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SCUTTLEBUTT 2038 – February 24, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.GUEST COMMENTARY Sailing must be the most underrated sport of all time. Although it does not have the instant gratification of motorised sport sought by adrenaline junkies or the forced mate-ship of team games, sailing has long term rewards that far exceed either. Non-sailors seem to view sailing with suspicion as some mysterious art-form that must passed genetically. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sailing is simply one of those life skills, like riding a bicycle or swimming. It can be learnt in an hour or two for sheer enjoyment or perfected through Olympic training. The level is up to the individual. I often hear about today’s kids being ADD, hyperactive or socially inept. Leave the Ritalin, play therapy & peer pressure behind & introduce them to sailing. They will seek their own pace and meet their own objectives. Sailing provides many challenges, great contentment and teaches the value of self discipline. Sailing does not require you to “fit in” or to be “chosen” for a team. You do not need good hand-eye co-ordination or to be fit. You can be any shape, size or age.It is a healthy, outdoor, water sport that builds confident and able young men and women. Think JFK, Ted Turner, Edward Heath, Prince Phllip, Ernesto Bertarelli, Thomas Lipton etc. Not successful men who sail, but rather sailors that became successful. Competitive sailing requires tactical and strategic thinking more than physical ability which is why older, more experienced sailors often hold the whip hand over the agile youngsters. Do not think “sailing school” or “ocean cruiser” or huge expense. Do not rush out and buy a boat or any “boaty” gear. Do not think of romantic beaches. Think small, unsinkable, safe boats with sails that will effortlessly and silently propel you across the lake and back again. Like magic. If you enjoy sunshine, water, and outdoor activity, simply phone your local sailing club and they will be only too happy to welcome you to one of their “open days”. You can easily have grasped the mechanics of sailing and be able to put this into practice within a couple of hours. Although I started out saying that sailing held no appeal for adrenalin junkies, I lied. Think windsurfing, kiteboarding, Hobie Cats, sports skiffs like the 49’er, Volvo 70’s and the America’s Cup. Totally on the edge or tame enough for Ouma, and everything in between. Sailing has it all. -- Nick Mace THE DUDE ON THE BOW (The Daily Sail subscription website has posted a fascinating interview with Pirates of the Caribbean and Alinghi bowman Curtis Blewett that compares sailing the VO70s to the older VO60s. Here’s are a couple of very brief excerpts.) Up on the bow on the 60 there would have been two of them, whereas now there is only one. "But that’s alright, we’re getting older, wiser and have more miles and we've factored in how to do that," Blewett continues. "But the boats are very physical. The amount of water coming over the deck at higher speed means we have to be far more safety conscious about being clipped in, not necessarily to prevent going overboard, but one of my main concerns with these boats has been getting washed back into fittings and being broken around the deck or the shrouds. Just the hydraulic pressure on the deck is a constant factor - that’s probably the biggest difference." In the circumstances and particularly given the speed of the boats and their ability to funnel water down the deck it comes as little surprise that a majority of injuries suffered on board by the crew have been when they have been working forward of the cockpit. "I went tumbleweeding down the deck a couple of times this last leg," confirms Blewett. "I am always wet and I just have gotten my head round it years ago that when I’m working I am going to be wet, so I don’t try too hard to stay dry. It’s a waste of my time, I have better thing to spend my energy on than staying dry. If you don’t want to get wet, don’t be a bowman on the Volvo." ~ www.thedailysail.com RACING RULES QUIZ True or False? If a leeward inside boat has “luffing rights” as she approaches a mark, she does not have to jibe at that mark to sail her proper course. (See answer later in this issue.) WHAT MAKES OCKAM DATA BETTER? Almost 30 years of research utilizing a scientific approach to perfect instrument accuracy. Ockam allows for the calibration of sensor inputs to ensure more reliable and accurate data. The proven high-speed Pentium-powered Tryad CPU processes information in 3D using heel and pitch to deliver a wind solution of the highest accuracy. The graphical Matryx display provides a clear, simple way to refine data, strip-chart