SCUTTLEBUTT No. 829 - June 5, 2001
Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
AMERICA'S CUP
(Rich Hazelton, editor of 48° North, recently sat down with Peter Gilmour,
sailing director / skipper for the OneWorld Challenge, and the syndicate's
communications director, Bob Ratliffe. Here's an excerpt from his story in
the magazine's June Issue.)
Craig McCaw has underwritten the development of the team, but needs a major
sponsor to help foot the total bill. "Our funds are limited, not
limitless." Ideally OneWorld would like to feature one major sponsor to
keep the boat "clean", like Prada did in the last America's Cup. And while
Prada spent about $100 million on their challenge, it would only take about
$20 million to be major sponsor of OneWorld.
With about a third of their total campaign money already spent on design,
trial boats and team members, OneWorld feels it now has a very impressive
package to offer a sponsor, reflecting Craig McCaw's philosophy of
under-promise and over-deliver.
"We've made a lot of progress," says Peter Gilmour, sailing director for
OneWorld. "We feel the level of knowledge brought to this campaign by such
veterans as Head Designer Laurie Davidson, has put us way ahead in our
development over the other teams."
Indeed McCaw has assembled an impressive team, and is using the collective
knowledge and experience of designers, sailors, and organizers to focus in
on the good things various teams did in the last Cup and incorporate them
into the OneWorld program.
While the design team toils over a hot computer to get that extra hundredth
of a knot, the sailors are out honing their sailing skills all over the
world. For skipper Peter Gilmour, the Grand Prix Match Racing Circuit
provides the closest thing to America's Cup competition. "It not only has
the top sailors in the world, but also some of the aura and media coverage
of a major event. We rotate the team through the circuit; bowmen, mastmen,
trimmers, afterguard."
"The whole team is aggressively chasing a variety of sailing experiences,
such as the Volvo ocean race. Each one brings back an idea they've picked
up - ways to work halyards or a new clip, that we look at using on the
OneWorld boat."
After spending some time in Seattle, the OneWorld Challenge Team is now
heading back to New Zealand to do three weeks of testing. - Richard
Hazelton, Editor, 48° North Sailing Magazine
Full story: www.48north.com
SWEDISH MATCH TOUR
Marcus Wieser of Germany, ranked 93rd in the world by ISAF, held on to
defeat native German Jochen Schumann, sailing for Ernesto Bertarelli's
Swiss Challenge, at the Swedish Match Tour's Match Race Lake Constance
presented by Volvo.
Weiser took early control of the finals, winning the first two matches and
then watched in horror as Schumann, ranked 17th in the world, refused to go
down, winning the next two to force a fifth and deciding match. In the
fifth match Wieser took command, winning the start, and sailed a clean,
controlled race.
Wieser had to sail through a myriad of conditions over the four-day
regatta. "Lake Constance brought of us everything you could think of this
weekend. Sun, light wind, rain, heavy wind. We just tried to stay
consistent and minimize our mistakes."
In the petit-finals, Phillippe Presti of France defeated Rod Davis of the
Prada Challenge two matches to one. Presti dropped the first match of the
first-to-two-wins PF, but came back to win two straight matches and claim
third place in the regatta. Earlier in the day all the semifinals were
completed.
Wieser and Schumann dispatched of Davis and Presti, respectively, in short
order by winning two straight matches each and advancing to the finals. The
event's final day featured idyllic conditions: bright blue skies and
autumnal temperatures with winds in the 14-16 knot range. - Shawn McBride
FINAL STANDINGS: 1. Marcus Wieser (GER) 2. Jochen Schumann (Swiss
Challenge) 3. Phillippe Presti (FRA) 4. Rod Davis (Prada Challenge) 5.
