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SCUTTLEBUTT 2874 - Friday, June 26, 2009
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.
Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt
Today's sponsors are O’pen BICs and Summit Yachts.
ABOUT OPERATION DRY WATER
Operation Dry Water is a coordinated, national weekend (on June 26-28, 2009)
of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) detection and enforcement aimed at
reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities and fostering
a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.
Coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators -
working with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner agencies -
Operation Dry Water will directly address the National Recreational Boating
Safety Strategic Plan Strategy 6.2, …increase the number of BUI checkpoints to
collect and report BUI and safety compliance data in the Performance Report
Part II AND Strategy 6.6 Challenge law enforcement officials to test more
operators for alcohol/drug use in accident investigations.
Curbing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities is a key to
achieving safer and more enjoyable recreational boating. In 2007, Coast Guard
statistics indicate that 21% of all boating fatalities were a result of
alcohol use. This continues an upward trend in the percentage of fatalities
where alcohol was the primary cause of the accident.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national
nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational
boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all
50 states and the U.S. territories. -- Details:
http://www.operationdrywater.org
THE FINAL 400 MILES
(June 25, 2009; Day 1) - Sailing confidently in 10 -12 knots of breeze, PUMA,
Telefónica Blue and Ericsson 4 were the front runners off the start line for
the tenth and final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 from Stockholm to St
Petersburg in Russia. Although speeds were good as the fleet left Sweden
behind, the leg is expected to be predominantly upwind to Russia and race
rules allow for Race Director, Jack Lloyd, to shorten the 400-mile course if
necessary. The fleet must arrive in St Petersburg on Saturday morning in order
to clear customs and pass through two bridges, which will be raised specially
in order to let the fleet into the historic city. Team Russia joined the pack
once the racing fleet had completed the inshore loop, to sail, but not to
race, homewards to St Petersburg. -- Video of Leg 10 start:
http://www.volvooceanrace.tv/page/NewsDetail/0,,12573~1702321,00.html
* VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2008/9: Began in Alicante, Spain on Oct. 4, 2008, crewed
around the world race in VO 70’s, with ten distance legs and seven In-Port
races. The final event will be Leg 10 from Stockholm, Sweden to St Petersburg,
Russia (400 nm), starting on June 25th with the finish expected to be on June
27th. -- http://www.volvooceanrace.org/schedule
Current positions (as of June 25, 22:04 GMT):
1. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 255 nm Distance to Finish
2. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 0 nm Distance to Leader
3. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 1 nm DTL
4. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Magnus Olsson/SWE, 1 nm DTL
5. Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, 2 nm DTL
6. Telefonica Black (ESP), Fernando Echavarri/ESP, 5 nm DTL
7. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 7 nm DTL
Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, Did Not Start
Leg 10 crew list: http://tinyurl.com/nc7s3t
Event website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org
Race tracking: http://volvooceanrace.geovoile.com
Overall scores: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/rdc/#tab4
LONGING FOR HOME
By Gustav Morin, Ericsson 3
Attacked by flyfish, surfs in 39 knots, storms, close to sinking and then
winning the longest leg in history, 12,500 mile from China to Rio. The story
of Ericsson 3 will not be forgotten, that I know for sure after a very nice
stopover in Stockholm. It has slowly started to sink in. We have sailed around
the world and soon finish what is known as the Mount Everest of sailing. We
have been living in the Volvo Ocean Race-bubble for a long time now and it is
only now, when I have met family and friends for the first time in almost a
year, that I realise what I’ve been through and how big the interest has been
from the outside.
