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SCUTTLEBUTT 2554 – March 17, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. EURO OLYMPIC SEASON BEGINS IN PALMA (March 16, 2008) Nearly 600 boats and 900 competitors are in Palma, Spain for the 39 Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE on March 15-21, which marks the beginning of the European Olympic class sailing season. Besides the Dragon as an invited class, all Olympic classes except for the Star fleet will participate in the regatta. Despite the conflict with the Tornado, Laser Radial and Yngling World and European championships, these classes will be well represented in Majorca. The highest number of entries is registered in the Laser class (119), followed by the RS:X M (99) and the 470 M (88). Among the 48 nations that will be represented, entrants will include the 90 top world sailors and the Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists of the past Athens Olympics as well as the Olympic classes World and European champions. Competitors enjoyed excellent weather conditions on Sunday for the first day of racing, with 8 knots for race one, increasing throughout the afternoon to 11 knots for the second race. Top North American entrant is Finn sailor Zach Railey (USA), who is presently in second position, trailing only triple Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie (GBR). Those sailors attending the Palma event from the US and Canada are: * United States: Sally Barkow/Debbie Capozzi/Carrie Howe (Yngling), Stu McNay/Graham Biehl (470 M), Tim Wadlow/Chris Rast (49er), Andrew Campbell (Laser), Zach Railey (Finn), Ben Barger (RS:X M), and Farrah Hall (RS:X W). * Canada: Chris Cook (Finn), Gordon Cook/Ben Remocker (49er), and Stephan Locas/Oliver Bone (470 M). Event website: http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org The entrants from the US and Canada will also be representing their countries in the 2008 Summer Olympics, with the exception of Farrah Hall who lost the US Trials to Nancy Rios. However, Hall is disputing a redress protest by Rios that led to her win, and has taken her case to the United States Olympic Committee. As is customary, an arbitrator has been appointed by the American Arbitration Association, with a hearing scheduled for May 21-23. Per AAA rules, the cost of the arbitrator is split between Farrah Hall and US SAILING, though the arbitrator can reallocate the costs as part of the award. The arbitrator’s decision is likely final, as an appeal in cases of this nature is typically not permitted. BILL BENTSEN RECEIVES AWARD US SAILING has announced it is presenting its Harman Hawkins Trophy for excellence in Race Administration to Bill Bentsen (Chicago, Ill.), which is an award given annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the field of race administration. After an outstanding sailing career capped by two Olympic medals, Bentsen has been influential in setting the direction for the US SAILING Judges program, and has become a highly respected US SAILING Senior Judge and an International Judge serving at all levels of the sport, including the Olympic Games. Additionally, Bentsen has had a significant role on the US SAILING Appeals Committee as well as both the US SAILING and the International Sailing Federation Racing Rules Committees. He served on those three committees for decades and his contributions are legendary. It is no exaggeration to say that Bentsen’s knowledge of sailboat racing and his analytic and writing skills have affected every racing rule, every US SAILING appeal and every ISAF case. Following in the footsteps of Harold Vanderbilt, Gregg Bemis, Gerald Sambrook-Sturgess, and Mary Pera, Bentsen is the person who has made the most contributions to improving the racing rules of sailing in the last thirty years. -- Complete report: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2008/hawkinstrophy.asp HARD KORE …IS the next evolution in Luxury Performance from Kaenon Polarized. Supporting our revolutionary and patented SR-91 polarized lenses, Hard Kore is what all the rock stars and starlets now demand on the water. Semi-rimless to prevent water pooling at the lens bottom, super hydrophobic lens treatments for superior water shedding and ease of cleaning, in a frame chassis sporting tall temples to prevent light leakage. Duck-webbed temple tips spread cranium load pressure, with our Variflex rubber adding further comfort and grip. Always available in Rx. Kaenon Polarized. Evolve Optically. Locate an authorized dealer nearest you at http://www.kaenon.com LIGHTNING SOUTHERN CIRCUIT WRAP UP by Amy Smith Linton Alas, the 2008 International Lightning Southern Circuit is past us now. Using government math once more, there were 171 entries between the three regattas (Savannah, Miami, St Petersburg). Real math: 33 boats made all three venues, and