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SCUTTLEBUTT #351 - June 29, 1999HE'S DONE IT AGAINBruce Golison has to be the most innovative race organizer of the 90s. Knowing that lengthy protest hearings put a damper on the social aspects of a regatta, Bruce 'invented' protest arbitration (mediation) many years ago to help speed the process of moving participants out of protest hearings and back to the regatta parties. Mediation made a huge difference at his annual Southern California race week and is now used extensively at other major events around the country. However, even with mediation, Golison felt there were still too many full protest hearings on the last day of his eventand they always delayed the timing of the Prize giving celebration. So this year, for the protests on the final day of his North Sails Race Week, he instituted the "Six Minute Protest." No mediation, no formal hearings -- just the Six Minute Protest procedure with two judges at each hearing with the following rules: 1. Ask if either party wishes to take the 40% alternative penalty without further discussion on that subject. 2. Start the protest procedure (If no one raises the issue of the validity of the protest, go right to the incident) 3. Each side gets 4 minutes to state their case and / call a witness(s). The judges may ask questions as normal. 4. After both sides have had their 4-minute time to speak, each side gets 2 minutes to ask the other side questions. 5. After the competitor time period is done, the competitors are excused. 6. The two judges have 10 minutes to decide the protest. If no fault can be determined within the 10-minute period, the protest is disallowed. How did it go? "No problems," Golison declared with a smile. "In fact we never used the full time allotment. And for the first time in memory, we were ready to award the trophies before many of the people wanted to stop partying. Next year, we'll probably use the Six Minute protest procedure for every protest." One of the reasons for the success of this experiment may be tied to the fact that Golison is always able to attract the top judges in Southern California for his annual race week. Event website: http://www.golison.com RATING RULES At a morning meeting on June 28 at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble, England, packed with yacht designers, sailmakers, project managers and race officials, was heard the results of 20 months work on the new IRM (International Rule Measured). The joint creators are the Royal Ocean Racing Club, London, and the Union pour la Course au Large, Paris. These clubs with their permanently manned rating offices (the RORC has six full time rating staff in the office- travelling measurers are extra) already look after 3000 annually certified yachts under IRC (ex-CHS, but in effect the same) chiefly in UK, France, Australia and Ireland, but also in other parts of the world, particularly the Mediterranean (Italy, Spain, Turkey) and Far East (Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines). Unlike IRC, whose formulae are secret, IRM is a published rule to be measured by authorized officials. Much of the thinking seems to be to correct in a radical way the supposed mistakes of IMS. Terry Robinson, RORC commodore, claimed that British efforts to improve admitted problems with IMS had been repeatedly acknowledged, but then no effective action had been taken. This was a major incentive in originating IRM. IRM was described to the knowledgeable assembly in some detail: it is claimed to be far simpler to measure than IMS (half the cost), to avoid hull distortions, produce boats some 25 per cent stiffer than IMS - and there will be a single number time correction factor (time-on-time) customary in most racing outside the USA (but it can if necessary be converted to time-on-distance). 12 month valid rating certificates will be effective from January 1, 2000. -- Peter Johnson (UK) Rule can be seen on: http://www.rorc.org/rating KIEL RACE WEEK After winning the I.O.C President's Cup at the '99 Worlds in Melbourne during January, the Australian Sailing Team has taken the prestigious TEAM's EVENT at the Kiel 1999 Regatta in Germany. Over 45 Countries were represented in the 2000 athlete event over 5 days in northern Germany, and a crowd of 400 Europeans (and especially the Brits) were highly disappointed to hear that Australia had won yet another "World Cup" title. With wins in the Soling Class, Tornado Class and 49er Class, 2nd and 3rd in the Mistral Women's class, 3rd in the 470 Women's and 4th's in 470 Men's ,Mistral Boards and Laser Class's as well as many other Top 8 places , the Aussie's are showing returns for their major supporters, the Australian Sports Commission, The Australian Olympic Committee, Nortel and P&O Nedlloyd. -- Darren Dunkley-Smith Partial final standings: 470 MEN: 1. Gildas Philippe, FRA, 32.8 points, 2. Alvaro Marinho, POR 45, 3. Paul Foerster, USA, 46, 49ER: 1. Adam Beashel / Teague Czislowski, AUS, 27 points, 2. Marc