Karol Jablonski (POL/Team MK Cafe) 6. Chris Dickson (Oracle Racing) 7. Jes
Gram-Hansen (DEN/Team Marienlyst) 8. Jesper Radich (DEN/Team Steff
Houlberg) 9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE/Team StoraEnso) 10. Neville Wittey
(AUS/Team Wittey) 11. Morten Henriksen (illbruck Challenge) 12. Luc Pillot
(FRA). www.sports.com/sailing/swedish_match/
EVERYWHERE
They are absolutely everywhere. They're in Norway, Japan, Spain, the UK and
Canada. There are two each in Australia and Mexico. Italy has three and
there are 10 in the USA. That's 22 in all, and every one of these Ullman
sail lofts will give a quote on a new sail to show you just how affordable
improved performance can be for your boat: http://www.ullmansails.com
VENDEE GLOBE
The countdown begins. 7 November 2004. That will be the start date of the
next Vendee Globe, single-handed non-stop around the world race. It was
announced in front of an estimated 80,000 strong crowd gathered on the
beach (at low tide) of Les Sables d'Olonne for a spectacular official
prize-giving for the race on Saturday night.
Not one of the three podium skippers would commit either way for the next
VendŽe - Roland Jourdain (Bilou) "No comment", Michel Desjoyeaux "I might,
I might not" and Ellen "we'll see, I can't say definitely no". Bilou
continues at present to race his monohull 'Sill' and will line up against
Ellen and 'Kingfisher' at the EDS Atlantic Challenge in just a few weeks
time. Both skippers are also crewing onboard 60 foot trimarans during the
year, keeping their options open. Meanwhile Vendee winner MichDesj
continues his search for sponsorship in time to build a new trimaran for
the Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race in 2002, but plans to line up
against the other monohulls in 'PRB' at the Grand Prix inshore event
(intense races of just 3 to 4 hours) in Quiberon June 15-17th.
All of the skippers spent the afternoon with the race organization for a
debriefing and discussion on safety and other aspects of the race, the
first time that they have all been together since before the start.
Philippe Jeantot, the originator and organizer of this event promised to
have the rules fixed by April 2002. With interest in the race at an all
time high, and a limit on the number of entrants likely to be imposed,
discussion of qualification criteria was already on the agenda.
Pre-race favourite Yves Parlier, the 'Robinson Crusoe' of this event after
his amazing survival story following his dismasting, also has new plans
with 'Hydropter', a space-age flying machine that skims the water on
hydrofoils and was conceived with French aerospace companies to break as
many speed records as possible. - Kingfisher Challenges,
www.kingfisherchallenges.com
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
leweck@earthlink.net
(Only signed letters will be selected for publication, and they may be
edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room or a
bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best
shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* From Dieter Loibner: Mr. Henderson will be pleased to learn that the
ISAF eligibility code, even after its modification, is ferociously
enforced, even by unlikely sources. Sunday, June 3, the San Francisco
Folkboats held a tuning clinic at the docks of the venerable Golden Gate
Yacht Club. It was early and a cup of coffee seemed like a good idea.
Sporting casual dress code (my blue blazer went AWOL 35 years ago) and
armed with an artificial smile I made my way upstairs to get a cup of Java
in exchange for hard currency. Instead of serving me the brew, the bar
tender who gladly took my money on earlier occasions, asked for my
membership card. Ah, sorry. "Member in any other club?" he demanded to
know. The magic moment to whip out my Scuttlebutt card had arrived. But
shoot, that most important document sat on my desk at home. "Coffee yes,"
the voice of authority lectured me, "but with a $10 surcharge." Ah, no
bleeping thanks. The lesson here: Never leave home without your Butt-card.
Especially when you want to get coffee at a club that challenges for the
America's Cup.
BOOK REVIEW
On the cover of my copy of 'The Proving Ground' is a sticker that
proclaims," "A sailing masterpiece É" - Walter Cronkite. Once again Mr.
Cronkite, we agree.
I've read Rob Mundle's 'Fatal Storm' about the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race É
and loved it. It's a wonderful book. So I guess I really didn't need to
read another book about that race. Wrong!
While the subject matter of G. Bruce Knecht's book is also the '98 Hobart
Race, it's a very different story. Knecht focuses on just three boats in
the race - 'Sayonara', 'Sword of Orion' and the 'Winston Churchill'. By so
doing, he's able to dig deeply inside the heads - and into the hearts - of
the skippers and crews to provide a very personal perspective. In the
process, it's impossible for the reader not to feel a deep connection to
those sailors and to their predicament.
