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SCUTTLEBUTT 2056 - March 22, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.HAYLES FINDING HIS WAY Ericsson's navigator Steve Hayles is refusing to look beyond the next leg of the race despite reports in the media saying he will quit the team when they arrive in Baltimore. Hayles, who was reportedly ready to leave the team after they “brushed over” his physical altercation with crewmate Guillermo Altadill during the last leg, now insists his thoughts are entirely focused on the next leg and not beyond. In making his point he refused to confirm or deny whether his future, post-arrival in America, lies away from the team. “Quite literally my focus is 100 percent on this next leg; working with John (Kostecki, the new skipper), getting the boat ready and putting some points on the board. It’s hard for me to look beyond that because it would detract from my performance right now,” Hayles said. “I categorically have no other alternative plans. I’m still under my contract, I’m here working hard for the team. That’s as far ahead as I can look. If I was concentrating on what the weather was going to be doing on the leg from Rotterdam to Gothenburg I wouldn’t be doing my job now. It’s critical we get the next leg right.” Hayles refused, however, to rule out the possibility of him leaving the boat at some point in the future. “It’s a very fluid arrangement on these boats. In future legs you can ask anybody in this fleet, it will be hard for anyone to guarantee their arrival on the dock in Gothenburg. I’m in the same boat. I don’t think we can say categorically who will be on or off the boat. That’s not avoiding the question, that is just saying where we are at. The chips are down and the only way to overcome that is to focus on the job in hand which is Leg 5.” Rumours around the dock suggested Hayles originally planned to leave the team upon arrival in Brazil, but contractual agreements ensured he would at least sail the leg to Baltimore. When pressed regarding the length of his contract and the feasibility of him leaving the team in America, he said, “The details of my contract are not something I would discuss openly.” ~ www.volvooceanrace.org SURPRISE The Ericsson Racing Team issued a press statement which announced their crew for Leg 5, but the big surprise was not that one existing crew member would step aside to make room for new skipper John Kostecki, but that there would be another change, a change that makes room for one of Kostecki’s trusted lieutenants from his illbruck crew, winners of the last Volvo Ocean Race. The two to step aside start with the injured bowman Tom Braidwood who has already flown home to Australia to recover from a shoulder injury. The second to be replaced is boat builder Jason Carrington who has been a central figure in the campaign since the first drum of epoxy was opened. Carrington will stay on the boat for the upcoming inshore race, and will work with the shore crew. John Kostecki has brought in Ross 'Roscoe' Halcrow, the New Zealand sailmaker who was a watch leader aboard illbruck and who has extensive America’s Cup experience. ~ www.volvooceanrace.org BANKRUPTCY HEARING The Official Receiver held a meeting of creditors’ of Quest International Sports events. Only five of the company’s numerous creditors attended: former Quest directors Mike Knowle-Smith and Gregory Browne, a representative of web hosting company Active, John Harwood-Bee, representing French catamaran builder Multiplast and a representative of BDO Stoy Hayward, Tracy Edward’s trustee in bankruptcy. BDO Stoy Hayward are seeking to recover around $5 million that Edwards claims she loaned to Quest, but which the former directors deny. The meeting voted to appoint an independent liquidator in place of the Official Receiver and was then adjourned for two weeks. Two significant points arose out of discussions at the meeting. There is no evidence to show that the maxi-catamaran, originally known as Club Med, then Maiden II, then Qatar 2006 and most recently as Doha 2006, was – as had been claimed – sold by Edwards. The report by Kroll, the original auditors concerned in Quest’s liquidation named Edward’s as "beneficial owner", perhaps implying that the maxicatamaran is still owned by a company, in which Edwards is sole shareholder. That may be Maiden II International, a company based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Even more significant is the absence of any indication of what happened to the $70 million that Qatar claims was the subject of a deal between the Qatar National Olympic Committee and Tracy Edwards. On April 7, 2004, a statement was issued by the QSi 2004 Expo, it said “Monday's major award was the massive US$70million deal signed between QNOC and Tracy Edwards for the sponsorship of two formula one yachting races, the Oryx Cup and the Quest.” ~ BYM News, http://www.bymnews.com/new/content/view/26390/57/ For the background go to the series of BYM