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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 674 - October 24 2000COLORCRAFT GOLD CUPAmericans Andy Horton and Dalton Bergen, Neville Wittey of Australia, and New Zealand's Cameron Appleton are the first four unseeded skippers to qualify for the Colorcraft Gold Cup in Bermuda. They survived a tough morning of competition, with strong and gusty winds providing as big a test as their opponents. In the afternoon, winds of 25 knots gusting to over 30 knots, turned Hamilton Harbour into a cauldron, forcing sailing for the other group of unseeded skippers to be curtailed, and re-scheduled for Tuesday. Both Andy Horton and Dalton Bergen came into this event as outsiders, but have forced out America's Cup skipper John Cutler, and Cup tactician Chris Larson, with rising young Danish star Jes Gram-Hansen also a casualty. Australian Neville Wittey is a seasoned match racer, and is fresh from competing in the match racing series at the Sydney Olympic Games. Cameron Appleton is backup skipper to Team New Zealand's Dean Barker, leader of the America's Cup defence. Appleton showed the strength under pressure that is expected of Team New Zealand skippers, going afloat today with only one point from four races already sailed, but chalking up three straight victories to qualify for the next round. "We made it hard on ourselves," he commented, "it has taken us a while to get used to these boats, but we knew we had a job to do today, and we succeeded." The qualifying unseeded skippers move into a Wimbledon-style knock-out series, meeting the eight seeded skippers, starting on Wednesday. Andy Horton gets the doubtful privilege of facing Russell Coutts in the first round of the championship series. Second placed Bergan Dalton, who represents the Seattle Corinthian America's Cup Challenge, will sail Ed Baird. Neville Wittey finds himself paired with fellow Australian Peter Gilmour. Team New Zealand's Cameron Appleton, is up against Sweden's Magnus Holmberg. - John Roberson Results after two days - Group 1: 1= Chris Dickson (New Zealand) 3 wins 1 losses, 1= Murray Jones (New Zealand) 3-1, 2= Sten Mohr (Denmark) 2-1, 2= Kelvin Harrap (New Zealand) 2-1, 2= James Spithill (Australia) 2-1, 6= Josh Adams (U.S.A.) 1-2, 6= Adam Barboza (Bermuda) 1-2, 8. Inga Leask (Britain) 0-3. Group 2: 1 Andy Horton (U.S.A.) 6 1, 2 Dalton Bergen (U.S.A.) 5-2, 3 Neville Wittey (Australia) 4-3, 4 Cameron Appleton (New Zealand) 4-3, 5 Jes Gram-Hansen (Denmark) 3-4, 6 Chris Larson (U.S.A.) 2.5-4, 7 John Cutler (New Zealand) 2-5, 8 Glenn Astwood (Bermuda) 1-6. Website: www.swedishmatchgp.com THE RACE The just released issue of 'Outside' magazine has a huge section on Cam Lewis and The Race, the no-holds-barred around the world race to start on December 31. At least supposed to start on December 31. While nobody wants to go too public with it, there are several reasons why it might be postponed three months, postponed one year, or not happen at all. The reasons are: 1. Steve Fossett's newly stretched to 125 feet 'PlayStation' will be ready to go and her crew has sailed the boat a reasonable amount of time. But Fossett is said to be in no rush to start the event if there's not enough competitors. 2. Grant Dalton's 'Club Med', which broke a little while breaking the 24-hour speed record, has supposedly been put back together and is in full training for the event. Presumably they, along with 'PlayStation', will be reasonably well prepared. 3. Loick Peyron's 'Code One', a near sistership to 'Club Med', was just launched. She and her crew might make the starting line, but it would be a stretch to think she'll really be properly prepared to race around Antarctica. 4. Cam Lewis' 'Team Adventure' will be a near sistership to 'Club Med' and 'Code One' - when she gets finished. She was supposed to be done at the end of September, now it's 'mostly done' by the end of October, which means she'll actually be ready for the mast, rigging and sails by . . . well, nobody knows. Even if the boat can be made ready by December 31, would it be prudent to enter her? 5. Pete Goss' 'Team Phillips' is . . . well, a very sad story. Goss is a man among men, but his high-profile effort has been crippled by enormous structural problems and currently rig problems which seem to be getting worse by the minute. Would it be prudent to sail this untested and problem-prone boat in The Race? 6. Roman Paszke and Tony Bullimore have proven themselves, as have their boats, the former 'Explorer' and the former 'Enza'. But they've yet to be out training, proving they too are behind schedule and budget. Given the status of the boats, the future of the event is perfectly fuzzy. Nobody knows for sure what's going to happen. - Latitude 38's 'Lectronic Latitude: http://www.latitude38.com/LectronicLat/Oct2000/Oct%2018/Oct18.html#anchor10662695 TEAM PHILIPS UPDATE With both masts back in the factory, and internal examinations complete, the team are now firming up the details of the repair. Last week, about eight inches of the bottom of each mast were removed to enable