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SCUTTLEBUTT 1264 - February 18, 2003Powered 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 emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. HTML A number of our readers have asked for Scuttlebutt in an HTML format. OK - it's now available. All you have to do is double click on the link after the date on the first line of the newsletter, and you can read 'Butt in HTML. 31st AMERICA'S CUP Alinghi is in charge of the 31st America's Cup Match after winning the third race in the best of nine series on Tuesday. The Swiss Challenger now holds a 3 - 0 lead over the Defender, Team New Zealand. Race Three started in a 10-12 knot Northwesterly. The wind shifted back and forth across 45-degrees throughout the race, and at times hit 17-knots late in the piece. Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts changed his mind midway through the pre-start, opting to take the right hand side of the course on the start line and nearly immediately realised a huge gain as the wind shifted dramatically in his favour. The lead Coutts built in the first five minutes of the race would carry him the rest of the way around the course. Team New Zealand worked hard to minimise the damage on that first leg and slowly chipped away at the Alinghi lead over the next four legs. But Kiwi skipper Dean Barker ran out of time as Alinghi protected its lead ferociously, especially on the final run to the finish, when Barker was given few options to attack. Russell Coutts equalled Harold 'Mike' Vanderbilt with his 12th win in the America's Cup. Only Cup legend Dennis Conner, with 13, has more. Team New Zealand must now win five races before Alinghi wins just two more if it is to successfully defend the America's Cup. Race Four is scheduled to start at 13:15 on Thursday in Auckland - Wednesday in the US. Alinghi (SUI-64) beat Team New Zealand (NZL-82) - Delta: 0:23; Alinghi leads Team New Zealand in the best-of-nine series, 3 - 0. - America's Cup website: http://americascup.yahoo.com/story2006.html * The two-hour long race was won during the first 15 minutes of leg one. Once again the spookily precise intuition of Alinghi tactician Brad Butterworth to pick the first wind shift shone through. Initially both teams were calling for the left, but a late call from Butterworth, that he was happy with the right, saw the Swiss-based crew cash in on the first wind shift off the line. Alinghi to extend as the breeze shifted right up the first beat, rounding mark one 28 seconds ahead. - Fiona McIlroy, nzoom.com, full story: http://americascup.nzoom.com/americascup_detail/0,2523,169279-296-297,00.html * After all the high-tech innovations on America's Cup yachts, it is easy to forget that sailing is a game about mastering the wind. A shift of just 5 or 6 degrees will do more to affect a boat race than the most far-out design gadgets. - Warren St. John, NY Times, www.nytimes.com/2003/02/18/sports/othersports/18BOAT.html * They have won in heavy winds, won in light winds and won again today in moderate winds. Is the America's Cup headed to landlocked Switzerland? It looks that way. - Angus Phillips, The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23113-2003Feb17.html * "I don't think anybody expected this. To be honest, before the racing started I didn't know what to expect, it was so hard to predict." - Prada tactician Torben Grael, Cup Views website: http://cupviews.com/ RIDERS WANTED The best ride at the upcoming Acura SORC may not be on a race boat, but on the Raider RIB by Aquapro. Superb handling no matter the conditions combined with a comfortable cabin or stylish console model guarantees your passengers the most comfortable ride around. Whether in a 22' or a 46' model, Aquapro delivers the most comfortable ride at the most affordable prices. Still not convinced? Take a test ride at the Acura SORC. Call (619) 709-0697 to schedule your ride. Raider Boats - Quality made affordable. http://www.raiderboat.