articles, starting with Tracy Edwards & the Oryx Quest ~ http://www.bymnews.com/tracyedwards/ HITCH A RIDE WITH JUD! How does Jud Smith win all those Etchells championships (besides using fast sails from Doyle, of course)? Jump onboard with Jud and his two teenage daughters, Lindsay and Darby, during Acura Miami Race Week 2006 and see how they won the week. Video footage online at: http://www.doylesails.com/news.htm CAYARD REFLECTS I have never been as tired as I was last week. I don't know....10 feet longer (the boat), 2 fewer people (the crew), and 8 years older (me). I don't know whether you multiply those factors, add them up and divide by something or what, but the bottom line is that I was exhausted. I weighed 192 lbs. on arrival at SFO which is about 15 pounds under normal. My first run and first day at the gym were pretty slow. I feel pretty good now, back to 202 lbs., and have a base to build on for the next two weeks. I am into fitness as I believe it is key to physical and mental strength -- something you need in this race. Reflecting on the last leg and the race so far, I am pleased with how things have progressed for Pirates of the Caribbean. Before the race started, I predicted it would take until Rio for us to get our act together on the race course. With a 2nd in the Melbourne in port race, 3rd to Wellington and 2nd at the Corn and Rio, the results show that we are now running on all cylinders. It is satisfying to see what we have accomplished in 9 months. A strong coalition of efforts by our designers-Farr Yacht Design, our builder-Green Marine Southampton, our keel ram manufacturer-Rexroth, and quality workmanship by the Pirates shore team, has dealt with the technical problems we encountered on the first couple of legs in a professional manner. The proof of this is that we have not had a repeat failure. Everyone has problems, it is how you deal with the problems that defines you. The Pirates have scored well here especially considering we are the youngest boat in the fleet. Our mast by Hall Spars has always been solid. Our sails by North are good and getting better. This is a key area of speed on these boats. Improving sails requires a coordinated effort by the sail designer and the crew. Equally importantly, as a sailing team, we are getting stronger. We have learned a lot about how to sail this boat; sail selection, sail handling techniques, steering, and canard usage. Jules and I are getting well versed in deciphering the weather through various sources and then making our strategic decisions. We will change two crew here in Rio as Rodney Ardern and Curtis Blewett return to Alinghi. Jerry Kirby (USA) trained with us last summer and has always been slotted to be Blewett's replacement. Jerry has won the America's Cup, done the Volvo with Chessie Racing in 1997-1998 as well as sailing on Pyewacket which is a big version of the Black Pearl. Jerry is taking over the "senior citizen" position previously held by Erle Williams and previous to that, held by me. I am gradually becoming relatively young again. Ian Budgen (GBR) is taking Rodney's position. Ian is a 49er sailor with big boat experience from the America's Cup and Transatlantic sailing. It will be good to get a bit of new blood onboard. I think we have one of the best crews on the race track. ~ Paul Cayard, Skipper, Pirates of the Caribbean SAILING MEDIA Josh Adams has been named Publisher of Sail, BoatWorks, and Sail’s Sailboat Buyers Guide. Josh has been with the company for 10 years, most recently serving as Deputy Editor with responsibilities for feature and technical writing, editing SAIL’s performance sailing content, and directing editorial content for sailmagazine.com and the Sailboat Buyers Guide. Josh was a three-time collegiate all-American at Tufts University, a member of the U.S. Sailing Team, a team racing world champion, and a trimmer/coach for the 1999 America’s Cup challenger Young America. In addition to his racing background, Josh has chartered and cruised in many areas throughout the U.S. and in the Caribbean. Josh replaces Christopher Kobran who will be pursuing other ventures. In his first move as Publisher, Josh has promoted Gregg Boersma from International & Mid-Atlantic Sales Manager for Sail to Advertising Director. Sail is the largest circulation sailing magazine in the world. Sail, BoatWorks, the Sailboat Buyers Guide and their companion websites are owned by Primedia Inc. VERNAL EQUINOX Is that spring in the air — or an old gym sock on fire? In sailing-crazy Annapolis, boaters celebrate the first day of spring with a ceremonial Burning of the Socks, signifying it will soon be warm enough to wear boat shoes without socks. "It's a good idea to stand upwind," warned John Morgan, 77. The tradition began in the mid-1980s, when an employee at Annapolis Yacht Yard tired of his winter days doing engine maintenance on yachts and power boats. He stripped off his stinky socks, put them in a paint can with some lighter fluid and drank a longneck