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SCUTTLEBUTT 2330 - April 25, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). VIVA VALENCIA Valencia, 24 April, 2007 - Sea breeze conditions of 7-9 knots returned on Tuesday, allowing two full flights of races to be completed at the Louis Vuitton Cup. With the challengers vying for the 4 available semi-final berths, there were some consistent opinions at the beginning of Round Robin 1 as to the strength of each team, and the possible outcome of many matches. However, with underdog South African Team Shosholoza’s win today in Flight 4 over the powerhouse Italian Luna Rossa team, it is quite likely that what many would have termed an upset may be just a sign of things to come. The other much discussed duel today also involved Luna Rossa, and their loss to the American entry BMW Oracle Racing in Flight 5. BOR navigator Peter Isler summed it up when he said it “was one of the great America’s Cup boat races of all time.” Race Commentator Mark Chisnell was more glib when he said that “Luna Rossa and Oracle have demonstrated that there's the width of a fag paper between them.” Curmudgeon’s Comment - On Chisnell’s website ‘Tack by Tack’ he provides an entertaining account of the BOR and Luna Rosa match. Take the ‘Butthead challenge and read his take on the race, and if you are not on the edge of your seat by the finish line, we promise to refund your Scuttlebutt subscription fee: http://www.tackbytack.com/archives_results.asp?id=48 Results from Tuesday Flight 4 1. Emirates Team New Zealand beat Areva Challenge by 1:55 2. Desafío Español 2007 beat Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team by 0:39 4. United Internet Team Germany beat China Team by 4:01 5. Team Shosholoza beat Luna Rossa Challenge by 0:36 6. BMW Oracle Racing beat Victory Challenge by 1:18 Flight 5 1. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team beat +39 Challenge by 1:12 2. Emirates Team New Zealand beat Desafío Español 2007 by 1:12 4. Victory Challenge beat United Internet Team Germany by 0:56 5. BMW Oracle Racing beat Luna Rossa Challenge by 0:06 6. Team Shosholoza beat China Team by 2:05 * For complete details from Tuesday’s racing: http://tinyurl.com/yqo6e5 Provisional Leaders (Bonus Pts - Matches Sailed - Matches Won - Total Pts) 1. BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 98) 3-5-5- 13 2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92) 4-4-3-10 3. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94) 3-5-3-9 4. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia (ITA 99) 2-4-3-8 4. Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) 2-5-3-8 4. Victory Challenge (SWE 96) 2-5-3-8 7. Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 97) 3-4-2-7 8. Areva Challenge (FRA 93) 1-4-2-5 9. United Internet Team Germany (GER 89) 1-5-1-3 10. +39 Challenge (ITA 85) 2-4-0-2 11. China Team (CHN 95) 1-5-0-1 Note: 2 points are awarded for each match won. * Flights 6 and 7 are scheduled for Wednesday, with all eyes on Team Shosholoza to see if they can continue their strong performance against Emirates Team New Zealand and Desafío Español. See the complete schedule at http://www.americascup.com/en/americascup/program/calendrier.php * In the U.S. during Round Robin 1 and 2, the Versus network will provide television highlights of each day’s racing (when there is racing) that same evening during the Versus coverage of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs. As for online updates, a 3:38 minute video highlight from Tuesday (Day 9) is available, and while the audio commentary is not too thrilling, the imagery is: http://www.americascupanywhere.com/internet_tv * The conspiracy theories are running rampant in Valencia regarding the date Alinghi set for the America’s Cup races, and how it has forced the Challengers to hold their trials during a time when the local winds are not yet “in season.” Alinghi is now in damage control mode, and on Wednesday they are hosting a media session to explain the current weather pattern, and to provide - as stated in their invitation - “the actual statistics of sailing days in Valencia from 2000.” Let’s hope those in attendance ask the Swiss team if they considered the effects of global warming during the past seven years. * America’s Cup Management (ACM), that being the group entrusted to run this event, is not afraid to unleash their legal team when someone hasn’t padded their pockets for use of terms and images that they hold the rights to. Their latest target is Sandfield Associates, a New Zealand software company that set up an online game for people to guess who would win races and the overall cup. Managing Director Bruce Copeland says they were served papers from the lawyers of the America's Cup ordering they remove the competition as it used official logos. He says they have also been told referring to the term America's Cup is a breach of