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SCUTTLEBUTT 3611 - Wednesday, June 13, 2012Scuttlebutt 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. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: APS, North Sails, and Soft Deck. REVIEW PANEL MAKES DISCOVERY IN RACE TRAGEDY Portsmouth, R.I. (June 12, 2012) - A US Sailing Independent Review Panel has come to a conclusion regarding the cause of accident during the 2012 Newport to Ensenada Race that resulted in the deaths of four sailors on April 28. Aegean, a 37-foot Hunter 376 sailboat, was destroyed during the race a few miles offshore near Mexico's Coronado Islands. Following extensive research, the Panel is confident that a grounding on North Coronado Island is the cause of accident. The Panel gathered information from race organizers, collected data from the Aegean's track during the Race, and met with the US Coast Guard San Diego Sector's investigation team. The Panel came to a conclusion after reviewing the evidence that was assembled, including material from the tracking device on board Aegean, and information provided by race organizers of the Newport Ocean Sailing Association. The Panel will continue their efforts to document the accident, draw conclusions, share the lessons learned and offer recommendations to the sailing community. A full report from US Sailing is expected by end of July. The members of the Independent Review Panel are Chairperson, Bruce Brown (Costa Mesa, Calif.), John Winder (Annisquam, Mass.), Alan Andrews (Corona del Mar, Calif.), Ed Adams (Middletown, R.I.), and Alan McMillan (Pensacola, Fla.). The Offshore Special Regulations Consultant on the panel is Evans Starzinger (Milford, Conn). The Safety at Sea Committee Chair and Review Panel Liaison is Chuck Hawley (Santa Cruz, Calif.). Medical Advisors are Dr. Michael Jacobs (Vineyard Haven, Mass.), Dr. Kent Benedict (Aptos, Calif.) and Dr. Steven Shea (Long Beach, Calif.). Jim Wildey (Annapolis, Md.) advises on investigation procedures and formats. -- Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/6pyaunf AMERICA'S CUP HOPING TO LURE MORE COMPETITORS San Francisco, CA (June 12, 2012) - Hoping to attract more sailing teams to San Francisco in 2013, America's Cup competitors voted unanimously last week to extend the deadline for teams to build the 72-foot catamarans necessary to compete in the finals. The deadline to pay the $200,000 entry fee was moved from June 1 to Aug. 1. But more importantly, it provides more time for potential competitors to construct the so-called AC72 boats, which can cost up to $10 million in research, development, materials and construction. The event currently has nine teams participating in races across the globe for the regatta's World Series events, but the finals in San Francisco have only four of those squads signed up so far. That's seven fewer than were expected in initial economic impact studies conducted to determine the benefits of The City hosting the event. Other than more teams presumably attracting more spectators, the squads themselves have been known to boost the local economies of host cities because as many as 100 people could live in the area for months before the race events. On its Twitter feed, Team Korea hinted last week that it might join the finals. "They made some public announcements that are really encouraging," said Stephen Barclay, the America's Cup Event Authority chief operating officer. "Let's hope that they get across the line." World Series events are coming to The City starting in late August, and the finals are slated to begin in late-summer 2013. - Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6o4ll2x * To date, the teams who are paid up for entry to the 34th America's Cup include Emirates Team NZ, Artemis Racing, Luna Rossa Challenge and ORACLE TEAM USA. It expected that Team NZ and ORACLE will launch their AC 72 boats in July, while Artemis' and Luna Rossa's launch schedule is not confirmed. The Teams requested that the June 1 deadline be extended until August 1 during Competitor meetings at the recent World Series event in Venice. Amending the deadline required a Protocol change that can only be made by the Teams, which was voted on and approved unanimously. The question is, "How firm is this new deadline?" On a media call on Tuesday, Iain Murray, Regatta Director America's Cup Race Management, responded, "June was a firm deadline until the competitors changed the protocol which they can do at any time. It wasn't on the agenda of ACEA or ACRM to change that date. So it's firm until they want to change it.but to get a 72 built, there's not much runway after August 1." Michelle Slade, Scuttlebutt "GET A GRIP" On our shelves are the "stickiest" shoes Sperry has ever made, the SeaRacer and SeaRacer + with GripX3 technology. Through their sponsorship with the US Olympic sailing team, Sperry has developed the SeaRacer line by the sailor for the