the team to examine the internal structure. This confirmed that there was no damage to the actual structure of the mast. Two avenues of repair were identified and explored. A decision has been taken on which route to pursue and the build team are finalising the finer details of this route today. Team Philips is still expected to be back in action mid to late November. Team Philips, minus her masts, is moored up in Dart Marina, Dartmouth. The crew continue to fine tune the electrics, navigation and communications equipment. A small team of builders will be spending a few days on board replacing the bulkhead which sustained some damage when the mast started to move. We are still aiming to be in Barcelona for the start of the The RACE. - Team Philips website, http://www.teamphilips.com/ THE SCIENCE OF COMFORT. At Gill we know the quality of our garments will be measured over years of use. That's why we strive to exceed industry standards in everything we do! From the unique way we work with and listen to the world's sailors to the meticulous attention we give to every garment. Whether you're on the US Sailing Team at the Sydney Olympics or facing the extremes of the Southern Ocean sailors want to stay warm and dry. Don't' take any short cuts when it comes to comfort and quality. Choose Gill gear! http://www.gillna.com WEB BROADCAST The "State of the America's Cup" press conference in Bermuda on Tuesday, October 24, 2000 at 1:00 PM. PDT (4 PM EDT). The media event will feature representatives from past and future challenges and be carried live on the Internet on www.swedishmatchgp.com Those invited to participate in the press conference include: Ed Baird, Dean Barker, Dalton Bergan, Dennis Conner, Russell Coutts, John Cutler, Chris Dickson, Peter Gilmour, Andy Green, Magnus Holmberg, James Spithill , LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) Letters selected to be printed may be edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a bulletin board or a chat room - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. -- From Dan Ibsen, Secretary General, Danish Sailing Association (re ISAF Advertising Code) - I very strongly support the views of the ISAF President Paul Henderson. It is very important that ISAF's advertising Code is flexible enough to handle different situations in different countries/continents, where the sport of sailing is not organised in the same way. But mainly this code should deal with int. sailing. If one country has a problem with some national sailing events or classes, this problem must be solved by the respective Member National Authority, and not by trying to change the international code to include national classes/events, because this would only create problems in other countries where traditions are different. In Denmark we also have a national handicap system with 6000 boats racing - and a lot of national classes - and this lies within the MNA's jurisdiction to set for example the advertising rules in co-operation with the sailors, clubs and classes. We have generally had a few restrictions on the national racing scene, but mainly due to national legislation etc. We also respect the wish of all national classes who wish to use category A. Ever since ISAF got its first advertising code, sponsorships has been a natural part of sailing in Denmark, and this has not "destroyed" any part of the national racing scene. The sponsors support a lot of young sailors and teams, who otherwise could not sail at the same level. The rest of the sponsorship money is mainly focused on international events and classes, especially the Olympic Classes, and int. sailing project for larger boats. -- From Bill Lynn - Seems like there are quite a few folks who object to sponsorship in "amateur" sailing purely on an aesthetic basis. It strikes me that, if we're going to legislate against "ugly", then there are quite a few boats with hideous names and graphics that would have to go, not to mention a couple of entire one-design classes and several sailors as well (and I include myself in that category). Another argument appears to center on the issue of competitive advantage. Though I disagree, I guess I can understand the viewpoint that classes should be able to restrict the participation of professionals. The discussion, however, seems to be taking a "haves vs. have-nots" turn, and while some sailors may find it annoying to lose to someone who's able to "buy their way to the top", it can't be a reason to limit sponsorship. Let's get real here: what people put on their boats and how people pay for them is no one's business but the boat owner's. I find it confusing that many of the folks who feel that we need to "grow our sport" are the same ones to whom sponsorship (one obvious way to lower a key barrier to entry) is a bad thing. Sponsorship does not necessarily equal professionalism, and as long as there are companies that see some value in getting a marketing message in front of the sailing community, I don't see any reason not to let them foot some of the bills. -- From Dallas Johnson - Club sailing is the