rights. -- http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=116262 * The weather outlook for Wednesday shows a hint of improvement with a slight increase in wind strength from Tuesday, with the direction still from the east. Air temperature is expected to be 21 degrees C (70 degrees F). RONSTAN ORBIT BLOCKS – ON THE WAY! Get your order in now for the new performance blocks that everyone is talking about. As you read this, Ronstan’s all new Orbit blocks are on the way to the shelves of your favorite sailboat hardware shop. Orbit Blocks offer the best available strength:weight ratio. The Orbit Ratchet Blocks give you 20:1 holding power and is the only ratchet to feature “on”, “off” and “auto” modes in 1 block! Available from APS, Blackburn Marine, Defender Industries, Fisheries Supply, JSI, Layline, Murray’s Marine, Sailing Supply, Svendsen’s, and West Marine with more stores signing on daily. For details, visit www.ronstan.com/orbitblocks FRENCH SAILING OLYMPIC WEEK Hyeres, France (April 24, 2007) Despite the continuance of light winds, the 6 racing committees succeeded in hosting 36 races to bring most classes up to date with their schedule. Many of the classes have been split into groups for qualifying, and today was the last qualification stage. The finals will start Wednesday and the fleets will be spread in Gold, Silver, Bronze and Emerald groups depending on their fleet size. With the worst race dropped from the overall results, a few changes could appear in the classifications. Only the Lasers have an insufficient number of races to allow a discard, so the division into the final groups will be made counting all races. Despite the light air, the weather has been a treat - dry and warm, as opposed to windy and wet, reportedly the norm for this time of year. Similar conditions are expected for Wednesday, but forecasters predict the winds to begin to build by Thursday. The top North American teams continue their upward trend, with four teams now in podium position. Most impressive is the Canadian Tornado team of Oskar Johansson/ Kevin Stittle, who rolled a 1-2 today to lead their event. The American Yngling team of Barkow/ Howe/ Capozzi is a mere 4 points out of first, with American Laser sailor Brad Funk showing remarkable consistency (5-1-7-3) to also be in second. The chance for a medal in the Laser Radial class improved significantly with the drop race, as Anna Tunnicliffe remained in third while Paige Railey moved up to fourth after being able to drop the DNF she received Monday when she sailed a flight race with the wrong group. -- http://sof.ffvoile.net Results of Top North Americans (position / total entrants): Tornado - Oskar Johansson/ Kevin Stittle (CAN, 1/43) Yngling - Sally Barkow/Carrie Howe/Debbie Capozzi (USA, 2/29) Laser - Brad Funk (USA, 2/188) Laser Radial - Anna Tunnicliffe (USA, 3/105) 470 Men - Mikee Anderson-Mitterling / Dave Hughes (USA, 12/113) Finn - Zach Railey (USA, 17/68) 470 Women - (USA, 28/60) 49er - Rob Dale/ Hunter Lowden (CAN, 36/74) RS:X Women - Dominique Vallee (CAN, 34/71) RS:X Men - Zac Plavsic (CAN, 53/108) TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS (Among the emerging regattas in the U.S. is Charleston Race Week. The winner two weeks ago in the PHRF B fleet was NKE, a Beneteau First 10R 33 that also won the PHRF Nationals Champs at Key West. The following report comes from Don Finkle, who was at the helm of NKE in Charleston, where he discusses their pre-race practice session that likely contributed big dividends to their event success.) “We went out to practice on Thursday afternoon because we had never sailed together as a group before, and most of us had never sailed with one another period. The wind was blowing 22-28 knots, and we figured it was a good time to work out all of the kinks as some heavy air was predicted later in the regatta. We sailed up and down the harbor practicing tacks and jibes. Some of our crew had no prior experience with the asymmetrical spinnaker with the bowsprit, and while this arrangement is very easy to jibe once you get it down, it is not very easy in 25 knots if you haven't done it before. On one of our first attempts, Trav went overboard while running aft with the sheet during a jibe (we got him back aboard on the first pass). “Jibing in that much wind gave us a good feel for how the boat handled and recovered from a wipeout. We botched quite a few jibes before all of us were on the same page, and during this process we managed to wipe out a few times. Sometimes this was due to my getting used to how fast to turn the boat and how far to head up after the jibe, sometimes because nobody eased the vang, sometimes because we never got the chute all the way around. I was really pleased with the recovery of the boat after a broach, and I gained a lot of confidence knowing that if we were racing in a breeze, we would be in good control. We continued with our maneuvers until we were satisfied that we had it down and declared that we could head back to the dock and the opening night party.” -- Don Finkle NEW RECORDS The WSSR Council announces the ratification of 2 new World Records, both by Hydroptère, an 18m ocean going hydrofoil sailing yacht: Record: World Record Nautical Mile Yacht: Hydroptère Sailed by: Alain Thebault FRA and a crew of 6. Dates: 4th April 2007 Elapsed Time: 86.7 seconds over 1853.93 metres. Average speed corrected for current: 41.69 kts Venue: Quiberon Bay, France. Previous nautical mile record: Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Windsurfer. 