beer while looking forward to warmer days ahead. "There's a whole industry of people who work all winter long on people's boats so that they'll be in shape for their owners to go out and play all summer," said Jeff Holland, director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum. But the sock-burning ritual — which attracted more than 130 people Monday evening — now draws more than boatyard workers. Even wealthy sailboat owners delight in throwing tube socks and panty hose on the flames in this town, whose residents have a special disdain for socks. Waterfront restaurants that serve big crab feasts draw men wearing leather loafers sans socks. On Monday, celebrants sipped red wine, ate oysters and speculated how long until they could go barefoot without their toes reddening from the cold. Annapolis resident Michael Busch, the speaker of the Maryland House, joked that socks constitute formal wear around here. The most hard-core sock haters refuse to wear them from the spring equinox until the first day of winter. ~ Kristen Wyatt, Associated Press, Forbes.com, full story: http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/03/20/ap2608654.html DRYSHIRT™ DEALERS WANTED-WORLDWIDE The Dryshirt™ has officially become a phenomenon. They sold out at Key West Race Week and every other event where they have been offered. Technical apparel is leading the sales in the garment industry like never before and the Dryshirt™ sales are off the chart. We want your company, club, institution, or event to offer this unique and remarkable product to customers and sell out as well! Private label graphics available. To learn more about becoming a dealer or distributor for this remarkable product, contact us at 800-354-7245 or 562-594-8749 (international) or mailto:sailingproshop@aol.com For additional shirt info: http://www.sailingproshop.com/dryshirt.htm NEWS BRIEFS * Fernando Echávarri has joined the movistar crew and will be competing in a coastal race next Saturday. The European and World Champion in the Tornado Class in 2005, and the ISAF’s 2005 Yachtsman of the Year, will be taking over from Spain’s Xabi Fernandez. Xabi has returned to Spain to train for the 2008 Olympics in Peking where he will be sailing the 49er Class with Iker Martinez. Also, Californian Mike Howard or “Big Mike” to friends - a great sailor with fantastic physical strength - will be taking over from Noel Drennan in the Saturday coastal race. * For the 180th Skandia Cowes Week, as it has been known for the past eleven years, the regatta organizers, Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC), anticipate over 1,000 yachts and 8,500 sailors turning up to enjoy eight days of racing between July 29 and August 5. After some consideration, CCC has decided to charge boats carrying advertising double the normal entry fee. CCC feels, “ . . . if a company wishes to advertise in order to benefit from the opportunities that the Event presents, then some contribution should be made towards the running of the Regatta.” ~ http://www.skandiasetsail.com * The Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series got off to a flying start Tuesday in Rio. The British team was unbeatable in the first three races but eventually in the fourth race of the day Motorola-CHR, helmed by British Tornado sailor Leigh McMillan managed to gain the upper hand. Results: 1. Basilica, Alister Richardson (1,1,1,2) 38 pts2. Motorola - CHR, Leigh McMillan (2,3,2,1) 32 pts; 3. Volvo Ocean Race, Diogo Cyolla (4,2,3,5) 23 pts; 4. Tommy Hilfiger Randy Smyth (3,5,4,4) 20 pts; 5. Holmatro, Mitch Booth (5,4,5,3) 19 pts. ~ www.volvoextreme40.org * Alinghi boats SUI64 and SUI75 emerged from the base in Valencia today for the first day of two boat training, sporting a new look. Switzerland-based graphic designer Oscar Ribes has worked with Ernesto Bertarelli on the new concept. The Alinghi logo represents two boats circling in the pre-start and that won’t change, what does change is the spinning effect of the logo that whirls out from it now, with the new graphic, in a forward clawing motion that gives the impression of surfing or flying through the water.” Check out the new graphics: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/alinghigraphics.jpg * The fifth annual Sail Newport Advanced Racing Clinic will be held June 15-18, 2006 in Newport, RI just before the Youth Championships. This clinic is by resume only and for advanced sailors ages 14-19 in Club 420s, Lasers, and Laser Radials. Last year's coaches included Kevin Burnham, Mike Kalin, Isabelle Kinsolving, Elizabeth Kratzig, Ken Legler, Zack Leonard, Matt Lindblad, John Mollicone, Bern Noack, Brad Read, Stan Schreyer, Skip Whyte and Mark Zagol. Applications are due by April 1 and can be found on-line at www.sailnewport.org (scroll down to Youth Programs for information and application). * HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) will be visiting Bermuda in June of this year, at the end of the Centennial Newport