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SCUTTLEBUTT 2408 - August 10, 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 the support of its sponsors. INSIDE THE HIGH TECH HUNT FOR JIM GRAY It looked like a fine day for a sail. On Sunday, January 28, 2007, Microsoft researcher Jim Gray woke up on his boat, a red 40-foot fiberglass cruiser called Tenacious. The water in Gashouse Cove, a cozy marina in San Francisco Bay, was nearly flat. The 63-year-old programmer phoned his wife, Donna Carnes, who was on an annual vacation with friends in Wisconsin. He said he was heading out to the Farallon Islands, a wildlife refuge 27 miles offshore, to scatter the ashes of his mother, Ann, who died in October. As Gray steered out through the Golden Gate to the open ocean, both tide and wind were in his favor. At 10:30 am, he called Carnes again and said that he was approaching a channel marker buoy 15 miles out. She asked him if he was wearing his harness; single-handed sailors can drown if a wave pitches them overboard and the ship sails on. "Yes, dear," he replied, saying that he would get in touch as soon as Tenacious came back into range. A few minutes later, he left an upbeat voicemail for his daughter, Heather, in Santa Barbara. "I'm taking Granny out to her final resting place. I'm surrounded by dolphins out here. It's a little cloudy but very pleasant. No whales but lots of dolphins and very pretty. Love and kisses, take care, bye." At 11:50 am, his smartphone synched with Microsoft's email server one last time, pinging a Cingular tower south of San Francisco. A couple of hours later, on Southeast Farallon Island, a naturalist named Brett Hartl spotted a sailboat with a reddish hull a mile or two offshore, sailing north. Then Gray and his boat vanished. The Coast Guard received no Mayday call, and Gray's EPIRB — an emergency radio beacon designed to broadcast a homing signal if it sinks — stayed silent. No sailors in the area reported seeing the boat adrift, and not a single life vest, flashlight, or scrap of debris belonging to Tenacious washed up on local beaches. Gray's mysterious disappearance inspired one of the most ambitious search-and-rescue missions in history. First the Coast Guard scoured 132,000 square miles of ocean. Then a team of scientists and Silicon Valley power players turned the eyes of the global network onto the Pacific. They steered satellites and NASA planes over the Golden Gate and mobilized the search for Tenacious on blogs and on Amazon.com. This group included some of the best minds in science and technology, among them Amazon.com chief technologist Werner Vogels and top executives at Microsoft and Oracle, including Bill Gates and Larry Ellison. Oceanographers and engineers from the US Navy, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute joined the effort, as did astronomers from leading universities. -- WIRED, full story: http://tinyurl.com/yug9ek => Curmudgeon’s Comment: This is a great article reviewing the depth of this search, which makes it even more astonishing that we remain no closer to the cause of Gray’s disappearance over six months later. Any information that may deem helpful should be provided to http://www.helpfindjim.com BRANDING WARS You build a state-of-the-art, high tech carbon race yacht and then what do you do? In Britain, we like to paint on a bland corporate logo. It's the equivalent of a polyester suit. We just don't get it. But they do in France. Before they launch a racing boat they go mad with the paintbrush and use every square centimetre of hull and sail to turn heads. Race fleets are as multicoloured as child's confectionery. The public loves it, photographers love it and so do the media. The most daring branding makes fantastic images that great on TV or on a magazine front cover. Two recently launched British-built boats have bucked the trend: Alex Thomson's carbon-black Hugo Boss and Estrella Damm, the Open 60 built in Cowes by the ultra media-savvy OC Group. In the battle of imagery, Estrella Damm is the real head-turner. Her red hull is peppered with glow-in-the-dark stars and the sails are painted with brightly coloured flowers designed by French artist. (The original idea of two children kissing was rejected.) All the crews we sailed by on the Solent yesterday stared, and then fished out their cameras. The sailors on board confess they think it's "a bit gay", and they pay a small weight penalty of about 4kg per sail, but so what? Estrella Damm is a stunner. This imaginative style of branding is exciting and we badly need more of it. -- Elaine Bunting, see photo of Estrella Damm at http://www.yachtingworld.com/yw/blog/20070709072714blog_elaine_bunting.html => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Shorthanded sailing in North America gets a fraction of the attention as drawn by its cohorts in Europe. However, it was in 2003 when American Jonathan McKee’s Team McLube introduced many in North America to the Mini 6.5, the 