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SCUTTLEBUTT 2230 – November 27, 2006Scuttlebutt 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). GUEST COMMENTARY (Scuttlebutt’s recent Video of the Week included some great windsurf wave sailing, and we also mentioned how the extreme footage might entice some of the aging Opti sailors to cross over to the “dark side.” This got the attention of windsurfing promoter Jim DeSilva, who submits the following guest commentary.) I could not agree with you more concerning the state of Olympic Windsurfing. While there are many participants in the (windsurfing) sport, they tend to be the ones who can afford the gear (hence, age 30 and up), as there is no youth development going on in windsurfing at all. The key is yacht clubs, where the sport is absent. Interestingly, I spent some time working on this very project three years ago, and tried to bring the Mistral Prodigy to a number of clubs on the East Coast. We actually got 15 clubs participating on various levels, some very committed, some not committed at all, but the interest was clearly strong on the part of the kids. All of the clubs had the same story: "we need something to maintain interest as the kids get older...they get bored and we end up losing them." Windsurfing could very well be the answer as it is a board sport, much more physical, easy to travel with, and more speed and excitement oriented. The Curmudgeon is 100% accurate when stating the quickest path to Olympic sailing is through windsurfing. If you take a good sailor and teach them to windsurf, they can be competing in trials within a year--no exaggeration (remember, the sport has both men and women in the Olympics). But while the windsurfing industry has mostly ignored clubs, clubs also seem to be intimidated by windsurfing and treat it as some weird cult-like faction of sailing..., which it is not. The sport is so stupid easy to learn now, with the advent of the wide board and lightweight rigs in all sizes (60 lb kids can be windsurfing now very easily), that it is very surprising that more clubs have not taken the lead in producing the next series of Olympic Windsurfers--the opportunity is absolutely wide open. I believe the key to success in the sport (both from a participant and racing perspective) is to integrate it back into the sailing community. Everywhere else in the world, the sport is very strong right now, and while windsurfing is increasing in the US as well, participants here are having to come in from the wilderness. The time is right for a homecoming. The time is right for clubs to integrate the sport into their programs. - Jim DeSilva IS THIS STILL A RACE? Saturday November 25 sees the skippers, teams and followers of the Velux 5 Oceans digesting the extraordinary events of the past 48 hours. Alex Thomson took the devastating decision to abandon Hugo Boss in the Southern Ocean (keel failure 1,000 miles south of Africa). The young skipper was then heroically rescued by fellow Brit and race rival Mike Golding (Ecover). Hours after this act of bravery and seamanship, Golding suffered the cruel blow of a broken mast and is now working with Thomson to get his boat to Cape Town as quickly as possible. The drama and action at sea are a testament to the experienced sailors and the IMOCA class. Away from the drama below South Africa, Bernard Stamm (Cheminees Poujoulat) continues to hold a commanding lead of 887 miles over Kojiro Shiraishi on Spirit Of Yukoh. The defending champion had a tiring night of very strong and changeable wind conditions, with gusts peaking at 40-50 knots. The Swiss skipper got little sleep as he forced to make numerous sail changes throughout the night. Koji, the Japanese hero, has reported plunging temperatures and has even made a snowman on deck as he takes second place in the race. Back in the fleet, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (Saga Insurance) continues to be plagued by problems with his auto pilot systems as he begins to turn west away from Brazil and head towards South Africa. -- Velux 5 Oceans race website: http://www.velux5oceans.com * Video footage by both Mike Golding and Alex Thomson during the rescue: http://www.velux5oceans.net/24_11_06_Boss_Abandon_VNR/VNR_24_11_06.wmv * Audio interviews with Mike Golding, which include discussions on the rescue of Thomson and the mast breakage: http://fr.mikegolding.com/?pg=media&type=audio Curmudgeon’s Comment: There is a new posting on Scuttleblog that recalls our July concerns about the event, and questions the current relevance of this “race.” -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2006/11/is-this-still-race.html LOOK GOOD FOR THE HOLIDAYS …and feel good. Whether you treat yourself for the holidays, or that special someone, you’ll enjoy