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SCUTTLEBUTT 3346 - Friday, May 20, 2011Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: JK3 Nautical Enterprises and The Pirates Lair. THE DECISION During the past twenty four years, Key West Race Week had grown to become the elite international keelboat competition in the United States. But the down economy had not been good for the event, and it was uncertain whether this classic would reach its 25th anniversary. Event organizer Peter Craig, when asked last January about the plan for Key West Race Week 2012, he was hopeful but not confident. "The honest answer is that we must start with a blank sheet of paper and some creativity." Well, in the past four months, Peter now likes what's on the paper enough to commit to the 2012 regatta on January 16-20. Here he shares the story on the decision: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * What was the initial reaction from the industry and the sailors when you announced in January that KWRW 2012 might not occur? PETER CRAIG: Boat owners, sailors, industry representatives and some of the one design classes expressed real concern at the prospects of no Key West racing next January. Others called or emailed to encourage us and some to offer suggestions on a way forward. The most memorable was from Bouwe Bekking. Not only did I get a great pep talk, but also some well thought out input on the way forward, along with an offer to help with sponsorship including an introduction to a company he felt matched up with the event. Bouwe's always giving back - the sport could use more like him. * You had talked in January about shortening the five day schedule. What changed your mind? PETER CRAIG: It just goes to show you that Event Organizers don't have all the answers! After a concerted effort reaching out to individual boat owners and classes, it was interesting to find out that a surprising majority favored staying with the 5-day format. The most repeated reason was 'bang for your buck'. Regatta costs would not be reduced significantly by shortening 1 day and when committing their resources, they would rather get the value that 5 days of racing delivers. It's also a big plus for overseas players and those coming from the west coast. All that being said, we will look hard at a 4-day racing option on a class by class basis in 2013 - perhaps starting the racing on Saturday instead of the holiday Monday. * What were the primary elements that gave you confidence to commit to the 2012 event? PETER CRAIG: There were a number of factors that came into play - none bigger than the commitment made by Quantum Sails and their investment group. Filling the title sponsor void in 2012 is huge. For our Boston company to manage and execute an annual event of this magnitude 1,400 miles away with no yacht club infrastructure takes more than a few elements coming together. For our business model to work and attain the ultimate goal of sustainability - it will take a title sponsor, continued participation from the other sponsors, a successful Industry Partner Program and local support in the form of a meaningful tourism grant. We're not where we need to be yet - but Quantum Key West Race Week sure has a nice ring to it. Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/11/0519/ ENGAGING THE SPORTING FAN When it comes to the planning for the 34th America's Cup, there are a lot of 'pots bubbling on the cooktop'. Among the many big pushes is to drastically improve the tools used to broadcast the races. But sports marketing professional David Fuller, who publishes the YachtSponsorship.com website, is concerned that the focus is heavy on technology and short on incentive for fans to be engaged with the sporting competition. Here is an excerpt from a recent editorial: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Worth, Chairman, America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA) claims: "Extreme sport lovers will flock to this new America's Cup because of the broadcast, from heart-pounding manoeuvres at breakneck speeds to capsizes that result in two-story falls for the athletes, viewers will not just see the action, they will feel like they are in it." Using the definition of an extreme sport as one that can kill you - rather than the collective noun for sports that are enjoyed by an energy drink consuming, bike riding, board riding sub-culture - the next America's Cup will indeed be extreme. Tuning in to see a sailor fall 2 stories seems a bit macabre, and it's not the kind of thing you'd think a sponsor would want to be associated with, but perhaps sports fans aren't interested in the sporting challenge. Perhaps all they want to see is the big wreck. It seems a strange juxtaposition for Louis Vuitton to be the title sponsor of an 'extreme sport' - though their website description for SEO purposes is 'Always leading the avant-garde of fashion.' Perhaps the extreme America's Cup can do for luxury fashion and luggage what Rap did for cognac! There are a lot of people who love to get geeky about technology, whether it be the materials to construct a wingsail or 'augmented reality', but at some point, fans have to get passionate about the athletes, otherwise you might as well sail the boats by remote control and create a great video-game-like coverage to push it out to the wider world. This is going to be tough in the current approach where the sailors play a supporting role to the platform. The skippers and crew are nameless, described as "Some of the world's top athletes", or "America's Cup competitors". Jimmy