sailor. Want - NEED - to know more? The leader in outfitting performance sailors has you covered check out our in depth blog http://bit.ly/JWHGC6, discussing every detail of these new offerings from Sperry. Or just skip the formalities and scroll to the bottom of the blog to the links for the Women's, Men's, and Plus: http://bit.ly/JWHGC6 GROUPAMA GRASPS ONTO SLIGHT LEAD (July 12, 2012) - A hard night is in store for the six boat fleet as they suffer light headwinds surrounding the Azores island of Sao Miguel, which they must round before pointing their bows towards France. At 1900 GMT Groupama were just 0.1 nautical miles (nm) ahead, having maintained their tenuous lead over hard-pushing Telefonica, while PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, 2.9 nm behind, complete the leading trio of sisterships. No one is giving an inch in what is turning into a battle of epic proportions. "So far the three of us have been glued to each other for the entire race. It's no wonder that three nearly identical boats are on top of each other," said PUMA skipper Ken Read. The leaders should be free of the high pressure by Wednesday morning, but tonight the wind had eased considerably and speeds had dropped accordingly. Read believes the leg will be won or lost after the turning mark where the fleet will meet an aggressive North Atlantic depression. "It's a question of who can deal with the big breeze best and who can avoid breaking in the meantime," he said. The fleet is expected to round the Azores turning mark in the early hours of June 13, on their way to a Lorient finish at the weekend. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/7r5byfc Leg 8 - Lisbon, Portugal to Lorient, France (1,940 nm) Standings as of Tuesday, 12 June 2012, 22:01:44 UTC 1. Groupama 4 (FRA), Frank Cammas (FRA), 1218.4 nm Distance to Finish 2. Telefonica (ESP), Iker Martinez (ESP), 0.80 nm Distance to Lead 3. PUMA Ocean Racing (USA), Ken Read (USA), 6.2 nm DTL 4. CAMPER (NZL), Chris Nicholson (AUS), 7.9 nm DTL 5. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (UAE), Ian Walker (GBR), 9.5 nm DTL 6. Team Sanya (CHN), Mike Sanderson (NZL), 10.3 nm DTL Tracker/Standings: http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/racetracker/rdc.html Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/VOR-2011-12-schedule Video reports: http://www.youtube.com/user/volvooceanracevideos BACKGROUND: During the nine months of the Volvo Ocean Race, which started in Alicante, Spain (Oct. 29) and concludes in Galway, Ireland during early July 2012, six professional teams will sail over 39,000 nautical miles around the world via Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, around Cape Horn to Itajai, Miami, Lisbon, and Lorient. Teams accumulate points through nine distance legs and ten In-Port races. - http://www.volvooceanrace.com GETTING THE GULF STREAM RIGHT - Knowing the Gulf Stream can be the key to success in the Newport - Bermuda race, which gets underway on June 15. It's truly a navigator's race, and those who know the infamous ocean current will get it right. Below, Dennis Bryan provides interesting Golf Stream trivia for those wanting to brush up... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Gulf Stream is the second most powerful ocean current, exceeded only by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It flows out of the Gulf of Mexico, around the Florida Peninsula, up the North American Atlantic Coast as far as Newfoundland, and then eastward across the Atlantic Ocean. It averages 60 miles wide and 3,000 feet deep, with a speed of about five knots and a flow rate of 30 million cubic meters per second. About two-thirds of the way across the Atlantic, the Gulf Stream splits in two. The North Atlantic Drift moves northeasterly to the British Isles and Scandinavia. The other part moves southeast along the coast of Europe and on to North Africa, where it becomes part of the North Atlantic Gyre and eventually re-crosses the Atlantic to start the process anew. The Gulf Stream is a significant factor in heat transport from the tropics to the northern polar region, cooling the North Africa and northern South America while warming eastern North America and northwest Europe. The Gulf Stream was noted in passing by early Spanish and English navigators. It was not until it piqued the interest of Benjamin Franklin that the phenomenon was explained in detail. Conversing with ship captains and examining log books, Franklin concluded in 1769 that a great river started in Florida and moved clockwise through the North Atlantic to Europe. He suggested that ships sailing from North America to Europe should follow the river and ships sailing the opposite direction should avoid the river. American masters, some of whom were already somewhat aware of its existence, enthusiastically adopted the practice. British masters, more hidebound and less enamored with Colonial advice, declined the advice for many years. Nowadays, there are efforts to harness the power of the Gulf Stream with current turbines on the seabed off the coast of Florida. No one ignores the Gulf Stream any longer. -- Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6w3xbh9 NEWPORT TO BERMUDA FLEET EXTRAORDINARY THIS YEAR (June 12, 2012) - Newport Bermuda Race chairman John Osmond is "excited" about the diverse crews competing in this year's 635 mile 'Thrash to the Onion Patch' and for good reason. The veteran American sailor, who has served on the Bermuda Race organizing committee for more than a decade, has described this year's fleet as "extraordinary" and is absolutely thrilled to see Bermuda Sloop Foundation's Spirit of Bermuda make its maiden voyage in the century old race. "The participants attending are an extraordinary group from boats that were built in the 1930s to boats that just came out of the mould six months ago," Mr Osmond said. "We are very excited about the spectrum of boats that are going and especially the fact that Spirit of Bermuda is among the entries in its brand new class (Spirit of Tradition)." There are 166 entries competing in the race, including four local boats. American entry, Ragana, withdrew from the race at the weekend after experiencing mechanical breakdown en route to Newport. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/73olysq FREE SHIPPING ON NORTH SAILS GEAR It's almost officially summer and North Sails Gear is offering free shipping on all orders over $50 (excluding tax) between now and the Summer Solstice on June 21st. We have a great selection of new items including: Batik Shirts (for men & women), spinnaker belts in a variety of colors, tees, polos and more! Please put the words 'SBUTT' in the comments box during check-out and we will deduct shipping fees (surface shipping within the USA only). http://www.NorthSailsGear.com SAILING SHORTS * (June 12, 2012) - The inaugural champion of the America's Cup World Series will be decided in Newport, Rhode Island on July 1, the final day of racing in the series. Under the spotlight of a nationwide audience on NBC, the grand finale will see one of eight teams win the title. The pressure will come on in the final day of racing, when both the Match Racing and Fleet Racing titles for Newport will be decided in one race showdowns. The format for the four days of Championship Racing in Newport (June 28-July 1) has been released and is now available. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/7vg7yqm * Competition winners Tobie and Brian Hollenbeck enjoyed the money-can't-buy thrill of sailing on a Volvo Open 70 as part of their Miami Passport prize they won during the Miami stopover where visitors filled out a 'passport' with stamps from various areas of the race village. In return they were jetted to Lisbon for a VIP package including a ride on Sanya in the Pro-Am and a spot on a spectator boat for the Oeiras In-Port Race. "It was great, it was a lot of fun," Tobie said. "It was really intense on board! Brian is a keen sailor and he spent a lot of the day on the grinders!" -- Story at: http://tinyurl.com/8yh4673 * (June 12, 2012) - With three weeks of racing completed and a further three weeks to go, Monday 11th June marked the half-way point in the inaugural "Virtual ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships 2012" run in partnership with the organisers of the real world event Dublin Bay 2012, scheduled for 12-20 July 2012. So far 733 individuals have entered the regatta and 464 have taken part in official racing (not just practice racing) representing 46 countries. Of the 464 classified so far, 94 are entered in the Youth category. -- For more info: http://dublinbay2012.sailx.com/ FREE CLASSIFIED ADS The Scuttlebutt Classified Ads provide a marketplace for private parties to buy and sell, or for businesses to post job openings. Here are recent ads: For Sale - * A-Class Catamaran * 2005 33' J/100 Now Hiring - * Severn Sailing Association Junior Sailing Program Director * Service Manager -Sailmaker View/post ads here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/classified_ads SOFT DECK Soft Deck's non skid is easy to install, and provides amazing traction wet or dry. Our soft, barefoot friendly material with a peel and stick backing can be installed over existing nonskid in minutes, and won't tear up your knees or elbows. More information at http://www.Soft-Deck.com GUEST COMMENTARY Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community. Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted comments chosen to be published in the newsletter may be limited to 250 words. Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should save their bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Casey Robert Baldwin, Nova Scotia (re Scuttlebutt 3610): About a century ago, F.W. 