luxurious design, performance engineering, and clearly, see what others don’t. We call it Luxury Performance. The new Chrome Basis from Kaenon Polarized is just that – pure Luxury Performance. Delivered as only Kaenon Polarized can. Available in prescription. For men and women. Kaenon Polarized. Evolve Optically. Available at the finest sailing shops in the country. View the entire collection online or locate an authorized dealer nearest you at http://www.kaenon.com. Arriving March 2007…the new Hard Kore. The Kaenon Polarized evolution continues. JUD SMITH WINS AUDI ETCHELLS WORLDS (Saturday, Nov 25, 2006) Jud Smith, the three times North American Etchells champion and four times Worlds runner up took the gun in the eighth and final race to win the 2006 Audi Etchells World Championship off Fremantle West Australia today. Smith and his crew of Dirk Kneulman and New Zealanders Andrew Wills and Thomas Saunders, crossed the finish line and shortly afterwards the Star Spangled Banner boomed from the Black Swan, the very same tender that boomed out Men at Work back in 1983 when Australia 11 took the America's Cup. Smith won the Audi Etchells Worlds 2006 showing his ability and determination to take the title in the last race of the series. The Fremantle Doctor was pumping with winds climbing into the 20's as Smith led from the first mark he was overtaken by his countryman Chris Busch down the run but rounded inside the San Diego sailor. Half way up the beat for the second time, he crossed ahead and was never overtaken again. Smith crossed ahead of Busch, with Craig Healy in third. Ante Razmilovic from Britain needed to beat Smith by two places today, but the best he could do was fourth. New Zealander Alastair Gair who led into the eighth and final race of the series only needed to stay in contact to take the title. At the top mark for the first time the Kiwi's were 18th; they fought back valiantly to take seventh place and had to be content to settle with second overall. -- Complete report: http://tinyurl.com/vfrr4 Final results (69 boats; after 8 races with 7 races to count) 1. (USA) Jud Smith/Dirk Kneulman/Andrew Wills/Thomas Saunders, 21 pts 2. (NZL) Alastair Gair/David Ridley/Carl Peters/Derek Scott, 25 3. (GBR) Ante Razmilovic/Jez Fanstone/Stuart Flinn, 30 4. (GBR) Andy Beadsworth/James McHugh/Simon Fry, 50 5. (USA) Craig Healy/Kieth Stahnke/David Gruver, 56 Complete results: http://tinyurl.com/y7wgpn DISABLED SAILORS FIND THEIR RIDE The words, spoken by a stranger to Herb Meyer in 1994 as he shopped for groceries, changed his life. "Hey, I see the 'Sailors have more fun' sticker on your wheelchair." "I used to be a sailor," Meyer said. "Want to go sailing?" It was an invitation that Meyer couldn't refuse. And that's when he entered the world of sailors with disabilities. "I went down to the docks and they put me in a sling and hoisted me into a specially fitted boat," Meyer said. "They used Velcro and strapped my hand to the tiller so I could steer. And within one year of my accident that left me disabled there I was, out sailing on San Francisco Bay again." He joined and became an enthusiastic supporter and spokesperson for the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors, the organization that got him back out on the water. Currently serving as BAADS staff commodore, Meyer credits BAADS with allowing him to continue his life's love of sailing. Meyer, a Larkspur resident, started winning sailboat races in New Jersey when he was 12 years old. He moved to the Bay Area in 1963 and started racing out of the Belvedere Cove where he kept his boat. In 1980 he followed his boat and moved to Marin. Sailing is generally considered a safe sport, but on July 31, 1993, Meyer had an unlucky accident while performing a simple maneuver. "I was crewing for the skipper on a Rhodes 50 sailboat chartered out of Pier 39. ... (The captain) said ease the Genoa, so I moved forward and uncleated the sheet," Meyer said. "A puff of wind hit and I was yanked forward and hit the bulkhead. I ended up on the floor of the cockpit and couldn't move. ... That's when I entered the world of disability." -- by Jan Pehrson, Marin Independent Journal, full story: http://www.marinij.com/fastsearchresults//ci_4708446 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar HAWAIIAN SAILING LEGEND TEACHES YOUNG SAILORS (Honolulu, HI, Nov 24, 2006) The dream of sailing in Hawaii has come true for a group of young, mainland sailors. And they're learning from one of Hawaii's sailing legends. Out of about 550 applicants, 15 were chosen to become Morning Light sailors. They're getting ready for a major voyage. But today, they're sailing on the Hokule'a under the watchful guidance of master navigator Nainoa Thompson. "I want them to understand how special Hawaii is -- its