I haven’t been struggling a lot with goodbyes in the start of the legs and I
haven’t been homesick. It is probably because I have put my regular life on
hold and fully concentrated on the race and everything around it. But coming
home to Stockholm brought back lot of feelings. We have seen the archipelago
and the town from its best side with sunny sky and over 20 degrees. The amount
of spectators following us in from Sandhamn and the ones standing on the dock
in Stockholm waiting for our arrival was incredible. So were the days with
In-Port- and Pro-Am racing. And now , when we just left the dock for Russia it
was one of the worst good byes for me. It is as though I got to smell the cake
but never really got to eat it. -- Read on:
http://www.volvooceanrace.org/news/article/2009/June/EMAIL-ERT3-L10-D1-0924
* Interestingly, when VOR crew were asked which boat they thought was the best
in the 2008/9 race, most said it was Ericsson 3: http://tinyurl.com/l6ge76
IT’S A NEW ERA
Sailing Programs & parents world-wide are discovering they need something
modern to keep the You Tube Generation excited about sailing. Find the kids’
choice at NewAgeJuniorSailing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMqtkjALQVg) and
see why fleets are popping up everywhere. The O’Pen BIC uses new-age design
and recyclable materials in a rocket-ship hull and contemporary rig. Just two
minutes to rig, completely self-bailing, no maintenance, and less expensive.
Capsizing is part of the fun! The bottom line? Kids can’t wait to sail O’pen
BICs. Contact info@bicsportna.com to find out about the 2009 Energized Sailing
Demo Tour sponsored by The Black Dog, Ronstan, and North Sails. --
http://www.OpenBIC.com
ROLEX FARR 40 WORLDS
Porto Cervo, Italy (June 25, 2009; Day 2) - Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad (USA)
leads the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship overall classification for the
second day running. Richardson, with tactician Terry Hutchinson (America’s Cup
campaigns in 2000, 2003 and 2007) took his second bullet of the series in the
first of today’s two races while Giovanni Maspero’s Joe Fly (ITA) claimed
victory in the second race, bringing her up to second place overall, just one
point behind Barking Mad.
The first race of the day, the fourth of the series, started at 11.15 am after
a general recall. Accompanied by 16 to 18 knots of westerly wind (280°),
Barking Mad took the start and set the pace around the course, increasing her
lead continuously to finish well ahead. Joe Fly, with Francesco Bruni on
tactics, was in second place around the first windward mark but dropped back
to cross the finish line in fourth place.
Two general recalls took place before Race Five could be started at 13.10 and
11 boats took a ZFP penalty for infringing the one minute rule. The wind had
dropped to 15 knots and this time it was Joe Fly’s turn to lead coast to
coast, followed at the first windward mark by Doug Douglass’ Goombay Smash
(USA) who later dropped to seventh place. Dramatically shifting winds
prevented the sixth race to be held. Racing continues through June 27th, with
similar conditions as today predicted for Friday. -- Complete report:
http://www.regattanews.com/pressrelease.asp?pid=100097&lang=1
Results after five races (top 5 of 25; boat name, skipper/tactician):
1. Barking Mad (USA), Jim Richardson/Terry Hutchinson, 1-6-4-1-6, 18 points
2. Joe Fly (ITA), Giovanni Maspero/Franceso Bruni, 4-5-5-4-1, 19
3. Nerone (ITA), Massimo Mezzaroma/Vasco Vascotto, 5-1-13-2-4, 25
4. Mascalzone Latino (ITA), Vincenzo Onorato/Adrian Stead, 2-10-2-9-8/ZFP, 31
5. Goombay Smash (USA), William Douglass/Morgan Larson, 7-2-12-8-7, 36
NOTICE OF RACE: Each yacht’s score shall be the sum of all her races (no
discards). Ten races are scheduled. Completion of four races constitutes a
regatta. -- http://www.yccs.it/files/nor/RF4009_NoR_v84.pdf
Complete results: http://www.yccsresults.com/farr40_09/farr40.htm
Farr 40 Worlds website: http://www.farr40worldchampionship.com
BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK XXIII
Block Island, R.I., USA (June 25, 2009; Day 4) - With a four-hour delay on
shore today, 1500 sailors got to enjoy some fun and games before heading out
for a fourth day of competition at the Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race
Week XXIII presented by Rolex. For the first time since Monday, when the
five-day event started, the damp air rolled itself back by mid-morning and
revealed a hint of blue sky, but it had taken the wind in payment. Lauded for
precision and wise decisions, the Race Committee issued constant updates while
sailors socialized on the docks (at three different marinas within walking
distance of each other and accommodating 153 boats) or indulged in wiffle ball
and other lawn games best played in bare feet.