21-foot boat that has helped launch the careers of many of today’s top solo and offshore sailors. Now that McKee is onboard Estrella Damm for the two-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race to start this November, our eyes will likely get a bit wider again regarding this segment of our sport. Estrella Damm’s first big test will come this week when skipper Guillermo Altadill and McKee join 15 other IMOCA 60s that will be racing in the two-up format in the 608-mile Rolex Fastnet Race that starts this Sunday, 12th August. PURE TECHNOLOGY When talking about technological advancements in marine electronics… look no further. Ockam leads the way in sailing instrument technology by utilizing an advanced scientific approach to ensure the most reliable and accurate real-time data available. The powerful Tryad processor allows for easy sensor input calibration and processes information in 3D using pitch and roll. Tryad now has the ability to log all your data in its flash memory without an onboard PC. The new Matryx II graphical display uses transflective LCD technology to deliver crystal clear information, strip-charts, and system control. Ockam: a distinct competitive advantage. For information, contact: mailto:sales@ockam.com BARKER DOUSES ORACLE SPECULATION Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker has quashed speculation linking him with rival America's Cup syndicate Oracle Racing, saying he wants to stay put. He said he had signed a letter of intent to remain with Team NZ for the next cup regatta in Valencia in 2009. The Valencia Sailing website reported what it described as "a plausible rumour" that Barker had signed, or was about to sign, an agreement with new Oracle chief executive Russell Coutts to be helmsman. However, Barker said he had had no talks with Oracle. "Emirates Team New Zealand has moved to retain key members, including myself, and I have signed a letter of intent," he said in a statement. "I have had approaches from a couple of teams, but I would like to stay with Team New Zealand, the team that has worked so hard since 2003 to restore some pride in New Zealand sailing and regain the New Zealand public's confidence." -- The Sydney Morning Herald, full story: http://tinyurl.com/22476h ISAF WOMEN’S MATCH RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP St Quay Portrieux, France (August 9, 2007) -- After another beautiful sailing day in St Quay Portrieux, the quarter-final line up for the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship has been decided. The top four skippers from the opening round robin had already qualified for the quarter-finals and so took a break on Thursday, leaving the remaining eight to battle for the last four quarter-final slots. Day three was another stunning day of sailing, with twenty-eight matches sailed in fabulous conditions, with bright sunshine and a sea breeze of 12-14 knots. Hundreds of spectators lined the shore to watch some superb boat handling and tactical exchanges. Racing continues through Saturday. -- Event site: http://maiarmor.free.fr/wwmr Quarterfinal matches Claire Leroy (FRA) vs Silke Hahlbrock (GER) Josie Gibson (GBR) vs Christelle Philippe (FRA) Katie Spithill (AUS) vs Jessica Smyth (NZL) Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN) vs Klaartje Zuiderbaan (NED) WORLD TOUR –DANISH OPEN Copenhagen, Denmark (9 August 2007) -- The first day of the Danish Open 2007 brought three skippers to the front after the first five flights of the Round Robin have been completed. Jesper Bank (DEN), Jesper Radich (DEN) and Bjorn Hansen (SWE) all recorded three victories out of five. Ian Williams (GBR), Sebastien Col (FRA), and Sten Mohr (DEN) all scored two victories apiece. Not all the teams had the chance to race Thursday, as after the first five flights, the crews were changed and unfortunately the wind vanished at the same time. Skippers Mathieu Richard, Paolo Cian, Staffan Lindberg, Peter Winbroe, Rasmus Viltoft, and Philippe Presti will begin the round robin series on Friday. -- Full report: http://danishopen.kdy.dk/news_reader.php4?uniq_id=34 * The racing can be followed live on the Internet courtesy of the onboard tracking systems at http://www.tractrac.com/danishopen FIELD ANNOUNCED FOR BOATYARD DOG WORLD CHAMPS Rockland, Maine: Eight contestants have been chosen to compete in the 2007 World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials to be held on Sunday, August 12, 2007. The contest is equal parts entertainment, silliness, and good wet fun. Note that only pre-qualified competing dogs are allowed on show grounds. With the return of Soldado Woollett, 2006 Defending Champion, the competition should be intense.Competing dogs (and their people) will be held to judging standards that focus on each dog’s combination of style and pizzazz. The contest is based on three simple rules: Rule 1: Either the dog or handler must finish completely soaked. Rule 2: Cheating is not only tolerated, but