real issue concerning sponsorship. The vast majority of racing takes place there, the growth of our sport will come from there, and future elite sailors start there. With sponsorship, the best sailors will get the best sponsorship. Thus the fast will get faster, and the poor will take up golf. With sponsorship, you'll need to get enough sponsorship to pay for decals and justify your time getting sponsorship. I challenge any club sailor to net more than $500 of sponsorship from someone other than a friend or family member who's dumb enough to pay for a billboard placed in the middle of a lake for two hours per week. With sponsorship, "wealthy sailors" will ironically be best able to utilize the tax advantages of sponsoring via their own business or have the best access to other people who could sponsor their boats. You'll get better advertising return by placing decals on your van in the parking lot, which is conveniently exempt from sailing rules. Team sports reduce a barrier to entry by sponsoring the majority of their expenses (uniforms). With sailing, it will create the perception that we first need a sponsor (who will cover a pittance of our expenses) to start racing in addition to all the other barriers to entering our sport. Sponsorship will ultimately stratify our sport and create a significant barrier to entry. Elite events are another issue, but separate the two. VOLVO OCEAN RACE Mark Rudiger from San Francisco has been appointed as co-skipper/navigator for ASSA ABLOY's entry in the 2001/2002 Volvo Ocean Race (previously the Whitbread Round The World Race). Mark Rudiger was navigator of the winning EF-Language during the 1997/1998 Whitbread. Rudiger, 46, grew up sailing and has a long track record on both mono-hulls and multi-hulls. He is a four-time winner, of the TransPacific Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu; winner and record holder of 2000 Cape Town - Rio; winner of the 1998 Sydney - Hobart on the ILC Maxi Sayonara; winner in his class in the double-handed trans-Atlantic race in 1990, and second in the single-handed class of the same race in 1988. Rudiger, as co-skipper, is already involved in the early stages of ASSA ABLOY's bid for the Volvo Ocean Race. The big challenge to begin with will be to contribute to build a world-class team and setting up an almost year long training program. Other key members of the ASSA ABLOY crew will be decided on shortly. - Lizzie Green Event website: http://www.VolvoOceanRace.org PARALYMPICS Peter Thompson sailed a fantastic race four in the 2.4m class to earn his first win of the nine race series. Thompson seemed to enjoy the windier conditions on Monday, earning third place in the first race of the day, before winning the second session. It was great," Thompson said. "I haven't been sailing so well in the light winds. "[Thomas Taylor] Brown (USA) was right behind me all day. I couldn't get rid of him." In fact, it was Brown who sqeezed past Thompson on the final run in the first race to steal second place. Heiko Kroeger (GER) also sailed very well Monday, winning the first race, and placing third in the second race after suffering equipment problems when the shackle that holds the bottom corner of his jib sail in place, came undone. "I don't know what happened but I couldn't sail like that," Kroeger said. To fix it, he had to clamber out of the narrow cockpit and sprawl across the foredeck, with one leg over the side of the boat to keep from sliding off the heeling deck. In the 2.4m class, the German is sitting on seven points, with Brown (USA) and Jens Als Anderson (DEN) behind him with 12 points each. Thompson (AUS), with 13 points is staying with the leaders. Sonar standings: 1. AUS, ROBINS, Noel/ DUNROSS, Jamie /MARTIN, Graeme (10.00 pts) 2. GER, KROKER, Jens/ MUENTER, Peter /REICHL, Peter (12.00) 3. CAN, WILLIAMS, David /TINGLEY, Paul /MacDONALD, Brian (18.00) 4, USA, CALLAHAN, Paul/ BURHANS, Keith /AUCREMAN, Corky (22.00) Complete results: http://www.sydney.olympics.org/eng/paralympics/sports/SA/index.html WINNING SOLUTIONS FROM SAILCLOTH.COM The 2000 ETCHELLS Worlds and MUMM 30 European winners used AIRX in their winning arsenal. Next time, ask your sailmaker to use AIRX, the revolutionary new spinnaker fabric from Bainbridge International exclusively from Bainbridge International, where power and performance are cut from the same cloth. For more information, visit http://www.sailcloth.com MIDDLE SEAS RACE October 23 - Zephyrus IV, with owner Robert McNeil on board, who is assisted by Lorenzo Bortolotti and John Bertrand, is set to break Riviera di Rimini's course record established two years ago by an astounding margin The Maxi Turbo-Sled design, from the drawing boards of Reichel-Pugh should literally smash the current course record by quite a few hours. She is expected to arrive in Maltese waters some time before midnight. If she does, she would wipe out the current record by at least twelve hours. This would make next year's event a serious challenge to any other Maxi or Italian Open Class Boat to come and establish another new course record. AMERICA'S