At the end of the day, two race circles had completed a single race, while a
third (with five classes) had tried but failed. Racing concludes tomorrow with
prizes awarded in four IRC classes (33 boats total) taking part in the 2009
US-IRC Gulf Stream Series, five PHRF classes (40 boats), and eight One-Design
classes (Beneteau 36.7, NYYC Swan 42, Farr 40, J/122, J/44, Farr 30,J/109, and
J/105). -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/ltjqx7
* Additional reports, photos and videos at http://tinyurl.com/kj8dhp
RULES QUIZ
The Appeals Book for 2009-2012, which includes The ISAF Case Book for
2009-2012, is loaded with important and useful interpretations of the rules
that will help sailors, race officers and judges make the best decisions
according to the rules. The hard copy of the Book is available at the US
SAILING Store and an online version is free for US SAILING members.
Scuttlebutt will be posting four actual appeals to provide a first-hand look
at what is in the Book. Here is the second one:
The term “information freely available” in rule 41(c) means information
available without monetary cost and easily obtained by all boats in a race.
“Easily obtained” means the information is available from public sources that
competitors can reasonably be expected to be aware of and can locate with
little effort. The term “information freely available” refers only to the
information, not to equipment or software needed to receive or read the
information.
Question: In rule 41(c), what does “information freely available” mean?
Answer here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0604/#93
SUMMIT’S KING 40 CONTINUES ITS WINNING STREAK
June has been a winning month so far for Summit’s King 40 Racer/Cruiser. In
Europe, “Tokoloshe” won the UK season opening Red Funnel Regatta, and “Argie
Bargie” won the IRC Scottish Championship Regatta. In Japan, “Karasu” the
latest King 40, and first to be launched in Japan, won her first regatta with
two first place finishes. In the US, “Act One” received a first place finish
in the season opening Newport Leukemia Cup in class 0, and first in IRC 3 at
the NYYC Annual Regatta with 4 bullets! Jump on board with the winning King
40, and the new Summit 35 from Summit Yachts. Visit our web site at
http://www.summit-yachts.com
STEVE HUNT: TEAM RACING TIPS
This month's tip comes straight from an interview with two time Olympian Tim
Wadlow, founder and captain of Team Wishbone, which has won every major team
racing championship in the world:
On the winning combinations every team should strive for in team racing:
"The most basic winning combination is a 1-2 anything. So a 1-2-3, a 1-2-4, a
1-2-5, or a 1-2-6. It's really the best combo, it's a stable combo, and when
we come off the starting line that's the first thing we are looking for, to
try and go 1-2."
On other combinations to get into if you do not have the one two?:
"Yes, going back to Gary Bodie's original theory of team racing, there are
three winning stable combinations that any team is shooting for. A 1-2
anything as we mentioned, a 2-3-4, or a 1-4-5. And each of those three stable
combinations has its own strategies for defending, and if you are losing to
one of those combos, strategies for attacking. So you are generally always
working towards one of those three combos."
In summary, your team should try to get the 1-2 off the line and if that is
not possible, work towards achieving the 2-3-4, or 1-4-5. If you can
accomplish achieving and defending any of these three stable combinations, you
win! It's a nice and simple strategy, and simple is fast! Additional tips at
http://www.teachingteamracing.com
SAILING SHORTS
* Pensacola, FL (June 25, 2009) - Augie Diaz and Kathleen Tocke continue to
dominate at the Snipe U.S. Nationals, rolling a 1-2 in light conditions,
building a ten point lead going into the final day of racing on Friday. --
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7697
* Portimão, Portugal (June 25, 2009) - At 13:21:28 UTC, Michel Kleinjans and
his Open 40 Roaring Forty crossed the Leg 5 finish line of the Portimão Global
Ocean Race after 20 days 22 hours 51 minutes and 28 seconds of racing from
Charleston, South Carolina, on the final, North Atlantic section of the 33,000
mile circumnavigation. Kleinjans was the only remaining singlehanded
competitor, and was the final finisher in the inaugural running of this race.
