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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 532 - March 22, 2000COMMENTARY -- By Mark Chisnell(The following nuggets were excerpted from Mark Chisnell's insightful look at the professional sailing scene now posted on the Quokka Sailing website.) The recent Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) in Miami was an illuminating indicator of the state of big-boat racing. Far and away, the biggest classes on the water were the new owner/driver one designs, with their strict limits on professional sailor involvement. It's hard to argue with 25 Farr 40s, 13 1D35s and 17 Mumm 30s. Compared to the traditional "grand prix" classes sailed by the pros, these boats have been outstandingly successful. They're a powerful demonstration that more people are willing to part with the cash for a splash if they get to steer their boats; rather than hand over the wheel to a professional sailor and take a seat in the back. And who can blame them? Meanwhile, almost on the other side of the world the future of one professional sailing arena was on trial in Auckland. The Kiwis won the America's Cup, but I suspect that the real result is still being awaited. Advertising, publicity and marketing agencies around the world ought to be churning through the sums - counting up the column inches, the air time, Internet hits and the magazine pictures, and converting it all into dollars and cents by whatever arcane formula they use. And what will the answer be? Did the America's Cup make commercial sense for the sponsors? This is the acid test for pro sport. It has to be paid for by someone or something - media rights, sponsors, ticket sales, whatever. There are lots of different "business models" in different sports and, by and large, sailing apparently fails to match any of them. The French Open 60 and multi-hull circuits are one exception to prove the rule, the Volvo Ocean Race another. But what the rise of the owner/driver classes has demonstrated is that private individuals can't be expected to pay for pro sailing much longer - unless they're steering. The old "grand prix" events - Admiral's Cup, Kenwood Cup, SORC, Southern Cross - are all struggling to attract boats outside of the owner/driver one designs. As Peter Morton (head of Farr International UK) points out, this is professional sailing on the model of grand prix powerboat racing, where the professional throttleman sits beside the driver, who's bought the boat. Paul Cayard was telling us during the Louis Vuitton Cup what a hard sell the event was to corporate America. Nevertheless, the initial signals coming out of the AmericaOne camp suggest that his backers are happy with their return. Cayard now hopes to keep the core of his AmericaOne team together through both the next Volvo Ocean Race and the next America's Cup. This is professional sailing on the model of top-end motorsports - Formula One-style teams, just as Team New Zealand kept the core group together for years and is now talking about a Volvo Ocean Race campaign. These two events ought to dominate the front rank of professional sailing, but a supporting cast of regattas is crucial - partly to provide continuity of exposure for team sponsors, and partly because it's a big step across from a Laser campaign to an America's Cup. Talented young skippers need an opportunity to cut their teeth on all the problems of raising sponsorship money and delivering media value. To do that, they need events with a solid delivery mechanism for that media value as well as a low cost of entry. Others are stepping into the breach. The Tour 2000 - a race in stages around the coast of France - is one. The boats will be the Mumm 30, and with television, Internet coverage and up to 50,000 people visiting the race village at stopovers, the sums make sense to a sponsor. In the United States, the National Sailing League is trying to pull the same trick. Then there's the match racing tour, finding a new lease of life with a new sponsor in Swedish Match, and a pile of prize money for an eight-event tour. Where it might all fall apart is if there is any substance to the rumors that the New Zealanders are going to ditch the International Sailing Federation and their rule book for the next America's Cup. Since ISAF would presumably then ban all those who contested that event from any of their regattas, that would