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SCUTTLEBUTT 1955 -- October 28, 2005
Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions,
features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.
BACK ON THE WATER
While South Florida was scrambling to prepare for Hurricane Wilma, and then
to recover from the hit, the hard working sailors of the Gulf Coast were
getting themselves back on the water in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In
some cases, they've been sailing for weeks, and in all cases, they are
sailing in spite of huge challenges.
Mobile Yacht Club Commodore James Green reports that, six weeks on, the
owners of boats that were scattered into the trees and up-bayou by Katrina
now face costs of $150-200 per foot for recovery-with a crane and trailer,
plus truck or barge- and that's before they face boatyard repair prices in
a world where labor is scarce and up by 35-55 percent. It's no wonder that
many beat-up but still-sound boats are not out sailing. But others are.
Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, is one of several clubs that put racing
fleets on the water last weekend. Mobile Yacht Club will be on the water
(again) this weekend, and (again) they're not alone. The numbers are down
but spirits are full.
I write this as a member of a club that once was destroyed in a devastating
fire. Out of the difficult times that followed, life in our funky,
temporary bar/restaurant facilities in a former sail-drying room is
remembered vividly and fondly thanks to the spirit of a mission that lifted
us. In many versions, I see that same spirit alive now on the Gulf Coast.
Read on for 1) A report on Southern YC's Closing Regatta; 2) A report on
Mobile YC's upcoming Closing Regatta, 3) a notice board for helping junior
sailors and junior programs damaged by the hurricanes, and 3) notes from
other clubs (and the Fish Class championship) plus a bottom-line commentary
from Pontchartrain Yacht Club's Staff/Vice Commodore, Jane Eshleman. --
Kimball Livingston, Sail magazine, full story:
http://sailmag.com/katrinarecovery/
HURRICANE KATRINA JUNIOR SAILORS' EXCHANGE
There is now an online Exchange where young dinghy sailors who have lost
gear in the recent hurricanes can post requests for boats, gear or summer
camp place donations. Clubs and individuals can offer their help too!
Please note that KSE is a relief site where gear,,etc. should be donated.
It is not a place to sell gear or look for a coach (unless your club will
hold a position open for a displaced Gulf instructor). --
http://tinyurl.com/8khkg
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF QINGDAO
(Sailing World magazine spoke with U.S. Sailing Team head coach Gary Bodie,
who had just returned from a September fact-finding trip to China. Here are
some of Bodie's quotes from their story posted online.)
The satellite village housing is in the marina; they basically built a
future five-star hotel-two high rise towers-in the marina for the athlete
housing. In one sense you could never leave the marina. It started as a
shipyard, it closed a couple of years ago and they've made great progress.
The towers are up, they're not finished, but they're well on their way.
We'll stay in the Olympic Village during the Games. In addition, we
probably will have some housing in the city itself for the period before
the venue opens. The venue opens two week before the opening ceremony and
we'll probably be there longer than that. Another exiting thing about this
venue, the outer sea wall is going to be open for spectators and they're
going to put one of the courses close to it.
We went out on the water for a ride the day after we got there and I think
that was a pretty typical day, 8 to 10 knots, puffs to 12, out of the
southeast, the forecasted direction. There were some Lasers out, a couple
of Tornados, 470s. It wasn't windy, but it was nice sailing. Current's
going to be a factor, there was at least a knot and a half of current.
Then, while we were there, a typhoon came ashore in Shanghai and the
remnants came up the coast. We had a rainy night, nothing dangerous, but
too much to go sailing. We probably saw one typical day. -- Sailing World,
full story: http://www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=39608&typeID=400&catID=0
NOT YOUR TYPICAL TP52
(In a story just posted on the Daily Sail subscription website, designer
Juan Kouyoumdjian shares some of the ground breaking features of his new
TP52 design. Here are two brief excerpts.)
The TP52 rule has no restrictions on the shape of the main sail; it has no
maximum girths as we can see in other classes. It does however limit the
area of the main sail and provides a formula for calculating it. It also
limits its P and headboard. In addition there are limitations to the
rigging, runners are forbidden and a backstay is mandatory. To increment
the power from the sails the boat enjoys a top roach full-battened
mainsail. To accommodate for the mainsail roach we opted for an innovative
backstay designed by Andres Suar, one of the engineers working at JYD. This
curved backstay made in Kevlar, presents no problem for tacking or gybing
the big roach mainsail. There is also a system at the deck to regulate the
tension of the backstay. In fact it works in very much the same way as the
existing backstays with the only difference that upon release, it curves in
the opposite direction.
The manoeuvrability and the ability to keep the boat under control are
conditioned by the lack of stability of the TP52s. Ideally this would be
solved with two rudders, but the rule limits the appendages to one rudder
and one keel. Moreover, the rudder's axis of rotation has to be in the
center plane of the boat. However development in foil shapes is permitted.
A curved foil surface solves in part this problem. The construction of the
first boat is reaching its final stages in Argentina at Compania de Barcos.
(Renderings are posted on the Daily Sail website.) -- www.thedailysail.com
HENRI LLOYD '05 MODEL YEAR OCEAN GEAR ON SALE
Are you laying in bed at night dreaming of this year's 100th running of the
quintessential ocean race from Newport to Bermuda, but dreading that
0000-0400 watch sitting on the rail as you go through line squalls in the
stream? Now Layline can make the passage a little more enjoyable - and
easier on your wallet. They are offering Henri Lloyd's world-renowned
Gore-Tex foul weather gear at up to 40% savings. See Offshore gear as well
as other fine Henry Lloyd gear at their website. See you at the Swizzle
Inn! -- http://www.layline.com/hl/05/os/05os.htm
VIEW FROM DOWN UNDER
The success of young Sydney sailor James Spithill in the prestigious King
Edward VII Gold Cup match racing series in Bermuda last weekend should -
but probably won't - prompt some Australian billionaire to have another
tilt at the America's Cup. Spithill, 26, was at the helm of Syd Fischer's
Young Australia in Auckland in 2000 when Australia last took part in
yachting's top event. Then his aggressive starting tactics terrified most
of his more seasoned opponents but the underfunded challenge went nowhere.
The best estimate for the cost of an America's Cup challenge today is about
$100 million - so it is not a cheap undertaking. But with sponsorship and
guaranteed worldwide television, print and internet coverage, it is not out
of the question. Australia's first tilt at the America's Cup was funded by
the late Sydney media tycoon Frank Packer. He had a couple of goes before
being joined by a syndicate of Melbourne businessmen.
A brash young West Australian called Alan Bond then tossed his hat in the
ring and had several unsuccessful bids before shocking the stuffy New York
Yacht Club in 1983 by removing the silverware it had guarded for 132 years.
The big problem today is that local billionaires such as Kerry Packer
(Frank's son) and Westfield chief Frank Lowy are not keen sailors. --
Excerpts from a story by D.D. McNicoll, The Australian, full story:
http://tinyurl.com/e252a
SNEAK PEAK
Photographer Jon Nash reports after a sail with the Volvo 70 ABN Amro One,
"Its not often a photographer gets the chance to experience Southern Ocean
conditions when out for a day sail but these onboard shots from a training
session near VIGO in Spain onboard the Volvo 70 ABN Amro One produced some
extreme results. It gives you just an idea of what these boat are capable
of and gives an insight into what the crews will have to put up with for
weeks on end. I'm glad I was able to get off to the safe haven of the the
bar followed by a warm bed." See Jon's photos at
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/05/abnamro1027
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine)
Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
MINI TRANSAT
It was at 18 hours 43 minutes and 31 seconds local time (23 hours 43
minutes and 31 seconds French time) on Wednesday 25th October that Alex
Pella on Open Sea/Team Work crossed the finish line in this second leg of
the Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia 2005 between Puerto Calero,
Lanzarote (Canaries - Spain) and Salvador de Bahia (Brazil).
After finishing 3rd in the previous edition of the race in 2003, Alex Pella
took a much deserved victory in the second leg and second place overall
after fierce duelling with Corentin Douguet from start to finish. Pella's
race time for covering the 2920 miles in the second leg of the Transat 6.50
Charente-Maritime/Bahia was 18 days 5 hours 12 minutes and 31 seconds.
At 19 hours 22 minutes and 09 seconds local time, or 0022 minutes and 09
seconds French time on Wednesday 26th October, Corentin Douguet on E.
Leclerc - Bouygues Telecom completed the course, just 38 minutes and 38
seconds behind the Spaniard on this second leg. Winner of the first leg
between Charente-Maritime, France and Lanzarote with a 9hr38m lead over
Alex Pella (Open Sea/Team Work) in the initial leg, Douguet exploded the
event's original overall reference time to take outright victory on his
2003 Manuard design. The time set by Armel Tripon (29 days and 13 hours) in
2003 has also been significantly reduced to the new race reference time of
24 days 21 hours for covering a distance of 4220 miles.
Other finishers: 3. Maslard Stanislas, Credit Agricole, 4. Hardy Adrien,
Brossard, 5. Joschke Isabelle, Degremont, 6. Sharp Philip, Le Gallais. --
Yachting Universe, full story: http://tinyurl.com/dk754
NEWS BRIEFS
* The International Sailing Summit" program was created seven years ago to
promote participation in sailing and to look at ways the sailing industry
can work with the sport to share ideas to achieve this. After previous
Summits in 3 continents, the 7th ISS will be held on 14th November in
Amsterdam, the day before the world's largest marine equipment trade show,
METS. Previous Summits have featured true luminaries of sailing and this is
no exception, with Robin Knox-Johnston as patron and speakers of the
caliber of Bruno Troublé and Mark Turner. -- http://www.sailingsummit.com/
* Five of the 12 America's Cup teams couldn't train with their boats
Wednesday after fishermen blockaded the port of Valencia, Spain, to protest
surging diesel prices, said Pablo Ruiz, a spokesman for Spain's Desafio
Espanol team.The teams, preparing for the 2007 edition of sailing's richest
competition off the southeast Spain city, instead worked on maintenance and
other drills within the port zone, Ruiz said. Teams from Italy, Germany,
China and Sweden were also affected, he added. Fishermen are blockading
several Spanish Mediterranean ports, paralyzing about 100 ships. The
protesters want Spain's government to increase their fuel subsidy. --
Indystar.com, full story: http://tinyurl.com/afzdp
* If you are preparing to sail to Mexico as part of next week's Baja Ha-Ha
Cruisers Rally, don't forget to visit the North Sails Web site to sign up
for a free overview forecast, which will be emailed out on Sunday, October
30. http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf
* Try stitching someone's head on-board a boat that is heaving and pitching
in a heavy sea, with another crew member holding a torch so that you can
see what you're doing. This is the challenge confronting the onboard medics
in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06. Under the rules of the race, each boat
competing in the world's premier ocean race is required to have two crew
members trained in medical matters. They have to be able to apply plaster
casts, suture skin, give intravenous fluid, and intra muscular and
intravenous injections, just to mention just a few requirements. --
www.volvooceanrace.org
* Spirit of Sark has won the Round Britain and Ireland Challenge 2005
coming in just 15 minutes in front of Me to You, with SAIC just ten minutes
back again. "I can't believe that a race of nearly 2000 miles can finish
with just 400 metres between first and second a phenomenal event. It is
without doubt the closest and hardest race I've ever done in my life," said
Des Harvey, winning skipper of Spirit of Sark. Despite the early morning
arrival into Ocean Village the place was alive with friends, families and
well-wishers. -- www.roundbritainchallenge.com
* The Hobie Cat 16 World Championships 2005 fell from one extreme to the
other, as the wind dropped from 46 to 5 knots within three days. On
Thursday October 27th, the French youngsters grabbed two titles: Morgana
Laurancy and Marion Pennaneach in the ladies' class and the current
European Champions Céder Bader and Yann Montoya in the youth. Past World
Champion Blaine Dodds and his daughter Roxanne from South Africa won the
masters. The Australians Bruce Tardrew and Sarah Turnbull were world's best
grand masters of 2005. -- www.hobieworlds.com.
* Following the explosive growth of the TP52 Class, the Offshore Racing
Congress (ORC) has introduced three new smaller box rule boats - the 26,
33, and 42. These rules are now published and the constitutions are being
written. Paolo Massarini, ORC's Manager for the new Level Classes will make
a presentation featuring the Grand Prix 42 Class at a free public meeting
at the Stamford Yacht Club on Wednesday November 16 at 7:00 PM. Dan Nowlan
will be there to discuss US Sailing's position and role with this new
class, and several yacht designers, builders, and sailmakers will be
represented. -- RSVP: Scott Weisman, weismans@mcginnsmith.com
MELGES 32 RACING HEATS UP
The Melges 32 is reaching critical mass as more and more new boats are
leaving the Melges factory in Zenda, Wisconsin to prepare for winter racing
in the south. Acura Key West 2006 will feature the first M32 class
Midwinter Championship in January. The Melges 32's will then head to the
St. Pete NOOD in February, and down to Acura Miami Race Week in March. A
fantastic triple-header for this exciting sportboat. Check out the latest
Melges 32 accessories - the new travel covers wrap up the new boat for
clean and simple travel. Race to http://www.melges.com today.