Audineau / Julien Farnarier, FRA, 29, 3. Morgan Larson / Kevin Hall, USA, 32, Mistral Women, 1. Faustine Merret, FRA, 29 points, 2. Jessica Crisp, AUS, 33, 3. Natasha Sturges, AUS, 34, 4. Lanee Butler, USA, 35, STAR: 1. Mats Johansson / Leif Moller, SWE, 11 points, 2. Mark Reynolds / Javier Hermeda, USA, 24, 3. Marc Pickel / Thomas Auracher, GER, 29. Complete results: http://www.kyc.de/regatta/kieler-woche/index.html 470 REPORT FROM KIEL WEEK Four US teams competed in the 470 class at this years Kiel Week regatta, in Kiel Germany. The weather conditions this year were uncommonly warm. Unfortunately, with the nice temperatures came two days of no wind, cutting this five day event down to only three days of racing. Racing conditions typically saw winds from five to fifteen knots with twenty degree shifts. The 59 boat women's fleet was won by the three time World Champion and 96 bronze medal team of Taran and Pacholchik, from the Ukraine. They were followed by the 96 silver medallists Shige and Kinoshita from Japan, who have made a recent return to 470 sailing. In third place the Australian team of Danks and Bucek are off to a good start in the first of three events for the Australian Olympic trials. Whitney Connor and Elizabeth Kratzig were the top US women finishing 11th. Connor and Kratzig were plagued by two Z flag penalties but showed there potential with a few single digit finishes. Tracy Hayley and Louise Van Voorhis finished 15th, also having to count a Z flag penalty after being DSQed by the jury, along with several other competitors, for not having a black measurement band at the end of their boom. The men's fleet of 108 boats, split into gold and silver fleets, was won by Philippe and Carion, the 98 World Champions from France. In second was the newly selected Olympic representatives from Potugal, Marinho and Nunes. The top American team of Paul Foerster and Bob Merrick were one point behind the Portuguese in third place. Australians Tom King and Mark Turnbull lead there Olympic trials by finishing fourth. Americans Steve Hunt and Mike Miller finished 25th. - Merrick POWER GLOATING When you win, you want everyone to know about it and nothing tells the story better than sharp looking crew apparel from Pacific Yacht Embroidery. For a winning program, the look of your crew gear is as important as the cut of your sails. Pacific Yacht Embroidery will take the time to make that special effort to set your crew out from the crowd. Get in touch with Frank Whitton to learn how affordable his high quality crew apparel can be. Even if you lose you will feel better because you look so good. Pacyacht@aol.com / 619-226-8033 AMERICA'S CUP * The deck of the Swiss International America's Cup Class Yacht has been finished and the lamination work on the hull has commenced. Two shifts are working to finish the yacht on time, at the end of August. Various high-tech Swiss companies are involved in the building of the boat, while Sparcraft Hi-Tech has received the order to build the mast and Navtec is going to supply the rigging, Harken the winches and other deck equipment, and North the sails. In a recent local newspaper, it was announced that FAST 2000 will build an America's Cup yacht sporting a canard configuration. Although the design team studied and tested a large number of alternative configurations, including a canard, the latest time constraints the challenge management has had to face will make it difficult to realise such a concept. For over two years, the design team enjoyed the collaboration of Sebastien Schmidt, a local Swiss naval architect. With most of the design work now completed, he has elected to leave the FAST 2000 team to carry out another project. -- Hans U. Bernhard, FAST 2000 * Quokka Sports announced that it will offer digital interactive coverage of America's Cup 2000 at http://www.americascup.org. In partnership with America's Cup 2000 and Telecom New Zealand, Quokka Sports will bring all the action and excitement of the race to a global audience. Quokka Sports, the digital sports entertainment company, pioneered digital interactive coverage of sailing with its productions for the 1997-98 Whitbread Round The World Race for the Volvo Trophy and Around Alone 1998-99. In 1999-2000, the company will bring its Quokka Sports Immersion Internet coverage to America's Cup 2000, one of the best-known and most prestigious events in the yachting world. Quokka Sports will draw upon the resources of Telecom New Zealand and America's Cup 2000 to create rich and compelling online coverage that captures the sights, sounds, and stories of the 149-year-old race. Starting 18 October 1999, fans around the world can follow the challenging syndicates vying for the Louis Vuitton Cup. Fans will also be able to follow the defender, Team New Zealand, from preliminary training and preparation. Then, beginning 19 February 2000, they can follow the best-of-nine America's Cup Match itself. "I know firsthand what an incredible experience it is to be on an America's