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SCUTTLEBUTT 1973 -- November 23, 2005
Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions,
features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.
EARNING HER STRIPES
Nashotah, Wis. -- Sally Barkow was a kid when she first flashed the
competitive spirit that would help make her a world champion sailor. Her
older brother, Carl, could not skipper a sailboat for a regatta on tiny
Pine Lake where the family lived 30 miles west of Milwaukee, so she took
the tiller under one condition from her father: that she win the race.
Richard Barkow promised to buy her a sailboat if she did. "I never expected
to have to pay up," he said, chuckling. The 10-year-old promptly crossed
the finish line first, screaming for a pink boat with blue stripes.
She's been earning her stripes in many different types of boats and on
waters worldwide ever since. Barkow, a 25-year-old fifth-generation sailor,
had two choices after graduating from University Lake School, where she
starred in basketball - ski at the University of Colorado, or sail at Old
Dominion. She decided to navigate the Elizabeth River instead of the slopes
of the Rockies, and she became a national champion. As a senior, she won
the Intercollegiate Sailing Association women's North American championship
in Honolulu, the equivalent of the national collegiate championship, and
helped Old Dominion defeat host Hawaii for the team title.
In the four years since graduating with a degree in psychology, she has won
five major championships, including three this year: the Yngling World
Championship on Lake Mondsee, Austria; the Rolex Women's International
Keelboat Championship in Annapolis, Md.; and the International Sailing
Federation Match Race World Championship in Bermuda. She also won the Rolex
race in '03 and the Match Race World Championship in '04. And she has her
sights set on the 2008 Olympics in China. "I don't think there's any doubt
she is the genuine talent," said sailing commentator Peter J. Montgomery,
who has covered nine America's Cups and seven Olympics. "She's a sailor for
all seasons." -- Arnie Stapleton, AP, full story:
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/13148391.htm
HARRY MELGES III
(Melges Performance Sailboats is celebrating their 60 anniversary this
year, so Jesse Falsone talked to Harry Melges III in an extensive interview
now posted on the Daily Sail subscription website. Here's an excerpt.)
Melges also opines on amateur sailing, and how professionalism can hurt
one-design classes. "The more sailors that can compete as weekend warriors,
the more successful your class will be. The racing is great, you have many
different winners, and the regattas are more fun since it tends to not be
so serious. There is as much emphasis on the social aspect as there is on
the sailing, and this is key. One thing that needs to be controlled is the
level of coaching and coach boats on the water. I believe that no outside
assistance from the time you leave the dock is the way it should be to help
level the playing field. Some of the well funded programs with more than
one boat and tender boats and coaches, etc start to drive away the weekend
sailors who are there to have fun but also hope to do well. If it does not
appear to be a level playing field, you start to lose those weekend sailors
from the major regattas and eventually from your class."
Where is one-design sailing headed, according to Melges? "In my opinion,
the most successful new classes over the next two decades will be
owner/driver or amateur classes. People don't have the time to spend
training or away from their family so if you can minimize the time away,
make it a family event, and make it a party they won't want to miss, you
should have a winning formula. -- www.thedailysail.com
RISK MANAGEMENT
With the leading quartet of yachts in the Volvo Ocean Round the World Race
passing the halfway mark of the first 6,400-mile leg from Vigo, in Spain,
to Cape Town, South Africa, the third-placed Neal McDonald, the skipper of
Ericsson, warned yesterday that weather systems may force him to sail up to
1,000 miles more than the 3,200 which would be the direct route.
The yachts, still led by Mike Sanderson in ABN Amro 1, are sailing south,
well west of the direct course, and parallel to the coast of South America
as they skirt a huge weather system known as the South Atlantic high
pressure zone, before deciding when to strike east for the welcoming sight
of Table Mountain.
"We could point the boat straight at Cape Town and sail over 1,000 miles
less," explained the navigator Steve Hayles, "but at slower speeds. We are
managing risk, playing probabilities and trusting our pre-race analysis."
In the short term, Hayles also had to cope with his opposite number,
Adrienne Cahalan, putting Torben Grael and Brasil 1 back into second place,
seven miles ahead of him and 71 miles behind Sanderson, with Sébastien
Josse on ABN 2 just four more miles astern. Cahalan said of his rivals:
"They really have their skates on. It's going to be a tough one." -- Stuart
Alexander, the Independent, complete story:
http://sport.independent.co.uk/general/article328663.ece
Position Reports -- Tuesday, 2200 GMT
1. ABN Amro One, 3054 miles to finish
2. Brasil 1, +58 miles
3. Ericsson Racing Team, +72 miles
4. ABN Amro Two, +74 miles
5. Sunergy and Friends, +976 miles
6. Movistar, Retired
6. Pirates of the Caribbean, Retired
Event website: www.volvooceanrace.com
J/65 HULL #2 AVAILABLE IN JANUARY
J Boats' newest and largest addition to the fleet, the J/65, recently
launched Hull #1 in San Diego, and completed delivery this month to Hawaii.
Now Hull #2 is available for a January delivery, fully optimized for
distance racing, yet with all the creature comforts deserving of this
yacht's placement in the luxury market. Hull #2 is being constructed with a
strong, lightweight carbon bow and stern to enhance sailing performance
whether racing or cruising. Contact Jeff Brown for your look at the new
J/Boats flagship today: call 619-709-0697 or email mailto:jboat@cts.com
ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?
Australian helmsman Chris Nicholson has compared the bone-jarring,
boat-breaking crash of a steep wave that left the Spanish yacht movistar
crippled in the opening leg of the Volvo round-the-world race to driving a
car off a five-story building. With two-time Olympian Nicholson at the
wheel of the 70-footer, the Spanish yacht was leading the seven-strong
fleet in the 32,000 nautical mile race when disaster struck. "We had a
little flat section on water and I was heating it up - we had 34 knots of
speed (64km/h) - when we launched off the first wave, which wasn't too
bad," Nicholson said.
"But when we went off the second we were airborne. I knew when we landed it
was going to be difficult to control. We came down dead flat at the bottom
of a hole. It was like driving off a five-storey building. Everyone down
below said the noise on impact was like a cannon shot. All of us on deck
were struggling to stay upright. We were clipped on but being washed around
like rag dolls. It was one of the scariest moments I've had at sea." --
Amanda Lulham, The Daily Telegraph, Australia, complete story:
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17329677-5001023,00.html
TV COVERAGE
The Swedish Match Tour's 50th anniversary event, the Monsoon Cup (Kuala
Terengganu, Malaysia, Nov. 29-Dec. 4), will be broadcast live to nearly 450
million homes in Europe and Asia. Eurosport has opted to show the final two
days live, its first live sailing programming other than the Olympic
Regatta. Eurosport reaches 250 million homes in 54 countries. The final two
days of the Monsoon Cup will also be shown live on ESPN Asia and ESPN Hong
Kong. ESPN India, ESPN Taiwain/ Philippines and TV3 in Malaysia will show
the final day live. The networks combine to reach 195 million homes. Next
Tuesday, Nov. 29, the U.S.-based network OLN will air a preview show of the
Monsoon Cup. The show is scheduled to air at 4 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. PT. OLN
reaches 62.9 million homes in the U.S. and Canada.
FRIENDLY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
The Scuttlebutt Forums continue to grow, and are providing many with an
opportunity for the friendly exchange of information. Topics from Tuesday
include a search for Cal 29 info, event gear requests, race results
software question, comments regarding Juan Kouyoumdjian, a Bravura 25 post,
and plenty more. Also, congrats to "Mummy" for winning our Most Posts
contest. View forums at
http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?forum=5;
NEWS BRIEFS
* The US yacht, Gryphon Solo, co-skippered by American Joe Harris and
Briton Josh Hall, became the first Open 50 monohull to cross into the
Southern Hemisphere while competing in the gruelling 4,500 mile Transat
Jacques Vabre ocean race. Some 500 miles from the finish, their closest
competitor in Class 2 is Artforms (Kip Stone & Merfyn Owen), more than 200
miles astern. -- http://www.jacques-vabre.com/
* Final results in the North American Intercollegiate Singlehanded
Championship sailed at the University of Hawaii: Men's Division: 1. Andrew
Campbell, Georgetown '08, 64 pts; 2. Clay Johnson, Harvard '07, 81 pts; 3.
