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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 680 - November 1, 2000AMERICA'S CUP(Following is an excerpt from a story by Tim Jeffery posted on the Quokka Sailing website.) Russell Coutts' leaving Team New Zealand for Ernesto Bertarelli's Swiss Challenge was a controversy far greater than that of Laurie Davidson's departure for Craig McCaw's One World challenge in Seattle or a Team NZ crew exodus to Larry Ellison's Oracle Racing in San Francisco. Is the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron extracting some measure of retribution against Coutts? Coutts wants us to draw some conclusions of our own. The YC de Geneve lodged its challenge for the 2003 Cup on August 18. At the cusp of November succeeding October, it's still not been accepted. Coutts thinks that the club for whom he won and defended the America's Cup might be dragging its feet. "We're not accepted yet and it's taken more time than we'd have hoped for," says Coutts. "I look at it from Ernesto's point of view and he's really passionate about his sailing. This has been much harder than he thought it would be, just to get an entry accepted. I wonder whether this is really good for our sport. It's not as if we've got an abundance of the America's Cup teams." A bit of reading between the lines is needed if you want to work whether or not Coutts believes the RNZYS is dragging its heels deliberately. "I know our entry is taking longer than any other Swiss team. Who knows why that is?" As far as Coutts is concerned the Geneva club has complied with all the requirements for entry. "If there any other questions from any other team we can answer them all right now." Swiss concerns don't start and end with the Squadron in Auckland. Asked if the Challenger of Record, the YC Punta Ala through whom Prada have challenged, was batting on behalf of a fellow challenger against the defender Coutts' responded: "I don't know what the latest situation is. The other side is saying that it is trying to help us ... well, I wish they'd stop helping!" - A key question of YCG's eligibility has been over the annual regatta required in the Deed of Gift. This is a sore point with Coutts. "This is one of the oldest yacht club's in Europe. I know that some of the older members are offended because we are a proper yacht club, there has been another Swiss team and we're not doing anything different. One of things The Squadron said previously was that if they observed the regatta, the entry would go through straightaway. Presumably they observed the annual regatta (in Cannes) and saw that it was the real thing. Certainly the Prada guys were there. And still we're not accepted. Actually I'd be interested to know if any other challenge had their annual regatta observed. - Tim Jeffery, for Quokka Sports Full story: http://www.quokkasailing.com/stories/10/SLQ_1031_coutts_WFC.html US ADMIRAL'S CUP SELECTION TRIALS The 2001 US Admiral's Cup team selection process begins this month with the Farr 40 Winter Regatta in Miami November 30th- December 4th. The Admiral's Cup team will use the Winter Regatta's seven inshore races and a special 30-hour flexible course offshore race for stage one of the Farr 40 selection. Stage two is the eight day races of Key West Race Week plus a 50-hour flexible course race from Key West up to Ft. Lauderdale. The low point boat for all the races, with one possible discard from each inshore series, will be invited to join the three-boat team. Races will be weighted heavily toward the offshore component of the event. Every Admiral's Cup is won and lost on the last long race, which is scored 4x1 vs. inshore. The 2001 Admiral's Cup will be sailed July 13th-28th in Cowes, England. Each national team races three boats the Farr 40, an IC (Corel) 45 and a Sydney 40. Formerly the Admiral's Cup was sailed under IOR, then IMS, then IMS and OD. This new format was chosen to open the event to nations that might not have or be able to afford an IMS entry. The IC45 and Sydney 40 components of the US team will be determined by selection races if necessary, but interest is not high for these classes since they are not popular in the US. One possible Sydney 40 team is coming together while two groups have expressed interest in the IC45. But at this time, both slots are still open to teams with potential to win. - Talbot Wilson, TalbotWilson@compuserve.com The Science of Comfort At Gill we know the quality of our garments will be measured over years of use. That's why we strive to exceed industry standards in everything we do! From the unique way we work with and listen to the world's sailors to the meticulous attention we give to every garment. Whether you're on the US Sailing Team at the Sydney Olympics or facing the extremes of the Southern Ocean sailors want to stay warm and dry. Don't' take any short cuts when it comes to comfort and quality. Choose Gill gear! http://www.gillna.com THE RACE * Together with Loick PEYRON, American Skip NOVAK is now co-skipper of the maxi-catamaran Code One. 48 years old, living in Europe, Novak took part in 4 Whitbread regattas, between 1977 and 1989. From 1987 to 1997 he multiplied expeditions in Antarctic on board of his boat Pelagic. Novakk accumulated miles sailing on Explorer, mainly as co-skipper with Bruno Peyron during the Pacific record performed between Yokohama and San Francisco in August 1998. * The Company Legato Systems just signed a partnership agreement with Tony Bullimore for his participation in The Race. Former-ENZA of Peter Blake will now be named TEAM LEGATO and will join, the 31st December 2000 in Barcelona, the 6 maxi-catamarans already entered. Founded in 1988, Legato Systems is one of the international leaders of management , protection and storage of datas transmitted at