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SCUTTLEBUTT 2898 - Friday, July 31, 2009Scuttlebutt 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. Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Today's sponsors are PredictWind.com and West Marine. GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES (July 30, 2009) - In the America’s Cup legal case before the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Justice Kornreich's latest order (today) couldn't be any clearer. The Deed of Gift gives Alinghi, the Defender of the 33rd America's Cup, the "very advantage" to modify the rules at will, "unfortunately for GGYC". As a result, the confidential agreement between Alinghi and the ISAF is deemed to be entirely legal and, consequently, there is nothing inherently illegal with Alinghi 5 since its design doesn't violate the Deed of Gift. According to Justice Kornereich, the only "blatant example of a design feature that would violate the Deed is an engine to propel that yacht". In the case of Alinghi 5 the engine doesn't, obviously, propel her (the engine powers the hydraulic system used for making adjustments to the sails, rigging, and possibly ballast) and is permitted since not "prohibited by the language of the Deed". This is, without any doubt, a major point in favor of Alinghi. As for the appointment of a jury for the race, Justice Kornreich finds, again, that there is nothing in the confidential agreement between Alinghi and ISAF that is inconsistent with the Deed of Gift. Alinghi, however must give BMW Oracle a copy of the said agreement. Finally, regarding the issue of BMW Oracle's boat, Justice Kornereich will hold a hearing on August 10th, where BMW Oracle will have to show "when it's practicable" to provide a Customs House Registry, as asked by Alinghi. Each party will have an incredible 6 hours to present their case!! -- Valencia Sailing, http://tinyurl.com/VS-07-30-09 Court decision: http://tinyurl.com/NY-Court-7-30-09 Alinghi statement: http://tinyurl.com/Alinghi-7-30-09 BMW Oracle statement: http://tinyurl.com/BOR-7-30-09 * As a point-counterpoint, the Valencia Sailing website has posted a letter from Brad Butterworth, skipper of the America’s Cup defender Alinghi team, where he rebuts some of the content from an interview with BMW Oracle spokesman Tom Ehman that was posted earlier this week: http://tinyurl.com/BB-rebut * If you are tiring of the litigious reports, save some energy for August 8th, which is when the defender is to disclose the sailing venue. BMW Oracle Racing (BOR) has repeatedly stated that all previous legal decisions offer the only venue options as Valencia, Spain or any site in the Southern Hemisphere. To remind the Alinghi team of their position, BOR sends this warning shot over their bow: http://www.ggyc.com/20090728GGYC-SNG_letter.pdf CATCHING UP WITH DAWN RILEY AND AMERICA TRUE America True was the first and last truly coed challenger for the America's Cup of yachting, in 2000. Now it is a San Francisco foundation for community sailing programs. America True operates out of a waterfront trailer with a couch where founder, Dawn Riley, 45, sometimes sleeps. Q: Describe your foundation? DAWN RILEY: “We're a nonprofit foundation that is an incubator and hospital for community sailing programs, which are completely different than yacht club programs. There are no blue blazers.” Q: An example? DAWN RILEY: “On Aug. 15 we're having an event at India Basin. We provide kayak(ing) and sailing to anybody who shows up. It is free and I cook hot dogs. (www.americatrue.org.)” Q: What happened to coed teams in the America's Cup? DAWN RILEY: “After 2000 there was a shift. All these mega-billionaires decided, "I can buy that, no problem." The stereotype that men are better than women came in, so they didn't even consider women.” Q: How would you describe these new racing vessels that go faster than the wind? DAWN RILEY: “For the true racing aficionado, it will be a bit of a joke. For everybody else, it will be amazing, the power, as long as they don't crash into each other and die.” -- SF Chronicle, read more: http://tinyurl.com/DR-7-30-09 LASER RADIAL WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Karatsu, JPN (July 30, 2009; Day 3) - For the 87 sailors at the 2009 Women s Laser Radial World Championship, it was the final day of qualifying, with the next three days divided into gold and silver fleets. American Anna Tunnicliffe, who remains the only sailor with all top six scores, comments on the day, “It was a windy and wavy day, with the swell already kicked up from yesterday (Wednesday), the overnight wind made the water choppier, so the sailing today was tough. We had conditions from 14-16kts with the waves