You don't have to be a racing sailor to enjoy 'The Proving Ground.' It's a
very well written story that will be thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of
non-sailors. Why? Because this is not just a book that you read - it's a
story that you experience.
Footnote: This appears to be one of those rare times when the Curmudgeon is
in the mainstream of public opinion. 'The Proving Ground' received a
'Five-Star' rating from Amazon.com readers.
A GATHERING OF THE EAGLES
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Names on early entry forms for the 17th annual North
Sails Race Week June 22-24 include world, Olympic and America's Cup
champions - alphabetically, Dennis Conner, John Cutler, Eric Doyle, Steve
Flam, Pease Glaser, Robbie Haines, Craig Healy, Peter Isler, John Kostecki,
Jeff Madrigali, Rick Merriman, Morgan Reeser, Dave Ullman and Gary Weisman
- with a promise of more to come.
Conner will be sailing his recently acquired Reichel/Pugh 50 Stars &
Stripes, formerly Morning Glory, among the big handicap boats that rate
NSRW's conditions and competition a highlight of the season. His strongest
rival may be Mike Campbell's new Transpac 52, with Madrigali, an Olympic
bronze medalist, calling tactics.
Many of the other elite sailors can be found in the high-profile one-design
classes such as Farr 40, 1D35 and Melges 24. The Farr 40s and Schock 35s
will weave their Pacific Coast Championships into the event. The Melges 24s
will feature it as their Western Open and the Santana 20s as their Western
Regionals. Other one-design classes expected to compete include J/120,
J/105, Olson 30 and Express 37. - Rich Roberts, www.Premiere-Racing.com
ILLBUCK
(John Kostecki is skipper of illbruck, talked to madforsailing about
running a joint Volvo/ America's Cup campaign. Here are two brief excerpts
about the Volvo campaign from that interview.)
Being the first Volvo Ocean Race campaign to announce gave Illbruck several
advantages over the competition. They were able to buy the choice of boats
from the last race and as Kostecki points out, the EF boats were the only
equal boats built for that event. Meanwhile in Annapolis, the Farr office
were able to spend more time on the design and Kostecki believes that they
are the only Volvo team who signed up for all three stages of Farr's latest
R&D programme for this race. "We feel we are more informed and will have
more options in our decision-making process," he says not revealing much on
what the added research should bring their campaign. He does say that the
new boat is a refinement from last time. No surprises there either. "It's a
bit narrower on the waterline beam. It is more suited for all around
sailing rather than just ocean sailing. This affects the deck layout a
little bit. These boats are still sailed with very few people on deck."
Kostecki also got the first pick of crew and while other campaigns have
still at this late stage to sign up a complete squad, he has been working
with the core Illbruck team for more than a year now. Three more crew were
signed up last November and since then the Illbruck crew has been complete.
* But the main luxury of having had the most time has been on the sail
development program. "In the last race that was one of the key things to
boats having a speed edge," Kostecki says. Looking after Illbruck's sails
is Rob Hook who worked with the EF team four years ago and who has been
able to continue that sail development programme. "We were able to
basically start at the top level from the last race." - James Boyd,
madforsailing website
Full story: www.madforsailing.com
QUOTE / UNQUOTE
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - R.W. Emerson
FAVORITE PART
My favorite part is the deep pockets. Sure, I like the great look of my
Camet Sailing Shorts; and the fact that the Supplex really dries quickly;
and the way the Cordura seat patch stands up to course non-skid patterns.
And I love the 1/4 inch foam pads that can be inserted into the seat patch
to eliminate butt fatigue. But I still think I like the deep pockets best.
