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SCUTTLEBUTT 2191 - September 29, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with America’s Cup coverage in Scuttlebutt brought to you by UBS (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). THE SHORTLIST The shortlist for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards has been announced. The criteria for nomination for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2006 was "outstanding achievement" in the period 1 September 2005 to 31 August 2006 and ISAF received numerous nominations for sailors who met that criteria. Female nominees: Mónica Azon Canalda, Sandra Azon Canalda, Graciela Pisonero Castro (ESP) Dee Caffari (GBR) Dorte Jensen (DEN) Helena Lucas (GBR) Daida Moreno (ESP) Paige Railey (USA) Male nominees: Peter Gilmour (AUS) Sébastien Josse (FRA) Yves Parlier (FRA) Bruno Peyron (FRA) Mike Sanderson (NZL) The 121 ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) - the national governing bodies for sailing - around the world will now be invited to vote for the one female nominee and one male nominee whom they feel deserves the honour of receiving the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2006. The winners will be unveiled at the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards Dinner and Presentation on 7 November 2006 at the Wanha Satama, an historic warehouse in the harbour district of Helsinki, Finland. Each winner will be presented with the prestigious ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award Trophy and a Rolex timepiece. Paige Railey is the only North American to make the shortlist. Ever since the Laser Radial was selected as the women's single-handed dinghy for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, Paige Railey has shown the world that she means business. At her first event in the current nomination period she claimed the 2005 Laser Radial World Championship title in Brazil and went on to claim five more top spots at ISAF Graded events in 2006. Silver at the ISAF Grade 1 Rolex Miami OCR was swiftly followed by the North American title and victory at the Midwinters East. Railey then turned her attention to the European circuit and after a slow start in Palma de Mallorca, she won the gold medal in Hyères before traveling to Austria for the ISAF World Sailing Games where she picked up another gold medal. After disappointing performances at both the European and World Championships, Railey was undeterred and emphasized that the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition is her ultimate goal. The Qingdao International Regatta in China, the first test event for the next Olympic Games, was sewn up by Railey before the Medal Race. She continues to sit on top of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, a position she has held throughout the nomination period. To learn about the achievements of the other nominees: http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j6vFh?zv? THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BIGGER (The Daily Sail subscription website spoke to designer Vincent Lauriot Prevost about Pascal Bidegorry's new 40 Metre Banque Populaire trimaran. Here’s a brief excerpt.) No sooner has Franck Cammas' new 105ft Groupama III touched the water than yet another French 60ft trimaran sponsor has announced the creation of yet another new G-Class maxi-multihull. This time it is Banque Populaire skipper Pascal Bidegorry who, this summer staged a designer's dust up between Gilles Ollier, Nigel Irens and van Peteghem/Prevost for a "fully crewed multihull, with a good all-round performance, suited to a mixed program, reliable, evolutionary and safe for the crew." In the end Bidegorry and his team chose a 40 metre long (that is 131.2ft in old money) maxi-trimaran proposal from the van Peteghem/Prevost design house. When launched the new Banque Populaire V trimaran will be the longest racing trimaran in the world. While the new Banque Populaire V is some 26ft longer than the already sizeable Groupama III, designer Vincent Lauriot Prevost is at pains to point out it is not proportionally 'bigger' boat, it is more accurately a 'longer' boat - this was the basic concept specified by Pascal Bidegorry. Yes, it's length is greater and as a result it will be around six tonnes heavier - 23 tonnes compared to Groupama III's 18 - but the power to weight ratio remains roughly the same with a similar beam and an enlarged sail plan (her mast height is 45m is compared to Groupama III's 40m) to handle the added displacement. In essence Groupama III is an enlarged ORMA 60 with the rig further aft, while the Banque Populaire is more a typical G-class boat. -- To read the rest of this story: http://www.thedailysail.com GOOD AS NEW AFTER GETTING BLASTED Richard du Moulin likes to ocean race and he expects his UK-Halsey sails to be as tough as he is. His new Tape-Drive mainsail proved it could live up to his standards. After three-peating the doublehanded division in the Bermuda Race, he sailed the Stamford-Vineyard race in 30-50 knots. His main was double-reefed for 30 hours while his Express 37 beat to windward with the storm jib. Of 27 starters, only three finished. And when the wind went light and the reefs came out, the sail’s leech still looked new. Story’s in our early September online newsletter. 