encouraged. Rule 3: There are no other rules. This year’s trials consist of at least three events. - Dockside Obstacle Course: Dog and handler negotiate a maze of lobster traps, piles of rope, and other assorted dockside paraphernalia. The event is timed, with lowest elapsed time to serve as overall tiebreaker. - Dinghy-Hopping Trials: Dog and handler hop into and out of a VERY tippy dinghy that has been tethered to a float. - Freestyle Event: This is each dog’s chance to show off any special talents. In the past, one spaniel sang sea chanteys, a German shepherd convinced his human to jump into the water to fetch the stick, and another dog danced in a sailor suit. One dog has even impersonated Elvis! There’s a 3-minute time limit for this event, the funnier the better. -- Complete details: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0717 CHECK THIS OUT: Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysy0edAmFA8 You want to get your kids really stoked on sailing? This new video from the Euro'pen Cup in France shows the new energy in youth sailing. The U.S. O'Pen Cup is coming to Sail Newport (RI) on August 18th. This will be an "Un-Regatta" so don't expect conventional triangle course racing... slalom, speed, freestyle, and fun(!) will be required. If you are a hard-core racer with rulebook in hand, this event may not be for you. If you want to just have fun and pioneer a new chapter in Youth Sailing, game on! Event info at http://208.106.141.167/npt/m/_general/07openbiccup.asp SAILING SHORTS * With an entrant list totaling 462 boats, the 2007 Optimist New England Championship held this week at Sail Newport in Newport, RI is believed to be the largest single class one design regatta ever held in the United States. Expert photographer Amory Ross was on the scene – in the air and on the water – and provides some stunning photos from the event. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0809 * Scheveningen, Holland (August 9, 2007) -- A 23 to 26 knot northerly wind and a discouraging forecast kept the fleet ashore on day four of the Laser Radial Youth World Championship. This was to be the final day of elimination races before the male fleet was divided into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets, but the 5 completed races will be used now. The 68 female entrants will continue to sail as one fleet for the championship title. -- Complete results: http://www.laserklasse.nl/radial2007/results * With the start of the Rolex Fastnet Race this Sunday, August 12, a fleet of Rolex Fastnet hopefuls has begun assembling in and around The Solent area. Many of the entrants are racing in Skandia Cowes Week, used as a tune-up by some for the 608-nautical mile Rolex Fastnet Race. First contested in 1925 and, except for a break during the 1940s, run biennially since the early 1930s, this year marking the 42nd edition. With the largest fleet since 1979, 300 boats will take to the start line off the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. -- http://fastnet.rorc.org/container.asp?id=7963 * Peters & May, the international yacht transportation specialist based in the UK, has acquired a majority shareholding in the fast-growing Air & Ocean Shipping, Inc. of Chicago (AOS). The merger of the two companies makes Peters & May the largest independent logistics company specializing in yacht shipping. -- IBI Magazine, http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070709112541ibinews.html * Barnegat Bay will be a showcase of the America’s top youth sailing talent when some 93 sailors from throughout the country gather along the New Jersey shore for the US Sailing Chubb U.S. Junior Championships on August 11-16. The open single-, double-, and triplehanded events will be sailed in Lasers, Club 420s, and Nomads respectively, with a one-day clinic immediately preceding the scheduled race days of August 13-15. Event sponsor Vanguard Sailboats will be supplying boats to all three events. -- Complete report: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/chubbjrpre.asp PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include the Open 60 fleet racing in Cowes, along with the dismasting of the new Juan K-designed Pindar. We have British mulit-olympic medallist Shirley Robertson and long distance legend Ellen MacArthur all dolled up in evening wear, Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup five-time winner Karen Mitchell, Governor's Cup 21s being used at the Balboa Challenge in Southern California, a Merit 25 getting launched in big waves and breeze in San Francisco, a covert photo from Scuttlebutt’s embedded journalist at the Harken 40th anniversary party (shot during a tour of the late night spots in downtown Pewaukee, WI), plus much more. 