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SCUTTLEBUTT 2730 - Friday, November 21, 2008Scuttlebutt 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. Today's sponsors are McLube Hullkote and Mount Gay Rum. INSIGHT INTO THE OLYMPIC EQUIPMENT VOTE Since 1999, American Dina Kowalyshyn has been assisting on committees for the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Leading into the recently held ISAF Annual Meeting, which was determining the direction for the 2012 Olympics, her involvement helped to shape the direction of the Women’s Olympic Two Person Dinghy and Match Racing events for 2012 (and beyond), and her comments shed some light on the process: * On why ISAF Committee appointment is worth the effort, even if the decisions do not all go your way: “Twice during the week I was ready to walk out and never return, and twice I was asked sincerely by US SAILING representatives to stay the course. It is extremely hard to sit through these debates, but if you do not, who will take your place? It has taken me nine years to get to a place where I can be effective at this level, internationally. It is really hard for people to understand the whole of ISAF when all they see is the voting results…just like government. So, you ask me why I am happy to be put forward by my country to work on ISAF committees. Because I think by being there I am making the situation better for women’s sailing in the US and in the world, regardless of the political maneuverings at ISAF. I was 50-50 this past meeting…not really that bad.” * On how the ISAF Council disregards committee recommendations: “Countries are represented on Council and their perspective is different than those of the committees. Many members of committees are put there for their expertise in that one area and often times their recommendations is topic driven, like the Equipment Committee backing the skiff by a large margin, but the Events Committee and the Women’s Committee votes on the subject were much closer, even though the skiff prevailed. In the past two years we have seen where very close votes in the expert committees have been overturned at Council by these different points of view. The 470/skiff vote was 19 to 16 at Council. The take away is that more work is needed but that its time is coming.” Read on for Dina’s comments regarding the selection of the 470 over the 29er XX, and the choice of the Elliott 6m for women’s match racing at the 2012 Olympics: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/1120 FLEET NOW AIMING AT ASIA (Nov. 20, 2008; Day 6) - Ericsson Racing Team made it a one/two this morning when Torben Grael/BRA and his team racing Ericsson 4 cruised through the scoring gate on leg two of the Volvo Ocean Race at 0340 GMT, with Anders Lewander/SWE and his Nordic team racing Ericsson 3 crossing at 0651. The complete standings at the scoring gate were: Ericsson 4, Ericsson 3, Green Dragon, Russia Team, Telefónica Blue, Telefónica Black, PUMA, and Delta Lloyd. Current Points Total 1. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 18 pts 2. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 14 3. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 14 4. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 12 5. Telefonica Black (ESP), Fernando Echavarri/ESP, 8.5 6. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Anders Lewander/SWE, 8.5 7. Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, 6.5 8. Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, 4.5 Overall scores: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/rdc/#tab4 The wind has eased into the high teens and now the race focus shifts north towards the finish. Teams have now all gybed to port, and with the breeze now veered to 300 degrees, their course of 45 degrees to Cochin, India is offering them beam reaching conditions. Tactics for the second half of leg two will be influenced by high pressure, which has been building slowly to the south of Madagascar since Tuesday, and which the fleet must skirt. The position of the high will make for at least 12 hours of light winds along the rhumb-line course between the boats’ current positions and Cochin, but then the teams can look forward to a few days of trade wind sailing. * Ian Walker, Green Dragon skipper: “We are thrilled to get 3rd place and 3 points at the Mauritius scoring gate. This has been our sole focus since breaking the boom two days ago. We seem to be able to sail downwind with spinnakers quite well, and even now reaching with one reef seems OK. It’s upwind sailing that we must hope to avoid. We hope to start the repair when conditions improve and when the temperature rises a bit for the glue and resin we have onboard to cure. I am not wildly optimistic, but I think the lads are looking forward to the challenge. I just have to stop them cutting the boat up in the process!” * Ken Read, PUMA skipper: (re, serious structural damage incurred on Wednesday) “I know that the interior of these boats and the lack of amenities has been well documented. The lack of much hygiene, the noises the boat makes, and the lack of sleep are all part of the game. Mix in a nice layer of carbon fiber dust on your clothes, foul weather gear, sleeping bag and food, and you have a pretty good idea of what it has been like on the fine yacht for the last few days. Sounds lovely doesn't it? It really isn't. “We have a new lease on life and in the race as well. We got the boat going again and made some gains to the north, enough to feel like we are back with most of the pack. Not out of the woods yet but at least we feel like we are back racing with the main part of the fleet. A huge relief. Believe me, there was a point in time when I was wondering if we could even make it into port within a few days of the fleet, never mind feel like we were racing. It is a huge testament to the entire PUMA team who all took our situation on quickly and professionally.” The length of Leg Two from Cape Town to Cochin, India is 4,450 nm, with the leader expected to finish by November 30th. Current positions (as of Nov. 20, 1:00am GMT): 1. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Anders Lewander/SWE, 2764 nm Distance to Finish 2. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 32 nm Distance to Leader 3. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 42 nm DTL 4. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 56 nm DTL 5. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 62 nm Distance to Leader 6. Telefonica Black (ESP), Fernando Echavarri/ESP, 90 nm DTL 7. Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, 97 nm DTL 8. Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, 105 nm DTL Race website: http://volvooceanrace.org ECO-FRIENDLY MCLUBE HULLKOTE SHINES AT METS Team McLube's Citrus-Based Hullkote Speed Polish earned congratulations, kudos, and compliments from all who participated in a variety of demonstrations during the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) this week in Amsterdam. Small boat sailors and builders were impressed by the super-smooth, ultra-fast, slippery feel. Mid-sized racers, cruisers and builders liked the quick and easy "wipe-on and wipe-away" application method and the immediate showroom quality shine. The superyacht crowd were impressed with Hullkote's effectiveness as a superior metal polish and protectant. See the latest at: http://www.mclubemarine.com LIFE AT 4 DEGREES NORTH LATITUDE (Nov. 20, 2008) - With some 330 miles to the Equator, Loïck Peyron has scarcely made a wrong move in the Vendee Globe, but the threat, such as it is, may come from Jean-Pierre Dick in third, who has a more westerly position, by 45 miles, and has been making the best gains. Indeed as the fleet emerge into the SE’ly breezes it is those to the west who seem to have made the best initial impact. Mike Golding (GBR) has nearly halved his deficit on the lead today, lying seventh at 55.1 miles behind Peyron. Commenting amid the light and variable conditions of the Doldrums, Seb Josse notes: “It is a mess on board BT because I have done so many sail changes and so there has been no time to tidy up at all. The wind has been up and down, sometimes nothing, sometimes two knots, sometimes five. But I think with Loïck so far we have made a good race and will find best exit from the Doldrums, hopefully that will be soon. But we know how it is, this is part of the game, we can gain or we can lose in this part.” -- Event website: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en Solo, non-stop, around the world race in Open 60s. Standings as of 18:30 UTC (Top 5 plus of 30 entrants): 1. Loïck Peyron (FRA), Gitana Eighty, 20987.1 nm Distance to finish 2. Sébastien Josse (FRA), BT, 20.3 nm Distance to leader 3. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA), Paprec-Virbac 2, 24.3 nm DTL 4. Vincent Riou (FRA), PRB, 33.9 nm DTL 5. Armel Le Cléac´h (FRA), Brit Air, 46.3 nm DTL 13. Samantha Davies (GBR), Roxy, 198.9 nm DTL 15. Dee Caffari (GBR), Aviva, 279.2 nm DTL 21. Rich Wilson (USA), Great American III, 490.6 nm DTL 25. Derek Hatfield (CAN), Algimouss Spirit of Canada, 1438 nm DTL Complete standings: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ranking.html QUOTE / UNQUOTE Mike Golding, on climbing his Open 60 mast during the Vendee Globe: “I’ve spent the last four years preparing myself not to have to go up the mast. A lot of focus has gone into the preparation and design of the rig, so it was a bit of shock to the system to find myself 28m aloft so soon into the race. Basically, it was the last place on earth I wanted to be!” “It doesn’t matter how calm the conditions are, I still don’t like it. In fact I like it less and less as time goes on. There was a time when I’d go up willingly to do a rig inspection and take photos and video but that time is long past. The reason why? I know things can go seriously wrong. I’m thinking of times when I’ve gone up and, for one reason or other, my gear’s got stuck and I’ve had to detach myself from it, re-organise it, and get back into it. It’s all pretty dodgy stuff, suspended by sail ties and goodness knows what, at the top of the rig. Now, if I have to do it, I certainly don’t waste any time up there.” -- http://www.mikegolding.com/news.asp?sid=18542 KITEBOARDING GOES MAINSTREAM For the first time in history, the 2009 kiteboarding world championship title will be sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). This became possible by approving the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) as official class association during the quadrenual ISAF general meeting in Madrid last week. To Markus Schwendtner, executive secretary of the IKA, this is an important step towards the positive development of this young sport: "Giving the world championship rights to the IKA clarifies the structures in international kiteboarding and ensures same reglementation for national and international kiteboarding competitions. It has now become possible to compete under consistent and recognized rules. Thereby the sport becomes more attractive and transparent to athletes, spectators and the media". In the past, international kiteboarding competition took mainly place within two private world tours. Thus there have been two world champions, elected by different sets of rules. “St Francis is very interested in hosting the course racing world championship and have a place holder on our 2009 schedule for a major kite event." says John Craig, race manager of the renowned St. Francis Yacht Clubs of San Francisco. -- Complete story: http://SButt112008a.notlong.com * The International Melges 32 Class Association has also been awarded ISAF Recognized Class status. -- Full announcement: http://melges32.com/enews/08-1120-ISAF/index.htm HOLIDAY SALES FOR MOUNT GAY RUM SAILORS!! The ideal Holiday gift choice for sailors is Mount Gay Rum gear and accessories. Softshell Jackets, bags and all types of sailing apparel and accessories are available for the sailor on your list. The Pirate’s Lair has discounted pricing on Mount Gay Rum gear and free shipping when you purchase before December 5th. All your shopping needs for any sailor can be done at The Pirate’s Lair, the official Mount Gay Rum gear supplier. Get a free Pirate’s Lair hat with the first twenty-five purchases! To order, log on to http://www.pirateslair.com/store/index.html WHAT DO SAILORS DO IN NOVEMBER? by Lake Ontario Sailing blog This is a difficult time for most sailors. Our boats are out of the water, sitting on the hard, and the weather is turning colder. Most of the leaves are off the trees, and we are waiting for the first snowfall of the season. The Buffalo snow belt already has been hit by Lake Effect snow, and the south-eastern area of Lake Ontario has also tasted it's first lake effect snow. I am a fair-weather-friend. I would rather sit in the nice warm house then to venture outdoors in the cold damp breeze. I wore my winter coat and gloves yesterday just to take our dog Ernie for a short walk. I know what is ahead of us, and I'm not liking it. We try to get away to the south for a short break from the winter every year, but this year the economy is heavy on my mind. I have seen my 401K lose 1/3 of its value, so just like many Americans, I feel I cannot afford a winter vacation this year. Is this you? How do you plan to get through the winter? Comment here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6672 SAN DIEGO DUO WINS 2008 NOOD CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Tortola, British Virgin Islands—For the 2008 Caribbean NOOD, the team led by San Diego Etchells sailors Will Stout and Artie Means made sure to pack key essentials including an extra winch handle, kiteboarding gear, a 12-volt blender, 5 pounds of bacon, and a pair of inflatable rafts from Wal-Mart. It's hardly an ordinary regatta prep list. But then the Caribbean NOOD is anything but an ordinary regatta. The participants are invited based upon their superior performances at the nine stops of the 2008 Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta series. At each regatta, an overall winner is selected from the class champions and invited to spend 5 days racing and cruising the British Virgin Islands courtesy of Sunsail. The boats are identical Sunsail 39s, but the racing is jib-and-main, the mood is laid back, and the focus is as much on having a good time as it is winning. The San Diego team nailed it in both respects. The three couples—Will and Maria Stout, Artie and Nicole Means, and Bill and Lisa Carey—packed about as much fun into five days as possible. When the gun sounded they were serious enough to win two of five Sunsail 39 races and finish second in three others, in addition to winning the Laser racing at the Bitter End YC, which accounted for 10 percent of the overall score. When the racing was over, however, they were the first team to throw the inflatable raft over the side, fire up the blender, mix up a few adult beverages, and start laughing. -- Sailing World, read on: http://SButt112008b.notlong.com VIDEO OF THE WEEK The 2008 iShares Cup Series this year brought together more high powered teams than ever before, taking the Extreme 40 catamaran racing to places not yet seen. With all the footage filmed, this week’s video is a shameless collection of capsizes and collisions, with excited levels of commentary to magnify the moment: “There is going to be a huge collision here…” “Holmatro just crashed into Origin…” “There is no steerage; it’s like a missile coming down to the bottom mark…” “Look at that, just suspended in mid-air…” "Man, you can't get closer than that..." "That gust has come from nowhere; it is Alinghi that's going to go over..." Click here for this week’s video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/08/1121 If you have a video you like, please send your suggestion for next week’s Video of the Week to mailto:craig@sailingscuttlebutt.com PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include a sweet aerial of the BMW Oracle Racing trimaran, a women’s regatta boat boy, an orca whale having right of way, an 18-foot skiff about to eat the photographer, small boats carrying high profile in Germany, winter storage odd couple, and a slide show with Frenchman Thomas Coville and his 105-foot maxi-trimaran Sodeb’O. 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/08/1121 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 By Baldridge: (re, calendar of events) Houston Yacht Club is hosting our Annual Turkey Day Regatta, November 23. This will be the first regatta since Hurricane Ike. Normally a 2-day regatta open to all classes, this year it will be a one day event due to our limited harbor facilities. Houston Yacht Club is open and our harbor reconstruction is underway. * From Ceri Williams, International Windsurfing Association: (re, International Sailing Federation use of the word ‘equipment’): Equipment is the most suitable term as it is not just "boats" selected for Olympic regatta events, as two of the events involve "boards". * From the Forum: Can anyone in this extremely knowledgeable sailing community provide me with tangible reasons for not considering a 1981-1984 Hunter 54 as a family cruising boat? I'm looking for actual feet-on-the-deck-plate knowledge here, not generalities. I've combed through the Hunter Owners site already but want to make sure I have all the facts before proceeding. Comment here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6697 CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION “If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free!” - P.J. O'Rourke Special thanks to McLube Hullkote and Mount Gay Rum. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