'Casey' Baldwin designed a number of sailing hydrofoils on Nova Scotia's Brasdor Lakes, with the help of Alexander Graham Bell. On an around the world trip in 1911 Dr. Bell and Baldwin had viewed a strange motor craft, invented by Enrico Forlanini, rising on horizontal ladder rungs, clearing the hull from the water, on a Northern Italian lake. Both were intrigued and Baldwin, a passionate sailor and veteran of the 1906 Canada Cup, immediately began the design of sailing hydrofoils on their return to Nova Scotia. They were an underwhelming success, principally because of the heavy weight and lower strength of materials of the time, but occasionally became foilborne. The modern success of the fantastic L'Hydroptere and the wonderful little foiled Moths is a testament to our advancement in the strength and lightness of materials. With Dr. Bell's encouragement, Casey designed a 60 foot cigar-shaped powered hydrofoil which set the world water speed record of 70.86 mph in 1919, that held for ten years. Baldwin's principal contribution to hydrofoils was dihedral, angling the foils for a smooth lift, a change from Forlanini's horizontal foils. Now gone for over 60 years, my grand-father would be amazed and pleased at the astonishing speeds sailing hydrofoils are currently attaining. God rest him. * From Ted Jones: As the first chairman of the NAYRU Level Rating Classes Committee, I wanted the trophies to be unique and special. We named the NA Half Ton trophy for Patrick Ellam's ocean crossing 20-footer Sopranino. A recent technology of the time allowed objects to be totally encased in a solid, clear polymer. I commissioned a coppersmith to hammer out a pair of sails representing Sopranino's sail plan, and had them molded into a clear solid block. A wooden base provided space for plaques telling of each winner. I had not calculated the mass of the plastic which was large and heavy. Carrying the theme further to the Quarter Ton Class, which was named for designer Bill Shaw's 24 foot MORC yawl Trina, I had the same coppersmith create Trina's four sails(genoa, main, mizzen staysail, and mizzen) and had the same polymer molder encase these in clear plastic. The effect was startling, and to my dismay, the solid block of polymer turned out to be huge - roughly four times the volume of the Sopranino Trophy. I thought I had learned my lesson when it became time to come up with the NAYRU One Ton Trophy, which we named for the first U.S. One-tonner designed by the late Bill Tripp for a Connecticut River syndicate which named it The Hawk. I was acquainted with John The Blacksmith, who sculpted nifty things out of metal in his shop in Westport, CT. John was happy to have the opportunity to sculpt a hawk in iron for the trophy. I envisioned something close to life size which would be impressive and unique. John had a better idea and the resulting hawk, wings spread, was approximately four times life size. OMG. Somehow I got the huge bird to San Diego for the NAYRU One Ton Cup Championships. I rescued a piece of driftwood from the beach near the San Diego Y.C. and had Gerry Driscoll fashion a base from it for the trophy (I admit it was a stretch having a hawk perched on a dock piling, but I was desperate). Ted Turner let it be known that the Hawk Trophy was "unsuitable" and I had to agree. Iron hawk and sawed off piling together weighted close to 100 pounds -- well maybe not that much. -- Read in Scuttlebutt Forum: http://tinyurl.com/8xoqvps * From Lanee Butler Beashel: To say that I've been completely shocked and heartbroken since I heard the news that windsurfing was kicked out of the 2016 Olympic Games, would be an understatement. I sail, windsurf and kitesurf, but since I was 15 years old, my passion has been windsurfing. Even now, when I take my two young boys out on my board with me, I love every minute of it. Over 20 years of my life, I proudly represented the USA at two Youth Worlds, two Women's Worlds, one Goodwill Games, four Pan-American Games and four Olympic Games, all in the sport of windsurfing. I applaud Bruce, Nevin and Platt (and many others) coming forward to voice their opinions openly and encourage others to do so. As far as I know, windsurfing, as one of the Olympic Sailing Classes, always has and always will tick all the boxes that the IOC, ISAF and all National Governing Bodies of Sailing want, an inexpensive class for both men and women, youth involvement, lots of countries participating, accessible to the general public and exciting for the media. Can someone tell me then, why has windsurfing been voted out? -- Full letter: http://tinyurl.com/885od9b CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't. A sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is." - Horace Walpole, English author (1717-1797) SPONSORS THIS WEEK BIC Sport North America - Team One Newport - Atlantis WeatherGear Gowrie Group - Pure Yachting - APS - North Sails - Soft Deck Ullman Sails - The Pirates Lair - Harken Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