probably lead quite quickly to the birth of a separate organization to run other events for the pros. At least this might finally stop the arguments over who is a pro and who is an amateur - but that is a story for another day. -- Mark Chisnell, Quokka Sports Take a few moments to read Chisnell's full comments: http://sailing.quokka.com/expert/QCMa4sail_s_chisnellprosams_WFC.html SWEDISH MATCH TOUR AUCKLAND, New Zealand - It was 22 year old Cameron Appleton's turn to have a good day at the office today, chalking up six wins from six races on day three of the Steinlager/Line 7 Cup, the first event on the 2000 Swedish Match Tour. This young Team New Zealand skipper now heads the scoreboard, having displaced the overnight leader, veteran Chris Dickson, and is in a very strong position to make the cut into the semi-finals. Cameron Appleton and his crew obviously had good speed, because in two races they were able to build a big enough margin to complete penalty turns and still win. It was a cold and blustery day on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, with winds between 10 and 25 knots from the south west, shifting to southerly by the end of the day. It looked for a while as if Appleton may have to share the top of the scoreboard with Chris Dickson, until the veteran lost to Dean Barker in his last race of the day, leaving Cameron clear at the top of the ladder. The Barker-Dickson confrontation in the last flight of the day turned into a real battle, with the wind at 20 knots with gusts of 25, and the two boats close all the way. So close in fact that Dickson was penalized, for a port and starboard incident on the first downwind leg of the race, he led to the finishing line but by the time he had completed his penalty turn, Barker had slipped past to take the gun. "We had a fifteen second lead coming to the line," said Dickson, "but the penalty took us twenty seconds, we needed five more seconds, that was the race." Dickson will also have to find a new bowman for tomorrow's races, with Kevin Batten having been hospitalized after cutting his foot right through into the bone. With just four more flights of races to sail before the cut for the semi-finals, there are six skippers still with a realistic chance of making it through to that final four. As well as Kiwis Cameron Appleton, Chris Dickson, Dean Barker, and Gavin Brady, England's Andy Green and Frenchman Bertrand Pace are strong contenders. - John Roberson GROUP A (round robin 1, plus three flights of round robin 2): Cameron Appleton, 9-1; Andy Green, 8-2; Gavin Brady, 7-3; Magnus Holmberg, 4-6; Marcus Weiser, 4-6; Peter Gilmour, 4-6; Lars Nordbjerg, 2-8; James Spithill, 2-8. GROUP B (round robin 1, plus three flights of round robin 2): Dean Barker, 8-2; Chris Dickson, 8-2; Bertrand Pace, 7-3; Jes Gram-Hansen, 5-5; Bjorn Hansen, 4-6; Peter Holmberg, 4-6; Luc Pillot, 2-8; Phil Douglas, 2-8. RACE COMMITTEE PROCEDURE The Naval Academy's Race Committee did some interesting things at their Early Bird Regatta last weekend. The event attracted twenty-six J/24 teams and eight J/22 teams from Virginia Beach to Cleveland, Ohio to Freeport, Maine. The RC took a new race management tack and featured a "dinghy-style" three-minute starting sequence, and open VHF radio communication between RC and competitors. This allowed Early Bird tacticians to know where and why marks were set/moved, and what our compasses said about the breeze both at the committee boat and at turning marks. All eight races featured the modified windward-leeward course, once around, start and finish in the middle, with the start/finish line un-crossable on Saturday and open on Sunday. Competitor input made it clear that the latter was much preferable, and offered better downwind tactical racing. Input also noted strengths and weaknesses of the three-minute sequence. RC felt it a qualified success, and with improvements, a potential for future regional events. To learn more: http://www.nadn.navy.mil/SailingTeam/offshore/rr.html LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks. But only one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if people disagree. -- From Cliff Thompson (Regarding Brad Wheeler comments on the NSL) -- Scheduling problems in Southern California for any sailing event have become extremely hard to accomplish. In every sailing venue, from San Diego to Marina del Rey, the calender is