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS * March 29: Suddenly Alone Seminar (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), Bonnell Cove Foundation, Riverside YC, Riverside, CT. Intended to allay the fears that many spouses experience at the prospect of having to assume full control of a boat in the event that the captain becomes incapacitated. - Kaighn Smith, MD, @ KaighnS@aol.com WHAT IF? Ernesto Bertarelli, owner of the Swiss Alinghi sailing team, is considering defending it from the small Portuguese Atlantic port of Cascais, near Lisbon. The biotechnology multi-billionaire has stated that if he wins the best-of-nine regatta, he will nominate a defense in Europe. * Since Switzerland is landlocked, Bertarelli has named Italy, Spain, Palma de Majorca, Portugal and the French Riviera as possible sites. Neutrality runs high on the Swiss political agenda and of those places, only Portugal could guarantee not to mount a challenge for an America's Cup held by the Swiss. The Italians and the French are perennial challengers. Patrick Monteiro de Barros is commodore of the Cascais Yacht Club, the Clube Naval de Cascais, near Lisbon. Yesterday he told The Australian that he and Bertarelli had discussed Cascais for a Swiss America's Cup defence more than two years ago. Cascais, with reliable northwesterly trade winds from April to September, has hosted scores of world and European sailing championships over the past 60 years. With the soccer World Cup to be held in Germany in 2006, a cup defence is likely in the European summer of 2007. ``I am ready,'' de Barros said. ``I have the power of attorney from my club. ``I have the backing of the Portuguese Government. It will do whatever is necessary.'' - Excerpts from a story by Bruce Montgomery, The Australian, www.theaustralian.news.com.au/ AROUND ALONE 2003 STANDINGS: 2200 UTC February 16 CLASS 1: 1. Bobst Group-Armor Lux, Bernard Stamm, 4946 miles from finish 2. Solidaires, Thierry Dubois 75 miles behind leader; 3. Tiscali, Simone Bianchetti, 167 mbl; 4. Hexagon, Graham Dalton, 171 mbl; 5. Ocean Planet, Bruce Schwab, 294 mbl 6. Pindar, Emma Richards, 315 mbl. CLASS 2: 1. Tommy Hilfiger, Brad Van Liew, 5407 miles from finish; 2. Everest Horizontal, Tim Kent, 347 mbl; 3. Spirit of yukoh, Kojiro Shiraishi, 448 mbl; 4. BTC Velocity, Alan Paris, 614 mbl; 5. Spirit of Canada, Derek Hatfield, 1066 mbl. - www.aroundalone.com RECOMMENDED READING If you'd like to learn more about long keels, the hula, knuckle bows and predicting weather on the Hauraki Gulf, you simply must read John Browning's interesting piece posted on the Sail Texas website. His analysis is well-illustrated with photographs, drawings and illustrations to help you understand the tradeoffs made of each of the design teams. It's an in-depth study, but I think you'll find it's an easy and interesting read: www.sailtexas.com/amcupcountdown2003.html JULES VERNE TROPHY * GERONIMO: Olivier de Kersauson and his 10-man crew on the Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran are currently being driven by a 35-knot wind. "We're very close on the wind with Geronimo running under her staysail and a single reef in the main. We're on constant look-out. Within the next twenty hours or so, the wind is forecast to be at right angles to us. It's impossible at the moment to predict what kind of sea that will create, or how we will deal with it. Beam winds and very high seas are not necessarily a very comfortable or safe combination. On the other hand, at this latitude, if we do have to go south through the storm, there's less risk of meeting any ice. The Pacific has been really hard and deceptive. Sadly, I don't think we've seen the last of it yet. There are some hard hours ahead. We'll be happy to reach the Horn soon." - http://www.grandsrecords.com * KINGFISHER2: Having been forced north Kingfisher2 put in some good miles again by keeping just ahead of a cold frontal system today, but will need to gybe south to avoid a convergence zone ahead caused by a high pressure system forming in the mid Indian Ocean on Wednesday. Kingfisher2 Day 18 Summary (http://www.teamkingfisher.com): - 9 hours 39 minutes behind Orange - 64 hours 51 minutes behind Geronimo - Day 18 (24 hour run): Kingfisher2- 547 nm, Orange- 530 mn, Geronimo- 366 nm - Distance to go: Kingfisher2- 18089 nm, Orange- 17934 nm, Geronimo- 17051 nm UPF 40 + SUN PROTECTION, BLOCKS UP TO 97.5% OF UV RAYS The Camet Shorts and Pants are made out of a Breathable Supplex® fabric which has a rating of 40+ Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This provides excellent skin protection, blocks up to 97.5% of UV rays. Many styles and colors for men, women and children. At Camet International we are working to provide you with the most advanced technology sportswear. Find them on the Camet web site at: http://www.camet.com NEWS BRIEFS * The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2001-2004, Appendices Section II have been amended to reflect the changes made to the ISAF Regulations in November 2002. The changes affect the