hundreds participated between sailing, race-committee work, and assorted bar staff. At least three dozen people made new friends. At least five people made a resolution involving drink and/or working out more. About 300 of us tried with varying success not to tear up during the tribute to George Fisher on the banquet on Saturday night. And about 270 people are presently driving home in a pungent fog comprised of wet gear, misplaced socks, forgotten bananas, and the natural high-tide mark of sailing humanity. Others are surprising their seat-mates on board various packed airlines. The final leg of the three-event circuit was the 61st Annual Winter Lightning Championship in St. Pete this past weekend, which was won by Brian Hayes, Sr. with Laura Jeffers and Jay Mueller, who also took top honors in the combined St. Pete-Savannah trophy. As for the Overall Circuit itself, the results came down to the last race, when leading skipper Dave Starck ended on the wrong side of the shift, having to keep 37 points. My favorite skipper, Jeff Linton, won the Circuit by 10 points – with some help from crew Amy Smith Linton, and Will Jeffers (and an assist by Andy Hayward and Maegan Ruhlman). A brief word about the Southern Circuit banquet: This is an annual tradition that changes as the time passes. This year, the focus was on recognizing the contributions of Ohioan George Fisher. The Fisher family has had three competitive generations on the water for years, winning national and international titles galore. Despite his terminal health diagnosis, George was able to jet down to St. Pete for the weekend to see many of his Lightning friends and award the first annual George Fisher Sportsmanship Award. It goes to the Southern Circuit competitor who demonstrates sportsmanship during the Circuit as voted by the sailors at each venue. The landslide winner was Tom Allen, Jr. * Curmudgeon’s Comment: Amy’s reports and photos from the Lightning Southern Circuit are all posted on the Forum, which additional comments can be added. Link: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5875 WHY THE MINNOW GOT LOST Most of us remember the S.S. Minnow from the 1960's sitcom Gilligan's Island. That voyage was crewed by a mighty sailing man (Gilligan) and a sure and brave skipper. They were only going to be out for a three-hour tour but ran into some bad weather. What most people don't know is that the brave and sure skipper never filed a Float Plan, failed to check the weather forecast and did not carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon or EPIRB thereby delaying search efforts for weeks and making locating them on an uncharted deserted island almost impossible. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary strongly suggests that all recreational boaters, regardless of the size of their boat, carry with them not only the federal and local mandated safety equipment, but also a VHF Radio and an EPIRB, which are not mandated. If the Minnow carried an EPIRB there never would have been a series since the five passengers and crew would have been located very quickly. -- Jersey Boating, read on: http://blog.nj.com/boating/2008/02/why_the_minnow_got_lost.html LEARNING THE SMALL WAY Houston, TX - Little boats make big contributions in teaching people to sail. Just ask Richard Hoover and the Clear Lake Sailing Club. Hoover has been teaching sailing since 1968. The Clear Lake Sailing Club, which sponsors his sailing courses, is a strong proponent of small sailboats. He focuses most of his efforts on beginners. He stresses two things to his students. “Look for a small sailboat,” he said, “and look for one that is popular locally.” Small sailboats accelerate the learning curve, the time it takes to get a feeling for the boat. “If you make a mistake in a little boat, it’s going to slow down right away,” he said. In a larger keel boat, with all its momentum, a mistake might not be immediately apparent. You might make another mistake or two and then do something right before mistake No. 1 catches up with you. That can leave a beginner scratching his head. He’s talking about sailing dinghies, little boats with center boards and sailed by one or two people. Owning a boat popular in the area is good for both the social and the competitive side of sailing. -- The Daily News, full story: http://tinyurl.com/389pwu HUGE PIRATES LAIR GEAR BLOWOUT! We're clearing out space in our shop, which means you save for your regatta! Choose from: -- Embroidered hats starting at $5.00. -- Dye-Sublimated Moisture Tees starting at $15.00. -- Mount Gay Rum logo blankets and totes starting at $10.00. Email mailto:ken@pirateslair.com for answers and details for your regatta. Log on to http://www.pirateslair.com for official Mount Gay Rum gear and catalog requests. SAILING SHORTS * (March 15, 2008) – US SAILING has created a new financial aid