and these made for a very physical day. We had two races, the final two from the qualifying rounds, and I finished with a 3, 6 to be lying 3rd overall, two points from first. “The racing was very simple in that you had to start near to the boat end, get a good lane and hike as hard as you could to the right hand corner. When you just about hit layline, you tacked and headed for the mark. It was tough if you didn’t have a good lane or a good start because you were playing catch up a lot, which was what I had to do. I gave it my all and was able to sail through the fleet up wind to get some decent results for the day. I was a little disappointed in my 6th as I ran out of energy and got passed by two boats on the last downwind leg. Luckily I caught back one on the last beat to the finish, but it was a silly point to lose. “Tomorrow's (Friday) forecast is for a little lighter breeze, but still decent. I’m very much looking forward to tomorrow's racing. It will be the first time I have raced some of the girls here, since we haven’t met in the split fleets yet. The points are close in the top ten, so every point will matter from here on out to the finish of the event in three days time.” -- http://www.annatunnicliffe.com/content/view/272/1/ Standings: http://events.laserinternational.org/en/events/results/100z33 EXPERT WIND FORECASTS - FREE 1 MONTH TRIAL! Want a competitive edge in your next regatta? Use a forecast from PredictWind.com! We are the choice of champion sailors around the world...read about it at http://www.predictwind.com/Customer+Feedback.html Using proprietary technology we generate 2 independent forecasts twice daily. For Offshore Sailors we generate 7 day forecasts with truly global coverage. For Inshore Sailors we use an incredible 1km resolution model with local topography to generate a forecast of unparalleled accuracy for your sailing area. High resolution equals better accuracy. Get your FREE 1 month trial at http://www.PredictWind.com WOMEN'S MATCH RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Lysekil, SWE (July 30, 2009; Day 3) - The 12 teams in the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship encountered physical sailing when the first Round Robin was completed today. The quarterfinals did not start today as the racing was interrupted at mid-day when a front came in, bringing gale winds to the race course. While Claire Leroy (FRA) and the two Swedish teams Marie Björling and Anna Kjellberg had already qualified for the quarterfinals on Wednesday, the three remaining spots were sought after by five possible contestants. Jumping to the front were Australians Katie Spithill and Nicole Souter, with Spithill noting, “It is a big benefit for us to have a sparring partner. We are more like a team of 12, having the same coach and pushing each other.” Camille Ulrikkeholm of Denmark scored the final spot to the quarterfinals. For the quarterfinals the six competitors will sail another round robin, with the four best teams advancing to the semi finals. Reigning World Champion Claire Leroy flew in Camille Lecointre from France to replace a crew that had been injured. First Round Robin completed (top six to quarterfinals) 1. Claire Leroy (1) FRA, 10-1 2. Marie Björling (43) SWE, 9-2 3. Anna Kjellberg (10) SWE, 8-3 4. Nicole Souter (8) AUS, 6-5 5. Katie Spithill (2) AUS, 6-5 6. Camille Ulrikkeholm (13) DEN, 6-5 ---------------------------------------- 7. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (5) DEN, 5-6 8. Sally Barkow (7) USA, 5-6 9. Lucy Macgregor (3) GBR, 5-6 10. Linda Rahm (4) SWE, 4-7 11. Silke Hahlbrock (6) GER, 2-9 12. Christelle Philippe (19) FRA, 0-11 Match results: http://www.lysekilwomensmatch.se/page/227/page.htm FOR THE RECORD (July 30, 2009) - On the first morning of the transatlantic record attempts for the two maxi-tris, the 103-foot Groupama 3 and 131-foot Banque Populaire V, we estimate that Pascal Bidegorry's bigger blue trimaran is ahead of her rival. Last night Groupama 3 set off 2 hours 35 minutes ahead of Banque Pop, and by 0800 GMT this morning, both were ahead of the record and Banque Populaire had 2563 miles to go to the Lizard, 24 miles less than Groupama 3 had 2 hours 35 minutes previously... Confused? Both are making good progress averaging speeds of more than 32 knots (ie peak speeds approaching 40 knots). This pace is not enough to break the 24 hour speed record, which both crews will be keeping an eye on. That requires an average speed of 33.33 knots. All day. -- The Daily Sail, full story: http://tinyurl.com/DS-7-30-09 SAILING SHORTS * A network of environmental monitoring buoys in the Great Lakes will grow thanks to a partnership between the University of Michigan and Michigan-based company S2 Yachts. The buoy network is the university’s Upper Great Lakes Observing System (U-GLOS), which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s integrated ocean observing system. That system gathers data in effort to predict ocean behavior like meteorologists predict the weather. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/l2ddt7 * West Marine today reported a jump in net income to US$34.5m for its second quarter ended July 4, 2009, compared to net income of US$4.4m a year ago. Earnings per share also jumped to US$1.46 compared to US$0.20 a year ago. The company earlier reported sales of US$215.4m for the quarter, down 5 per cent compared to the same period a year ago. Same-store sales were down by 1 per cent. -- IBI Magazine, read on: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20090630153024ibinews.html * University of California Irvine’s swimming and diving, rowing, and sailing teams have been cut as a response to a tightening state budget, UCI officials announced Wednesday, saying the move would save the university close to $1 million. For UCI, about 130 athletes will be left without their sports, which Associate Athletics Director Bob Olson called, “pretty much the ultimate last resort.” -- Daily Pilot, full story: http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2009/07/30/topstory/dpt-uci07302009.txt VIDEO OF THE WEEK This week’s video will challenge your senses. We suspect what you are about to see is something you have not done, and perhaps, something you have not even seen. Be cautious if you have never sailed at high speeds, on a trapeze, on a freshwater lake… in Italy. However, if you are seeking life changing moments, or merely an imaginary fling, this video might be what you need. When you gather nearly 400 people from 20 countries, combine wind and youth with beauty and energy, things happen. This very well produced video of the 29er Worlds is all of the above…enjoy: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/09/0731/ WEST MARINE INFLATABLE PFDS West Marine PFDs are engineered to save sailors’ lives. In fact, they already have. They provide up to 35 lb. of positive buoyancy (like the bulkiest foam lifejackets), but they’re compact and comfortable to wear. Which means you’re more likely to be wearing them when you need them. Available with or without a built-in safety harness, and in three different inflator styles. No matter which model you choose, these are PFDs you can count on. From $199.99 to $299.99. Available at all West Marine stores. To find the store nearest you, or order online, log onto http://www.westmarine.com VIVE LA FRANCE! The French yachting scene is the most varied. They excel at the youth level, the Olympic level, at match racing, and distance racing. With three programs amid their attempts to break the North Atlantic crossing record, 52 competitors are now participating in the Solitaire du Figaro race. This supremely French event is the ultimate 1,706-mile ‘sprint’ - intense solo racing on a one-design boat just 33-feet in length on a four leg course set between France, Spain and Ireland on the Atlantic Ocean, the Irish Sea and the English Channel. The fleet includes many of France’s leading solo specialists including Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux. There is also a Rookie division for first-timers. An apt description of the race is provided by yachting journalist Jocelyn Blériot: “Forget about sleep, be prepared to live for days helm in hand, within talking distance of your closest rivals at times. Be ready to lead by a seemingly comfortable margin, and to get overtaken by 15 boats as you mess up that crucial spinnaker drop after having spent 48 hours awake, feeding on the crumbs of cereal bars left in your pockets. Expect to be slapped around in the Celtic sea before being overwhelmed by the local population’s incredible welcome in Dingle (Ireland), get ready to experience Biscay’s wrath before spending way too long in a tapas bar in La Coruña - to share memories of that storm - without having taken the time to take off those wet oilskins… Be sure you’ll find a fellow ‘Figarist’ ready to help should you be in trouble at sea or before the start, expect to use words that would have gotten you in serious trouble in school when that kelp or fishing line gets tangled in your rudders, making you lose a vital 0.25 knots of boat speed. Most of all, get used to the idea that you’ll come back to the Solitaire, because that’s the way things go!” Leg 1 - Lorient (FRA) to La Coruña (ESP): July 30 start, 345 mi Leg 2 - La Coruña (ESP) to St Gilles Croix de Vie (FRA): Aug. 4 start, 365 mi Leg 3 - St Gilles Croix de Vie (FRA) to Dingle (IRL), Aug. 10 start, 485 mi Leg 4 - Dingle (IRL) to Dieppe (FRA), Aug. 16 start, 511 mi Photo from the start: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0730.jpg Event website: http://www.lasolitaire.com/EN/ VISITING THE OPTIMIST NATIONALS By Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt As I live in San Diego, land of the Naples Sabot, I headed to Los Angeles last weekend to visit with the U.S. Optimist Nationals, where 200+ sailors were hosted by Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club. One day of spectating and interviewing participants certainly does not make me an expert, but here are some observations that I took home with me: * CHAMPIONSHIP FLEET: This course was in open water at a site nick-named ‘Hurricane Gulch’. Get the picture! Despite the Optimist being well-suited for ocean sailing, it was eye-opening to see this fleet of tweens and teens so far from the hot showers, and fully geared up for the conditions. Upwind speed was about torquing the upper body to help steer the boat around the waves while fully hiked, non-stop bailing, steering and sail trimming… all at the same time. Hitting the weather mark was not uncommon with the current, but the big rudder helped to quickly spin a penalty turn, often without losing a position. Staying upright downwind in the breeze was about a tight boomvang to control the sprit, getting aft in the boat…and bailing. All in all, very impressive. * SUPPORT: I understood the ratio of registered support boats to sailors was 1 to 3... that is a lot of support! However, since most entrants flew there, having a lot of adult supervision seems inevitable, as it is for them wanting to get on the water to watch. There were not too many capsizes, but there was plenty of help if needed. I am not sure of all the coaching limits for the Championship fleet, but the coach boats were to stay within a restricted area. Also, having the support boats for towing helped to mitigate what was already an 8+ hour day on the water. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7956#7956 * There is loads of discussion from the Optimist U.S. Nationals in the Scuttlebutt Forum. If you have any comments to add, post them in this thread: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7780 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include designer Tim Kernan’s new Klub 44, Techno 293 North Americans, Waikiki Offshore Series winners, 29er World Championship, Sperry Top-Sider Marblehead NOOD, 2012 Olympic sailing venue, and the battering of an FT10 along the San Francisco shoreline. 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/09/0731/ * What has four corners, red sails, and a world championship? Photographer Paul Todd absolutely flexed his artistic muscle in this photo gallery of the Mirror World Championship. Truly brilliant work: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0730 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Please submit your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). 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 Ralph Taylor: Thank you for publishing the sketch on Dr. Stuart Walker (in Scuttlebutt 2896). Many of us have long enjoyed his thoughts on sailboat racing strategy. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his two primary contributions to the subject: 1. Bringing it to the attention it deserves, and 2. Bringing a degree of organization to it. However, his medical background clearly shows in his approach, e.g., numbering his “wind categories”. I’ve yet to figure out exactly what they mean. I’m not sure, for example, whether they include an often-successful strategy we here call “puff-hopping” - sailing from one patch of stronger wind to the next. Puff-hopping works best in light air, when boat speed is more important than small differences in direction. Improvising a route to link puffs requires a keen eye to windward, visualizing the present & future puffs and the discipline not to chase puffs which will evaporate before you reach them. * From Chris Caswell: Many years ago, as the West Coast editor of the newly launched One-Design Yachtsman magazine, I was enroute to cover a regatta in Texas and I had the hammer down in my rental car when a cop pulled me over. After chastising me for speeding, he looked at my license and said he knew my name from reading ODY. Turns out he raced a Tornado and…good news…let me go. As I drove off, he hit his flashers and pulled me over again. Walking up to the car, he leaned down and said, “I just gotta ask. Does anyone really understand Stuart Walker’s column?” CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail. Special thanks to PredictWind.com and West Marine. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
