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SCUTTLEBUTT 1695 - October 22, 2004Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere. FROM THE CHAMPIONS (Following are some excerpts from an interview with J/24 World Champion Jens Hookanson and his tactician PJ Schaffer posted on the Harken website.) Question: If you had to name one key to your program's success in the worlds, what would it be? PJ: Without a doubt it's the teamwork. We actually have a group of about 8 people who sail regularly on the boat since it's difficult for everyone to make each weekly race night. We rotate positions frequently and it makes the group stronger by showing each other how dependant you are on the others to be successful. We also work on the boat together, plan for events, and prepare the boat accordingly. Jens: No doubt as PJ says it is teamwork and really enjoying the guys with whom you sail. Also being organized before the regatta. Getting through measurement early so we had a couple days to practice and make sure the boat was in perfect shape and ready to go. Question: If another competitor came up to you looking to put together a championship-caliber team, what advice would you give them? PJ: Chemistry of the team is really important. We stayed pretty cool because we knew each other really well. Helps that we're all good friends. Jens: Find a crew of people that you enjoy sailing with and enjoy as friends. The crew must be max weight as a team. Have a game plan set out well in advance leading up to the major regattas and make sure everyone in on board. Obviously you need a good boat, good sails and equipment. For me, having a team that was committed and fun was key. Question: Your boat (Salsa) and Ragtime, which was sailed by Jeff Johnstone and finished second in the regatta, were two of the boats that sailed the event with bottom paint. Did you do anything special to the bottom to get it ready for the event? Jens: We McLube the bottom at the beginning of the season and before regattas. There were several other boats with bottom paint at the event. One possibility is that if the boat is in the water for a week long period (i.e. championship event), bottom paint may actually help reduce build up on the bottom surface. Just a theory, no scientific data here. Full interview: http://www.harken.com/sailing/citibankj24worlds.php NO REST Olympians of past, present and possibly the future flocked to Weymouth over the weekend of 16-17 October for the third RYA Holt Ranking Series 2004. With over 100 competitors, the next Olympic cycle is now in full swing following the success of our sailors in Athens. Barrie Edgington, RYA National Racing Coach and Event Director said, "This weekend has seen one of the largest turnouts since the series began and it has been fantastic to see so many Olympians coupled with so many newcomers at this level of national racing. The Olympic cycle, building towards Beijing 2008, kicked off with a bang and watching the racing it is evident there is so much talent to look out for in the future as well as Olympians sailing in different boats from Athens with different crews." - ISAF, http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=8210 Curmudgeon's Comment: Looks like the British are not standing still. With the '04 Olympics closing just only two months ago, the Game's biggest medal winner in sailing is again cranking up the machine for another four-year run. QUOTE / UNQUOTE Regarding the inaugural Swan 45 Gold Cup in Capri, Italy last week, Paul Cayard, tactician on board Leonardo Ferragamo's Cuordileone, said, "In two and a half years Nautor has sold 45 boats and to have 20 of them here at the world championships is incredible." - Andrea Watson, Port Washington News, http://tinyurl.com/54dtv SCORE AN OFF-SEASON WIN WITH A HARKEN ONE-DESIGN BOAT COVER Consider this the start of storage season, not the end of race season. To win big this time of year, you need a tough canvas cover engineered to protect your boat from ravaging winter weather. Harken one-design covers are reinforced at fittings and critical pressure points. Eyelets in heavy-duty nylon tabs for tie downs are sewn into the seams, guaranteeing no metal touches your boat. For details to cover your one-design (Lasers, Opti's and many more): http://www.harkencanvas.com CLOSING THE CHAPTER (Scuttlebutt followed with interest the drama that surrounded the megayacht Mirabella V going aground this past September in the South of France: Issue 1670, http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/archived_Detail.asp?key=2906. Here designer Ron Holland offers closure to the incident) (October 21, 2004) Mirabella V has arrived back to her builder, VT Shipbuilding in Portsmouth, from the Mediterranean for repairs to her lift keel mechanism. The 75 metre (245 foot) composite sloop went aground near Cap Ferrat following her 600 kg anchor dragging in a freshening breeze. Divers were sent down to examine the hull and keel during and immediately after the grounding. Once the keel was raised 70cm on her own ram, the yacht floated free. Mirabella V then motored to La Ciotat shipyard where she was further examined by yard personnel, representatives of VT Shipbuilding, and surveyors from the classification society, V Ships and MCA. Contrary to the various comments that appeared in the media, the hull and rig are undamaged. The sacrificial tip on one rudder needs to be replaced and the lift keel mechanism needs to be repaired. "Mirabella V was already scheduled by VT Shipbuilding to undergo a warranty and maintenance programme before departing for the Caribbean," commented owner Joseph V. Vittoria. "Therefore the decision was made to have the yacht return to Portsmouth and have the keel removed for comprehensive inspection and repaired whilst the warranty and maintenance programme is under way." - Ron Holland Mirabella V Photo Galleries: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/0107-mirabellav http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/0426mirabellav http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/mirabellasails http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/mirabellarigging SWEDISH MATCH TOUR Hamilton, Bermuda (Oct. 21, 2004) - Thursday is the traditional Pro-Am day at the King Edward VII Gold Cup, but it was cut short on the water as high winds tested the fleet of seeded skippers sailing with guest crews of celebrities and sponsors. After one major t-bone crash between boats skippered by America's Cup skippers Russell Coutts (NZ) and James Spithill (AUS), and fellow Australian Peter Gilmour's boat was dismasted, race officer Charles Tatem called it a day after just one race. The competitors and their celebrity crews then concluded two more races by rolling dice and pacing off the totals around the 50-foot course. Repair crews will have a busy night getting boats back in order for competition to begin again on Friday with three more rounds leading to the winner's circle, the $30,000 first place purse and a name on the King Edward VII Gold Cup. Total prize money is $100,000. With winds on Friday forecast to be southwest 15 to 25 knots, parings in the top half of the ladder for the quarter-finals pair #1 seed Ed Baird (USA) with Klaartje Zuiderbaan (NED) and James Spithill (AUS) against Staffan Lindberg (FIN). The bottom half of the pairing ladder pits reigning champion Peter Gilmour (AUS) against Scott Dickson (NZL) and #2 seed Mathieu Richard (FRA) with Russell Coutts (NZL). -http://www.swedishmatchtour.com / http://www.kingedwardviigoldcup.com MULTIHULL MATCH RACING New Orleans, LA (October 21, 2004) Principal Race Officer Wallace Paletou (New Orleans) and Chief Umpire Dobbs Davis (Annapolis, MD) determined Thursday that conditions were not suitable for racing at the 2004 International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT). Racing in the Defender Series concluded Wednesday with Johnny Lovell (New Orleans) and Charlie Ogletree (Houston, Texas) winning the right to defend for the 24th Little Americas Cup. Racing in the Challenger Series will resume Friday, October 22, to determine whether Mitch Booth and Herbert Dercksen of The Netherlands or Enrique Figueroa and Jorge Sanchez of Puerto Rico will challenge for the ICCT. Both teams are currently tied at three points each. The winners of the respective Defender and Challenger eliminations will compete head-to-head in a first-to-four points series for the Trophy on Friday, October 22, and, if necessary, Saturday, October 23. - Media Pro Int'l, http://tinyurl.com/5nc73 FOLLOW THE SUN Total entries so far for January's Key West 2005 are running ahead of the 2001 pace that saw a record number of 326 boats compete. The climate, conditions, competition, renowned race management and shoreside attractions are among the reasons why this event managed by Premiere Racing dominates the world's midwinter sailing calendar. Even regulars from throughout Florida are keen to return despite the heavy hardships and losses suffered by themselves or their neighbors when their state was hammered by a rare succession of four major hurricanes recently. Premiere Racing management has reduced entry fees for Florida residents by $100 for both Key West 2005 and Acura Miami Race Week 2005. The new Acura Miami Race Week 2005 ("the SORC renaissance") dates are March 10-13, 2005, with ocean and Biscayne Bay racing, and boat storage following Key West available. And if that isn't enough, the Miami to Nassau Race Week follows from March 19-23, 2005. Hosted by the Miami Yacht Club and the Nassau Yacht Club, this event begins with the ocean race to Nassau, followed by a series of buoy racing in the Bahamas. - http://www.Premiere-Racing.com / http://www.nassauraceweek.org DO YOU KNOW HOW TO WALLY? The Ockam U text explains in clear, easy to follow language often misunderstood concepts such as Polars/Targets, VMC course calculations for long distance racing, and modifying target speeds in oscillating breeze (aka "Wally"), plus much more. Whether you sail with a sophisticated fully integrated instrument system, or rely solely on a compass and the seat-of-your-pants, Ockam U provides helpful information helping you get around the course faster. It's a bargain at $25 plus flat postage fee of $4 to any address worldwide. A good book for your crew. Makes a great gift too. To order, contact Lat Spinney (lat@ockam.com). GLOBAL CHALLENGE Another 6 hours and Samsung has clocked up another 7nm of water between themselves and the competition, leaving them firmly in the lead with Barclays Adventurer and VAIO both exactly 33nm behind fighting it out for 2nd place. The race viewer shows the two right next to one another with BP Explorer just behind in 4th. Eking out the maximum possible mileage from passing squalls and picking up half a knot over nearest rivals can have significant effects over a surprisingly short amount of time. A half-knot advantage over 24-hours is equivalent to a 12nm gain, which, in turn equates to disappearing over the curvature of the earth and behind the horizon - a psychological weapon in close-quarter racing such as this! SAIC La Jolla are obviously disappointed with recent events, but have retained their good humour, of course: "Frustration is a mild word to describe our feelings as the lead has been stolen away from us by several boats... now sixth after a night of no wind and frequent heavy rain (although warm). The race viewer must look as though we are trying to sign our name!" The light and unpredictable doldrums have slowed the fleet's progress towards the equator so we now expect leaders, Samsung, lying 170nm off the line Thursday afternoon, to cross over into the southern hemisphere Friday evening. Event website: www.globalchallenge2004.com NEWS BRIEFS * Forty-four High School sailing teams from all parts of California raced on Monterey Bay October 16-17 in the first event of the season series of five PCISA regattas held in Northern and Southern California to determine the Pacific Coast champion. The teams are split into Gold and Silver Divisions and sail CFJ's. The Gold fleet was won by Newport Harbor H.S., with the winning team of Matt Hogan/ Brooke Thomson and Cole Hatton/ Lauren Gautschi. In the Silver fleet, the winning team was Mater Dei H.S. JV, with Emilia Fonda/ Josh Kew and Perry Emsieck/ George Konugrea. Complete results: http://www.mpyc.org/Junior/OtterReg/SeaOtter.html * Solo British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur, 28, will set out next month on her toughest challenge yet. She hopes to beat the round the-world, multi-hull record of just under 73 days in a trimaran. * In one of most active hurricane seasons on record and with over a month still remaining, Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne have left an indelible mark on recreational boaters from Louisiana to Florida's Atlantic Coast - and even as far north as some Great Lakes states. According to the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.), the damage to all recreational vessels for these four storms totals $680 million. - BoatU.S., full report, http://www.boatus.com/news/releases/2004/october/hurricane.asp LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From George Backhus (Further to responsibility of the Race Committee for safety): The Race Committee's disclaimer is that it's ultimately the skipper's decision to race or not. But in this sometimes testosterone-fueled sport, it's been my experience that some skipper's visions of glory, on occasion, impair their judgment as it relates to good seamanship. If there's a race starting, they're going to race, and let the wimps sit in the clubhouse. A few years back, I flagged a 120-mile ocean race I'd entered because the weather forecast called for 45 knots on the nose. From a safety standpoint, I didn't feel it would be good seamanship for us to start, not to mention that it didn't sound like much fun. Approximately three quarters who entered did start, but only about a quarter finished. There were endless tales of near collisions in poor visibility, broken gear and sails, and crew incapacitated by seasickness. In this case, a postponement of one day would have provided nearly ideal racing conditions. Miraculously, no crew or boats were lost, and nobody was seriously injured. Not miraculously, sign-ups for the race the next year were off significantly. I wish to make two simple points. First, in our litigious society, I think it's only a matter of time before someone attempts to hold a Race Committee responsible for running a race in dangerous conditions resulting in injury or loss of life. Second, if we are trying to get and keep people into the sport, particularly at the club level, we need to maintain some focus on the "fun factor." * From Kim Noyes: I agree with Mark Michaelsen that the AC is more about the technology race (and I'm not sure that I think it should be otherwise) but I disagree with the thought that F1's way of spending is working. As a matter of fact, ALL the F1 teams think the spending is out of control and are at the moment trying to agree on new rules that will reduce the expense (i.e. dropping testing, changing to 2 day grand prix, etc.). Sponsors and manufacturers alike are having difficulty seeing the value to their bottom line. The sport is at a crossroads. Yeah, AC spending is "right where it should be" if the desire is to keep it exclusive. But if the idea is to grow it globally, some sort of compromise might be in order. * From Rick Ermshar, Honolulu, Hawai`I: I totally agree with Matt Kreuzkamp (Issue 1693) that "It shouldn't be hard to write about negative attributes of an advertiser's product." Merely organize a meeting with the advertiser to discuss whatever controversy prior to publishing. Perhaps they can also pro-actively effect beneficial product refinements, etc - this really should be the goal, right?" I used to edit and write for several regional and national boating mags but primarily for one that covered the West Coast. I have an ongoing hate affair for mags that merely recycle press releases and for boat reviewers who merely spend an hour on a given boat and comment about the pretty curtains. For my own monthly boat reviews I insisted on having full use of the boat for at least three days. I'd live aboard it, sail it, and dig into every nook and cranny just like any good marine surveyor would do. Before I wrote my review I would call the manufacturer, mention any problems, and get their response for publication. Sometimes they would argue, sometimes they would promise to fix the problem in future production; whichever it was, it would get published. Presto -- end of problem between editorial and advertising. We (the mag) and the manufacturers both thought it was fair and we never lost an advertising client by handling it that way. * From Brad Avery, Director, Orange Coast College School of Sailing & Seamanship: Chris Boome is correct about upcoming changes in tax law regarding boat donations. The new legislation, passed by the Senate, is buried in the huge "American Job Creation Act." It is primarily aimed at curbing car donation abuses. However, boats and airplanes are included too. At the moment, the IRS is struggling to interpret the new rules. But the basics are pretty straightforward: After January 1, many boat donors will find that their deduction is limited to the gross proceeds from the sale of the boat by the non-profit. This is a big change, especially when you understand that most non-profits are anxious sellers upon becoming owner of a boat. But if you give your boat to a non-profit that uses it "significantly" to further its charitable purpose, your deduction amount will remain the appraised value of your boat, rather than the "gross proceeds" number from its eventual sale. This is great news for bona fide sailing programs, marine research institutions, and maritime academies. These programs need and are able to use donated boats for their charitable purpose. Children's homes, wildlife funds, etc., may have a difficult time operating a fleet of boats. Ideally, the new law will reduce the number of quasi-marine programs that make huge sums, give little to charity, and reward their principals handsomely. So after January 1, don't worry about donating your boat. Just make sure the fortunate institution has the knowledge, budget, staff, facility, and track record to use it significantly. * From Jamie Leopold: I have never met JJ Isler, but I enjoyed reading her comments on Sportsmanship in 'Butt #1694, October 21, 2004. She offers an excellent perspective on Corinthian Spirit, from which most of us can benefit, not only on the water, but also in our everyday lives. Thanks JJ! * From David Gill: Good sportsmanship - the last refuge of nobility. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. |