program - named Sailorships - aimed at providing financial assistance to junior sailors between the ages of 13 and 19 who are interested in competing in US SAILING Championships and/or clinics. The program, made possible by a generous donation from two US SAILING members, offers travel funds to youth sailors traveling to US SAILING Championships and/or clinics. Depending on the amounts granted, US SAILING could help up to 100 youth sailors before the program’s conclusion at the end of 2009. -- Complete release: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2008/sailorships.asp * The Sailing World College Rankings as of March 11th has St. Mary's holding the top spots in both the coed and women’s divisions. Full rankings: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5909 * Auckland, New Zealand (March 16, 2008) The strong south easterly winds forecast for day one of the 2008 Women's Laser Radial World Championship didn't show, and the 116 boat fleet was becalmed and unable to race on Saturday. For racing on Sunday, a 20 knot south westerly greeted sailors on the Hauraki Gulf for race one of the regatta, easing slightly for race two. Sari Multala (FIN) and Evi Van Acker (BEL) have the early lead with a win and a second place apiece, with both Sarah Blanck of Australia and Paige Railey of the USA just two points back in third. -- http://www.takapunaworlds.org/index.cfm?Nid=42657&RequestTimeOut=180 * Hamilton, Bermuda (13 March 2008) Luis Chiapparro, Katrina Williams and James Anfossi were named, respectively, the BSA 2007 OMEGA Male, Female and Youth Sailors of the Year. The BSA Board of Governors, using nominations made by the BSA membership, selected these sailors for this distinctive honour. -- Full report: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5906 * 470 enthusiasts from the United States and Canada gathered in Sarasota, FL for the 2008 U.S. National Championships March 13-15. Competitors ranged in age from 14 to 82 years old, and arrived from British Columbia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, and Maryland to challenge the local Florida boats. Three women’s teams, three men’s teams, and five coed teams raced together on courses set in the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Conditions ranged from 5 knots to 18 knots, from flat water to steep chop to rolling waves, with the event won by Allison Jolly/ Molly O'Bryan. -- Full report: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5911 * Nassau, Bahamas -- The International 5.5 meter class completed their 2008 World Championship last weekend, which was won by defending champions Kristian Nergaard (NOR) with crew Mark Strube and Harry Meges III onboard Artemis XIV. -- Final results: http://www.5point5worlds2008.nassauyachtclub.org/doc/worlds_results.pdf * Terry Flynn of Shoreacres, TX beat out a fleet of 46-entrants in the Genesta J/22 Midwinter Championship, hosted by Rush Creek Yacht Club, with the 8-race series held on Lake Ray Hubbard. Fellow Texans Scott Young and Max Scott were in second and third, respectively. -- Complete results: http://www.genesta.com/scoring/events/details.aspx?event_id=1 * The Sperry Top-Sider San Diego NOOD Regatta this past weekend had 145 entrants in 14 classes that ranged from the Viper 640 and Buccaneer 18 up to the Beneteau 40.7 and J/120. Winds during the three-day event ranged from light air and a huge swell on Friday that had some seasick folks hugging their stern pulpits, to winds up to 20 knots on Saturday and light/moderate conditions on Sunday. Winning the 19-boat Etchells class was Will Stout, who was also voted as the regatta's overall winner, earning a Sunsail charter boat and entry into the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Caribbean Rendezvous in the British Virgin Islands in November. -- http://www.sailingworld.com/nood_regatta.jsp?location=598 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar EIGHT BELLS On the evening of Wednesday 25th February 2008, our wonderful brother, Captain Paul Fitzgerald of S/Y Hetairos departed this world. Paul's impressive sailing career included skippering many well known mega yachts such as Jay Hawk, Diablesse, Saudade, Rebecca and Hetairos. He was a trustworthy, highly respected captain, with extensive world-wide cruising experience including multiple seasons around New England, the Carribean and the Mediterranean. He was a remarkable friend, loved and known to many ocean racers, America's cup sailors and mega yacht crews. We will all miss him. A cremation service will be held in England at St. Peter's Church in Heysham, Lancashire, on Monday, March 17th at 1:45, where friends are welcome. Once matters have been settled on this side of the Atlantic, the family will be travelling with Paul’s ashes, to hold a celebration in Newport , RI of his life and invite all of his friends and colleagues