information and control the system. OCKAM instruments’ superior processing and Matryx display technology provide a distinct competitive advantage. Not just for America’s Cup and Grand Prix racing yachts, we have solutions for everyone. Contact mailto:lat@ockam.com BIG POSITION CHANGES COMING? The position reports have movistar in the lead right now, 5345 miles from the finish. But the boats are not going to the finish line - they have to pass the first ice gate, which means heading North. Brasil 1 (Torben Grael), the most northerly boat, found the wind they needed at approximately 1830 GMT and is romping away at nearly 12 knots. She is above the latitude of the ice gate, but still is still heading north in search of good breeze. The eastern end of the gate is 148 nautical miles due east of her. ABN Amro Two is also positioned to the north, but has yet to reach the new wind. The rest of the fleet, which chose the southerly option, is facing an upwind slog of 150 nautical miles to reach latitude 48 degrees, and, according to Bouwe Bekking, hating every minute of it. “These are the days when you want to hang your sea boots up forever,” he says, “but I can imagine the others hate life more, as movistar has done alright in the last 24 hours. The next 12 hours or so will be critical and a clearer picture will emerge as to who really is the winner in this strategic game of ocean chess. ~ www.volvooceanrace.org Volvo Ocean Race Positions at 2200 GMT Thursday 1. Movistar, Bouwe Bekking, 5345 miles to finish 2. Team ABN Amro One, Mike Sanderson, +9 miles 3. Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard, +16 miles 4. Ericsson Racing Team Neal McDonald, +24 miles 5. Team ABN Amro Two, Sebastien Josse, +167 miles 6. Brasil 1, Torben Grael, +178 miles QUOTES FROM THE BOATS “For sure one of our highlights from this programme has been our fleece lined sleeping bags and fleece pillow cases. The difference this made to life in general on board was just night and day. Bob did a great job getting custom sleeping bags made and custom fleece pillow cases and now all the boys are totally convinced. So if that is one thing which the ABN Amro programme can give to the rest of the world’s offshore sailors... don't take it lightly! The 97-98 race was famous for re-lighting the Code 0 sail; I think the fleecy pillow could be seen as one of the great break through's of 2005/6 Volvo Ocean race.” ~ Mike Sanderson, ABN Amro One skipper ANSWER TO RACING RULES QUIZ False. When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must jibe at a mark to sail her proper course, rule 18.4 says she may not sail farther from the mark than needed to sail her proper course. In other words, she must jibe to round the mark, no matter how she established her leeward overlap. -- See how well you really know the new 2005-2008 racing rules -- there are 99 more questions like this; check out the Racing Rules IQ Test. -- www.SpeedandSmarts.com NEWS BRIEFS * Look out – t2p.tv has just posted video interview with the curmudgeon on their website. Perhaps of greater interest is a chance to revisit the action at this year's Acura Key West 2006 on the Swan 45 course during day two. Dave Dunigan's blend of stills, animation and video make this four minute slide show absolutely stunning. ~ http://www.t2p.tv/ * Last weekend's Club 420 Midwinters, hosted by the US Sailing Center of Martin County served as a qualifier for the 2006 US Youth World Team for the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in England this summer. Mike Menninger and Nick Martin for the boys and Emily Dellenbaugh and Briana Provancha for the girls have secured their spot on the team. For Nick Martin and Briana Provancha, this will be their second consecutive trip to the Youth Worlds - each went last year with a different skipper who aged out for this competition. ~ www.ussailing.org * On August 2, 2006, the Castine Yacht Club and Sparkman & Stephens will host a gala 70th Birthday Celebration for the New York 32 Class (1936 New York Yacht Club One Design Racing Yachts). The Celebration will include a Symposium led by Olin Stephens focusing on Rod Stephens own NY32, Mustang and the early days of New York 32 racing; NY32 and classic yacht racing in and around Castine Harbor. At least five NY32's are expected to be in Castine and it’s hoped that present and former NY32 owners and their crew, NY32 and classic yacht enthusiasts will attend. ~ David Bicks, dbicks@llgm.com * After a year in development, the new RYA website has been launched. As well as the impressive new look, the site will provide information on the vast range of RYA services, from training courses to advice on the legal aspects of running a club, one of the most important elements to the site is to attract