|
SCUTTLEBUTT 2024 - February 6, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and docktalk . . . with a North American focus. ANOTHER ABN ONE WIN Seven boats started and all seven finished the latest Volvo Ocean Race inshore race in Melbourne believing that Mike Sanderson's domination of the event could now face a serious challenge. In the end, the Kiwi, in charge of Dutch challenge ABN Amro One, romped away to win when a strengthening breeze activated the turbo of his 70-foot yacht, producing exactly the conditions in which Black Betty (as the boat is affectionately named) excels, and took him into overdrive. Sanderson has taken maximum points at every stage of the 31,250-mile round-the-world event since it left Spain on 12 November. But the most significant moments came before the wind stiffened in yesterday's 24-mile race, as the Brazilian Torben Grael, who had worked through the night preparing a boat that had arrived by truck from Fremantle on Wednesday, led for the first half only to finish fifth. A sail-handling foul-up wrecked Grael's fairytale ending, but Sanderson was also headed at times by both Paul Cayard's Disney-backed Pirates of the Caribbean and Bouwe Bekking in Spain's movistar while the wind was softer and shifting in direction. And Britain's Neal McDonald, recovering from a premature start in Ericsson, also showed real speed on the way to being fourth. If Sanderson and his colleague Sebastien Josse in ABN 2, who was sixth, hope for another one-two on the leg to Wellington, which starts next Sunday, they will have to hope the Tasman is in one of its vicious moods. Otherwise, the race at last looks more open and competitive. - Stuart Alexander, The Independent, http://sport.independent.co.uk/general/article343269.ece RACE NOTES * Ten minutes before leaving the dock at Melbourne, Australia, Brasil 1 wasn't sure if it would be competing in the third in-port race of the Volvo Ocean Race Saturday. The race against the clock that the Brazilian team has been running since the boat lost its mast during the second leg of the race, seemed lost. Even so, the Brazilians went to sea. And they surprised everyone who followed the race. With a new mast that was fully mounted only a few hours before the start of the race, Brasil 1 was the fastest at the start and remained in the lead on four of the eight legs of the regatta, in Port Philips Bay. But luck fell short. A hydraulic failure in the keel reduced the speed of the blue and yellow sailboat. A problem during a manoeuvre that occurred when the crew attempted to fix the keel problem resulted in a fifth place finish. * Ericsson was touted as the boat to beat today with tactician and last Volvo Ocean Race winner John Kostecki calling the shots, but she blew her chances by jumping the start and had to return to begin again, losing almost two minutes. The team doubts the validity of the recall. Despite that setback, Ericsson just missed a podium finish, crossing the finish line just 15 seconds behind movistar. ABN Amro Two also started early and had to return to restart. - www.volvooceanrace.org * The Melbourne Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race is generating record crowds at Docklands - Melbourne's newest waterside location, with over 220,000 people flocking to Waterfront City. Melbourne's sailing and boating fraternity were out in force for the in-port race with almost 1,000 spectator boats, carrying over 11,000 people. A Docklands record crowd of 45,000 people visited the Waterfront City precinct yesterday, with thousands joining in the in-port race celebrations. Huge crowds greeted the yachts and teams as they returned from Port Phillip Bay then partied on into the night with live music by Nick Barker and Band and Jimmy Barnes with special guest Jon Stevens. Results of the windward-leeward in-port race: 1. ABN Amro One, Mike Sanderson (NZL): 2hr 28 min 12 sec 2. Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA): + 1 min 31 sec 3. Movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED): + 1 min 44 sec 4. Ericsson Racing Team, Neal McDonald (GBR): + 1 min 59 sec 5. Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA): + 5 min 8 sec 6. ABN Amro Two, Sebastien Josse (FRA): + 6 min 53 sec 7. Brunel, Grant Wharington (AUS): + 12 min 48 sec Series Leaderboard: 1. ABN Amro One, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 32.5 pts 2. ABN Amro Two, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 25 pts 3. Movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED) 18 pts 4. Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 16.5 pts 5. Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 16 pts 6. Ericsson Racing Team, Neal McDonald (GBR) 14.5 pts 7. Brunel, Grant Wharington (AUS) 11.5 pts QUOTE / UNQUOTE - Paul Cayard "A couple of things that I took from yesterday was that our speed, in general, was very good. During our training last week we worked hard on our mast tune, re-cut our mainsail and studied different jib and mainsail settings. The result was that our upwind speed was as good as any of the other Farr boats if not better. ABN Amro One did have a noticeable edge on the fleet once the wind got over 17 knots. Downwind we are very fast even against the other Farr boats and this is where we had an edge on ABN Amro One on every run. On the in port race course, with equal distance upwind and downwind, the upwind speed edge is more valuable than a downwind advantage as getting out in front and sailing free while approaching the first windward mark is extremely valuable. Offshore, the round the world race is mostly downwind and reaching so hopefully we will find enough of the downwind conditions to allow us to have a speed advantage over ABN Amro One which now has a commanding lead in this race." -- Paul Cayard, Pirates of the Caribbean skipper SUPER BOWL-SUPER SHIRT We'd like to claim credit for getting the Pittsburg Steelers to the big game. The problem is we didn't do anything but the Dryshirt™ did! Mid-way through the season, some of the more prominent Steelers began wearing the product in cold and wet games and were so impressed they bought enough for the whole team. From sailing to soccer to skiing to football and every other outdoor sport you can name, the Dryshirt™ will take your mind off your gear and keep your head in the game. To learn more about this amazing product: 800-354-7245 (toll-free), 562-594-8749 (international), http://www.sailingproshop.com PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES Olympic and America's Cup sailor Rod Davis is quitting as Yachting New Zealand's (YNZ) Olympic director after just six months in the job. YNZ today cited Davis' commitments with cup challenger Team New Zealand as the key reason. But Davis, who is Team NZ's afterguard coach, said the split was caused by differences in philosophy over the way ahead to the 2008 Beijing Games. "It's not to do with my commitments with Team NZ because my commitments with Team NZ have not changed since I took the job," he said. "We had a few philosophical differences about how the Olympic programme should proceed and we have been unable to resolve those differences." Davis wasn't prepared to elaborate, saying it wasn't in the best interests of the sailors he had worked with, and whom he would continue to be available to work with on an individual basis. "There's more to the story," he said. "But I don't know that airing the differences is going to help the sailors at this point as far as winning medals is concerned." - NZ Herald, http://tinyurl.com/85da3 OUT OF THE RUNNING Annapolis officials have learned that the city failed to make the initial cut to host an international sailing festival that could have added to the city's famed history in the sport. Officials had been optimistic that "America's sailing capital" would be among the contenders after learning that no other U.S. city made a bid for the event marking the celebration of the International Sailing Federation's 100th anniversary. In an e-mail to city officials Friday, Arve Sundheim, secretary general of the federation, wrote: "ISAF recognizes the valuable commitments made in the bid from Annapolis, the experience the city offers and its reputation in hosting outstanding sailing events. However, it is with regret that the Evaluation Group and the Executive Committee have recorded that the bid from Annapolis does not conform to the 2007 Bidding Document ... in terms of the financial commitment for the sanction fee and therefore regretfully Annapolis could not be considered." Mike Miron, Annapolis' director of economic development, said on Friday that the city did not pre-commit to paying a $500,000 licensing fee to host the event. He said the city had planned to raise the money over the next 18 months, and was confident that, based on the prestige of the event, it could have commanded donations from corporate sponsors to foot most of the bill. -- Annie Linskey, Baltimore Sun, http://tinyurl.com/9rzuj A LITTLE DIVERSION On Saturday 4 Glasgow Clipper reported a loose keel bolt and as a result the Race Team immediately advised the rest of the ten-strong Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race fleet to check their bolts for movement. After carrying out an inspection, six other yachts reported slight movement of the keel bolt. Following this discovery of similar problems elsewhere in the fleet, the decision was taken to divert all ten Clipper 68s to Subic Bay in the Philippines for a full investigation and for any necessary remedial work to be carried out. Haul out facilities are currently being investigated and work will commence as soon as possible on ascertaining the full extent of the problem. The Clipper Race Team is flying out to meet the fleet in Subic Bay where action will be taken to minimize disruption to the schedule of the race. - http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006/# YOU SAVE WHILE WE CELEBRATE Hall Spars & Rigging celebrated our silver anniversary in 2005. It was a