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SCUTTLEBUTT 1665 - September 10, 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. MARSEILLE LOUIS VUITTON ACT 1: DAY FIVE The Marseille Louis Vuitton Act resumed on Thursday with the match racing phase of the event. After a couple of short postponements due to the shifting wind, racing began in light to moderate 8 to 11 knot Southerly, ideal conditions for America's Cup Class match racing. The Race Committee scheduled a two-lap course, with two mile legs, ensuring short and sharp matches, with plenty of action. The match of the day was between BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand. For Emirates Team New Zealand, this was a much anticipated match. The Kiwis have only ever faced Team Alinghi in a match race, and were eager to see how they would match up to another prominent America's Cup team. Emirates Team New Zealand rounded the mark ahead by 19-seconds, utilizing equal speed and their right-side advantage. Near the top of the second beat, Emirates Team New Zealand looked strong, again coming in from the right hand side of the course. But USA-76 skipper Chris Dickson was able to tack to leeward of NZL-82 and luff the New Zealanders above the starboard tack layline, and past the mark. The boats sat head to wind, nearly four boatlengths to windward of the mark, before Dickson's team broke away, diving downwind for the mark, and leading Barker around by 15 seconds. Emirates Team New Zealand couldn't make any headway on the final run, and NZL-82 remained winless in six matches dating back to the 31st America's Cup. Complete report and Friday's pairings are posted at: http://www.americascup.com/en/act1/day05/index.php Flight One FRA-57 beat RSA-48, delta 1:06 USA-76 beat NZL-82, delta 0:42 SUI-64 beat FRA-69, delta 3:28 Flight Two NZL-82 beat RSA-48, delta 2:59 SUI-64 beat FRA-57, delt a 1:01 USA-76 beat FRA-69, delta 1:55 Standing after two matches (combined with fleet race scores): 1. BMW ORACLE Racing Team (22) (12) 34 points 2. Team Alinghi (20) (12) 32 points 3. Emirates Team New Zealand (18) (6) 24 points 4. K-Challenge (11) (6) 17 points 5. Team Shosholoza (8) (0) 8 points 6. LE DEFI (5) (0) 5 points QUOTE / UNQUOTE * Chris Dickson, skipper, BMW Oracle Racing on whether he will steer a race: "I'm probably fourth in the pecking order (after Gavin Brady, Bertrand Pacé and Larry Ellison), so hopefully not. If I'm driving we've moved to fourth down the list for drivers for the day and that probably means something's going wrong." * Grant Dalton, Syndicate Head, Emirates Team New Zealand, speaking about the BMW Oracle team that beat him on Thursday: "It's clear that BMW Oracle is by far the best trained boat in the last 16 months so it's sort of a funny situation where you're kicking yourself over a race that you know you should have won. We should easily have won as we were well in front, but I thought we were sharp today, the crew handling was great." - http://www.americascup.com/en/act1/day05/sic.php FARR 40 WORLDS A day of sun, big breeze and a short lumpy sea on San Francisco Bay proved to be the favored conditions for Jim Richardson's Barking Mad at the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship. The New England-based team set the tone by winning the first of three races and is the only boat in the 31-strong fleet to have a score line comprising single-digit results. Today's first race began in lighter conditions with the sea breeze kicking in and building during the afternoon to more than 25 knots. After some extreme tactics at last year's Rolex Farr 40 Worlds in Sardinia, which disqualified Barking Mad from the penultimate race, the team has been playing it safe this time. "The thing about the early days of a regatta is that you can put yourself behind the eight ball and that's difficult to recover from," said Richardson, who is the 1998 world champion. "So we've been trying not to lose the regatta in the first couple of days and position ourselves for the end." Barking Mad's tactician Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Md.), who won the J/24 World Championship on this course six years ago, explained the day's strategy. "We did our best to get off the starting line in a position that wasn't going to be at a disadvantage to the rest of the fleet," he said. "We've been doing a pretty good job at getting the best starts without too much risk, and then from there, pick our way through when we can. We aren't trying to hit any home runs. We're relying on the things we do well to get us past boats." Racing continues through Sunday. Three races are planned for Friday, the third day of racing. - Dana Paxton, Media Pro Intl, full story: http://tinyurl.com/5txnr Standings after five races: 1. James Richardson, Boston, MA, Barking Mad, 9-2-1-4-2, 18 2. Massimo Mezzaroma, Rome, Italy, Nerone, 10-3-3-8-6, 30 3. Peter De Ridder, Monaco, Mean Machine, 7-1-10-12-4, 34 4. Steve & Fred Howe, San Diego, CA, Warpath, 15-12-5-2-11, 45 5. Marc Ewing, Glencoe, IL, Riot, 8-19-8-6-10, 51 6. Chuck Parrish, Hillsborough, CA, Slingshot, 16-9-15-5-7, 52 7. Peter Stoneberg, Orinda, CA, Shadow, 11-6-24-1-12, 54 8. Richard Perini, Atamaron, Australia, Evolution, 12-11-11-20-1, 55 9. Erik Maris, Paris, France, Twins, 2-5-13-6-10-25, 59 10. Eivind Astrup, Oslo, Norway, Norwegian Steam, 1-5-21-18-19, 64 Full results: http://tinyurl.com/6cjye Updated photo gallery: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/f40worlds WIN A GOLD MEDAL AT THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES! As part of Pegasus Racing's Olympic Gold