ISAF Advertising Code, ISAF Eligibility Code and ISAF Anti-Doping Code. All changes have been previously published in the 2003 ISAF Regulations which are available on the ISAF website at www.sailing.org/regulations * Nautor's Swan has teamed with Bvlgari, to add a purely cruising event to their already packed calendar for Swan owners. The Bvlgari Swan Caribbean Rendezvous will take place in the British Virgin Islands between 9 - 13 April 2003. The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda, will be at the heart of the Caribbean Rendezvous. Over four days with the emphasis on relaxed day cruises to the islands and fun social events at a variety of BVI locations including Bitter End, Norman Island and Cooper Island. * The 2003 Supplement for the Call Book for Match Racing 2001-2004 has been has been published and is available online at: www.sailing.org/rrs2001/supplement03mrcallbk.pdf * New England Boatworks, builder of high-end composite race boats such as the maxi "Sagamore," Dennis Conners' three "Stars & Stripes" Cup boats has launched something else - a newly redesigned website in which they reveal (almost) all their secrets. To get the skinny on what goes into their high-tech sailing machines, check out the profiled boats from the drop-down list on the NEB Sail Portfolio page: http://www.neboatworks.com/sail.htm * About 150 guests attended a ceremony and dinner in the Auckland War Memorial Museum to celebrate photographer Stanley Rosenfeld, sailor Malin Burnham and Sir Michael Fay becoming members of the Herreshoff Marine Museum Hall of Fame. www.nzherald.co.nz/americascup/ * ISAF now has an area for cruising on their website. Areas covered include developments on the reduction of piracy attacks, improving the widespread use and performance standards of radar reflectors, the environmental impact of anti-fouling and many other less conspicuous aspects such as the movement and control of ballast water to limit migration of foreign bodies into localized water, and PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas). - www.sailing.org/cruising LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) (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 or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Lloyd Klee:To say that Kiwi's are gutted is an understatement. Down 3 nil was just unthinkable a week ago.To think that it was actually Coutts that approached Bertarelli selling intellectual property along with the "black magic" crew for a package of some US$12 million or so to take away a cup that is worth US$300 Million to the NZ economy is also hard to stomach. I along with the vast magority of New Zealanders wish TNZ a miracle now to win the next five races on the trot and I will be on the water on Thursday to help make it happen. I now know what a fish feels like. * From John McBrearty: With all due respect to Wes Oliver, and without any intention of casting aspersions on the NZ Race Committee or Mr. Oliver, there have been many problems with officiating in several high profile sporting events. Remember the last Olympic's figure skating debacle? During the Cold War era there were also many decisions made by sporting judges which could only be ascribed to nationalism or political partisanship, or, perhaps, that was how those Judges really believed they saw. Consequently, the only way to assure that Race Committee work is unquestioned as to bias, regardless of the personal integrity of the officials, is to avoid any "appearance of impropriety". Which means that any event should be officiated only by officials who have no perceived interest, whatsoever, in the outcome. The fact that America's Cup brings with it a tremendous sense of national pride to the winner, not to mention the obvious financial benefits of being a host nation, demands that race management be done by officials who are neutral. * From John Rousmaniere: The to-do about race committees possibly jimmying the results of America's Cup matches includes an historical precedent that is not apt. It's been hinted that the NYYC race committee rigged the 1920 match by abandoning the start of the fifth race in fresh air. Why? Because a good breeze favored the challenger, Shamrock IV, and harmed the chances of the NYYC defender, Resolute, which was very tender. Shamrock and the defender, Resolute, were tied 2-2 in one of the two rubber match series in cup history (the other was 1983). Come another day, there was light air and Resolute won, keeping the cup in the US. But it's clear from contemporary