great year all around, so we're hanging on to it a little longer. Every item in our web store remains at its 2005 price for one more week. One-design sailors can shop for high-performance rigging and parts in our boat-specific departments. There's something for every boat in our "Accessories" department or you can buy running rigging at any length in "Shop by Manufacturer." Need a recommendation? Use our "Quote Request" form or simply give our experts a call. http://www.hallspars.com NEWS BRIEFS * Michel Bonnefous, the President of the organization behind the Americas Cup, yesterday stated that he was delighted with the works in progress in Valencia Port and added that Valencia would once again be the setting for the Americas Cup races in 2009 if Alinghi carries off the Americas Cup next year. He also stated Valencia was the "most ideal setting" in which to stage the Americas Cup Races. He made this announcement after signing a sponsorship agreement with Coca-Cola under which some 300 million cups will carry the Coca Cola logo during the Americas Cup races and pre-regattas. - Think Spain, http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/10488 * Paige Railey (USA) dominated the 28-boat ISAF Grade C1 Laser Radial North American Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With nine bullets in 10 races, Railey scored a 33-point win over Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) who bested Britain's Laura Baldwin on a tie-breaker. Canadians Keamia Rasa, Jennifer Spaulding and Lisa Ross, finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. -- http://lycsailing.org/Radial2006.htm * Lake Pipin, Wisconsin -- Current DN Iceboat World Champion Ron Sherry of Clinton Township, MI won the DN North Americans with 4-first places and 2-second place finishes and was able to be a spectator for the final race. Ron was pressed hard by 2nd place finisher, the up and coming Matt Struble with 3rd place in the 50 strong DN gold fleet going to John Dennis. The conditions were from 5 knots to the upper teens on the opening day and finishing off with 20+ knots on the final day and ice conditions were considered challenging by most. -- http://www.idniyra.org/results/results06_nas.html http://www.iceboat.org/images/05-06/DNregattas/dn0506.htm * Photographer Onne van der Wal attended the Grenada Sailing Festival last week, which in his words is "probably the smallest of the Caribbean race weeks, but must rank as the most scenic and unique." Enjoy his event photos and comments on the week, which include the workboat racing, where each village from Grenada and the surrounding islands has a team: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog * Final results of the 63-boat Jaguar Series Etchells Midwinters (8 races with one discard): 1. Cameron Appleton, 48; 2. Jud Smith / Henry Frazer, 52; 3. Vince Brun, 81; Stuart Hebb, 83; Tom Hughes, 87; 6. Peter Vessella, 89; 7. Scott Piper, 89; 8. Bill Mauk, 93; 9. Buddy Cribb, 93; 10. Bruce Golison / Steve Flam, 102. -- http://www.etchellsfleet20.org/racing/results.htm * APP Broadcast has been named to manage the production of all television content for the Velux 5 Oceans the round the world yacht race by event organizers Clipper Ventures, The television coverage for the event, which begins in Bilbao on October 22, 2006, will include a programme series, television news and features. Prior to the race start APP teams will be filming documentary footage with skippers, providing insight into the characters who race solo around the world, what they do away from the water, how they prepare mentally and physically for the race. -- www.velux5oceans.com SUNNY MIAMI BEACH BECKONS! Acura Miami Race Week is March 9-12, 2006. One Design, PHRF and IRC competition - Florida Sunshine, Breezes and South Beach Nightlife - Ocean and Bay Racing - Premiere Racing Race Management. Enter by February 10 and avoid the late fee. Details and online entry: http://www.Premiere-Racing.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 Bob Hofmann (re insurance): Ocean racing vessels that fall apart may not have an impact on the insurance of the inshore sailor, but what about the other ocean racers & cruisers that can't afford the insurance for their offshore endeavors, and also can't afford to self insure? We have been getting complaints, requests for information on how to get insurance, and boats that won't be able to enter the 2006 Vic-Maui Race because of the insurance issue. Some boats have said that their insurance company (whom they have been doing business with for years) either won't insure them for the race, or that the premium was so high they can't afford to go on the race. Do all of the VO70 breakups effect premiums? I don't know, but I think if I was a marine underwriter I might take a closer look at ocean racing in general. That having been said. I can't think of a valid reason to deny reasonably priced insurance to a well founded cruiser or racer that wants to go offshore, based on the problems of a bunch