environment, its culture, its community," said Thompson, who, in 1980, became the first Hawaiian in more than 500 years to navigate a canoe to and from Tahiti using only natural navigation. "He's got such a passion for Hokule'a, and for voyaging and for everything Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian history is. And it was really wonderful to see him impart that to us," said Morning Light crew Genny Tulloch. - by Leland Kim, KHNL, full story: http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=5726997 PURE TECHNOLOGY When talking about technological advancements in marine electronics…look no further. Ockam continues to lead the way in sailing instrument system technology by utilizing an advanced scientific approach to perfect instrument accuracy and reliability. The high-speed, powerful Tryad CPU allows for easy calibration of sensor inputs and processes information in 3D utilizing pitch and roll from an available 3-axis, rate stabilized compass. This ensures the most reliable and accurate real-time data available. The Matryx II graphical display uses transflective LCD technology to provide crystal clear information, data strip-charts and system control. Ockam Instruments…a distinct competitive advantage. For information, contact mailto:sales@ockam.com 60TH ANNUAL TIMME ANGSTEN (Nov. 26, 2006) Typically frozen halyards and hot cocoa are staples of the Timme Angsten Memorial Regatta, held annually in Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend. But not this year. The tagline for the regatta: "The Best Competition Your Ever Froze With," was slightly amiss. Collegiate sailors racing for the 60th Annual Timmes and Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association ’s Fall Championship rollicked in an unseasonably warm November weekend in Chicago with temperatures in the low 60's. The high air temp's and decent winds made for an excellent racing weekend, and top ranked Boston College clenched their fifth consecutive Angsten victory. The winning BC team includes Spencer Powers, Jay Connolly, Field Osler, Sandy Williams and Mallory Brown. BC's 'Timmes' record is second only to the Coast Guard, who won seven consecutive 'Timmes' from 1959-1965. -- Complete report: http://tinyurl.com/y6lof5 * Photographer Glennon Stratton made the trip to the Timme, with the Scuttlebutt website now posting his images online. If your past collegiate sailing includes this event, you deserve to take a peak: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/1126 SAILING SHORTS * North Sails has partnered with Sailing Weather Services to provide complimentary weather forecasts for the Mumm 30 World Championship, to be held in Miami, Florida from November 29 - December 2, 2006. To sign up, simply log on to North Sails' online weather center: http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf * (Nov 26, 2006) Dean Barker, with crew Terry Hutchinson, Don Cowie, James Dagg, and Jeremy Lomas, has retained the New Zealand Match Racing Championships title, beating Gavin Brady 3-2 in the best of five final off Westhaven in the Waitemata Harbour this afternoon.Barker and his Team New Zealand crew controlled the crucial start in the deciding fifth race to sail away to victory. The Team New Zealand skipper has now won four national match racing titles, the last three in a row. It was an encouraging weekend for Barker and Team New Zealand as they beat two key America's Cup rivals in BMW Oracle's Chris Dickson in the semi and Brady in the final. -- New Zealand Herald, http://tinyurl.com/y7hub6 * Sailing event management company, OC Events, and creators of the Extreme 40 Class, TornadoSport, have joined forces to provide a series of regattas in Europe in 2007, to be managed by OC Events. The Extreme 40 class made its debut during the 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race, competing at several stopovers around the world, with two-time Olympic Silver medallist Randy Smyth from America winning the inaugural series ahead of Team Basilica. Existing Extreme 40 teams have already confirmed their participation in the 2007 series, including Holmatro, Team Basilica and Conrad Humphreys Racing. -- Full report: http://www.xtreme40.com/news.asp?id=5005 * The second winner of Scuttlebutt’s “What is on your gift list” forum thread is ‘lasertime’, whose list of “must have” items have earned himself/herself a $50 gift certificate. Some of the items on lasertime’s list included a new Vangard Laser - Oceanic blue, a new Vangard Opti for his little sister, and an “Eastport 32” coach boat for his dad. There are still four more weeks left, and four more $50 gift certificates to be handed out. Post your list here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/2006/gifts GET TROPICAL THIS HOLIDAY! Onne van der