought the PHRF concept to Washington, and with the assistance of some friends at Seattle Yacht Club, the Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet of the Northwest was formed, with Walt Little as Chief Handicapper, Tom Wheeler as President, and Ralph Russell as Treasurer. When Walt stepped down as Chief Handicapper in 1986, there were over 2000 boats sailing with PHRF – NW ratings. (Scuttlebutt 1027)