all levels of a company. The arrival of this new sponsor will allow the team to finish the work before the launching of TEAM LEGATO, scheduled mid-November. * There has been some speculation that The Race will not be starting on the 31st of December as originally planned. Unsurprisingly the Race organisers are not part of this process and it seems likely that The Race will start as planned. - ISAF Website The Race website: http://www.therace.org LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) Letters selected to be printed may be edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a bulletin board or a chat room - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. -- From Charles Schmeckle - Please let Dawn Riley compete on her own as an individual, not specifically as a "woman". Please get away from the male/female pointed arguments, as it only continues to hinder the progression, in our sport, that women deserve. The sexual revolution was old when Gloria was burning her clothes! -- From Glenn T. McCarthy - I missed the discussion anywhere on changing the Individual Recall Flag from the familiar "X" (White background with a Blue plus sign) to the "R" flag (Red background with a Yellow plus sign). I must take exception to this proposed change. For those clubs that have their committee boats set up with the flag staffs thwartship (and many do this in error), as you look down the starting line trying to see what is flying, there will now be the Red start flag, an Orange line flag, and if needed, a Red flag with a Yellow plus sign on it. All overlapped. These colors are all of the same hue and will merge into one and seeing if an individual flag is up will be harder than ever. Sorry Charlie, I just don't get it, tell me this change is something more important than R is the first letter in Recall (because General Recall is out there too, which uses neither G or R flags). MORE AMERICA'S CUP The Skippers' Press Conference on the eve of championship match racing at the Colorcraft Gold Cup has become quite a tradition over the years. This year with all but a couple of the skippers for the next America's Cup on the dais, the subject at hand was the America's Cup - hopes and plans for the future, and some reflective moments about the past. The conference was to have been carried live on the Internet but 11th-hour technical difficulties prevented that. However, the conference was taped in its entirety and the Swedish Match Grand Prix Sailing Tour web site now has short items featuring all the highlights. This was a relaxed and good-natured exchange compered by New Zealand's voice of television Peter Montgomery, with some good-humored moments and some surprising candor. Don't miss newcomer Russell Belden on starting a new challenge. Or Dennis Conner on why he should represent New York Yacht Club. The full list is: + Ed Baird on looking forward to the 2003 America's Cup. + Dean Baker on financial situation of Team New Zealand. + Russell Beldon on the Seattle Challenge for the America's Cup in 2003. + Dennis Conner on his thoughts on the 1999/2000 America's Cup. + Russell Coutts on the spreading out of talent for the 2003 America's Cup. + Chris Dickson on building a new team and being able to complete against TNZ. + Peter Gilmour on the challenge of putting together a new team. + Andy Green on the pospects of a British Challenge in 2003. + Magnus Holmberg on his involvement with the Swedish Victory Challenge syndicate. + Peter Holmberg on his attempt to form the USVI Challenge, then joining Stars and Strips. + Russell Coutts on joining the Swiss team and moving from hero to villain in New Zealand. + Dennis Conner on the changing face of the America's Cup. + Dennis Conner on building a program through sponsorship rather than millionaires dollars. + Peter Gilmour on the benefits of having a solid finacial backing from the start. + Chris Dickson on comparing previous programs to his current Oracle racing team. + Russell Coutts on the need for adequate funding. + Dean Baker on Team New Zealand's spending. + Russell Beldon on Seattle's budget. + Magnus Holmberg on the funding for the Swedish team. + Andy Green on his diminishing hope for a British Challenge. + Dean Baker on taking over from Russell Coutts. + Dennis Conner on representing the NYYC and winning back the cup. + Dennis Conner on the Cup belonging in the North East and at the NYYC. The clips are available in three formats, RealPlayer G2, Windows Media ISDN and Windows Media 28.8. - Keith Taylor The web site is: http://www.sports.com/sailing/sponser/conferencevideo.htm CURMUDGEON'S COMMENT: This is really cool - you absolutely must check it out! DIFFERENT STROKES (The Vendee Globe is Russian Fedor Konyukhovs fourth circumnavigation, this time aboard Nandor Fas 1990 60 monohull, 'Modern University for the Humanities.' The following is an excerpt from an interview that Sail-Online did with this 49-year-old philosopher, artist, writer and voyager.") Sail-Online : What are you bringing aboard for the Vendee Globe Race? Konyukhov: I am an artist, so I will bring paint and paper. But especially 100 books. I read 80 books during the Around Alone race and I wrote three books with pictures. I would like to write a novel. I like to write on the boat because I am alone. I do not write only about sailing, I also write about life. Sail-Online : What type of books are your bringing ? Konyukhov: Mostly philosophical and historical. My Bible is always with me. I have gone on 40 expeditions and my Bible has always come along. Sail-Online : Do you read to take you farther into your adventure ? Konyukhov: When I read, I live. When I read Jack London, I admire his style of life. Sail-Online : How many books have you written already ? Konyukhov: I wrote three during the Around Alone race and four others mainly on philosophy or my biography. Sail-Online : What will you eat aboard ? Konyukhov: I do not eat much. I eat biscuits and tea in the morning. Rice and freeze-dried food for lunch. Some tea When I have a lot of food, it disturbs my thinking. Sail-Online : What do you like about the Vendee Globe ? Konyukhov: I like this race because it is non-stop. It allows me to be alone for a longtime. Sail-Online : What are your plans after the Vendee Globe ? Konyukhov: I have many plans ! One of my dreams is to buy a big catamaran and go around the world. I would also like to cross the Sahara desert. I want to go around the world on a balloon. Sail-Online : Do you consider yourself an adventurer ? Konyukhov: No. I love nature and life. I do not to think of myself as an adventurer. Full interview: http://www.sailing-online.com.au/welcome.cfm TRENDS When you attend a big regatta like the Etchells World championship, you quickly find out what's hot, and what's not. And this past week in San Diego it was instantly obvious that the curmudgeon's glowing descriptions of Camet sailing shorts have not fallen on deaf ears. Camet shorts were everywhere. And although everyone loves the advantages of the drying Supplex, and the reinforced Cordura seat patch, I think what's pushed them over the top is the fact that they look so bitchin'. See for yourself, and while you're at it don't forget to get one of the great mylar bags. http://www.camet.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS December 8-10: International Judges Seminar, U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland USA. Instructor: Hans-Kurt Andersen (DEN), IJ, IU, Member-ISAF Racing Rules Committee. http://www.usna.edu/SailingTeam/ BAJA HA HA The ultimate transition to the cruising life began Tuesday for 138 US West Coast boats (mas o menos) in the seventh annual Baja Ha-ha as they point their bows south in a cruising rally from San Diego bound for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Led by the 63-foot Latitude 38 flagship Profligate, the event is designed to encourage both first-time and seasoned cruisers to take the initiative of slipping off the dock lines. Costume parties, barbecues, beach parties, and camaraderie will be in no short supply as the fleet makes its way along the Baja peninsula. While the event encourages newbies to take the plunge, theres an emphasis on having a prepared boat capable of dealing with the vagaries the Pacific can dish out. The 780-mile route calls upon the sleepy fishing village of Turtle Bay, the idyllic waters of Bahia Santa Maria, and the lively and infamous Cabo San Lucas where an awards ceremony will commemorate the numerous things that happen when a fleet this size heads out cruising. - SailNet website Full story: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/news/index.cfm?news_list=matthe0800,matthe0801,matthe0802&tfr=fp HANDICAP RACING RORC have finally published their amendments to both of the popular rating rules, IRC and IRM. Whilst IRC is effectively a reincarnation of the old CHS rule, and as such has been in refinement for over 15 years now, IRM is a newborn, still in its first season. Nonetheless, both rules receive only small changes, indicating just how successful they are. The Annual Report of the usage of IRC announces that over 5000 boats are using the rule in 30 countries, thus making it the most widely used rule in the world. In the main, the rule changes apply to the sail penalties carried by both rules, with the use of Carbon fibres now allowed under both. Also, in response to the new ISAF Advertising code, the IRC rule relating to advertising has been altered. Other than that, Grandfathering of IRM designs has had a general review, with Age allowance in particular being reduced, and big, light, boats will no longer be quite so heavily penalised, making for good quick boats on the race course. - Damian, BOATmagic website For a complete summary of the rule changes: http://www.boatmagic.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=&UAN=1848 JUNIOR OLYMPICS Just because summers gone doesnt mean US SAILINGs Junior Olympic events were packed away with the warm weather gear. The Edison Sailing Center, a not-for-profit community sailing program in downtown Fort Myers, FL, hosted the River Romp Regatta, a Junior Olympic event on October 21-22, which drew 185 young sailors in 177 boats. They sailed in Lasers, Laser Radials, Bytes, Club 420s, and Optimists. - Penny Piva Rego Class winners: Optimist Green (novice, up to age 15/54 boats) - Nick Howard (Cape Coral, FL); Optimist White (ages 10 & under/23boats) - Nick Voss (Miami, FL); Optimist Blue (ages 11-12/37 boats) - Christopher Tosi (Fort Lauderdale, FL); Optimist Red (ages 13-15/22 boats) - Brian Kamiler (Miami, FL) Optimist Overall (White, Blue, Red/82 boats) - Christopher Tosi (Ft. Lauderdale, FL); Club 420 (8 boats) - Duncan Padura/Nicolas Oliveira (Miami, FL); Laser -Zach Railey (Clearwater, FL); Laser Radial (22 boats) - Charles Fulmer (Seminole, FL); Byte (4 boats) - Marla Johnson (Tampa, FL). Complete results: http://www.ussailing.org/youth/racing/jo/index.htm. FICKER CUP Long Beach YC, CA - The Ficker Cup match races were sailed in chilly and light winds, but fairly steady in direction. Morgan Larson and his team from the Seattle AC campaign were unstoppable throughout the weekend, winning most of their round-robin races by substantial margins. Mason Woodworth gave Larson a better run on Sunday, but was penalized in a collision near the weather mark in race 2 of the finals, and lost his momentum thereafter. Finals: Morgan Larson over Mason Woodworth, 3-0 Petite Finals: Scott Dickson over Geoff Longenecker, 3-0 Website: www.lbyc.org THE CURMUDGEON'S QUOTATIONS Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so Douglas Adams |