Cup boat in the heat of the competition," said John Bertrand A.M., Quokka Sports co-founder and vice chairman, who represented Australia in five America's Cups, including as skipper of the victorious challenge of Australia II in 1983. "We want to bring this experience to the world. We'll draw on the skills and expertise of America's Cup 2000 and Telecom New Zealand to make the same experience available to everyone through our immersive digital entertainment technologies." LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks. -- From Gail Turluck -- On the topic of growing the sport and sponsorship, wouldn't it be great if somehow US Sailing could lop 1% or 5% or (gasp!) 10% off the top of all sponsored events in the US and redirect those funds toward one-time grants to purchase boats for establishing community sailing programs, collegiate programs, high school programs and summer camp programs to have REAL impact on growing the sport? Once a site has decent equipment, it's far easier to drum up support to hire a few instructors and coaches for the summer than to have to first come up with $50K or more to procure a fleet of boats first. I challenge all of you who came up through any of these ranks to exercise your estate planning in the direction of the program of your choice! Yes, it's a dream, but as one actively involved in PHRF, Tartan 10s, campaigning a Sunfish and on the Class' board, college sailing as a Graduate Secretary and district Afterguard Liaison, and currently Head Instructor at a yacht club establishing a Junior Program with 19 kids and 5 boats, I'm totally exposed to the need for funds to get channeled to the bottom of the pyramid where the intake is located! -- From Charlie Arms -- What do sailors get from a sponsored event? Whether it is some sunscreen, a couple of hats and a few goodies in a nice bag or hosted cocktail parties, free lunches and boats to sail at no charge equipped with sails; regatta sponsorship is a way to give all participants a little something for showing up and sailing their best. This is especially nice for those who don't come out on top and take home some silver. -- From Seth Radow -- Apparently my brand of humor flew by the heads of a few. The bottom line is that I am correct in my assessment of the rules. Popularity does not make anyone or anything (or any handicap rule) "correct". It just makes it popular. If accuracy in handicapping is what we are after, PHRF is definitely not it. IMS and Americap offer solution that are much closer to reality... popular or not. Dan Nowlan clearly understands the issues involved here and has some interesting solutions. The sport can only improve as a result. He deserves our attention and support. -- From Joe Erwin -- In reply to Russ Wasden's comment in Monday's (June 28, Scuttlebutt #350) in which he suggested an Excel spreadsheet for scoring systems: You might first look at the new and improved website of the much maligned US Sailing. Under the Race Management section, there are reviews of about 18 different scoring systems, along with information on the various handicapping systems. This information was on the US Sailing website even before it was revised. -- From Mark Golison -- I have a correction in the North Sails Race Week Press Release. Dave Ullman has won the Melges 24 class at Race Week 3 of the last 4 years (not 4 of 4). The 1997 winner was Joe Londrigan sailing the boat that I now own. CMAC This year instead of a single team manager, the USA Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup team will have a Team Management Committee consisting of Ken Morrison, Don Genitempo, Talbot Wilson and David Kilponen. Within the Committee Ken Morrison and Don Genitempo are handling team selection, entries and organization. Don Genitempo will also handle financial management, Talbot Wilson will handle shore support services, David Kilponen will handle on-the-water support. Committee chair Ken Morrison will also be the racing rules advisor. For more information on the USA Admiral's Cup team: http://www.ussailing.org/offshoreteams/ COACH OF THE YEAR Nominations are requested for the US SAILING / US Olympic Committee Coach of the Year and Developmental Coach of the Year awards. Deadline is close of business, Friday, July 2nd. Nominations with a short e-mail of discussion, may be submitted to Catherine Herrick at US SAILING, 103146.3010@compuserve.com. Nominations for Developmental Coach of the Year will be reviewed by a committee consisting of Gary Bodie, Luther Carpenter, Skip Whyte and Jonathan Harley. Nominations for Olympic Coach of the Year will be reviewed by Hal Haenel, Bob Hobbs, Cory Sertl and Jonathan Harley. Please feel free to forward this announcement. These selection criteria and review processes have been reviewed and approved by the USOC. Selection Criteria; 1. Coach of the Year a. Must be actively coaching
2. Developmental Coach a. Must be actively coaching developmental athletes.
TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE |
