|
SCUTTLEBUTT 3140 - Friday, July 23, 2010Scuttlebutt 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. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: JK3 Nautical Enterprises and APS. DISMASTED BUT NOT DETERRED Italian-French Alessandro di Benedetto arrived this morning, July 22nd at the port of Les Sable d'Olonne in France, having completed his mission to sail around the world in single-handed, without any landing, not assisted, by a sailing boat 6.5 m. long, the smallest boat to attempt such a feat. Starting in October 2009 from Les Sables d’Olonne, Alessandro has covered the 28,360 mile route in 270 days. The boat had left with a very low water line due to the weight of ship, and arrived after having faced many difficulties, most of all the dismasting prior to reaching Cape Horn. Who is Alessandro di Benedetto. Yachting journalist Charles Doane explains: “I first met Alessandro di Benedetto on a dock in November 1992 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as we were both preparing to sail across the North Atlantic from the Canary Islands to the Bahamas to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage to America. “Since then Alessandro has distinguished himself as a singlehander in his own right and has set two world records. In 2002 he sailed from Las Palmas to Guadeloupe and became the first singlehander to cross the Atlantic non-stop on a small open catamaran; in 2006 he duplicated the feat in the Pacific, crossing non-stop on an open cat from Yokohama to San Francisco. “He set out from Les Sables d'Olonne in France on October 26, 2009, aboard a modified 21-foot Mini called Findomestic Banca (after his title sponsor), and things have seemingly gone smoothly until his approach to Cape Horn. “According to some typically brief reports on his website, Alessandro's boat was dismasted in ‘extreme weather conditions’ March 30th off the west coast of Chile. Alessandro originally intended to set up a jury rig and sail into Chile, but decided rather to continue and finish his voyage under a 20-foot jury mast. “All I can say is: this guy has serious nerve and deserves a lot more attention than he's been getting so far. Instead more people seem interested in the exploits of Abby Sunderland and Jessica Watson, the 16-year-old girls currently attempting to sail around the world alone and lock down the dubious and no longer officially recognized by anyone Youngest Around record.” Sources: http://tinyurl.com/www-wavetrain-net http://tinyurl.com/culturamarinara-blogspot-com NATIONALISM OR BUST John Folting was involved in the America’s Cup during the ‘good ole days’, and provides some perspective on how the train might have gotten off the tracks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1980, 1983, and 1987 I worked as a volunteer for SDYC helping them and Dennis Connor with his America’s Cup campaigns as a volunteer. I had the pleasure of doing Race Committee work every day I could. Why? Because it was for the good old USA, period. I loved every minute of it, and of course I was watching the best in the world race each day. I was fortunate enough to become the Race Committee Chairman for the America's Cup in 1988 and again in 1992; no politics, just on the water and as a volunteer. It was then that the nationalism started to go away, little by little. For the most part it was still national but with one or two people on the boat from another nation. When it went to New Zealand a lot changed with only a two year residency required in the country of the boat you sailed on. So you now saw Americans sailing for Japan, New Zealand, and Australia and vice-versa. Now it is almost all New Zealanders on all of the boats. New Zealand is a great sailing nation, however, it sure does not interest me to watch an all NZ team on an Italian or whatever boat, except a New Zealand boat. Lately, Scuttlebutt has also been discussing how to get younger people involved. All you have to do is watch World Cup soccer (without vuvuzelas please), or on a local level, football, baseball, and basketball. Your team is from the USA in the Olympics, and maybe your home town in the other sports, and kids emulate these individuals. It is the same all over the world. Dennis Conner never turned away a school group if he could find any way to make it happen, which he did on many occasions that I know of. The same was true of Young America. We are the teachers now; we are the guides for the young people at yacht clubs and schools. It is up to us, but like the kids, we too need a champion, someone or a country to root for and back. Sailboat racing really increased in the US when there was great interest in having a US team in the America's Cup. It may not be the total answer, but it is a good start. -- Scuttlebutt Forum, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10190#10190 => Curmudgeon’s Comment: My recollection was that the nationality rule evolved in part to allow newer teams to employ experienced crew so as to raise the parity in the event. The two year residency rule proved to be an expensive concept as it was not based on a person’s citizenship but rather non-countryman having a permanent residence in the country they were competing for….a cost likely picked up by the teams. Fast forward to the 32nd America’s Cup from 2007, I wonder how many teams would have been affected if there was a legitimate ‘passport carrying’ 50% nationality rule. Certainly now, the one team that may be most affected by such a rule would be the defender BMW Oracle Racing. JK3 NAUTICAL ENTERPRISES AT THE SD YACHT & BOAT SHOW JK3 will be at the San Diego Yacht and Boat Show July 22-25. Spend an afternoon at the show and check out the new J/95. With a shoal draft and centerboard, the J/95 makes the steady breeze and flat water of San Diego's south bay prime sailing territory! We just got back inspecting the NEW J/111 and would love to talk with about the new HOT J/111. We will also be showing the Sabre Sail 386, and in our opinion the best J/105 on the market, an absolute perfect “10”. If you prefer power, the Back Cove 37 is an elegant and practical lobster boat style motor yacht built in the Maine tradition. Contact JK3 at Newport Beach (949-675-8053), San Diego (619-224-6200), or http://www.jk3yachts.com BLIND EVENT IN THE PARALYMPIC GAMES? The International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) has now formally requested the agreement of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to introduce an exciting new discipline to the Paralympic Sailing Competition commencing 2016. Active blind & vision impaired sailors and blind sailing organizations were consulted in the preparation of this proposal. In essence, the IFDS Proposal is for a Blind Match Racing Discipline and specifies: - Equipment: 23 foot Sonar keelboat (selected equipment for the Three-Person discipline through to 2016). - Racing Format: One or two round-robins followed by semi-finals and finals. Estimated competition duration is 6 days. - Nations and Athlete Numbers: 8-10 National entries comprised of 24-30 athletes. - Classification: Sailors classified as B1, B2 or B3 under the IBSA Classification System would be eligible to compete. A collective points system would allow flexibility in the make-up of teams. 5 point maximum. - Crew Configuration: The helmsperson would be classification B1. The mainsheet trimmer and forward hand may be any classification provided the collective maximum points are not exceeded. - Mixed (minimum one female and one male). - Rules: ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing Appendix CBS. Scuttlebutt Forum, read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10189#10189 WEST COAST CLUBS CREATE NEW MATCH RACING SERIES A new set of match racing events, the California Dreamin’ Series, has been created for the spring of 2011 offering sailors the opportunity to compete in three consecutive weekends of ISAF Grade 3 match racing. The West Coast series begins with a stop at St. Francis Yacht Club’s event Feb. 26-27, followed by Long Beach Yacht Club’s Butler Cup, March 5-6---an upgrade from the previous Grade 5 status---and winds up at San Diego Yacht Club’s event March 12-13. The new series is truly a dream come true for skippers who are trying to crack their way into top-drawer world events but are in the process of accumulating the necessary points to qualify for an invitation. The California Dreamin’ Series, coupled with the East Coast 2010 Trifecta match racing series of the Chicago Cup, Aug 13-15, the Detroit Cup, Aug. 18-22, and the Knickerbocker Cup, Aug. 25-29---in which the series winner receives an invitation to compete in the Grade 1 Congressional Cup and a chance at the coveted Crimson Blazer in March 2011---are a big shot in the arm for the growth of match racing in America. Getting an invitation to a Grade 1 match race is often a long slogging process of competing in and finishing well in events scattered throughout the world. These new series will give American and international skippers a jump start to their goals by minimizing time commitment and expenses as they compete in U.S. venues in close proximity and within days apart. -- Scuttlebutt Forum, read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10187#10187 SAILING SHORTS * Deltaville, VA (July 22, 2010) - Racing on day two of the 2010 U.S. Optimist Fleet National Championship was abandoned after the sea breeze never managed to establish itself. The Championship Series for the 260 competitors continues Friday and concludes on Saturday. -- Event website: http://optinationals2010.org/ * Largs, Scotland (July 22, 2010) - The 320 young sailors at the Laser Radial World Youth Championship received a steady 6-8kt breeze, providing two races for both the girls and boys divisions. In the Girls’ fleet, 17 year old Erika Reineke (USA), who took bronze at the recent ISAF Youth World Championship in Turkey, scored two firsts today but remains second overall. In the Boys’ category, 16 year old Mitchell Kiss (USA), who last week took bronze at the Laser Radial Worlds, rolled a 1-22 to pull up to 12th position. Qualifying concludes Friday, with the championship series to commence Saturday and conclude Sunday. -- http://www.laserworlds2010.co.uk/radialyouth/ * Miami, FL (July 22, 2010) - On day two of the U.S. Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship, hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club, 2008 champion Arielle deLisser (Miami, Fla.) posted three bullets out of the four races conducted on Biscayne Bay to take a one point advantage over yesterday’s leader and 2009 champion, Molly McKinney (Sarasota, Fla.). DeLisser answered McKinney’s performance on Wednesday to surge ahead in the standings through eight races. Racing concludes on Friday. -- Full report: http://media.ussailing.org/Latest_News/Day_2_USJWSC_Recap.htm * Newport, RI (July 22 2010) - In contrast to Wednesday’s overcast skies and light rain, today’s sunshine and steady 10-12 knot winds at New York Yacht Club's (NYYC) seventh biennial Race Week allowed for the 35-boat fleet to tackle the 32-mile distance race starting in Newport Harbor, then out on Rhode Island Sound toward Block Island and finally finishing on Narragansett Bay near Quonset Point. Racing continues through Saturday where the best performing boat will take the Rolex US-IRC National Championship title. -- Full report: http://nyyc.org/archives_public/article_804/ * Barcelona, Spain (July 22, 2010) - After light winds foiled attempts Wednesday to commence the third event of the TP52 2010 Audi MedCup circuit - Conde de Godó City of Barcelona Trophy - a moderate 9-13 knots with confused seas provided the track today for three races to be completed . Quantum Racing (USA) emerged as overall leaders of the 11 boat fleet, rolling a 5-5-2 to hold a one point lead over 2009 MedCup winner Emirates Team New Zealand. In light of losing the first planned day of racing, there will now be no Coastal Race at this regatta. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/267fxtn * Sayville, NY, USA - The waters of Long Island’s Great South Bay provided challenging conditions for youth sailors competing in the inaugural 2010 Sunfish Youth World Championship. After three days of racing (July 15-18), Jose Gutierrez of Venezuela earned the top spot on the podium. Jose was followed by Fernando I Monllor (Puerto Rico), Nick Valente (USA), Kamilla Saboga Mellet (Ecuador) and Gary Prieto (USA). -- Full results: http://www.sunfishclass.org/intl-juniors/?p=37 * Emirates Team New Zealand - which will manage the CAMPER project - announced that construction of their 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race yacht will start in the first week of August and, with crew selection also well advanced, that experienced Spanish round-the-world yachtsman Roberto Bermudez de Castro has joined the team. It will be his fifth round-the-world race, most recently as skipper of Team Delta Lloyd in 2008-09. He was a watch captain on Brazil 1 in 2004-05 and raced the southern ocean legs on board Assa Abloy in 2001-02. -- Full report: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0722/ * The Arizona State University Sailing Club, the Arizona Yacht Club and the boaters in Tempe, Arizona will need to find an activity other than sailing at Tempe Town Lake after a rubber dam bladder burst Tuesday night which drained the lake. More than 100 events are held at Tempe Town Lake each year, drawing nearly 2.8 million people and making the lake one of Arizona's most-visited attractions. Repairs should be done in the fall, after which the lake can start refilling. -- http://www.arizonayachtclub.org/ HOLY SHIRTS BATMAN. It's hot outside! But, the air on the East coast isn't the only thing that's hot. APS, "The World Leader in Outfitting Performance Sailors," has a hot deal on custom decorated wicking crew polos to keep you cool. Whether you need shirts now or for an upcoming event the APS Crugear division is at the ready with our Crugear Tech Polos. What are you waiting for? Get your art in gear and come watch a short video where Kyle will give you the straight scoop on the hot deal to keep you and your crew feeling and looking cool! http://bit.ly/APSCrugear PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include mommy boats, J boats, capsized boats, foiling boats, tipping boats, soon-to-be thrashed boats, and wave smashing boats. Here are this week’s photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0723/ BIG: While the SB3 has yet to gain much traction in North America, the class is huge in Europe as demonstrated by the fleet of 107 boats from 16 nations at the Volvo Laser SB3 World Championships 2010 at Torbole on Lake Garda, Italy. Beautiful scenery: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0722/ SEND US YOUR PHOTOS: If you have images to share for the Photos of the Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com VIDEO OF THE WEEK The hype began in July 2009 when Zac Efron, the youthful star of the 'High School Musical' franchise, was spotted by the paparazzi getting sailing lessons in a Lido 14 by none other than Olympic sailing medalist Pease Glaser. The movie Efron was preparing for - 'Charlie St Cloud' - is to be released July 30th, and looks to have a lot of sailing footage