Wal's online photography gallery has plenty of warm and inviting photographs to keep everyone toasty this year! And you get 15% off when you mention that you're a “'butthead.” Prints of all sizes and prices, 2007 calendars, notecards, posters and gift certificates! http://www.vanderwal.com SECOND HALF (Opua, NZL, Nov. 21, 2006): Accompanied for three hours by a boatload of cheering friends, Donna Lange -- the “singing grandmother,” -- today resumed the second half of her epic solo circumnavigation after a seven month stay in New Zealand. During the visit her 28-foot boat ‘Inspired Insanity’ was repaired and refurbished by dozens of Kiwi friends. During her five month sail from Rhode Island (USA) to New Zealand the only communication Donna had was via a satellite telephone. For her non-stop trip home she has the latest automatic satellite location equipment and weather faxes, along with email and telephone. She will be feeding daily reports to her website, where her current position will be illustrated on a global chart. Donna made many friends during her six month visit to New Zealand, singing and speaking to a wide assortment of yacht clubs, women’s groups, industrial and other organizations most of which said her visits were “inspiring.” http://www.donnalange.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 Ryan Hamm: (regarding letters in Issues 2228 and 2229 I have mixed feelings about pros in sailing. I keep hearing words like "class killer" concerning this trend. I actively campaigned my Melges 24 for years and watched the class grow while sailing against Russell Coutts, James Spithill, Chris Larson, Andy Burdick, Harry Melges, etc. and the list goes on for pages. It was a great period in my life and the Melges Class Association is pretty good about their Corinthian Class, so you get to sail and compete against the best while also competing against your peers. Class killers, I think not. What a thrill it was to cross Dave Ulman's bow in a World Championship. Sure it was between races, but still being on the same course was an honor. If the Etchells think they are being squeezed out, they need to implement a Corinthian Class and really strive to make that an honor to win the part of the class that is not getting paid. It can be a win-win. There have been over 100 boats in consecutive Melges Worlds and it has been the biggest class at Key West and other regattas for years. It seems to be working. I never paid a sailor (but I have bought many a drink or a few dinners and maybe paid for a cramped hotel room), but I could if I had chosen too. Freedom of choice. * From Geoff Ewenson: (in response to Al Johnson’s comments in Issue 2228) It’s great if you sail because you like to drive your boat. However, some people enjoy trimming more than driving, so even though they pay the bills they would rather tweak the sails. That is their prerogative. I have sailed with owners who prefer to navigate or to do tactics because they find that challenge more suitable to them. I am so sick of people jumping all over owners because they choose not to drive their boats. It’s their money and their toy...who are we to tell them how to use it? I doubt Bob Craft (New England Patriots’ owner) is much of a quarterback and so I am happy he pays Brady to throw the ball for him. Does that make him a bad person? * From Stevan Johnson: David Fagen's analogy (in Issue 2229) of paying your helmsman in a small one-designs being like caddying for a pro golfer is flawed in one critical sense. In sailing, it is the fat-walleted "caddy" who is often seen waving the trophy with glee. That is NOT what it is all about. Years ago I watched an owner being driven around the course to victory in the Olson 30 class by a young, brilliant John Kostecki. The owner's role seemed to be summed up as "sit here, not there." I could never understand what that owner exactly won. That doesn't mean that wealth or massive effort should necessarily be snubbed. I admire both the Kahn family's Pegasus program and the guy struggling but learning in our local J-24 fleet as people who understand that it is ultimately about personal success and, above all, participation. Oh, and Al Johnson can drive for me anytime! * From Lyn Silva, Honolulu: Congratulations to Urban Miyares for receiving the Gay S. Lynn Memorial Award. Could not have gone to a better recipient. I am always in admiration of he and his crew when they pulled in at the end of a Transpac at the Hawaii Yacht Club. I look forward to seeing them again in next year’s Transpac. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION "Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar!" ~ Drew Carey Special thanks to Kaenon Polarized, Ockam Instruments, and Onne van der Wal. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