of boats that have been built to the minimum scantlings that we are seeing. * From Cliff Thompson (re: Insurance): A comment. I don't know who has screwed up insurance for offshore races, but it's almost impossible to get insurance outside of your normal area. I own a stock boat, plenty of offshore experience, but was unable to get insurance for the Transpac thru my normal carrier. US Sailing to the rescue! * From George Bailey: RE: "The [canting keel] system comes in a box. Relatively easy to install for a professional boatbuilder. Problem: Nobody wants it and the boat is still for sale." A very small percentage of races want to be on the cutting edge of development. Most of us just want to have fun (not turn racing into a job). Hence, we follow the two old saws that long experience confirms: "anything that can go wrong will go wrong", and "keep it simple, stupid." Keeping these firmly in mind enhances sailing for most of us. But then, what we do is not the editorial focus of Scuttlebutt. It is hard for me to understand why people who are not at least giving their arm-chair support to pushing the limits (Volvo 60) read Scuttlebutt and write in to oppose risk-taking. The argument that it will raise your insurance does not fly. But even if it did, so what? Or do you want to ban fatty foods (etc.) too? * From George Hansen: In reply to Jordan J. Dobrikin editorial in 'butt 2022....Retrofitting some of the boats you mentioned with a canting keel might seem like a good idea. But without adding additional sail area, which would be another expensive retrofit, why add the canting keel ? The principle behind canting ballast - is so you can have lighter boats with more horsepower. Better off leaving the One Design boats alone - IMO. * From Bob Harden: Canting keels should not be the "future" of sailing. Any boat that requires a motor to be run to run the boat is already borderline not a sailboat. It is a hybrid device. Let's make motorized equipment including electric winches illegal and get back to muscle and wind. If muscle or wind can't do it, don't build it. If someone insists let them race their own class but don't try to fit them into a sailboat class. Why should a motor be allowed to cant a part of the boat? Can I cant my mast as well, ala windsurfer mode? Can I have a hula extension device that is driven by a motor to have different hull shapes for different winds? * From Stuart Burnett: There is only one way to guarantee that the final race in the Olympics decides the champion and that is to make it a "winner takes all" race. All earlier rounds would be used to decide who is in the final "heat" as in swimming and most track & field events. This is the only way to ensure that the gold medal winner is not the last place boat, or even a non-competing boat, in the final race. However, it is possible to ensure that the winner is sailing in the last race without introducing a major change to the scoring system. Just eliminate the discard race. It is the presence of a discard race which allows teams to not sail the last race of the Olympic regatta. Additionally, wouldn't this format encourage the competitors to reduce their OCRs, their last second inside overlaps, and their questionable kinetics given that one bad race could essentially take them out of medal contention? Would this be a bad thing for our sport? * From Jay Horowitz (Regarding the OCR Medal Race): From the perspective of a spectator, one who watched every race on the Laser course all week, I was privileged to be able to watch the medal round for Lasers sailed in a 20 knot breeze. From beginning to end it was tremendously exciting viewing. Strategically oscillating winds. A lead change at every mark. A penalty issued by the judges resulting in immediate turns by a competitor after contact at the leeward mark; not so much fun in the stiff breeze! A capsize on the last downwind. In the end, Paul Goodison, who was stellar throughout the week remained first despite not finishing first in the medal round. His consistency over the course of the regatta was rewarded. Put this together with some high tech graphics, aided by on-board GPS, video-cameras, some expert commentary and you've got a very viewer-friendly event; NASCAR on the water! Broadcasting two, 30 minute medal races per day, could generate a lot of new interest in this great sport. One thing is for sure, the winner is known before hitting the dock. As in figure skating where the last one to skate may not win the Gold, the winner is surely known at the events conclusion. Change is a challenging thing. With only 2 events sailed under this new format; there is hardly enough subjective and objective data to come to any rational conclusion on it's merits. Give it a chance, ISAF has it's heart in the right place. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS "A woman drove me to drink - and I hadn't even the courtesy to thank her." -- W.C. Fields Special thanks to Sailing Pro Shop, Hall Spars & Rigging, Premiere Racing. |