full. Where is the NSL going to fit in? I bet this is the case all over the USA, and will make it difficult for the NSL. I wish the NSL luck, but as an amatuer, I would not want the NSL moving into our area and causing schedule changes and also important, but hardly ever mentioned, are taking away the assets required to run our amateur races. -- From Dobbs Davis -- To address Brad Wheeler's interesting comments on the NSL's potential impact on amateur sailing events, it should be pointed out that the NSL's proposed schedule includes regattas in Newport (during the Newport Gold Regatta); in Chicago (during the Verve Cup); in San Francisco (during the Big Boat Series); and the season finale in Key West (during Race Week). I'm not sure what Brad considers an 'amateur' event, but these and others have had, and indeed continue to promote, the involvement of top-name professional talent within the ranks of the fleet. Even the owner-driver classes are littered with pro talent, which, ironically, are one of the few avenues left for pro sailors in the US to keep their livelihood in the sport... -- From Al Lambert -- It is obvious that Mr. Wheeler has not had the opportunity to sail with some of our great PRO-SAILORS. In Southern California alone many of the best have lived and sailed with non "PRO'S" and has moved the sport past the bumper-boat stage. This whole PRO or AMATEUR thing has to stop. If you want to be an OLYMPIC STAR then don't take any money from a sponsor. If Sailing in the United States is to grow into the masses, then PRO's or people that get paid to sail, need to help it along. I love sailing with people that can teach me. I have not met an owner of a boat yet that would not take a $5000.00 check over a $75.00 trinket yet. Lets offer prize money. Why not. It can't hurt. Maybe more people would focus on how to get more people involved in the sport. MONEY! FAST BOATS! CASH PRIZES! GREAT!!!!!!!! Want to cruise? Read Cruising World! -- From Bruce Parsons, Newfoundland (heavily edited to our 250-word limit) -- Mr. Brussard is correct when he points out that NZL60 was faster, but it was not just due to the position of the wings, as Bruce Kirby outlines clearly. The wings were in the back in San Diego because the motion of the boats there was such that the wings in the back moved enough to generate the Katzmayer effect - thrust developed forward by changing angles of attack at the wings - negative drag. There was enough of this to offset the extra drag of the longer wings needed at the tail than at the middle of the bulb. This was and is well understood by all the designers, now. In 95 PACT had the wings in the center - a result of a very well run wind tunnel program. They did not consider pitching in that case. And it turns out that was right - for NZ, but not for the pacific rollers off San Diego. It was no one thing, it never is, not when you win 5-0. It is correct to say that the design team of TNZ was more creative than any of the US teams, but that is not to say that the Americans made mistakes, just that the Kiwis did it better. And keep in mind, that if there was a team for every 3.8 M Americans, ie the population of New Zealand, then the US (who is in fact wealthier even on a per capita basis) should have approximately seventy (70) challengers. -- From Larry Edwards -- Bill Koch had important things to say, but they and the math could have been expressed more clearly. Based on conversations with him, his key point is that Peter Blake, et al., said in 1995 that they were going to clean up the America's Cup, give it back to the yacht clubs (as opposed to the professional sailors), have full disclosure, and make it a fair contest. Koch's contention is that they were hypocrites for not keeping their promises and should be called to task. Charitable trusts have been the foundation of AC syndicates since the 19th century. Yet, who benefits from these trusts, which reap generous tax advantages? Who is the charity? Generally, the benefactor and beneficiary are, for all intents and purposes, the same. Unwitting taxpayers ultimately help fund the syndicates. Regarding TNZ, it's a charitible trust that received millions of dollars in funds from two government organizations. Yet the principals saw no obligation to reveal how these public funds were being spent, particularly what they were paying themselves. Attempts by various NZ news agencies to get answers where rebuffed with such childish comments as: "You are part of the Prada plot to destabilize TNZ." Why should sailors care? Because such shenanigans give the AC a black eye. If the AC is to become a popular professional sport -- the goal of most participants -- rather than a private club for elitist yachties and their well-heeled benefactors, it needs to shed these trappings, not foster them. -- From Donald Ricketts -- I'm not sure what the whole point of Bill Koch's guest column is... given New Zealand's awesome on-the-water performance, does it matter that they "brown bagged" it or the specific titles of the syndicate officers? Isn't this sort of criticism exactly what is most distasteful about the competition? I guess now that it has been raised, it is a matter for the Kiwi media and for discussion between Blake, et al and the sponsors. It sure seems as if they got their money's worth. But these "questions on the margin" seem to be needlessly damaging to the reputations of Blake, and hint at darker deeds (AC 2000 stole money) than Mr. Koch is willing to state openly. They won. They're good. Lets raise our game and go after it again, rather than sow discord for no real gain. It would be great if Mr. Koch could step up to the plate again like in 1992 and mount (or help mount) a big-time effort. NEW MATCH RACE REGATTAS FOR WOMEN Four new match race events for women have been added to the calendar for 2000. Notices of Race will be posted on the Women's Match Race website. All interested women match-racers are urged to contact the organizers of each event to request an invitation. * Connolly Cup, May 6-7, Premier Sailing School Base, Irvington, Virginia ISAF Grade 5; J/24 Winner will receive an invitation to the Grade 1 Osprey Cup in Florida. Contact: denvir@usa.net (Arabella Denvir) * Alpena Invite, June 17-18, Alpena YC, Alpena, Michigan ISAF Grade 4 (requested); Yngling; three crew. Contact: wjacquem@northland.lib.mi.us (Walter Jacquemin) * Thompson Cup, August 24-27, Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, Osyter Bay, NY ISAF Grade 1; Sonar; four crew. Contact: BruceCook@compuserve.com (Bruce Cook) * Newport Invite, September, date tba, Newport, Rhode Island ISAF Grade 4 (requested); Yngling; three crew. Contact: shayes7069@aol.com (Sandy Hayes) For additional information, or to host an event, contact :kristan.mcclintock@sailingworld.com (Kristan McClintock) or vcsail@aol.com (Nancy Haberland) Women's Match Race website: http://www.sailing.org/wimra LASER WORLDS CANCUN, MEXICO, Day Six - Competitors arriving on the beautiful white sands expecting another day of trade-wind sailing were surprised to find that a front moving through during the night had pulled the wind round into the north east. By start time some sense of normality had returned with an unsteady breeze back in the east and blowing six to eight knots. Championship leader, Robert Scheidt produced another solid day in difficult conditions to put the world championships easily within his grasp. With the second discard coming into play, Scheidt now needs to finish just one of tomorrow's scheduled two races in the top fifteen to secure an unprecedented fourth Laser World Championships. Behind Scheidt, Michael Blackburn and Karl Suneson are now tied for second place with any one of four other sailors in with a realistic chance of medals. Ainslie now recognises that his chances of retaining the championship are slim. "It was a terrible day for me" he said on coming ashore. "I had a good start in the first race but managed to get the first beat wrong again. In the second race I had a really bad start and got spat out of the port end and that was that." More significantly, automatic qualification for a British Team Olympic place - for which he needs a top three at this regatta - is looking difficult. "It is going to be really tough. I'll give it my best go and see what happens. I have not given up yet" he said. For the first time in a long time, another British Sailor is now ahead of Ainslie in the overall results. Goodison who had by far the best day of the regatta with a second and a third has moved up to fourth overall, one place ahead of Ainslie. Goodison puts his success down to "good preparation. I was out in New Zealand for a few weeks before this and got lots of sailing in. I think that all helped" he said. Goodison is not counting on finishing ahead of Ainslie just yet, adding "We will just have to wait and see what happens". All the top sailors were agreed that today was the toughest of the regatta in so far as picking their way through the shifts was concerned. "It was a very hard day to be consistent" said Scheidt, who is looking forward to the last day. "It is going to be interesting tomorrow because a bunch of guys had a good day and will be in contest for the regatta tomorrow. I hope the conditions will be good. The kind of racing we had today doesn't' measure who is the best sailor." Racing continues tomorrow with two more races scheduled. -- Peter Bentley Standings: 1 BRA- Robert Scheidt (14 points) 2. AUS - Michael Blackburn (42) 3. SWE - Karl Suneson (42) 4. GBR - Paul Goodison (52) 5. GBR - Ben Ainslie (57) 6. USA - John Torgerson (66) 11. USA - Mark Mendelblatt (88) 17. USA - Bill Hardesty (116). Event website: http://www.laserinternational.org/wor2000.htm 49ER WORLDS Gold Fleet results (after four races): 1. ESP - SANTIAGO LOPEZ-VAZQUEZ / J.DE LA PLATA (19 points) 2. DEN - MICHAEL HESTBAEK / J.PERSSON (20) 3.GER - ARCUS BAUR / P.BARTH (25) 4. USA - JONATHAN MCKEE / C.MCKEE (31) 5. AUS - CHRIS NICHOLSON / D.PHILLIPS (31) 6 NOR - CHRISTOFFER SUNDBY / V.ARNHOFF (34) 7. FIN - THOMAS JOHANSON / J.JARVI (42) 8. FRA - MARC AUDINEAU / J.FARNARIER (49) 9. USA - ANDY MACK / A.LOWRY (51) 10. GBR - IAN BARKER / S.HISCOCKS (57) 14 CAN - BETTINA BAYLIS / T.BAYLIS (74). Complete Standing: http://www.49erworlds2000.org/press/index.html CHAT ROOM This Thursday, March 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM PST Elliott/Pattison Sailmakers' "Live On-Line" will discuss, "What's New in Marine Hardware. The guest host for the seminar - Don Whelan of Harken Yacht Equipment - will talk about some of the new hardware developed for the America's Cup boats, new Carbon hardware, and field questions. To join the discussion, go to http://www.epsails.com, click on the "Live On-Line" button, go to the bottom of that page, and click on the "Start Chatting" button. OPEN 60 Solo sailor Ellen MacArthur has set sail from Auckland, New Zealand on board the new Open 60 'Kingfisher' bound for Europe. The 12,000-mile route will take them through the Southern Ocean, around Cape Horn, before a stopover in the South Atlantic - possibly the Falkland Islands. There the crew step off the boat, leaving Ellen to sail 'Kingfisher' back across the South and North Atlantic to Europe on her own. It is hoped, but not sure, that Ellen will arrive in time to participate on in the 'Europe 1 New Man STAR' solo transatlantic race starting on June 4th from Plymouth. As part of the Open 60 Class (IMOCA) rules, 'Kingfisher' had to undergo the new 180 degree 'inversion' test. For this test, 'Kingfisher' was craned upside down, with Ellen inside. Then by her actions alone, using the swing keel, she was able to right the yacht. This new standard test to simulate the reality of a yacht capsizing mid-ocean has given us a great deal of confidence about the improved safety of this class of yacht. -- Mark Turner Regular updates: http://www.kingfisherchallenges.com SNIPE WINTER CIRCUIT MIAMI, FL, Don Q Regatta - The front that had teased us all weekend wasn't done yet. After a serious rain squall the fleet was sent out, only to be sent back to the harbor by the RC, who was registering 25 knots at the masthead. After a brief postponement further attempts at racing were abandoned, and yesterday's results stood as final. Now on to the Bahamas -- Carol Cronin 1. Javier/Nicolas Ocariz, Rosario ARG (20 pts) 2. Doug Hart/Scott Lindley, San Diego CA (21) 3. Hal Gilreath/Ned Jones, Fairfax VA (23) 4. Birger Jansen/Liv Ulveie, Oslo NOR (38) 5. Roberto Fabini/Diego Stefani, Mont'vdo URU (41) 6. Kevin Downey/Cristi Stroud, Miami FL (49) 7. Carr Moody/Rich Jarchow, Ft. Laud. FL (51.75) 8. George Szabo/Carol Cronin, San Diego CA (54) 9. Henry Filter/Lori Stout, Annapolis MD (58) 10. Old Man Diaz/Greg Saldana, Miami, FL (62) Class website: http://www.snipe.org INTERNET The next Louis Vuitton Cup will be held in Auckland beginning in October of 2002. The LVC website will remain online in its current format until at least September 2000, and will be updated from time to time as news stories and announcements develop, and new Challengers announce their intentions. -- http://www.louisvuittoncup.com THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. |
