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SCUTTLEBUTT 2375 - June 28, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). THE START SETS THE STAGE (June 27, 2007) The subtle changes in yacht races that make the difference between victory and defeat are often hard to detect. In the 4th race of the 32nd America’s Cup, Alinghi’s helmsman, Ed Baird, accelerated for speed 18 seconds before the start, while Emirates Team New Zealand’s helmsman, Dean Barker, slowed down to avoid jumping the gun. The next 4 seconds set the stage for the rest of the race. Alinghi was fast and NZ struggled to gain speed. At the starting gun NZ was one knot slower allowing Alinghi to grab a small, but significant one boatlength lead. From that moment NZ was in a catch up mode. It was a painful day for Kiwi fans. There was one good opportunity for NZ to catch up, but the crew let it slip away. -- Gary Jobson, read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/gj/#Race4 ETNZ PROTESTS ALINGHI Following Wednesday’s loss to Alinghi, Emirates Team New Zealand have lodged a protest with the Jury, regarding rule 31.6: “Mainsails shall be able to be lowered to the deck without the necessity of a crew member going aloft.” Rule 31.6 is designed as a safety measure, to ensure that the yachts can lower their main from the deck during an emergency. This protest followed events after the race where the Measurement Committee asked Alinghi to lower their mainsail as part of routine measurement tests. In particular, they were concerned with the halyard lock at the top of the mast. The Measurement Committee could have protested a potential breach of the rule themselves, but decided not to proceed (thus forcing ETNZ to file for themselves). The Jury will hear the protest at 2pm local time on Thursday. -- Peter Lester, http://www.peterlester.co.nz/2007/06/28/protest AMERICA’S CUP MATCH First team to win 5 races in the 9 race series Challenger: Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 0-1-1-0-_-_-_-_-_ = 2 Defender: Alinghi (SUI) 1-0-0-1-_-_-_-_-_ = 2 * Race schedule: Thursday is a rest day, with racing resuming on Friday through Sunday before the next break on Monday. -- Complete schedule: http://www.americascup.com/en/americascup/program/calendrier.php * TV schedule: VERSUS (USA) and TSN Broadband (Canada) will provide live coverage of the Finals from 8:30 a.m.–11 a.m. ET. VERSUS will also have a replay from 6-8 p.m. ET., while TSN Broadband will archive each race for later viewing. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar/shows/#6 SCUTTLEBUTT POLL: WHO IS THE BEST AT THEIR POSITION? (June 27, 2007) With four races completed, and the score even at 2-2, we find ourselves approximately at the midpoint of the event. There have been some brilliant moves, and some baffling mistakes. This event will be won or lost by the sailors, so who do you think is the most capable of getting the job done? Looking at the four afterguard positions below, who do you feel is doing the better job? * Helmsman Dean Barker - ETNZ Ed Baird - Alinghi * Tactician Terry Hutchinson - ETNZ Brad Butterworth - Alinghi * Navigator Kevin Hall - ETNZ Juan Vila - Alinghi * Strategist Ray Davies - ETNZ Murray Jones - Alinghi Cast your vote here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/polls/07/0627 GUEST COMMENTARY Tuesday in Valencia produced one of the classic matches in America’s Cup history. As the sort of character who memorizes and daydreams about the give and take of Cup races, I can say that with authority. The Race 3 brawl between the Kiwis and Alinghi was as thrilling as the famous Race 7 in 1983, as Gretel’s rush by Weatherly in 1962, as 1934’s Race 3 (Sherman Hoyt's saving the Cup for the New York Yacht Club), and as the last races both in 1901 (Charlie Barr's nipping the faster Shamrock II) and 1893 (Nat Herreshoff's catching Dunraven’s first challenger in a small gale by sending a man out on the boom to cut Vigilant’s reef points). And now we can add 2007 Race 3 to that list. A pattern has emerged in this extremely tight racing. The Kiwis are continuing to adjust and improve, and have brought with them a ferocious determination to the game that hasn’t been seen for a while. As a Media Center acquaintance of mine puts it, “The Swiss seem to be watching, and the Kiwis are working at 130 percent.” A couple other observations concern the business of the Cup. First, what was Ernesto Bertarelli possibly thinking when he criticized the race committee for starting Race 3 when it did? Besides approving the PRO, Bertarelli is on the record as defending Valencia as a site for thrilling races BECAUSE the wind is shifty here. (See, for instance, an interview with him in Gary’s Cup history show on ESPN Classic.) I can’t believe Bertarelli intended to suggest that the only exciting race is one that Alinghi wins, but that’s what his curious statement at the port-race press conference implies. Also, when will the people working for the only American challenger for the 2007 America’s Cup get around to hanging an American flag out their window? China’s flag is flying over the Chinese compound, and Spain’s over the Spaniards’, and of course there are New Zealand flags over the Kiwis’, not to mention the small Swiss flag over Alinghi’s. But the nationality of the Golden Gate Yacht Club, of San Francisco, California, remains as mysterious as Bertarelli’s complaint. Sometimes it seems that the America’s Cup has become the Global Sponsorship Cup. -- John Rousmaniere IT'S HEATING UP IN VALENCIA… But it can still get cool while sailing over here in the States! Team One Newport has the Musto Thermal line on SALE! It’s a final sale and at 50% off, this is a must-see; remember that they run small so size up! Be sure to also check out the Henri-Lloyd Junior foul weather gear and Extrasport Life jackets. Both are perfect for your Junior Sailing Program or for the family summer cruise. Don't forget the Harken gloves, Magic Marine Rash Guards, and Gill sunglasses. Call 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327) or visit http://www.team1newport.com ETCHELLS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (June 27, 2007) Day two of the Etchells World Championship in Cowes brought strong winds, incredibly close racing and more than a few gear and crew failures including two men overboard (both promptly recovered and now safe and well). With the wind averaging 22 to 26 knots and occasionally gusting over 30 from the South West the seas were large and the racing was incredibly physically demanding. Even some of the best crews found themselves struggling with only 28 of the 45 competitors crossing the finish line in today' second race. Overall Andy Beadsworth (GBR), sailing with Oscar Strugstad and Simon Fry, retains his lead with a 7-3, but the best performance of the day definitely goes to Ante Razmilovic (GBR), sailing with Jez Fanstone and Stuart Flinn, who took third in the morning race and then won this afternoon with a beautifully controlled performance in near survival conditions. Jud Smith (USA), sailing with David McClintock and Steve Girling, was Ante's closest challenger today with a 2-6 score which has moved him up from third place into second. Preliminary Results 1. GBR, Andy Beadsworth, 1-6-7-3, 17 pts 2. USA, Jud Smith, 10-2-2-6, 20 pts 3. GBR, James Howells, 3-5-9-4, 21 pts 4. GBR, Ante Razmilovic, 5-15-3-1, 24 pts 5. NZL, Anatole Masfen, 4-8-11-8, 31 pts For daily reports and complete results: http://www.etchellsworlds2007.org WORLD SAILING RANKINGS (June 27, 2007) Heading into the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Cascais (Portugal) there are big changes in the latest release of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings. On the back of a strong showing at their home regatta in Kiel, the German team has replaced Great Britain as top nation in the Rankings. Whilst only one of the leaders has changed across the 11 ranking Olympic classes, just behind the top spots there has been plenty of movement. With the British team focusing on their preparations for Cascais, they have fallen back from the top nation spot, with six sailors in top three positions, to equal sixth, with just one #1 and one #2 spot. Germany now head up the top nation table with #1 spots in the 49er and Yngling, and top three crews in the Women’s RS:X and Tornado rankings. North Americans in the top ten are: Laser Radial: 1. Anna Tunnicliffe, USA; 2. Tania Elias-Calles, MEX Yngling: 2. Sally Barkow/Carrie Howe/Debbie Capozzi, USA Laser: 3. Michael Leigh, CAN; 6. Bernard Luttmer, CAN 470-Women: 7. Amanda Clark/ Sara Mergenthaler, USA Finn: 9. Chris Cook, CAN Star: 9. George Szabo/Magnus Lijedahl, USA; 10. John Dane/Austin Sperry, USA Tornado: 10. Oskar Johansson/Kevin Stittle, CAN 49er: 10. Morgan Larson/Peter Spaulding, USA US YOUTH SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP New Orleans, LA (June 27, 2007) For the 99 entrants at the US Youth Sailing Championship hosted by Southern YC, winds of 10-15 knots came on the final day to provide the fleets with their the strongest