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SCUTTLEBUTT 3196 - Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Scuttlebutt 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.
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Today's sponsors: Lewmar, North Sails, and Camet.
THE US SAILING TEAM - DOES ONE SIZE FIT ALL?
By John Bertrand, Olympic/World Champion
The cover story for this month's Sailing World Magazine, "Stress Test,"
highlights the changes within the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics for this
Olympic cycle. It is an insider's look by reporter Stuart Streuli, who spent
time with the team at a physical training camp at the US Olympic training
center in Colorado Springs last March, and at the Kiel Week regatta in June.
Streuli gives a glowing review of the new direction and philosophy that
Olympic Sailing Director, Dean Brenner, and head coach, Kenneth Andreasen,
are taking.
Stressing team unity and overall fitness are cornerstones of their approach.
However, I was dismayed to read that certain sailors on the team were
singled out for not being team players, allegedly hurting the US team's
chances for medals at the 2012 Olympic Games. The sailors singled out
included the very talented young sailor I have been coaching in the Finn,
Luke Lawrence.
In Luke's case, nothing could be further from the truth. Why would the
"Brass" at the Olympic Sailing Committee go public with such an allegation?
I believe this sentiment revolves around a management philosophy and mindset
akin to the infamous statement "you are either with us, or against us." I
believe it highlights a glaring weakness in understanding, and also a lack
of desire to understand how to effectively develop an individual's potential
within a team environment. In others words, does one size fit all?
Streuli writes that:
"Not everything that Andreasen and Brenner touch turns to gold - literally
or figuratively..... A big part of the USSTAG's new culture is intra-squad
training; all the U.S. sailors within a specific class working together
under a common coach for a large part of the Olympic cycle..... Erin Maxwell
and 2004 Olympian Isabelle Kingsolving won the 2008 Women's 470 World
Championship. Amanda Clark and Sarah Chin finished 12th in the 2008
Olympics. Together they could form a potent training duo. However to date
they haven't trained together. USSTAG officials imply this is due to a
personality conflict...."
"The same can be said of Luke Lawrence, a confident Floridian who won the
Laser silver medal at the 2008 ISAF Volvo Youth World Championships. In his
first Finn regatta, the 2010 Rolex Miami OCR, he finished in the top half of
the 37-boat fleet. But, unhappy with the attention he received from
Andreasen at the first two European regattas of the 2010 season, he hired
1984 silver medalist John Bertrand as his personal coach, isolating himself
from the rest of the U.S. team. It appears to have benefited Lawrence, who
won the Finn Junior World Championship in San Francisco in August, in the
short term. But will it hurt the U.S. team's medal hopes (and those of
Lawrence) in 2012 and further down the road?"
Much more here: http://johnbertrand.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-post.html
THE LAST DAY OF TRAINING BEFORE TSUNAMI TUESDAY
The Luderitz Speed Challenge 2010 is being held October 4 to 31 in Luderitz,
Namibia, over 1100 miles north of Cape Town, SA along the western African
continent. This is the 4th edition of the event, which is held under the
scrutiny of the World Speed Sailing Record Council (WSSRC) and the
International Sailing Federation (ISAF). The challenge is to see who will
set the fastest average speed over a 500-meter distance. Here is the latest
update:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(October 11, 2010) - Today was another excellent day of training for
competitors before the big winds forecast for tomorrow. We saw Sebastien
Salerno from France improve on his best personal time ever with 44.5 knots.
New Zealander Gavin Broadbent had an excellent day again with top speeds of
44.3 recorded over 500m average. Rob Douglas from USA had the 3rd top speed
of 43.9.
Winds were light today - averaging between 20-30 knots. The digger was back
again this morning to continue clearing the channel after last Thursday's
Spring High Tide, which saw 4 weeks of preparations for the event destroyed
as sand that had been excavated streamed back into the channel. Tomorrow
morning will see the finishing touches being done to the Channel.
With wind forecasts of 40 knots upwards tomorrow (Tuesday), Luderitz 2nd
Lagoon will not be a place for the faint-hearted. Those who are brave enough
to venture onto the speed strip tomorrow stand a good chance of being cited
in the Speed Hall of Fame by the end of the day. -- Event website:
http://luderitz-speed.com/
VIDEO: This is the kitesurfing footage of the historic run that brought
kitesurfer Rob Douglas (USA) to an average speed of 49.84 knots over a 500
meter course, which briefly set the world outright speed record in 2008. The
wind was gusting to 40 knots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh6vcN7gEek
LEWMAR CHOSEN FOR NEW-GENERATION J-CLASS YACHT
Lewmar has announced the signing of the latest of the new-generation J-Class
yachts, Yankee. She will feature a full set of Lewmar aluminum high
performance racing winches, and a compliment of satin-blast stainless deck
hardware. Designed by Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects, Yankee will be
built at Holland Jachtbouw alongside the fully Lewmar-equipped J-Class,
Rainbow. The Lewmar team has a long association with the J- Class, and
Yankee will benefit from the breadth of custom design experience. With
previous projects including Velsheda, Shamrock, Endeavour, Hanuman,
Lionheart and Rainbow, Lewmar has worked with both designers and skippers to
develop a series of cutting edge solutions for the demanding performance
requirements of a modern J-Class racing yacht. For more information about
Lewmar custom equipment, including the Custom Project Portfolio: +31 (0)38
427 34 90 or http://www.lewmar.com
MY 'GLASS HALF FULL' OUTLOOK
By Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt editor
There is a large segment of the sailing community that is frustrated right
now with the America's Cup. And I don't blame them either. It was so good in
2007. The venue and design evolution had made the winner hard to predict.
For sport to be entertainment, we don't want to know the plot, we don't want
to know the ending. We want to meet the characters, and join them along for
an unscripted ride. And we had that.
Now that the event has drastically changed, we are unsure of what lies
ahead. To have close racing again in the first cycle of a new format seems
optimistic. But I am an optimist. Here are my hopes:
- The 34th Match will be in San Francisco, which will provide stunning
visuals and high wind excitement.
- The tides in the Bay, which dictate the favored side of the course, will
keep the boats close to each other.
- That differences in wind speed will have a dramatic effect on boat speed,
which will make it hard to protect a lead.
- That less maneuverability will make it hard to protect a lead.
- That huge upgrades in video production will make it all riveting to watch.
Of course, my biggest hope was that the 34th America's Cup would have had a
nationality clause for its sailing crew, but that didn't happen. Speaking to
past Cup winner and television commentator Gary Jobson on the new format:
"It's bold but I'm okay with the catamarans. What we want to see is even
racing, but if they wanted to put audience interest through the roof, they
would have made it a national event. When I did the 2008 Olympic coverage,
viewership in the U.S. would increase by a multiple of 25 when an American
was in a Medal Race. Passive viewers become passionate fans when they are
cheering for their country."
So with my glass half full outlook, I remain encouraged by how the event
organizer, BMW Oracle Racing, has completely put themselves in a corner and
now must deliver. Their legal delay was to rescue the Cup, but their plan
now is so extreme that it would be an immense failure to fail. Team owner
Larry Ellison has the resources to make this plan succeed. I hope it does.
-- http://sailingscuttlebutt.blogspot.com/2010/10/glass-half-full.html
WAITING, WAITING
By Michelle Slade, Marin Independent Journal
(October 11, 2010) - It's been almost a week since the City voted 9-2 in
favor of the non-binding Term Sheet that outlines the City's bid to host the
America's Cup 34 in 2013, a week where Supervisor Chris Daly made
international headlines with his unnecessary ranting, raving and threats to
sue if the America's Cup comes to town, and a week where pleasantly, the
white jet engine plumes of the ever-spectacular Blue Angels swept those
shallow threats to the heavens as San Franciscans made it out onto the Bay
in droves reinforcing the spectacle the City will be if it wins the bid as
host city. For those of us who are enthusiastically waiting the outcome, it
was a relief to hear last week from BMW Oracle Racing CEO Russell Coutts
that a decision could be this month.
Meanwhile, if you're not too familiar with the process that enabled the City
to reach its decision last week, or if you're concerned that perhaps it may
take just one individual like Chris Daly to slow things down, a candid chat
I had this (Monday) morning with key players from the City certainly
reinforced that the City is doing its utmost to make this happen. I spoke
with Tony Winnicker (Director of Communications for Mayor Gavin Newsom &
Jennifer Matz (Director of the San Francisco Office of Economic and
Workforce Development (OEWD) about the City's position in light of a
possible venue decision for the next Cup. Read on:
http://blogs.marinij.com/sailing_in_marin/2010/10/waiting-waiting.html
YOUR NAME HERE
Britain's Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy bowed out of Team Origin with a
resounding win in the Argo Group Gold Cup in Bermuda but are now searching
for a new sponsor to enable them to continue their campaign for 2010 World
Match Racing Tour crown.
Last week's shock announcement by Team Origin owner Sir Keith Mills that he
was scrapping plans for the next America's Cup has left Britain's leading
sailors Ainslie and Percy in limbo with one event of the tour still to go.
They have a strong chance of becoming 2010 World Match Racing Tour champions
for the first time having competed in five of the eight events this year, in
which they posted two outright wins and a high-scoring second place.
They are currently lying in third place overall with Mathieu Richard of
France at the top of the leaderboard with 105 points and Kiwi Adam Minoprio
in second place with 90 points, two ahead of Ainslie.
But to take the world title, Ainslie needs victory in the final event in
Malaysia in December so is currently approaching sponsors to fund this final
part of their bid. -- The Telegraph, read on: http://tinyurl.com/2csryel
=> Curmudgeon's Comment: Let me be the first to jump into this bidding war.
Hey Ben, remember me, we had good times in the BVI at the Pro-Am. Okay,
mostly good times. Anyway, Scuttlebutt will help fund your team, and we'll
go after the non-sailing audience that is in such demand these days. Let's
re-do that photo campaign your country did prior to the 2008 Beijing
Olympics, where five of your team members posed naked, painted in 'Olympic
Gold' body paint. We'll call the photo collection 'SHOWING SKIN TO WIN'.
Here's the sample of Iain:
http://sailingscuttlebutt.blogspot.com/2010/10/your-name-here.html
ONE YEAR FREE SAIL CARE & REPAIR ON NEW NORTH SAILS
North Sails is providing one year 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://www.na.northsails.com/tabid/17678/Default.aspx
SAILING SHORTS
* Fifteen sailors competed in the United States Pan American Games Trials
for the Sunfish, which concluded October 10th at Bay-Waveland YC, MS.
Through eight races over two days, only five points separated Paul Foerster
from David Mendelblatt. Due to light winds, the regatta would be decided by
one final race on the final day. Paul Foerster was clutch in the final race,
winning it and the event. David Mendelblatt finished comfortably in second
for the series, followed by Jamie Rabbit. --
http://united-states.sunfishclass.org/?p=185
* The C420 Mid-Atlantic Championship was hosted by the Noroton Yacht Club in
Darien, Connecticut on October 9-10. Fifty one boats participated in this
classic fall regatta on Long Island Sound. Competitors traveled from as far
as Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Canada, Florida and Maryland to experience
fall New England Sailing at its best. Sarah Williams won the Mid-Atlantic
Championship by 14 point margin. She and her crew, Colin Murphy, were
followed by skippers Axel Sly, Reinier Eenkema van Dijk, Olivia Crane and
Bradley Adam. -- Full report:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10640
* Cruising World and Sailing World magazines announced at the U.S. Sailboat
Show (Oct. 7-11, 2010) in Annapolis, Md., their nominees for the 2011 Boat
of the Year awards. The BOTY awards recognize and honor the best new
sailboat models introduced to the North American market. "The Boat of the
Year nominees we have this year reflect a pivotal shift in the industry, in
that we have raceboats and daysailers that were designed with the intention
to lure people back to sailing," says Sailing World's editor, Dave Reed. --
Full report: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/1011c/
* Lanzarote, Canary Islands (October 11, 2010) - Thirteen teams began the
first day of the 2010 RC 44 World Championship, where they were split into
two groups for the match racing segment that is scheduled for Monday and
Tuesday. A total of 36 matches were run in about seven hours of racing, with
skippers Jimmy Spithill (AUS) and Russell Coutts (NZL) currently leading
their respective groups. The fleet racing segment is scheduled for Thursday
through Saturday, with the World Champion to be the combined low point score
of both events. Read more here:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/1011b/
* The 2010 Heineken High Performance Dinghy Open in Rye, NY was hosted by
American Yacht Club on October 9-10. One hundred fifteen teams were on the
water, competing in seven classes that included the F-18, Fireball, Moth, RS
K6, and 505. The Viper 640 was the largest with 35 teams, with the team led
by Brad Boston and Lee Shuckerow dominating the fleet with all top five
scores to win. Results here:
http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=369
* The script could not have been more perfectly written by the end of the
penultimate day of racing at the final round of the 2010 Extreme Sailing
Series in Almeria (Spain). Yann Guichard (Groupe Edmond de Rothschild) and
Paul Campbell-James (The Wave, Muscat) will go into the final day of the
final round of the season on equal points - Guichard retains the top spot on
count back, scoring seven first places at this regatta opposed to
Campbell-James' six. It is now likely that the final will go to the wire
with double points up for grabs in the last race. -- Full report:
http://tinyurl.com/ESS-101110
* Sailing fans and armchair experts can now compete in their own Ultimate
Solo Challenge from the comfort of their own homes with the VELUX 5 OCEANS
Virtual Regatta game. What's more, there's 10,000 euros of prize money up
for grabs for the best virtual ocean racers over the course of the
30,000-mile solo yacht race. The VELUX 5 OCEANS Virtual Regatta game allows
players to race their virtual Eco 60 yachts against the VELUX 5 OCEANS
skippers as they sail around the world solo. Players can control their
virtual yacht's heading and sail plan as well as which angle to the wind the
yacht sails at. Details: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/1011/
* West Marine has announced the recipients of their first annual Marine
Conservation Grants program. Grants for a total amount of $30,000 are being
awarded to non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. who are working to
"improve and protect marine habitat," which is part of West Marine's
mission. This year's grant recipients reside in California, Florida, Hawaii,
Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. -- Read on:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/1011a/
ZIP ZIP
The new Camet Code Zip Performance Shirt is a high-performance technical
shirt that works great as your only layer in warm weather and as an under
layer in cooler conditions. Engineered fabric is lightweight, breathable,
dries quickly and has a wicking finish to move moisture away from your body
while still offering maximum UV protection. Pair these with any Camet shorts
for great team gear! Shirts can be dye sublimated on the front and back. Buy
one today! http://www.camet.com
GUEST COMMENTARY
Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community.
Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted
comments chosen to be published in the newsletter are limited to 250 words.
Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should save their
bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum
* From Forum (BeauVrolyk, regarding story in Scuttlebutt 3195):
Wind Turbines, like many "green" energy systems, are much more costly than
standard coal and oil burning power systems. As a result, you typically only
find them in countries that can subsidize them or places where rich
Countries have subsidized their installation.
Most of the Caribbean has plenty of wind, but inadequate finances to
subsidize Wind or Solar energy. -- Forum:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10578#10578
* From Forum (sullythescarer):
(Regarding BeauVrolyk comment), I think that is perhaps a rather "broad" way
of approaching renewables and their costs... There are many countries which
are not rich who are buying into renewables as a way of reducing costs over
the broader spectrum, rather than just the very shallow "cost/Kw/Hr" number
which is generally regarded.
The manufacture of wind turbines has quite a high labor requirement, and as
such it is actually lower GDP countries who are embracing it. The industry
is seeing a huge growth in latin american and Eastern Europe markets where
labour is available, generally quite well skilled and willing to work. When
it comes to making items like rotorblades, it would typically be very
feasilble for a turbine systems provided to set up a factory and train a
workforce to manufacture their own rotorblades, with the excess being sold
and transported to other sites. When you take this entire business model
into account, windmills become significantly easier to justify even on the
basic (and generally incorrect) assumption of cost/kw/hr.
As for the Caribbean, Wind energy installations would actually make most
sense in a location such as this, where there is generally a high level of
stable wind, and the yield would be high. In addition to this, the actual
installation costs of a wind turbine for a site such as that would be
comparable to those for setting up a coal or oil burning system, but wind
energy would not require the constant input of raw materials or 'things to
burn'. In addition to this, there is also the massive reduction in Carbon
emissions which are created by burnt fuels.
I completely agree with previous statements on this thread though - that the
only real way to go is to reduce energy dependency by reducing consumption.
-- Forum:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10634#10634
* From Brian Tyrrell:
Why would Scuttlebutt 3195 highlight the second place team? Headline:
MATADOR TAKES TOP POINTS IN COASTAL RACE/TP52 WORLDS
Shouldn't it have been:
QUANTUM RACING WINS SECOND TP52 WORLDS IN THREE YEARS
Btw, I have no association with Q, just seems like an odd headline.
* From David Barrow:
It is interesting to view all of the various comment regarding the new
format for the America's Cup and I guess as Mr Ellison currently owns it he
can call the shots. Either he will be hailed as a visionary who brought
sailing to a whole new generation, increased interest in participation,
showed the good side of our sport. Or, the villain who was in a fantastic
position to influence globally the sport he obviously loves only to lose the
plot in self interest and profit. Some thing tells me, and I so hope I am
right, that Mr Ellison is made of sterner stuff and only time will tell.
One thing that they are hopefully considering is how to embrace the youth
element and whether it is feasible to hold an academy event under the same
umbrella. One idea could be for each team to sponsor a youth team sailing,
in a parallel event, in a smallish mono hull, keeping the cost down, but
showing latest technology, canting keel carbon mast etc. Maximum age 18 on a
fixed date, crew must all be same nationality, 3 - 4 crew one boat per
country. Other countries could enter if manageable. The boat should be
original, the youngsters would certainly have an event to aspire to. Just a
thought.
CURMUDGEON'S CONUNDRUM
Is there a three second rule when spilling ice cream on a hot day?
Special thanks to Lewmar, North Sails, and Camet.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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