included. Besides Pease, Canadian Sailing Team member and two-time Olympian, Nikola Girke served as a stunt double during the filming. "The shoot ended up being a 6-day adventure," describes the RS:X Olympic sailor, with a crew of five doing the legwork and then hiding for the shoot. Girke adds, "You might get a glimpse of me during the movie (although you shouldn't be able to tell it's me). There should be some helicopter footage of the boat sailing along a rugged coastline with a lighthouse at the cape of it and me at the helm," she explains. Zac's love interest, Amanda Crew (nice last name, eh!), noted the challenges of her role extended beyond her heartthrob costar. "I don't know where I got the idea that sailing would be easy. I imagined myself sitting around in a bikini and slipping champagne on deck, but that wasn't it at all. We used a real-deal [racing sailboat] during filming and there was an eight-man crew trying to navigate it. They're professionals, and they were struggling and sweating - eight massive guys who have been doing this their whole lives." Will 'Charlie St Cloud' make us forget about 'Wind' ... let's hope so. Click here for this week’s video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/10/0723/ SEND US YOUR VIDEOS: If you have clips to share for the Video of the Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). 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 Nicholas Hayes, author of Saving Sailing: Twenty-five years of age is the mean defection year from sailing, but in reality it correlates more with transition into career, marriage, parenthood, so it could be anywhere between about 20 and 30. The key underserved groups are kids under 13, where sailors under-represent population by 70%, and 30-45 where sailors under-represent population by 60%. For example, 8% of sailors are under 13, but 27% of population is under 13. 10% of sailors are between 30-46 but 25% of population is between 30-46. Said clearly: parents with kids and kids under 12 don't sail, because they don't sail together. In most other age categories sailors are even (in terms of percent) or represent a higher percent of population. For example, 31% of sailors are 55-64, while only 8% of the population is in this age group. A key point often misunderstood is that it isn't about how many kids you can pack in a program. That's just a recipe for defection. It's about how often generations interact in a constructive, fun, format. Doesn't have to be families, but if it is, all the better. * From Bill Canfield, St. Thomas Yacht Club: Most of you have heard of the great work that Chicago Match Race Center is doing to promote match racing in the U.S. This summer alone they are hosting five Grade 3 Events and a Grade 2 event in August. In addition they are running innumerable clinics in both Tom 28's and the Elliott's. What is equally exciting is the events are now catching on with the most talented college sailors. This year college sailing will hold their Sloop Championship using a match racing format. Last weekend in Chicago, Tyler Sinks, Maggie Shea, Todd Reynolds, Austin Diaz, Alec Anderson, and Taylor Canfield were all playing a big part crewing and skippering boats. My hat is off to Don Wilson for supporting such a great entity financially and to the team Bill Hardesty has put together who are able to run quality events each month doing the summer. If you are at all interested in this exciting part of our sport there will be live video and commentary on their website for the August Grade 2. Great stuff in Chicago at the Match Racing Center. The website is http://www.chicagomatchrace.com * From Adrian Morgan: Oh what agonising and navel-gazing. Scuttlebutt is becoming one long lament for the loss of youthful enthusiasm for sailing. Whither (wither?) the sport is a constant theme. How to make it more televisual and appealing to youth. And adults. Now we have the new America's Cup holders desperate to find a formula to revitalise the Auld Mug's appeal (which has always been somewhat esoteric). And always deep worries about the Olympics, destined to be cut to the bone unless something can be done to make it, yes, more televisual. Let's face it; Olympic sailing has become absurdly bloated, ludicrously complicated and hideously expensive. The IOC will, sooner or later, bite the bullet. How many classes does it take to establish the best sailors in the world? Perhaps just one, a planing keelboat with four crew, two men, two women, two of whom swap the tiller during the course of a long regatta to establish which helmsman and which helmswoman wins the gold medal. As for the America's Cup, if multibillion dollar multihulls with onboard cameras and computer graphics failed to capture the imagination of punters, then what will? I imagine the kite boarders are preparing their case. Meanwhile, let's go back to 12 Metres, preferably in Fremantle. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Classics are books that people praise but do not read. Special thanks to JK3 Nautical Enterprises and APS. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