new people to the sports and pastimes the RYA represents. Advertising will also be introduced for the first time, while the webshop will feature an extended range of books and other items including the RYA's new range of training gift vouchers. - www.rya.org.uk * America’s Cup enthusiasts will enjoy Julie Ash’s story in the NZ Herald that chronicles 20 years of Kiwi’s AC innovations - from the 12 metres to the hula. ~ http://tinyurl.com/gf9l3 * A new international Masters degree in Yacht Design has been created in a collaboration between Västervik Community College Centre and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. The three-semester programme will start in the autumn of 2006, and applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Mechanical or Civil Engineering or Engineering Physics. The programme will be taught in English and managed by professor Lars Larsson of Chalmers, author of the book "Principles of Yacht Design". ~ IBI, full story: http://tinyurl.com/poddl * One of Australia’s most successful - and enduring - sailing careers will come to an end this weekend when Sir James Hardy participates in his last competitive yacht race. Fittingly, Sir James, 73, will crew aboard Hardys Secret Mens Business, in South Australia’s premier yacht race, the Blue Water Classic, starting on Friday. ~ Sail-World website, full story: http://www.sail-world.com/ * Laser World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada (BRA) have won the Star Class South American Championship with a four point advantage over Alan Adler and Ronaldo Seifert (BRA). John Albert King and Luiz Carlos Simao (BRA) finished third in the 26-boat class at the Jate Clube do Rio de Janeiro. http://www.icrj.com.br/vela/sulamericano_star_06/sulamericano_star.htm * This weekend from 25-26 February, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in Great Britain will play host to the first event in the brand new RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series. For 2006 the RYA has overhauled its Olympic Classes events in order to ensure both the best possible attendance from world class sailors, to provide quality national racing opportunities for aspiring 2012 sailors and to continue to provide quality racing and venues for British Olympic class racers generally. ~ http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j6~Fh/,k8 YOU BETTER GET A CLEW AND NOW! It’s not always easy to make the right decisions when sailing. There is generally a lot of thought put into choices, whether they be tactical or on your gear. We are giving you a no brainer from Clew Gear: Order the Silver/Black/mesh shorts in small-large-X-large that retail at $69 today and they will make them just $45 (remaining inventory only). Khaki/Black/mesh shorts and the Black/Black/microfleece shorts are $55 each (regularly $69). Combine three pairs of shorts on your order and we’ll ship them for free! For more information: http://www.sailingproshop.com or call toll free at 800-354-7245. LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. For those that prefer a Forum, you can post your thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Andrew Bellamy (In response to Magnus Wheatleys comments and the follow up in 'butt 2037): I may not totally agree with everything that Magnus says in this, or some of his other articles. But our sport needs someone to keep throwing the cat into the pigeons and expose things like this, even if they sometimes hit peoples nerves or be slightly off-centre with the full story If we were in a situation where no-one questioned or complained, we would very soon have a corrupt sport and we would be writing letters asking why millions of dollars has gone missing etc. Magnus may not have understood the situation regarding the conference or whatever, but even so - Where are the accounts for ISAF, and as he correctly states - why are they not available so that I can see where the money goes? Magnus - keep digging up the dirt, it helps to keep everyone on their toes and makes our sport sharper for it. * From Russell Streeter: I am always surprised and inevitably disappointed when you chose to run one of Mr. Wheatley's editorials as your leader. His articles almost always portray him as negative, scaremongering troublemaker, and often end up being the "whiny, bashing, personal attacks" that you try to exlcude from your letters. Unfortunately, this overshadows the fact that he normally is making some good points. Please sir, we are in this sport to have fun: don't bring us down while we are having our morning tea. * From Charlie Cook (edited to our 250-word limit): I'm one of the race officials "at the trough of sailors" who will be attending the upcoming conference. For the privilege of one dinner and two