Chris Branning, USMMA '08, 86 pts. Women's Division: 1. Molly Carapiet,
Yale '06, 54 pts; Paige Railey, South Florida '09, 62 pts; 3. Emily Hill,
Yale '07, 101 pts.
http://www.collegesailing.org/nas/fall05/singles/singlehands_results.asp
* Over 80 race committee members for the ISAF World Sailing Games 2006 met
last week at the 'kick off' meeting for the winter activities leading up to
the Championship next year in Lake Neusiedl, Austria from May 10-20. Race
committee members came from all over Austria from all the different yacht
clubs to the federal training centre of sailing and surfing in Neusiedl am
See to help co-ordinate the regatta preparations. Helmut Jakobowitz,
Principal Race Officer, commented, 'We would like to offer the 900 sailors
from over 60 nations extremely well organized races by a professionally
well prepared regatta team.' -- ISAF website,
http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j69Fh0,A~
* The World Sailing Speed Record Council ratified two new World Records:
Finian Maynard (BVI) now holds the record for "Outright Nautical Mile
Record -- Windsurfer"; October 15,2005 at Walvis Bay, Namibia; Time: 1 min
10.12 seconds; Speed: 39.97 Knots (Previous Record: Bjorn Dunkerbeck
November 16,2004 at Aringa, 34.44 knots). And the "Outright Wonen's
Nautical Mile Record -- Windsurfer" now belongs to Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA);
October 15, 2005 at Walvis Bay, Namibia; Time: 1 min 46.92 seconds; Speed:
33.69 Knots (Previous Record: Britt Dunkerbeck July 2003 at Arinaga; 23.84
knots).
* Capitalia Team has begun construction on the first of the two new boats
for the America's Cup 2007 at Marine Composite of Vittorio Urbinati, based
in Andora (Savona). The launch of the new Mascalzone Latino is scheduled
for March. The Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Design Group is led by
Harry Dunning and includes Rick Harris, Chris Mairs, Joe Laiosa, Mark
McCafferty, Fabrizio Marabini, Will Brooks, Duncan MacLane, Rodrigo
Quesada, Marco Savelli and Giovanni Cassinari.
* After a whirlwind US Yacht Club tour, Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird and
general counsel Hamish Ross are returning home to Spain. The America's Cup
Defender took in five yacht clubs in five days: Chicago YC, Long Beach YC,
California YC, Seattle YC and St Francis YC. "We've had folks from seven to
90 years old from all walks of life that just can't get enough news on the
America's Cup," Baird said. "Their excitement is infectious!" --
www.alinghi.com
THANKSGIVING
We will publish a special Thanksgiving issue of Scuttlebutt on Thursday to
keep our readers up to speed while waiting for their turkey dinner.
However, don't look for 'Butt on Friday -- we're taking the day off. Happy
Thanksgiving.
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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. 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. For those
that prefer a Forum, you can post your thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website:
http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi)
* From Dina H. Kowalyshyn (re Optimist Sailing Issues): You still need to
be a parent! Why would you think that your Yacht Club knows what is best
for your child? Or a coach? You and your child are the only ones who can
know. Listen to your child and take your lead from them.
I have been on the "scene" for more years than I can tell you, starting out
coaching other peoples kids when my own were too young, and transferring to
the parent of the sailor later on. There are great benefits to "teams" in
terms of cost sharing and time sharing to take the kids to events. There
are always going to be teams who desire to separate themselves from the
main stream, as with many other sports, and if that suits their needs then
fine. It is not for everyone and if you do not like that, then do not join
that team. Be the best parent you can be and you will instill your values
and your love of the sport on your children.