conditions of the event. By virtue of their victory in the 29er, Emily Dellenbaugh of Easton Ct and Briana Provancha of San Diego California will be the female team representing the United States at the 2007 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Kingston, Ontario, Canada July 12-21, 2007. The male team representing the United States will be Oliver Toole and Willie McBride, both of Santa Barbara, California, who finished second. The 2008 U.S. Youth Sailing Championship will be hosted by San Francisco Yacht Club. -- http://www.ussailing.org/championships/youth/youthchamp/ 29er (19 boats; 11 races with 1 drop) 1. Emily Dellenbaugh/ Briana Provancha, 19 points 2. Oliver Toole/ Willie Mcbride, 22 3. Judge Ryan/ Hans Henken, 32 4. Taylor Lutz/ Evan Aras, 44 5. Austen Anderson/ Chris Price, 62 Club 420 (32 boats; 11 races with 1 drop) 1. Tyler Sinks/ Morgane Renoir, 26 points 2. Taylor Canfield/ Perry Emsiek, 34 3. Chris Barnard, Nichole Popp, 46 4. Halsey Richartz/ Eliza Richartz, 62 5. Emily Lambert/ Liv Gunnarsson, 85 Laser (26 boats; 11 races with 1 drop) 1. Colin Smith, 42 points 2. Fred Strammer, 56 3. David Hernandez, 64 4. Zeke Horowitz, 88 5. Charlie Buckingham, 89 Laser Radial (22 boats; 11 races with 1 drop) 1. Ian Heausler, 54 points 2. Justin Doane, 55 3. Anne Haeger, 62 4. Sam Blouin, 65 5. Sam Padnos, 80 Complete results: http://www.usyouthchamps.com/main.asp?m=4 BORN AGAIN Long Beach, Calif.---Long Beach Yacht Club is once again hosting the biennial Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas Yacht Race November 2-9, 2007. The event was last held in 1995, but race chairman David Stotler notes “a resurgence of interest in racing to Mexican ports” as a reason to host the event again, plus the course has been tuned for the finish to be at Cabo Falso, located at the western end of Cabo San Lucas, to eliminate the dreaded light winds at the cape. Commitments to race already include Doug Baker’s maxi-sled, Magnitude 80; Mike Campbell’s and Dale Williams’ Kernan 68, Peligroso; Peter Tong’s Santa Cruz 70 turbo-sled, OEX; Bill Durant’s and Rick Brizendine’s Santa Cruz 52, Relentless, and Dave Voss’ brand new Farr 40, Piranha. Details at http://tinyurl.com/2874ab DOMINANCE AT 2007 ULLMAN SAILS LONG BEACH RACE WEEK Congratulations to Ullman Sails customers who won both One-Design and PHRF Boat of the Week awards, and won the majority of classes in the final regatta of the 2007 Ullman Sails Inshore Championship series. Bennet Greenwald’s J/105 “Perseverance” won the regatta’s largest and most competitive One-Design fleet (15 boats), while Alec Oberschmidt’s Reichel/Pugh 50 “Staghound” won the Fast 50 class, claiming the PHRF award. Other winners with Ullman Sails: Fast 40: “The Doc”, Sportboat: “Pendragon”, Schock 35: “Power Play”, J/109: “Current Obsession”, Melges 24: “Pegasus 505”, J/29: “Cherry Bomb”, and Cal 25: “Discovery”. For the “Fastest Sails on the Planet” visit http://www.ullmansails.com SAILING SHORTS * The International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA), advancing its new Strategic Planning program, has been developing a project to implement a Junior World Championship starting in 2008. The event is still pending approval by the ISCA World Council and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). -- http://www.sunfishclass.org * For the 63 entrants at the Moth Worlds in Lake Garda, Italy, there was too much wind Tuesday and not enough on Wednesday. The results remain stuck on the two races that got in from Monday, where 2005 World Champ Rohan Veal blitzed the fleet with 2 bullets. To view the results and competitor equipment, go to http://www.moth-sailing.org/worlds/2007_italy.xml#results Photos by Oskar Kihlborg: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0627 * The US Sailing 2006 Annual Report is now available online at http://www.ussailing.org/news/2006AR/index.asp * Plans for new world class sailing facilities were approved Wednesday ensuring Weymouth and Portland remain on course to become one of the first venues ready for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. -- http://www.aroundtherings.com/Default.aspx?articleid=29604 VIDEO OF THE WEEK While event videos are usually not considered for the Video of the Week, a 5:47 minute segment from the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race in the UK last weekend is worth a glimpse. Featured is Mike Slade's new 100-foot canting-ballast maxi 'Leopard 3', where its 35-person crew was sailing the boat's first race. Also captured are the