lunches paid for by ISAF, I'll be out of pocket approximately $1,700 US for airfare, transport to Southampton and lodging. That doesn't include lost income or time away from my family. Mr. Wheatley owes an apology to the 90 + volunteers who are spending over $150,000 US out of their own pocket to share information and provide better volunteer services for sailors around the world. I think ISAF has made a brilliant business decision. For the mere cost of two lunches and one dinner, it will gain from the skills of 90 + of the best race officers in the world. Mr. Wheatley was wrong on many counts: (1) ISAF's financials are readily available. (2) ISAF isn't paying for partners to attend the dinner (what partner in their right mind would want to spend two days at a conference for race officers?). (3) ISAF is paying practically nothing for the conference (I suspect ISAF obtained a deal on the meeting room since we've all paid for rooms at the Holiday Inn). (3) The participants are volunteers. They aren't living at the trough of the sailors. They're paying dearly for the privilege to serve the sailors and take shots from the likes of Mr. Wheatley. (4) To say that the Holiday Inn is equivalent to 5 star treatment is beyond laughable * From Bob Billingham: It's easy to see both sides of the ISAF meeting free dinner issue. Sailors who pay dues to race want the money spent on event services. ISAF needs to encourage quality people to participate in the organization - a nice dinner and couple lunches seems pretty reasonable when folks are paying to fly and house themselves. Perhaps the best solution would be for ISAF to find a sponsor to support the cost of the meals and some wine. Let them put their logo on the wall, call it the XYZ Company dinner and lets worry about the sailing, not the paying. * From George Bailey: The reply to the ISAF meeting costing the members too much is that this is the only way you can attract top notch people to work for free for the betterment of the group. If you do not like the way ISAF is run, get in there and change it. If you can't be bothered, then do the obvious: do not join. My sailing club belongs, but given that we are just in it for weekend fun, we would not be affected by not being a member. What about your group? If you are high powered enough to need the association with ISAF, then either become a leader or put up with the little perks the leaders give themselves (surprise!). * From Bruce Mahoney: Love the newsletter, love the service, but hate the trend. Your quote, not mine - "Please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. "I'm not sure if Magnus is a buddy of yours, but the majority of his articles as bashing or whining. The 30,000 or so subscribers to your site deal with enough haters on a daily basis (that's why we get paid), and shouldn't have to subscribe for the honor. Stick to what has made your site hugely successful; let the haters go to elsewhere to talk trash and spark controversy Curmudgeon’s Comment: It’s the end of the week and definitely the end of this thread. * From Ray Tostado: We may in the near future be discussing a totally new dynamic to hull drag. On the boards and maybe even in the works is a concept in which a vessel's hull is lined with tiny jets which emit air, this reduces laminar flow attachment. It is currently being designed into the giant 300'-500' commercial vessels of the future. The theoretical drag reduction is in the areas of 3% to 10%. Why not, on the top end racing hulls? They already have an engine running all the time. What's an air compressor going to hurt? Optimistically, this gaseous innovation might provide speed gains of 10% to 20% to a 70'-90' hull. Then again like so many new tricks, the size and weight might make the principal unusable in any vessel under 300'. (New Scientist Magazine) * From Hank Humphrey: Your article today about NBC and Olympics gets me going All videos on that site are only available to PC's--no Macs allowed. Will not work with Mac Windows Media viewer due to encoding by Microsoft-- MSNBC! This stinks since 28 million Macs exist in people's homes so we're only supposed to view them at the office? * From Jef d'Etiveaud: I don't know about you but it seems to me that the Volvo web site could be a bit better maintained. One thing which would help everyone would be to have a visualization of the "Ice Gates" Distance to the mark being great circle route to the finish the positions are not really meaningful... a bit like 5500 to the finish but guess what, you have to go to X, Y, Z before you go from A to B. That said great race! CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION It's better to love a short girl than not a tall. Special thanks to Ockam Instruments and Sailing Pro Shop. |