They hold lots of stuff, and nothing falls out. NEVER. They come in five
great colors for men and women (Hawaiian Grey, Navy Blue, Khaki, Navy and
Red) www.camet.com
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS
* June 7-10: J/80 World Championship, Ida Lewis YC & Sail Newport.
www.sailnewport.org/J80worlds
* Aug. 7-9, 11, 12, 17-19:á Verve Cup Race Week, Chicago YC.
www.chicagoyachtclub.com
* November 3-10: Annual Meeting of the Scuttlebutt Sailing Club, held
concurrently with the Pro-Am regatta at the Bitter End YC on Virgin Gorda
in the BVI. SSC members will race for the SSC Club Championship, plus have
the opportunity to crew for Ken Read, Russell Coutts, Ed Baird, Peter &
J.J. Isler, Keith Musto, Butch Ulmer, Rod Johnstone, Lowell North and/ or
the curmudgeon. - www.beyc.com
PENFOLD'S POINTERS
Part of the appeal of sportsboats is the crashing bit - no doubt about it.
18 knots of boat speed in 23 knots of breeze and it's high on the agenda
for the old rudder to come out of the water and stick you on your side.
So today's tip is a basic skill... How to get it back on it's feet ASAP...
And very simple it is too...
First, blow the vang ... This might do it on it's own and if so, watch out
for the Chinese gybe as soon as you get upright again, so get ready to pull
it back on...
If the vang has no effect, blow the halyard ... Not the guy or the tack
line or the sheet (if it's still in)
So it is essential to make sure straight after the hoist that the halyard
is free to run and in lots of breeze that someone is programmed to go
straight for the clutch.
As soon as the halyard is blown, the boat will come up. Now if you're
really sharp you can bear away immediately and bounce the thing straight up
again, or if you've had enough excitement, start pulling the kite back in
over the side! - Penfold, BOATmagic website
For more pointers: www.boatmagic.com
J24 NAs
Houston YC - The J/24s sailed seven races in a three day format for their
North American Championship. Only a single boat separated the 4th, 5th, 6th
& 7th place boats. Final Results: 1. Blind Squirrel, Tim Healy, 41; 2. Mr.
Happy, Bob Harden, 53; 3. Airborne, Doug MacLean, 63; 4. Satisfaction, Will
Crump, 86; 5. Pulp Fiction, Don DeCoster, 86. www.j24na.com
COLLEGE SAILING
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (June 4, 2001) - At the end of the second day of the 2001
Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association/Ronstan North American Team Racing
Championship, Georgetown University holds a narrow lead over Harvard
University and Dartmouth College. Georgetown has a 14 wins and 2 loss
record, while Harvard and Dartmouth are tied for second place at 13-3.
The three-day event is being co-hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and Harvard University on the Charles River in Cambridge, MA.
Today's west winds were puffy and shifty. One complete round robin was
sailed in Johnson Flying Juniors (FJs) and Parker Larks. After the 66 races
were completed, the twelve teams were split into a six-team championship
division and a six-team consolation division. The championship division
sailed one of two planned mini-round robins today in FJs, while the
consolation division finished both mini-round robins in Larks. In the team
racing discipline, two teams each sail three boats at a time. The team with
the better combined score at the finish is declared the winner.
Standings in the Championship Division: Georgetown 14-2, Harvard 13-3,
Dartmouth 13-3, Charleston 10-6, Old Dominion 8-8, Hawaii 8-8
Final Standings in the Consolation Division: UCSB 15-6, Washington 12-9,
Texas 9-12, Michigan 6-15, Eckerd 3-18, Minnesota 0-21. - Derek Webster,
http://www.collegesailing.org/2001/
ICSA/RONSTAN WOMEN'S ALL-AMERICANS
ALL-AMERICAN: Sally Barkow, Junior, Old Dominion; Amanda Clark, Freshman,
Connecticut College; Kaya Haig, Senior, Boston Univ.; Lee Icyda, Senior,
Tufts; Erin Maxwell, Senior, Dartmouth; Jen Morgan, Junior, Dartmouth;
Molly O'Bryan, Junior, Hawaii; Jen Provan, Senior, Tufts; Ali Sharp,
Sophomore, St. Mary's; Jamie Smith, Sophomore, St. Mary's.
HONORABLE MENTION: Whitney Besse, Sophomore, Brown; Corrie Clement.
Sophomore. Old Dominion; Carrie Howe, Sophomore, Boston College; Thalia
Pascalides, Sophomore, Dartmouth.
www.collegesailing.org/00awards/01women.htm
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
If it ain't broke, chances are it will be.
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