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
(Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be
edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is neither a chat room
nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your
best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing,
and personal attacks for elsewhere.)
* From Steve Morrell, editor, Southwinds magazine: The rescheduling of the
Ft. Lauderdale boat show will unfortunately conflict with another very
popular sailboat show, the Strictly Sail St. Pete show on Nov. 3-6. At a
time when the southern boating industry, heavily damaged from hurricanes,
should be pulling together to support each other, the Lauderdale show
management has rescheduled on top of this all-sailboat show in West Florida.
Even though the Lauderdale show is really a mega yacht show, and sailors
who planned to go to the St. Pete show will not change their plans, many
exhibitors who had planned to be at both shows face a conflict: To go to
the mega yacht show or the St. Pete show-an enjoyable event where exhibitor
sales are steady year after year-of course, just to a bunch of wild sailors.
It would have been much better for all if the Lauderdale show management
had planned the show a week later (or some other date), especially when
local airports and hotels are recovering, water and power is down and the
whole area needs time to regroup. Another week might have helped them. The
fact that they said they will be using generators if need be is indicative
of their situation. One exhibitor called me, asking if I know the status of
the show, as communication seems to be down too. How about if the boating
industry works together a little more in the future, benefiting the
industry as a whole?
* From Steve Morrell: I was surprised to see Scuttlebutt (#1949) printing
the comments by Percy Winslow "promoting" Sally Barkow as the US Rolex
Yachtswoman of the year, almost as though maybe the judges would read the
comments. For him to call the award a "slam dunk" -- in the context that it
was already a done deal -- promoted the idea even further, as though the
power of suggestion might help the decision makers. And this in a day when
the term "slam dunk" has such dubious validity.
* From Len Bose: To answer Mr. Dobriken question: look around find the one
design boat that can be sailed by all ages, that once thrived in your area
and get on the phone and sell. I have noticed one design dingy sailing to
be the true reseeding for our sport. If I were to place my finger on one
thing that is missing from the past it would be the good old time sailing
clubs. No SI's, NORs, protests, boat inspections. Just bring your kid or
mate, govern yourself and have fun. One person is promoting this type of
sailing with Lido 14's out of our American Legion post. This is grass roots
sailing and I haven't had more fun sailing since collage.
I have had some luck with a Club Championship sailed in O/D keelboats. We
have a Club Champ, Jr. Champ, SR. Champ & Family Champ all in the same race
everyone must be a member of our club to race. There have been some very
positive results from this event. We also have tried team racing Friday
nights in front of the club. We have father kid night on a laid-back summer
night series sailing our PHRF boats. This was great fun this summer and
will do it next year. We would all go for pizza after the race, not the
bar. Of course this is with kids under 12.
* From Mike Marzahl: Can Paul Cayard win the Volvo 06? Of course he can.
Paul is a Star sailor ... the most competitive one design class in the
world. Star sailors are "pound for pound" the best all around sailors in
the world. Just look at some of the great sailors of our time past and
present. I'm willing to bet that most of them have raced a Star or are
still racing in the Star when there schedule permits. If Paul does not win
the Volvo, you can bet for darn sure that he will be right their in the
money. He's probably one of a very small group of skippers currently still
alive that can put a team together in such a short time and have a
legitimate shot at winning it. Let's not forget about one of Paul's crew,
Freddy Loof. Another world champion Star sailor and currently ranked number
one in the world in the Star class ... lethal combination.
* From Richard Clark: For me, reading Scuttlebutt in the Rockies, Paul
Cayard has already reached the Podium, as much as I hate the Disneyesque
aspects of life, he has brought to children and to sailing a real touch of
class and with all the whining, whinging in the World today he brings a ray
of sunlight. To me this is taking sailing to the people, the next
generation. Cheers Paul and a fair wind.
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
Alcohol leads to nowhere, but it's a scenic route.
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