* From John Lambert: I respond to anonymous' complaint regarding coaches
and teams in the "Optimist circuit." Optimist events range from interclub
races to annual yacht club regattas to JOs to USODA events, providing
opportunities for all levels of skill. At each level, there are coaches,
often from summer programs, who both instruct and ensure the child's safety.
My girls have sailed with many coaches. I am unaware of any coach directing
my child to a side of a course - if only to avoid the grief of being wrong.
My daughters also have a piano teacher - essentially a coach - about which
no one would complain. Is the desire to be excellent at sailing less worthy
than playing piano?
Anonymous complains that teams foster exclusionary behavior. Middle school
children being cliquish? Shocking! My children have sailed with many
different teams, some travel teams, others, like LISOT, with open
enrollment. The teams are a source of friendships and not a limit; as my
daughters have many sailing friends who weren't teammates.
The Optimist community - at all levels - provides a fun opportunity to
escape the tyranny of the suburban team sports scene because every child
gets to start the race. There are intense parents - like soccer, etc., but
most are welcoming and generous. The Optimist offers a less expensive
entrée into sailing than previously existed and the class is producing many
children who sail and a few passionate ones who race well. The Optimist is
making sailing more public. Isn't that all good?
* From Jordan Murphy: This 'Private' coaching issue is getting out of hand.
Last time I checked none of the smaller local or 'Superpower' Yacht Clubs
have an 'open to the public' sign above the front door. Coaching at any
Junior Program with a YC label is implied to be 'private'.
There is a directive currently before the board of a major Southern Cal YC
to restrict outside 'Private or Professional' coaching. They are actually
trying to define the difference between the two. Are they admitting that
their current coaches are not professional in their talents? Does this mean
that only rank amateur coaches need apply? I think that our kids deserve
better-it is unfair that a YC program is being exclusionary in their
coaching 'verbiage' whereby the youths of non sailing parents are being
'held back' so the chosen few can advance.
There are funding issues from CISA that are at stake for these kids. Some
are invited by their resume, which includes specific results at certain
regattas. I think that Roy Disney would be appalled if he knew that the
playing field was not level for all. He has graciously donated certain
proceeds to fund junior sailing on the CISA level. I hope that the bruised
egos of a few do not impede the progress of the many.
* From Dieter Loibner (regarding VOR): Ever wondered what's gained by going
faster at the expense of safety? If Columbus, Cook, Magellan, and Vancouver
had relied on flimsy technology, we wouldn't know their names. Ships may be
ugly or slow, but the worst they can do, is busting up before reaching
their destination. Knowing that the Volvo 70s may be a bit vulnerable, race
organizers made allowances for this scenario. If you crack, go home, fix
it, and fly your kit to Cape Town to rejoin the fun. Ridiculous, isn't it?
What happened to the adage that "to finish first, you first have to finish?"
* From Andrew Hurst, Editor, Seahorse Magazine (edited to our 250-word
limit): John Harwood-Bee makes several good points in issue 1972 about the
need to shake-down cutting-edge racers, but remember that without these
boats we would never see the huge daily mileages that seem incredible today
but will be the norm in a few year's time.
More important is to pick John up on the detail: contrary to his
understanding PlayStation required a great deal of 'shaking-down' before
she became fully competitive, in fact she needed to be rebuilt with all-new
bows for starters. For experimental boats a shake-down really means:
shake-down, break, re-design and re-build. Then the good ones fly. As for
Team Philips, this was a very brave attempt by a gutsy and creative team.
The combo of Pete Goss's cahunas and Adrian Thompson's brains was primarily
thwarted by a lack of cash. We obviously still do not know the potential of
this genre, though the wave-piercing trend in the modern A-Class shows Goss
and Thompson were on the right track.
This team always knew that they were winging it, and they desperately
wanted to build at least one smaller development design first, but they had
neither the time nor the money. Some big mistakes were certainly made in
the campaign style, but time and money were so short that it was always a
long shot. In the meantime what Pete and the project team did for the
tourist trade in Totnes (where they set up the first significant 'visitor
centre' for a sailing project) remains an example to all.
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know
increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
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