to join them at the Newport Shipyard on May 17th at 4:00 in the afternoon. – Additional information at http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5910 SAILING WORLD’S 2008 ONE DESIGN DINGHY OF THE YEAR. The Vago - Modern design, great versatility. It’s no wonder it rose to the top of the heap in Sailing World’s analysis. The Vago has two rigs available and an open, well thought out cockpit. To find out more, go to http://www.LaserPerformance.com 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 Peter Nielsen, Editor, SAIL Magazine: I well recall the schadenfreude with which the New Zealand public greeted the sinking of One Australia; the rivalry between the two countries is legendary. The next day, a full-page newspaper advertisement for a well-known beer featured a photo of the stricken yacht surrounded by its floating crew, with a tagline that went something like: "The only thing that goes down faster than a Steinlager is an Australian America's Cup yacht." * From Geoffrey Mason: (regarding the sinking of One Australia) I was the Director for America's Cup Television that fateful day off Point Loma, and will always remember with profound respect what an incredible job our lead cameraman George Johns did. His was the ONLY camera on the scene (fog and rain had prevented our helicopter cameras from covering the race that day), and the way he documented this catastrophic event will be revered and appreciated for generations to come. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: If you missed the video last week, here it is again: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/08/0310 * From John Harwood-Bee: (re: the lead story in ‘butt 2593 by Urban Miyares, Challenged America) What a great shame that such sportsmanship and camaraderie are not evident in the AC now. It is rapidly becoming time that the deed specification regarding friendly competition is invoked and SNG chooses a new defender or relinquishes the Cup. * From Bruce Campbell: In regards to Richard Johnson’s comments (in Issue 2553) about US SAILING and the ISAF vote, I have the following observation: US SAILING changed its board structure several years ago. The changes were made to make the board more nimble in responding to the needs of the sport of sailing. As part of the process, the board was thinned by removing all those who represented a particular interest group. We were told that these special interest groups could not be trusted to do what was in the best interest of the sport. So much for those high ideals. Btw: As to the question of what group will be disenfranchised next. In that process US SAILING managed to disenfranchise the sailing organizations and clubs that make it possible for US SAILING to fulfill its charge to be the NGO of sailing in the US. * From Glenn Hansen: (regarding story in Issue 2553) It usually makes little difference what type of boat one sails when heroics are involved, but just for the record, Larry was holding down a Finn when he rescued the two Olympic sailors from Singapore. * From Stephen Voller, CEO Voller Energy: (re: last week’s environmental news in ‘Butt 2552) A logical and less controversial alternative to wind power is the use of fuel cell technology to generate electricity. Voller Energy, a UK based company founded in 2002, has developed the environmentally friendly Emerald fuel cell, leading the way in decentralization of power away from national grids. The fuel cell runs on LPG, Calor Gas or Propane which is reformed into Hydrogen. The chemical energy in Hydrogen is then converted to electrical energy, only heat and water are produced as waste products. Heat is efficiently channeled into space heating and the water is diverted back into the system. The product has a futuristic design which fits in with modern surroundings; at only 80 by 59 centimetres it is easily stored out of sight with a detachable screen for those keen to monitor its performance. This embedded power supply is compatible to function alongside other renewable energy sources such as solar power. The clean and quiet credentials of the fuel cell ideally fit marine applications. Benefits to the boat owner include low maintenance, serious reduction in weight compared to a traditional diesel generator and overall security in reliable energy production. The Emerald fuel cell is currently available through a chain of European distributors and will be available to the US market during 2009. -- http://www.voller.com CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Why did God invent whiskey? So the Irish would never rule the world. (Happy St Patrick’s Day! Read on for a cute story: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2008/03/st-patricks-day-story.html) Special thanks to Kaenon Polarized, Pirate’s Lair, and LaserPerformance. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