program, you will be sailing at least 250 days/year, coached by the best and work with fitness trainers and nutritionists. Your focus will be to win medals in 2008… achieved by improving your strength and flexibility while becoming a smarter and faster sailor. If you (and your crew) believe that you have what it takes, we want to hear from you now at Olympic.gold@pegasus-digital.com. Please note that Pegasus Racing is receiving hundreds of applications from around the world, and we are now going through a methodical selection process. Additional details at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/archived_Detail.asp?key=2897 HURICANE IVAN At present the only news coming out of Grenada is via Internet chat rooms and some mobile phone messages, though as power is down neither can last long. For yachtsmen with their boats in Grenada, whether laid up or liveaboard, the news is not good. At Spice Island Marine, the main layup facility in Prickly Bay, not a boat is left standing. There are also reports of boats at anchor or moored in Prickly and Mount Hartman Bays being driven ashore and the Moorings charter fleet, presumably laid up here as their base is in Cannouan, was also badly damaged. No deaths or injuries of yachtsmen are reported. A report from the University campus in St Georges describes the marina there as being 'toast'. Hurricane Ivan has now been upgraded to the highest category 5 (winds over 155 mph) and wind speed of over 200 mph has been recorded. Ivan is currently tracking towards Jamaica, Cuba and it looks as though battered Florida may be battered again. - Andrew Bray/Yachting World, http://tinyurl.com/4zoy5 TECHNOLOGY The MathWorks analysis tool, MATLAB, is being used by the design team of GBR Challenge, the company behind the British entry to the 2007 America's Cup, to help maximize the performance of the yacht. MATLAB is being used for live analysis of boat strain and weather data to make crucial real-time decisions about changing the mast and rig set-up to maximize boat speed. During training, salient data is taken from various optical-fibre-based devices that measure strain on the boat, as well as various sensors that measure boat speed, wind speed and direction. Fibre optics change their refractive index when put under strain so the strain can be measured by measuring the change in wavelength of the light transmitted. The data is read via a wireless LAN connection into data files, which can then be quickly and easily manipulated in MATLAB on a support boat. The results can be visually displayed in a variety of different ways to help the team make quick decisions about changing the yacht's set-up. The team also uses MATLAB to identify key statistical averages in historic local weather data so that they can adjust the boat's set-up to perform to the highest possible standard in average conditions for the location. - Colin Holland, EE Times UK, full story: http://tinyurl.com/67eeb NEWS BRIEFS * Thursday was a lay day for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy. Two more races are scheduled with the event concluding Saturday. Standings after three races: Racing Division - 1. Pyewacket, 4 points; 2. Wild Oats, 7; 3. Nokia, 11; Wally Division - 1. Alexia, 5; 2. Tiketitan, 8; 3. Magic Carpet, 11; Cruising Division - 1. Inspiration, 9; 2. Mister A, 10; 3. Viriella, 11 - http://www.yccs.it/ * The WSSR Council announced the ratification of a new World Record for the outright longest distance run in 24 hours. The record, set by Bruno Peyron and crew on Orange 2 on 22nd and 23rd August 2004, now stands at 706.2 nm with an average speed of 29.42 kts. * The Paralympic Torch was lit Thursday for the ninth time in history for the final countdown toward the Paralympic Games in Athens. Its route will take it throughout Attica, passing through 54 municipalities and covering a distance of 410 km. 680 torchbearers will share its light and the values of strength, pursuit and noble competition. On September 17, the Paralympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony to the first Paralympic Games in Greece. - http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=7940 * Sixteen teams are lined up to compete this weekend in the U.S. Team Racing Championship, sailed at Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit, Michigan, from September 10-12. 96 sailors are vying for the National Championship title and a spot to represent the U.S. at the 2005 World Championship. The teams will be using brand-new Vanguard 15's supplied by Vanguard Sailboats. - http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2004/Hinman.htm * Second ranked women's match racer Claire Leroy of France sets the standard for this October's Cicada International Women's Match Racing Championship in Bermuda. Other skippers who have committed are #7 ranked Betsy Alison (USA), #8 ranked Jenny Axhede (SWE), Paula Lewin (BER), ranked #10, and Katie Spithill (AUS) ranked #11. Racing takes place in the International One Design (IOD), scheduled for October 16-19 just off the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in Hamilton Harbour. - http://www.cicadaracing.com CRASH -JIBED IN YOUR GARAGE? Sailors know how to save space-everything in its place below. Have you broached and gone down to find gear all over the floor? It happens in our garages too. Harken created a space-saving storage system for your dinghy, bike, kayak, car top or anything in the way. Our Hoister's have free-rolling blocks for smooth lifting, and a safe cam cleat that engages if you drop the line - you'll never crash-jibe a boat on your car again. This fall get a Harken Hoister! For dealers: http://www.hoister.com/dealers/dealers.php More information: http://www.hoister.com/ 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 Marc Jacobi (edited to our 250 word limit - regarding Zuchlewski's letter in #1664) One hardly gets "to do exactly what you want to," nor is one guaranteed funding while pursuing Olympic sailing gold for the United States. I did two full-time Laser Olympic efforts, in 1996 and 2000. While lucky to fundraise 10% of what was required, the remainder came from my pocket. I got nada from US Sailing; in fact, they took a cut of donations I raised as an "administration fee." By May 2000 I had few job prospects (employers don't like multi-year holes between jobs), a huge second mortgage and $80k in credit card debt, thanks to the "privilege" of pursuing my Olympic dream. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything, but they came at a significant personal and professional price, as they do for almost anyone who seriously attempts to represent the United States at the Olympics in the sport of Sailing. While Mark Mendelblatt has the constant, visible support of his family (and no doubt, the backing of a powerful yacht club back home), I am no less in awe at his accomplishments. He kicked our butts at the November Trials, had an extremely successful summer (culminating in a second at the Worlds), and followed it up with several strong finishes at the Games. While there are serious matters facing the world these days, in this, a sailing forum, it is much more appropriate to salute the extraordinary efforts of our Olympic athletes than it is to poo-poo them. Let's leave the jingoistic innuendo to other platforms, okay? * From Wes Durant, Secretary-Treasurer of the Club 420 Association: (Reply to Bruce McPherson, #1664) The Club 420 was founded to fulfill a need in junior sailing in Southern Massachusetts for a strict one design class. Since 1978, this has been done following the initial purchase of the boats by sailing clubs for their junior sailing programs. By keeping the Club 420 as it came out of the box, it did away with the Opti impression of who had the most $$$ won. One does not need a tapered mast to learn how to sail as none of the Club 420s used by collegiate sailors have tapered masts. The class allows participation of individuals up until they have reached their 22nd birthdaym, and at the North Americans and Mid Winters, the events do attract many collegiate sailors. * From Chris Ericksen: J. Joseph Bainton is right when he says that the Olympics "are not remotely the entirety of our sport" ('Butt 1664). The sad part, however, is that Olympic sailing is the five-hundred-pound gorilla of our sport. In a notable example of this, ISAF President Paul Henderson has repeatedly declared that the Olympics and Olympic classes are not the most important part of our sport, which I believe he believes; yet his messages to us all too often focus on Olympic sailing. Even the ISAF President can't get away from the gorilla. US Sailing seems poised to gather in recreational sailing and somewhat deemphasize its devotion to competitive sailing. Whether or not one agrees on that goal, the sheer volume of invective, recrimination and weeping and gnashing of teeth coming in the wake of the 2004 Athens Games suggests that Olympic sailing will somehow remain well in view. As it goes forward with these plans, US Sailing will doubtless have to watch out for the gorilla in the midst. * From Brent Foxall: Andy Roy is spot on about Ross MacDonald's successes in the Star classes with various crews. It seems Ross was ready to pull the pin last year, but Mike got into the frame and things quickly got better. Although they were never regarded as medal hopefuls by most of the punters, there record since the past Bacardi Cup has been very solid in all events they've attended. A great team and they certainly came through when the heat was on at the end, in a class that was arguably the deepest in talent of all Olympic classes. The two favorites didn't really feature at all in a series that looked to be held in very difficult conditions. It is hardly fair to write that Paul Cayard "didn't do well". He was in the hunt most of the regatta until the wheels fell off in the last race. America will never win all the medals and in his case the clock was probably against him. He did a short term program very well and certainly gave the favorites from Sweden and Great Britain a good caning. Hardly a failure. * From Graham Kelly: I was interested to see Denis Farley's letter in S'butt 1664, in which he stated the many reasons why a throwout leads to a more fair result in a long regatta such as the Olympics. He did not mention sabotage, but that could also become an issue in a no-throwout regatta. My understanding is that the whole controversy is based on the fact that certain officers of ISAF see this as making the sport "more accessable" and "more interesting" for spectators. By the same reasoning, it would seem that track and field events such as the long jump and high jump should be scored on the average of all attempts, rather than only on the basis of each competitors best attempt. Of course, that would be ludicrous, and would lead to competitors striving for caution, rather than the present "Faster, Higher, Stonger." Past sailing heroics aside, Mr. Farley's points are correct, and just as in certain track and field events, sailing competitors should be permitted to disregard their worst efforts. THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark. |