41.14 kts, Walvis Bay in October 2006. Record: World Record "D Class" Yacht: Hydroptère Sailed by: Alain Thebault FRA and a crew of 6. Dates: 4th April 2007 Elapsed Time: 21.80 seconds over 500.96 metres Average speed corrected for current: 44.81 kts Venue: Quiberon Bay, France. Previous "D" class record: Navarin/Columbo, Techniques Avancees. 42.12 kts, Toulon 1997 For photos and video of Hydroptère: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0405 THE NEW “IT” BAGS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER Ditch the old, worn-out canvas carryall. This sailing season, pack your clothes and gear in the new “It” bags from True Wind. Handcrafted with new Dacron sailcloth from Hood Sailmakers, these bags feature solid brass hardware, marine-grade webbing, and a nautically inspired design that is colorful and truly original. With spacious main compartments and plenty of extra pockets, True Wind bags are perfect for the boat, around town, or anywhere in between. View the collection at http://www.truewindusa.com/index3.asp SENTENCE REPEALED In July 2003, 11-year-old Laura Morgan died while on holiday at Sunsail's Vounaki Club, Greece, when she became trapped under a catamaran and drowned. Five Sunsail employees were subsequently charged with causing death through negligence, and Watersports Manager Rebecca Morgan,(no relation) who was in charge of the club at the time of Laura's death, was given an 18-month sentence. Following an appeal hearing which ended yesterday, Monday 23 April, in Patras, Greece, Rebecca Morgan's sentence was repealed. The case is now set to go to the Greek Supreme Court. RYA Training Manager James Stevens said that the RYA welcomed the repeal: 'The Sunsail Vounaki Club is an RYA recognised training centre and as such was regularly inspected and found to comply with RYA requirements. Following Laura Morgan's tragic death we made a special inspection of the club's equipment, safety and tuition standards. We were satisfied that the club did fully comply with RYA requirements. We are pleased therefore, that in repealing Ms Morgan's sentence the Greek court has recognised that the watersports centre and staff were following stringent safety requirements.' -- Yachting Monthly, full story: http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070324123505ymnews.html PAN AM TEAM SELECTED US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) has selected 16 American sailors to compete at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 13-29, 2007. The sailing competition of the 2007 Pan American Games will feature nine events, including three Olympic classes - Laser (Men), Laser Radial (Women) and RS:X (Men and Women) - and five non-Olympic, open classes - Hobie 16, J/24, Lightning, Snipe and Sunfish. The members of the 2007 Pan American Games Sailing Team are: • Hobie 16 (Multihull Open) – Bob Merrick (Branford, Conn.)/ Eliza Cleveland (Branford, Conn.) • J/24 (Keelboat Open) - Daniel Borrer (St. Augustine Beach, Fla.)/ Nate Vilardebo (Tampa, Fla.)/ Patrick Wilson (Savannah, Ga.)/ Josh Putnam (Augusta, Ga.) • Laser (Single-handed Dinghy Men) – Andrew Campbell (San Diego, Calif.) • Laser Radial (Single-handed Dinghy Women) – Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) • Lightning (Multi-crewed Dinghy Open) - David Starck (Buffalo, N.Y.)/ Jody Starck (Buffalo, N.Y.)/ Bill Faude (Chicago, Ill.) • RS:X Men (Windsurfer Men) – Ben Barger (Tampa, Fla.) • RS:X Women (Windsurfer Women) – Nancy Rios (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) • Snipe (Double-handed Dinghy Open) - Augie Diaz (Miami, Fla.)/Tracy Smith (Newport, R.I.) • Sunfish (Single-handed Dinghy Open) – Paul Foerster (Rockwall, Texas) An estimated 5,500 athletes from 42 countries are expected to compete in 28 sports at the 2007 Pan American Games, which will be held at the Glória Marina in the Guanabara Bay. The Pan American Games are held every four years, historically one year before the Olympic Games. The first Pan American Games were held in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. -- Full report: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/pagteam.htm SAILING SHORTS * Artist Bob Bausch has provided the Scuttlebutt website with some of his digital art pieces of the Nat Herreshoff sailboats - the "New York" series of boats that Herreshoff designed for the New York Yacht Club. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0422 * Holmatro Marine Equipment, hydraulic supplier to the NYYC Club Swan 42, has appointed their first U.S. service representative, Integrated Marine Services. Located at The Newport Shipyard, Integrated Marine Services plays a large role servicing rigging and hydraulics within the marine industry. -- Details at mailto:info@rigging-hydraulics.com * North Sails has partnered with Sailing Weather Services to provide FREE weather forecasts for the Sperry Top-Sider Annapolis NOOD Regatta from April 27-29. To receive these daily detailed forecasts via email, simply log on to North Sails' online weather center: http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf ADVERTISING UPDATE Scuttlebutt advertisers are arguably the most significant and reputable group of companies in the sailing industry. Their strong support of Scuttlebutt has meant that the limited numbers of available newsletter text ad spaces are sold out until early July. For those interested in retaining summer ads, we suggest you inquire at your earliest convenience: advertising@sailingscuttlebutt.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Chip Donnelly: Regarding Tom Anderson's appeal to readers (in Issue 2328) on the topic of a handheld VHF with built-in GPS, perhaps the Uniden Mystic would serve his needs? Link: http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC * From Tom Hagoort: We use radar reflectors because they are all that is available, not because we believe they are effective. Why have we not developed reasonably priced electronic devices for boats that transmit a signal that radar detectors can identify? I understand that devices of that kind exist with respect to aircraft. * From Anne Jaeschke, San Francisco, CA: I find it kind of sad that there is now only have one U.S. Women's team participating in the Women's Keelboat event in the Olympics. There are so many talented American women racers out there, and it seems such a shame to me not to use all 3 of our spots in the Hyeres event. I know personally it is a dream for me to someday be in the Olympics and I am sure there are other women out there who share this with me. Can't we fix this and get 2 teams together? I mean, in November the Rolex Women's International Keelboat Championship will have 20-30 boats full of US women!! Hey, I'll volunteer…anyone want to crew for me?!! * From Ray Tostado: It is a shame the lads in Valencia are short of breeze. I am certain though, a serious analysis of the region passed the test of adequate wind for the cup. But that was what, 6 years ago? Certainly no one had the slightest inkling that the heaven of skiing, The Alps, would suffer for lack of the white stuff, resulting in loss of glacial ice, and skier revenue. No one predicted such could ever happen. The situation in Valencia is beyond the control of man, but not beyond this argument over climate change, that weather can drastically alter in such a short time; even within a single seasonal year. This places a great challenge on sponsors of major yachting regattas. In the US there are dozens of professional syndicates that travel coast to coast to compete. They will be risking time and money when events peter out with minimal wind conditions. Here in So Cal everyday is a challenge to match one’s intentions against what the weather forecaster’s miscues present. I, personally, have given up depending on the pros for weather prognosis. They barely manage 50% accuracy, with a lot of marginal calls. Last week, the first beer can race of the season in Marina del Rey, CA was cancelled due to too much wind, and there were no predictions of 20/25 kt Santana winds. We just woke up and it was there. I’ll just look out the window from now on. * From Adrian Morgan: With respect to those complaining of no Valencian breeze, you didn't have to play the game Alinghi cleverly cooked up. Valencian wind patterns in April are well known. Meanwhile, sailors wait. But they're used to it; it's all part of this intriguing, frustrating sport. The real issue is why sell the sport as a media friendly, guaranteed crowd puller, with pathetically short races (to suit the TV) and invite celebrities to take a back seat on board? It was bound to backfire. TV will never go near another AC event after this. No bad thing. If you invite the tail to wag the dog, sooner or later the dog will turn round and bite you. Makes you feel nostalgic for the old days. Btw, be sure to read Dennis Conner's incisive comments in Seahorse's fabulous free-to-download-if-you-hurry AC guide. Curmudgeon’s Comment: The link for Scuttlebutt’s exclusive access to ‘There is no Second’ - the Seahorse guide to the America’s Cup, is http://www.seahorse.co.uk/americas/us CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers. Today’s issue of Scuttlebutt supported by Ronstan and True Wind. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