800-253-2002, http://www.ukhalsey.com IN HARM’S WAY? (In the second part of an interview with Glenn Bourke, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, he talks of the lessons learned from the 2005-06 event and stresses that the 2008-09 edition is about evolution not revolution.) Question: Did you ever feel at any time that the crews in the 2005-06 race were put at unnecessary risk? Bourke: First of all, let’s never forget that these guys love what they’re doing. For that reason the boats are exciting, they are challenging and they see themselves as pioneers. Round the world sailors fully appreciate the risks involved when they sign up for this race or any offshore race. There were ill-informed calls for our crews to be removed from the southern ocean amid claims that the Volvo Open 70s were too radical. Mike Sanderson was adamant at the time that if anyone wanted him and his crew to leave the southern ocean then somebody would have to come down and forcibly remove them. Paul Cayard added: “As far as I can remember there aren’t a lot of points of land or holidays named after people who sat at home and criticised Christopher Columbus”. I think they said it all. Q: How much influence does Volvo have in the overall decision-making process? Bourke: Safety is one of Volvo’s core values. That’s a fact. However, Volvo fully understands and has always understood that global ocean racing sailing is a dangerous sport. They don’t fear that. They understand that is one of the elements which make it interesting and absorbing for the general public. And they do not want to water down those inherent character traits. It is up to us, as race organisers, to put in place as many safety measures as we possibly can – the best support network, through our duty officers, the Derriford Clinic medical facilities, our in-port racing management in collaboration with the local coast guard and police, and our advanced on-board communications systems. They have to be at the highest level possible in sailing then Volvo will be satisfied. You have to understand that when you design a boat which can reach up to 45 knots of boat speed, there are risks. Big risks. And sailing out there at those speeds is going to be a testing physical and psychological challenge. Volvo understands that and it is one of the key reasons they are so engaged with ocean racing sailing. Q: What do you say to the aficionados who claim that the 2008-09 race is putting commercialism before competition? Bourke: They go hand in hand. You can’t have competition unless it is commercially viable because you won’t have enough teams to make the overall competition meritorious. In sport these days the benefits that the sportsmen and women receive from a strong commercial base is exactly what they want. So they are not afraid of the race being more commercial. It creates more opportunities for them. Our intention is never to detract from the competitive element of the race with whatever innovations we introduce. At the end of the day, this is a yacht race and competition it at its core. Plotting a new route and seeking out new stopover ports does not harm the intense competition and test of human endeavour that this race Complete interview: Part One: http://tinyurl.com/r6tc5 Part Two: http://tinyurl.com/ot9qn INVITATION REQUIRED Scuttlebutt received an invitation to attend the christening of the very first Club Swan 42, Hull #001 ‘Conspiracy’, which will occur on October 7th at New York Yacht Club, Harbour Court, in Newport, RI. The Club Swan 42 program was initiated by the NYYC to design and build a racer/cruiser boat based on the interests of their members, with their members then stepping up to place orders for over two-dozen boats. This will surely be a grand affair, but sadly, the Scuttlebutt team is unable to attend. We are, however, seeking a representative to attend the event on Scuttlebutt’s behalf, enjoy the festivities, get a free lunch, and submit a report. If interested, submit your info here: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/2006/christening SAILING FAMILY Five years ago, Fred Howe and his son, Steve, decided to sail around the world. They're not going around the world; rather, they are sailing at spots all around the world. Here a Grand Prix race at Athens; there an international race in Copenhagen; or at Key West, Fla.; Palma, Mallorca; Valencia, Spain ... all stops along the way. “We have two rules,” Fred Howe said yesterday upon returning to La Jolla from Spain and a second-place finish in the Mediterranean Cup with the TP-52 version of his fleet of Warpath sloops. “One, have fun. Two, look good.” All while racing against some of the world's top competitive sailors. Just before Valencia, another Howe boat, finished fifth in the Farr 40 Worlds in Newport, R.I. – the third straight top-five Farr 40 finish for the San Diego Yacht Club-based team. Last year, Howe swept top honors in New York Yacht Club's Block Island Race Week. “That was our biggest win thus far,” said the 56-year-old Howe, whose line of boats have one thing in common. Each boat in the Howe family has been named Warpath. “My oldest sister had the idea,” said Fred. “Were someone to ask where I was, she could say 'on the Warpath.'” The first Warpath was an Olsen 30 that Howe bought in 1982. There have been eight in the line and a larger, 65-foot version could be next. There is even a “family version” of Warpath, a Santa Cruz 52 that the Howes sail in weekend races on the bay, coastal waters or to Mexico and Hawaii. “One of the best things about boating and the water is the family involvement,” said Howe, who has also had success in such events as the Long Beach Race week and San Francsico Big Boat Series. Recently, Howe sold the TP-52 that finished second in the Mediterranean Cup, leaving him with the Farr 40. Next year, the Howes plan on starting the season in Florida with the Key West race week and the Accura SORC before heading to Denmark and the Farr 40 Worlds in Copenhagen. -- Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, http://tinyurl.com/s9lf6 NEW ENGLAND ROPES SETS SAIL FOR KEY WEST New England Ropes is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership agreement with Premiere Racing as a Platinum Level Sponsor and Official Cordage Supplier for Acura Key West Race Week. The weeklong event kicks off the competitive sailing season, and draws the top names in competitive sailing from all over the world. For its part, Team NER will be on site with the latest in competition grade running rigging including all new Dyneema Chafe Sleeve and Pro-PBO. Others Make Line. We Make Line Perform. For more information, call or go online: 800-333-6679, http://www.neropes.com SAILING SHORTS * Unable to finalize a sponsorship deal, American Doug Hoffman has been forced to withdraw from the Velux 5 Oceans singlehanded round the world race. With just 23 days to go until the start, the remaining eight skippers are now all making their way to Bilbao, Spain. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has left England again, and is following a day behind Alex Thompson. Tim Troy, of Baltimore, USA and Kiwi Graham Dalton are both mid-Atlantic. All boats have to be moored in the race village by October 1. -- http://www.velux5oceans.com * Another no race day. After a schedule rest day the fourth day of the Jeju Laser World Masters championship dawned with no wind and clear blue skies. In what is becoming a familiar pattern the fleet were held on shore to wait for wind. At 1420 the fleet was called afloat in a 7 knot south westerly wind. Both the Standard and Radial fleets were started but later abandoned as the breeze dropped to below 3 knots. Two days remain to get at least the one more race to make the championship valid. Full results: http://www.laserinternational.org/W2006/Results/results_index.htm *Alessandra Sensini (ITA) has hardly stepped on a windsurfing board for the last two years, let alone trained on an RS:X. A gold medallist and double bronze medal holder, she hasn't had a score worse than fifth so far this week at the RS:X World Championship in Torbole, Italy. Alessandra had two thirds Thursday pulling ahead of Marina Alabau (ESP) by five points with Faustine Merret (FRA) eight points further back in third place. Casper Bouman (NED) got back on top Thursday with a first and a second. Tom Ashley (NZL) now trails by Bouman by two points. -- http://www.rsxclass.com/results.htm * Race six was probably the trickiest in the Finn European championship with light winds and strong current. However, by winning getting his second bullet in the event, Ed Wright solidified his lead in the 69 boats fleet. Friday’s eather forecast is for light wind again. Racing on Friday will determine the top ten sailors who will get into the Medal race. Standings: 1. Edward Wright (GBR) 13pts; 2. Marin Mi¹ura (CRO) 22pts; 3. Guillaume Florent (FRA) 24pts; 4. Rafael Trujillo (ESP) 30pts; 5. Jonas Høgh-Christensen (DEN) 31pts; 11. Chris Cook (CAN) 67pts; 27. Zack Railey (USA) 112pts. -- http://www.cvpalamos.org/finneuropean/ * Different Strokes -- “With the thrill of competitive bass fishing being compared to NASCAR racing,” BoatU.S. has decided to wade into the fray and sponsor the National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. Slated for October 19-21 on Lake Lewisville, TX, just outside Dallas, over 40 teams will be represented at the event, including schools from the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC. The tournament will be televised on the Fox College Sports network beginning January 2007 and will air a 30-minute show each week through June 2007. * In yesterday’s issue, Scuttlebutt carried an announcement on the Curmudgeon’s glowing evaluation of new hybrid footwear, and a request for reader feedback. If you had trouble with the link that was provided, here it is again: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/2006/hybrid CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or space (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, there are no word or frequency limits on comments sent to the Scuttlebutt Forums. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forums: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From the Forums (Jim Bungener): I am looking to buy a skiff for my wife and I. I have already done my share of swimming but she is still learning the ropes (i.e. a Boss, 49er or RS800 would be too much). We weigh in at a combined 160Kg (350lbs for you metrically challenged folks). The 29er is too small. Maybe the ISO. In other words, I am looking for something that will let us sail yet will let us progress as we get more confidence. What would you recommend? - http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3310#3310 * From the Forums (u917734): I have weather data (temperature, direction and speed) for couple different locations. We are evaluating the data to determine which location is or would be better from a sailor viewpoint. The on-land portion at the different sites is the same. The data is available at 1-second intervals. My thinking is to look at the variability of the data not at 1-second intervals but at 30-second intervals. Reduces the volume of data. The best location would have a smaller wind direction and speed variation. That is change from the previous data point. Comments appreciated. - http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3256#3256 * From the Forums (Scot Roberts): Quite a few years ago there was a show, not a series but a one time show on PBS called, I think, The Last Navigator. As I said this is quite a few years ago so my memory could very well be faulty. You could place an “I think” before each of my statements below. It was a show about Polynesian navigators who could successfully navigate across thousands of miles of open ocean using things like the waves and being able to recognize waves reflected off of islands in the Pacific, etc. etc.. I think that the “star” or narrator of the show was Steve Thomas who was a host of the This Old House series; he replaced the original host and was on before the current host. I would like to purchase a copy of that but have been unsuccessful. I have contacted PBS etc. and no one seems to know how I can obtain a copy. If you could help it would be greatly appreciated. - http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3302#3302 CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well. This issue of Scuttlebutt provided by UK-Halsey Sails and New England Ropes America’s Cup coverage in Scuttlebutt is brought to you by UBS. |