-- http://www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com/
INSPIRED MOMENT OF OPPORTUNITY GRASPED
Here we go again, another brilliant example of the convergence of sailing with
media-friendly entities. In early August, this UK event combines high profile
boats and sailors, a well known company, charities, and celebrities:
“The Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week has attracted a fleet of seven Open 60
boats, and more teams are expected to join the line up over the coming weeks.
The race, run by Artemis Investment Management, is a 50 mile high speed sprint
around the Isle of Wight for IMOCA 60s, with £10,000 ($16,300 US) donated to
the charity of the winning skipper.
“The skippers and their teams will be joined by a number of high profile
celebrities for the event, which this year will also be an ideal warm up ahead
of the Rolex Fastnet Race. The race has quickly become a popular event for
skippers and the general public alike, and has bred a strong competition
amongst the skippers to take first prize.” -- Scuttleblog, read on:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/06/recipe-for-success.html
WHAT IS YOUR ‘MUST DO’ EVENT?
Each sailing region has its “must do” events, and Scuttlebutt wants to hear
about the highlight events in your area. All the event submissions qualify for
a raffle, including this one:
“Without a doubt…the Lightning Southern Circuit. For nearly fifty years, a
stampede of Lightnings head to Savannah for the Deep South Regatta. After two
days on the Skidaway, they pack up and hit the highway to Miami. After two
days on Biscayne Bay, they pick up and haul butt to St. Petersburg for three
days of racing on Tampa Bay (an actual geographic item, for those who follow
Scuttlebutt discussions).
“The three events -- part traveling circus, part giant class reunion, and a
whole lotta racing –– combine to make the International Lightning Southern
Circuit. I've had the pleasure of competing a dozen times, and organizing it
for a couple of years, so it's a little self-serving to say this is the one of
the coolest events in the one-design calendar. Still.”
=> Post your event here:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7675
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt
include BMW giveaways, Block Island crashes, Long Island races, Beachcombing
shipwrecks, San Francisco conquering, 505 rag-dolling, and Paparazzi raft-ups.
If you have images you would like to share, send them to the Scuttlebutt
editor. Here are this week’s photos:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0626/
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Looking through their reels of sailing footage, T2P.tv produces weekly videos
for their ‘Crash and Burn’ series. Ever completely botched a leeward mark
rounding? Maybe you’re in Week 25. How about rafting up with another boat
(Week 24) or going aground (Week 23)? Want to feel good about your sailing?
Enjoy the T2P.tv clips here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/09/t2p/
* If you have a video you like, please send your suggestion for next week’s
Video of the Week to mailto:craig@sailingscuttlebutt.com
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the
Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication
must include the writer's name, and be no longer than 250 words (letter might
be edited for clarity or simplicity). You only get one letter per subject, and
save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a
more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum.
-- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
-- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum
* From Jeffrey O. Brown: Reading the letter from Rick Rahm in Scuttlebutt
2873, he mentioned a half hour Public TV show that chronicled the Volvo Ocean
Race. Can you provide the name of the TV show, the channels it’s on and tell
me if any Public TV stations in the New York City, lower SW Connecticut area
broadcast this same TV show? Is this channel only covering the VOR or do they
cover other sailing events?
=> Curmudgeon’s Comment: The Volvo Ocean Race television series is hosted by
Gary Jobson, produced by Sunset and Vine, presented by Maryland Public
Television, and distributed in the U.S. by American Public Television. The
schedule is online here: http://vortv.org/Broadcast_Times.html
Another option is to view the videos at the PUMA channel on YouTube. The team
also was involved in a collaboration with RipeTV, but that proved to be
short-lived. Here is the YouTube channel link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PumaOceanRacing
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
“A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than
men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: Duh.” - Conan O'Brien
Special thanks to O’pen BICs and Summit Yachts.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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