ultra-modern Extreme 40 catamarans that were newly-designed for in port contests during the Volvo Ocean Race 05/06, and are seen here flying along the 50-mile course around the Isle of Wight. Among the Extreme 40 helm is Ellen MacArthur, with on-the-water footage of her post-race interview. Also, if you have a video you like, please send us your suggestions for next week’s Video of the Week. Click here for this week’s video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/07/0625 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Here are a few of the events that are coming up: June 29-July 1 - Etchells Canadian Championships - Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 29-30 - J/Fest Annapolis - Annapolis, MD, USA June 29 - Queen's Cup Race - Milwaukee, WI, USA June 29-July 2 - The WoodenBoat Show - Mystic, CT, USA June 30-July 1 - MDR to San Diego Race - Marina Del Rey, CA, USA June 30-July 1 - Lake Huron Yachting Assn Champs - Port Huron , MI, USA View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar Curmudgeon’s Comment: If you want your event featured in Scuttlebutt, use the link above to add it to the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar. LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Stephen A Van Dyck in Valencia: (following the Alinghi whining after race 3). It looks like Mr Bertarelli has been able to buy everything but a windshift and sportsmanship. * From Troy Sears: So much for the home court advantage with the Race Committee. During the delay Tuesday, the thought in my mind was the 2003 AC when the RNZYS Race Committee delayed a start of a race due to light winds. Alinghi started a mock race by themselves - right in front of the RC - to demonstrate that the conditions seemed just fine to them. It was thought that the 2003 Alinghi had an advantage in light air and it seemed clear that the RC was doing its best to help the home team. That was certainly not the case yesterday. And I am fairly sure that Ernesto Bertarelli was not too happy that the now 100% neutral RC decided to start the race yesterday. * From Alexandra Hubicsak-Welsh: Welcome aboard to Gary Jobson! Now get him on the Versus broadcast team so we can all benefit from his expertise. He is the reference in the play by play and color of match racing. The man has no equal. * From Brainard Cooper: Great move getting Jobson’s recap of the races. He gives us more insight into what is really going on out on the water than either the Versus guys or any of the others who write about the races. I sure wish he was doing the TV. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Gary’s affiliation with ESPN likely precludes him from hopping into a Versus chair, but look for Gary’s editorial contributions to continue here in Scuttlebutt. * From Matt Cohen, Head Sailing Coach, MIT: (edited to the 250-word limit) As a follow up to the Charles River Open Team Race story in Issue 2373, this event (largest team race ever in North America and the most races total out of any team race in history) would not have been possible without the hard work of countless volunteers. Though I am sure I have missed some, their efforts will never be forgotten and deserve significant credit for the event ’s success: BU, Harvard, Community Boating, and MIT for the use of their sailboats; MIT, BU, Harvard and Courageous for their powerboats; Carl Zimba, Tom Robinson, Kay, and the rest of the team of volunteers on the finish boats; Erin Riley and Peter Fleming for the party planning; Bill Lynn of Atlantis Weather Gear for Sponsorship and Prizes; John Pratt for covering over 2/3s of the starts on the FJ course; Sue, Ellen Pratt, and Eric Gibber: the brain trust behind rotations, scoring, and creative problem solving; Alvar Saenz-Otero for the eRegistration, up-to-the-minute online updates, pictures, organization, and general being-the-man; the Dockstaff including Sam, Wally, Caitlin, Portah, Conan and Dwight; Matt Lindblad for countless hours of behind the scene organization, and running smooth races on the 420 course; Fran Charles, MIT Sailing Master, for the food and T-Shirt Legwork, the continuing of the CRO tradition, running a tight ship at the Pavilion, and providing the facility to host over 252 sailors plus friends, family and volunteers; and last but certainly not least, Kyle Welch, the Event Chair for orchestrating such a spectacular event. CURMUDGEON’S COUNSEL When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer. Special thanks to Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