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/07/0810 * If you looked for the Photos of the Week feature last week – and didn’t find it – we have an explanation: http://tinyurl.com/yns6ft 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 Mike Benedict: (regarding story in ‘butt 2407) The issue of multiple Mexican races is an interesting one. As past co-chair and chairman of SDYC's race to Manzanillo (now PV), this is a discussion I've been party to a number of years ago. If you look at the race schedules you presented, the two TransPac races are from different locales, and to different finishes. I suspect that the Pacific Cup may draw a somewhat different audience than the LA TransPac. The odd year Mexican races have evolved into different focus races - the Marina Del Rey YC race has a much more "cruising" flavor to it, while the NHYC Cabo race has traditionally been a "TransPac tune-up" race. Both clubs do an excellent job for their audiences. Could they be combined into one race, with a longer start interval, a Cabo intermediate destination and finish, and additional PV finish? I guess, but it would likely be unwieldy, and I suspect that most racers on a TransPac tune-up wouldn't want to go past Cabo. The even year Mexican races probably make more sense to combine - especially with the Long Beach race only a few months earlier. These three make good sense to consolidate to two or one. The Curmudgeon has been quoted as saying the ideal Mexican race starts in San Diego and finishes in Cabo. I probably agree. For folk wanting to move on to PV and points south, a Cabo race could still be a good feeder. * From Len Bose: Regarding the question of too many Mexican races, this is not just about supply and demand. There are some other variables impacting participation, and I would suggest a Scuttlebutt survey seeking information on whether folks would sail in November, do they want to sail through the Gulf of Mexico, should there be a bouy race following the distance race, etc. Curmudgeon’s Comment: Great idea, but it would seem to be important to limit survey participation to those with specific knowledge on the subject. If the sponsoring yacht clubs would like Scuttlebutt to lend our polling tool to conduct such a survey, you know where to find us. * From Bill Fastiggi, PRO 2007 Laser Nationals: (In Response to Corey Friedman's letter about capping the entries at the upcoming Laser Nationals) The reason why we have a 150 boat cap at the 2007 Laser nationals is simple - the size of our facilities. We were asked to host this regatta and were told that we might expect 100 boats. The Laser Nationals last year had 74 boats. We decided to cap the event at 150 as that is the maximum we could handle from a standpoint of parking and boat storage. We could handle 300+ boats on the water and run multiple courses if needed. That there are over 200 people that want to come is a positive indication of the strength of one design sailing. How could that be "shooting yourself in the foot?" As far as Malletts Bay Vermont not being a hotbed of Laser sailing, Corey should get out on Tuesday nights and race with the local fleet of 15-25 boats and win a few races before he criticizes the skill level or amount of activity. If Laser sailing isn't his bag - there are other evening series races on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights in all types of OD classes - Lasers, Solings, Lightnings, J-24's, and Etchells. Put down the keyboard and go sailing! * From Richard Hazelton, Editor, 48° North Sailing Magazine (Re: Floating Billboards) Ads on TV provide programs, ads on the internet provide service, ads on sails sponsor boats, ads on floating billboards provide nothing, just dollars for the advertising company and provide nothing but an eyesore for the targeted people who are trying to have a nice time out on the water, away from all this stuff. The "community message board" is nothing but a smokescreen to solicit advertising on the space. Sorry, I'm all for new ideas but your gain is our loss. If this idea comes to the Northwest, our magazine will fight it through the Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, and any other powers that be, with all our might. The laws in Washington already have removed billboards for a certain distance from the highways because of "eye-pollution," which already gives us a leg up on this preventing this invasion of the waters. * From Justin Scott: In Scuttlebutt 2407, Jack Engel invites us to drive on the beautiful Merritt Parkway (CT) "that has been without commercial signage since its opening in the 1930's." It just so happens that I drove up the Merritt on my way back to Marblehead, MA from a regatta in Georgia with my Viper 640 in tow. It is beautiful... but I was stopped by a Connecticut State Trooper and given a hefty fine. Trailers are not allowed on the Merritt Parkway. This fact is, of course, not advertised by any signage, commercial or otherwise. Please leave your boats behind before responding to Jack's invitation to go for a drive on the parkway. CURMUDGEON’S CONUNDRUM How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? Special thanks to Ockam Instruments and O'Pen BIC. |