CUP The heart of Team New Zealand has been ripped out again. But this time it is the sailors who are tearing at the very foundations of the America's Cup defence, not foreign billionaires on the prowl to poach crew. And it is all for a good cause. Both sailors and shore crew have donned builders' aprons and picked up tools to rebuild the Team New Zealand base at the centre of the America's Cup village. Trying to save a dollar, Team New Zealand are doing all the construction work themselves. But it helps to have trained carpenters among the crew like bowmen Joey Allen and Jared Henderson, and trimmer James Dagg. To escape the din of buzzsaws and hammers, the rest of the team have headed overseas. Defence head Tom Schnackenberg and some of the design team have completed the first tank-testing session in England, trying out the first set of hull models. Schnackenberg and skipper Dean Barker then took the America's Cup to Italy, where the silver ewer was the centre of attention at the Genoa Boat Show. - Suzanne McFadden, NZ Herald Full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ac2000/ GOLD CUP SIDEBAR HAMILTON, BERMUDA, October 23, 2000-Transplanted New Zealanders Chris Dickson and John Cutler first sailed against each other when they were young teenagers at Auckland's Westlake Boys High School. Yesterday, as unseeded contestants in the Colorcraft Gold Cup, the final regatta on the Swedish Match Grand Prix Sailing Tour, they prepared again to face off under sail. Over the intervening 23 years they have sailed against each other, and with each other, in wide variety of boats. Today, though, they are both on the same team. They live in San Francisco, where Dickson is the skipper of Larry Ellison's Oracle Racing Challenge and Cutler is the Sailing Team Manager. As Oracle teammates they both arrived in Bermuda early, and they and their crews practiced together to master the delicate tuning and timing needed to get the most out of the International One-Design sailboats used for the regatta. The practice paid off for Dickson, who with three more races to sail in the elimination series, has a 3-1 record and a good chance to make it through to the main competition. Cutler was less fortunate. He started today saddled with only one win and two losses from yesterday, then won only one more race today, finishing 2-5 and out of contention for further racing. "It's very frustrating," said Cutler, shaking his head. "We had good boat speed and good starts but we managed to get on the wrong side of a lot of wind shifts." Strong northeasterly winds, gusting near gale force, forced a long delay in racing this afternoon, and Dickson's future in the Colorcraft Gold Cup will be decided in the morning. He is one of the favorites to make it through, having won the event twice before this, in 1987 and 1989. Today, with racing on hold, the two Kiwis reminisced about their long sailing history. "We were students together at Westlake Boys High School," said Dickson. "We sailed in P Class dinghies, the classic training boat for New Zealand kids. At the first National Championships we all raced in, I was first, Russell Coutts (the last winner of the America's Cup) was second, and John was fourth." After high school, their paths diverged for a few years. Cutler focussed on singlehanded dinghies, winning an Olympic bronze medal in Finn dinghies at Seoul, Korea, in 1988. A year earlier, Dickson had steered New Zealand's 12-meter contender for the America's Cup in Australia, losing to eventual Cup winner Dennis Conner in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger finals. Dickson recalled that the first time they sailed together - "the first time that John ever sailed with anyone other than himself!" - was at a match racing championship event in Fremantle, Western Australia. Cutler had never sailed a boat bigger than a singlehanded dinghy and remembered that occasion as his introduction to the topping lift, the line that supports the spinnaker pole on big boats. "Simon Daubney told me to 'go for the topper' when we set the spinnaker," Cutler said with a grin. "I said, 'OK, I'm ready. What is it? Where is it? And what does it do?'" Just over a year later Dickson was drafted to Japan to skipper that country's first entry in the America's Cup. One of the three Kiwis he took with him was Cutler, who became the Nippon Challenge's navigator. Three years after that, Dickson was skippering his own Tag Heuer challenger for the America's Cup, while Cutler was skippering the Japanese boat. For the current campaign, Cutler was the first crew Dickson recruited. "To hire someone one day, and then give them the job of going out and hiring the rest of the crew on the next day, is a big responsibility," Dickson said. "It says a lot of what we think of John." Cutler was equally complimentary: "Chris has got the most skill of anyone I've sailed with, or against," Cutler said. "I like his style, I like his skill; he drives the boat really well. It is going to be a good campaign." - John Roberson THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings." |