Bermuda Race Race. At the invitation of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Her Royal Highness will be the guest of honour at the Newport Bermuda Race Prizegiving, and at associated events. Among her many other charitable interests, Her Royal Highness is President of the Royal Yachting Association. Her programme will include other engagements on the island. She last visited Bermuda in 2001. ~ http://www.bermudarace.com/ * Luna Rossa's new ITA 86 will be christened Wednesday at Luna Rossa’s new base in Valencia, Spain. The design features the use of sails from America's Cup past editions. Monsignor Esteban Escudero, Auxiliary Bishop and General Vicar of Valencia's Archdiocese will bless the boat. ~ http://www.lunarossachallenge.com * Brasil 1 left for its first training since the arrival in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian boat was the first of the (Volvo Ocean Race) contenders to raise sails and to start preparing to this Saturday in-port race, in Baía de Guanabara. The training was also marked by the return of Marcelo Ferreira. The two-time Olympic champion was out of the crew in the last two legs. He replaced the Norwegian Knut Frostad, who made part of the crew in the last three legs. ~ BYM News, full story: http://www.bymnews.com/new/content/view/26378/48/ YES YOU CAN! Buy new Farr 40s, Mumm 30s, Farr 395s, DK46s. Stagg Yachts has the ball rolling with three Farr 40s being molded by Goetz and assembled at USWatercraft. DK Yachts is building two Mumm 30s. A DK46 destined for San Diego has been shipped. Argo Boats is completing its second Farr 395 and preparing to start its third. To order your Farr 40 in time for the Rolex Worlds, Mumm 30 for their Worlds, Farr 395, or DK46, or to find out about our brokerage listings please contact Geoff Stagg or Tink Chambers at Stagg Yachts. mailto:info@staggyachts.com or visit http://www.staggyachts.com 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 Bruno Troublé: I would like to reply to the Scuttlebutts of March 16th and 17th, The Baron Bich Trivia Question: Concerning Bob Fisher's answer on March 17th, where he says "with Bruno Troublé at the helm, beat Australia in one race in the semi-finals ....". This is not accurate. I was at the helm, beating Australia in one race in the final of the Challenger series, having beaten "Lionheart" (GBR) 4.3 in the semis and Swerige (Sweden - Pelle Pettersen) and Gordon Ingate from Australia in the Round Robins. This is the only time that a French boat reached the Challenger finals . . . despite 10 campaigns. Please set the record straight! * From Barry Williams: If a no-name sailor created a new one-design (gosh, there are a lot of new ones these days, all struggling to get noticed) and sailed two of them in front of one of his sponsor's waterfront real estate developments, say in San Diego or Newport, would Scuttlebutt give him (or her) 600 words of self-promotion in the news section? Good on'ya, Russell: nice (free) plug for the boat, nice bonus boost for the sheiks. Curmudgeon’s Comment: While there is no question that Russell Coutts’ comments in ‘Butt 2055 promoted his new 44-footer, we simply could not resist carrying the piece because of the many insightful observations Russell made. We hope others got past the commercialism and paid attention to the value contained in his conclusions. * From Frank Kern, J/120 Great Lakes Fleet Captain: Earlier this year I had written about the frustration about trying to get one rating for level racing classes that do not fit in the tight tolerance classes such as the Farr 40 and Mumm 30. Now there has been a option given by US Sailing and IRC that will allow classes to get one number if they desire. Now boats like the C&C35s and J105s classified as sister ships have an option to go with the same rating. If any of the local fleets want to compete in a level class the following steps need to be taken: 1. All of the boats in your class hold a current valid endorsed IRC certificate. 2. You meet the event's requirements for a one design fleet - usually a minimum number of entrees 3. The race organizer agrees that even though there is a variation in the ratings, they will score all boats in your fleet with the same TCC. 4. That TCC will be the value of the fastest boat in your class (this protects the rest of the fleet). 5. Since the “single IRC TCC number” that the Organizing Authority can “assign” or use for a specific level class is based on the boats registered in the event, that single TCC number would only be valid for that one and single specific event. Should the class intend to participate in other events – again with a “single TCC number” – they would be required to reapply for a new single TCC for the class based on the boats entered in that event. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Sign in a restaurant: “Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager.” Special thanks to Doyle Sailmakers, Sailing Pro Shop, and Stagg Yachts. |