sources that the race committee did NOT abandon the race on their own authority. As the mark boat was struggling to get upwind in a big sea and a breeze gusting into the 30s, the committee (by flag signal) asked the two afterguards if racing should be abandoned for the day. The first reply came from Shamrock: "yes." Resolute agreed, and the race was called off because the participants wanted it to be called off. The Shamrock people later explained that though they believed their boat could take it, they feared for the safety of their crew. Public criticism was harsh, but not of the race committee. "Overrigged and underbuilt except for the lightest weather, both Resolute and Shamrock IV were afraid to tackle it this day," said Yachting magazine. So who was responsible if not the sailors? * From Malcolm McKeag (re: retirements from America's Cup races): The first time a defender could not complete the course and thus withdrew from an America's Cup race was the first race of the 1885 challenge, when Puritan (the US defender) on port tack fouled Sir Richard Sutton's Genesta, on starboard tack. Genesta's bowsprit went 'clean through' Puritan's mainsail, and Puritan retired. This too was on the first. The race committee told Sutton that he had only to sail the course to be awarded the race. Sutton is said to have replied 'no thank you - I came for a race, not a sail-over...', and Genesta also retired, to give Puritan time to effect repairs. The race was re-scehduled and re-sailed. I don't suppose anyone is surprised that no one today would be likely to behave in such a sporting manner over a yacht race - but it's an amusing thought. * Alan Montrose: During the build up of the America's Cup, the designers like to talk about the speed improvements that the current crop of boats enjoy over their predecessors. We have now seen two races, and I am wondering to what extent the boat speed information we see on television can back-up the rhetoric. How much faster are Team New Zealand and Alinghi getting around the course then the boats in 2000? * From Kris Olszewski: I feel I must relate a story regarding New Zealand and its people. Last Cup I worked for a syndicate and enjoyed every minute of it. I especially loved the people, hospitality and the easily accessible adventure activities. If it wasn't so far away from the midwest and my family, I would move there in a heartbeat. This time I was in NZL for the semi's and visiting friends working for syndicates. I took my boyfriend for his first visit. Wearing his usual attire of sailing polo, we entered a restaurant where the Host immediately pounced on him asking sailing questions. It seemed that the "Best of the West" sailing show had just been featured that day on New Zealand TV and the host was enthralled that a J105 sailor from San Francisco was in his restaurant. Needless to say my boyfriend was amazed that anyone would care about an ordinary sailor with all the world champions walking around the viaduct basin. I was not. New Zealand is that kind of special place. * From Bruce Schwab: I need to make a correction to Rich McKenna statement that includes me as having received "Hundreds of thousands of dollars from corporate sponsors". The Made in America Foundation has raised about $100k in total marine products and cash combined, mostly product from very supportive companies. All the rest of the roughly $1.5 million to build and get Ocean Planet this far has come from personal donations! This includes over $200,000 in loans from very brave supporters, secured by our uninsured boat. Just go and try to build and race a new Open 60 within this budget and you'll see how lucky I am to be here. At the moment we are completely broke, maxed on credit, with no way to make the loan payments or continue the race from Brazil. Just wanted to set the record straight. * From Phil Olbert: The Yahoo Americas cup web page is nice, but sooooo slooowwww. Must have been done by either an amateur or someone with a high speed access that did not check it's operation on a dial up after completion. THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION SUCCESS: At age 4 success is not peeing in your pants. At age 12 success is having friends. At age 16 success is having a drivers license. At age 20 success is having sex. At age 35 success is having money. At age 50 success is having money. At age 60 success is having sex. At age 70 success is having a drivers license. At age 75 success is having friends. At age 80 success is not peeing in your pants. |