Spithill plays his part as Oracle Racing's tame racing sailor well, but he has a long way to go before he can match extreme sport legend Tony Hawk's 2.3 million Twitter followers or even Kelly Slater's 50 thousand Twitter fans. We're still waiting for the 'ghost in the machine' - somewhere amongst all this world beating, innovative technology there has to be a soul. -- Full report: http://www.yachtsponsorship.com/2011/05/americas-cup-tv-comment/ HOT BROKERAGE LISTINGS AT JK3 NAUTICAL ENTERPRISES, INC! The 2009 75-foot Tripp Maxi Dolphin Bella Pita is an absolute work of art. This carbon constructed yacht is as fully outfitted for racing as it is for luxury cruising. No expense has been spared in creating a yacht that is elegant and versatile. Also featured is Stark Raving Mad V, a past MedCup winner and currently the most successful TP 52 in North America. SRM V has been IRC optimized under the careful efforts of Fitzgerald Racing and Reichel/Pugh, and is a thrill to sail downwind. To see the full list of boats for sale, visit http://www.jk3yachts.com or give us a call at our Southern California offices in San Diego (619-224-6200) or Newport Beach (949-675-8053). YOUTH SAILING IN THE U.S. There is a lot of correspondence that occurs each day at Scuttlebutt World Headquarters. We thought we would share this recent exchange to see if others want to comment too. In Scuttlebutt 3345, there was a regatta report that noted how fifteen boats from the entire length of the western U.S. came to Santa Barbara, CA for the third regatta of the 2011 29er Pacific Coast Championship Series. And it was to this that a reader wrote, "Only 15 boats from Seattle, WA to Coronado, CA? It does not bode well for a class that's been around for more than a decade..." This was the reply of Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck... "I think it's more complicated than that, at least in the U.S. "Speaking in general terms, the youth structure in the U.S. has moved the responsibility of boat ownership from individuals to yacht clubs. Then youth organizations created a sailing structure around non-technical Club FJs and Club 420s. For the majority of youth sailors, this path can extend from pre-teen through college. "It is only recently that there has been enough people to split from this youth path, spend their own money on more technical boats (or some clubs have), and sail in events like the 29er PCC's. The 29er has been competing with the International 420 as this alternative. Some of the motivation for this movement came from how U.S. kids were unprepared at doublehanded international events after having been trained in club style boats. "It does make you think back to when youth sailors in the U.S. moved up from prams to Snipes, Blue Jays, Lightnings, Flying Scots, etc, and got involved at an earlier age with more advanced boats, and sailed in an atmosphere with both young and old people. Times have changed, and there are pros and cons that come with it." Additional comments are welcome. Please post them on the forum: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=11874 SUSPENDED SAILORS The following sailors have their ISAF Eligibility suspended: Alberto Campos Perez, Mexico Breaches of good manners and sportsmanship; May 7, 2011 - May 6, 2013 Maria del Mar Campos Perez, Mexico Breaches of good manners and sportsmanship; May 7, 2011 - May 6, 2013 Etienne van Zyl, South Africa Anti doping violation; November 23, 2009 - November 22, 2011 The above mentioned sailor(s) according to ISAF Regulation 19 may not participate in the following events: 1. The sailing regatta of the Olympic Sailing Competition; 2. The sailing events of Regional Games recognized by the International Olympic Committee; 3. Events including "ISAF" in their titles; 4. World and continental championships of ISAF classes and world championships of the IMS, Major Events and other events approved by ISAF as a World Championship; 5. any event at which the Organizing Authority, Member National Authority or ISAF has appointed an International Jury or International Umpires, International Race Officers, International Measurers or ISAF Technical Delegates to serve in their capacity for which they hold a Certificate of Appointment issued by ISAF; 6. Any event approved by a Member National Authority of the ISAF as an Olympic qualifying event; and 7. Any event designated by a Member National Authority within its jurisdiction as requiring ISAF eligibility. Source: http://www.sailing.org/sailors/suspended-sailors.php ITALIANS CLOSE IN ON BACK TO BACK TITLES Corpus Christi, TX (May 19, 2011) - More windy and overcast conditions prevailed on day four of the 2011 Melges 24 World Championship in Corpus Christi, Texas, with winds peaking at 18 knots during the two race day. For the second day in succession, regatta leader Lorenzo Bressani on ITA 817 Uka Uka Racing turned in a perfect scoreline, winning both races in some style and stepping inexorably closer to retaining the world title that he won last year in Tallinn, Estonia. With five wins from the eight races sailed so far, Bressani is looking increasingly unstoppable and now leads the regatta by 22 points. Grinding his way back from a poor opening day, Brian Porter on USA 749 Full Throttle turned in a 6-4 scoreline today, which was good enough to move him into second place overall. Alec Cutler on BER 655 hedgehog, rolling a 4-2 for the second best day, slides up into third tonight, tied on points with Porter. Racing continues through until Saturday May 21, with two races per day scheduled. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/M24-Worlds-051911 Day 4 Standings - Top ten of 32 1. Lorenzo Bressani (ITA), UkaUka Racing, (6)-2-1-2-1-1-1-1, 9 2. Brian Porter (USA), Full Throttle, (16)-9-2-1-7-4-6-4, 33 3. Alec Cutler (BER), hedgehog, (9)-8-3-7-4-5-4-2, 33 4. Kristen Lane (USA), Brickhouse 812, 8-1-(10)-3-3-7-5-7, 34 5. Conor Clarke (IRL), Embarr, 2-5-5-(11)-9-2-8-3, 34 6. Flavio Favini (SUI), Blu Moon, 3-6-8-5-5-3-10-(11), 40 7. Alan Field (USA), WTF, 1-11-11-8-2-9-9-(14), 51 8. Andrea Racchelli (ITA), ALTEA, 4-7-7-4-10-13-7-(15), 52 9. Riccardo Simoneschi (ITA), AUDI, 7-(12)-4-9-12-10-2-12, 56 10. Peter Lane (USA), Brickhouse 623, (18)-18-6-10-6-12-3-5, 60 Full results: http://tinyurl.com/M24-Worlds-2011-Results LIVE UPDATES: Here are two sources that will keep you close to the action... http://www.melgesworlds.com/index.php/the-event/event-news/ http://www.sailingupdates.com/view/42/ 100% PROFIT MARGIN ON YOUR REGATTA GEAR? NO WORRIES. If you are not making at least 100% profit on your t-shirts, then call The Pirates Lair. From graphics and printing, to budgeting and the hottest selling gear, let us lead you to a profitable event. Call (888) 724-5286 or email ken@pirateslair.com 2011 HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE ABOVE AVERAGE (May 19, 2011) - The nation's top meteorologists issued their 2011 hurricane-season forecast Thursday, predicting a serious and above-average season -- though not one as tumultuous as the violent 2010 season. Hurricane season for the western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico begins June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30. That's when about 90 percent of the storms make themselves present. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that this year's season will be above average, with as many as 10 hurricanes blasting their 110 mile per hour winds across the area. "We could see activity comparable to some of the active seasons since 1995," said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. 2011 will be above average -- even severe, the agency said -- but probably not as dramatic as last year. "This year, we are unlikely to see a repeat of last year," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans & atmosphere and NOAA administrator. The 2010 hurricane season was predicted to be devastating, with as many as 14 hurricanes; it ended up as the third most active on record. Despite the above average 2010 hurricane season, the country did not have significant damage last year, Lubchenko said. But she urged caution nonetheless. "We cannot count on having the same luck this year," she said. NOAA's forecast for 2011 predicts 12 to 18 named storms with winds 39 mph or greater. Of those, NOAA expects 6 to 10 hurricanes with winds of at least 75 miles per hour. And of those, the meteorologists expect 3 to 6 could be major storms, with winds of 110 mph or greater. The outlook does not forecast when or where these storms will hit, Lubchenco cautioned. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/Fox-News-051911 SAILING SHORTS * (May 19, 2011; Day 6) - British solo sailor Chris Stanmore-Major set the 24-hour speed record for the current edition of the VELUX 5 OCEANS solo round the world yacht race onboard his Eco 60 yacht Spartan. CSM set the mark of 385.8 nautical miles in the 24 hours leading up to the 1800 UTC position report on May 16, in which time he averaged 16.1 knots and at points was travelling at speeds of more than 30 knots. CSM has drawn even with Brad Van Liew (USA) for the lead, with both skippers now 2385 nm from the finish in La Rochelle, France. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/V5O-051911 * Cascais, Portugal (May 19, 2011) - The second day of the Cascais Trophy at the TP52 Audi MedCup Circuit offered 14-20 knots along with bright sunshine and a moderate swell rolling in from the Atlantic. Consistency was king today as the pair of second places for Audi Azzurra Sailing Team was enough to scale the leaderboard to top the seven boat fleet, one point ahead of Germany's Container. Quantum Racing rolled a 5-1 to put them a point further back in third. Full report: http://tinyurl.com/MedCup-051911 * CORRECTION: In Scuttlebutt 3345, it said that Ian Barrows had won the Laser full rig division of the High School Single Handed Championship, and that Nevin Snow had won the Laser radial rig division. Actually, it was the other way around. Also, the entry from the Northwest district for the Baker Trophy to be held this weekend has been changed. Orcas HS, which won the qualifier, declined the bid. Bainbridge HS will attend in their place. Event details: http://www.sailvisa.com DO YOU NEED RAFFLE PRIZES FOR YOUR EVENT? Scuttlebutt has special ordered t-shirts to provide for raffles to any of the championship events occurring this season in North America. Are you an event organizer in need of raffle prizes? Post your event details in the Forum. A random drawing will be held next week. Here is the link: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=11875 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include pretty in pink, the next Olympic keelboat, fun and boats, mountain sailing, chicks dig it, sunset, and Charleston send off. Here are this week's photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/11/0520/ SEND US YOUR PHOTOS: If you have images to share for the Photos of the Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com VIDEO OF THE WEEK American multi-time windsurfing world champion Kevin Pritchard is eager to share his sport with the universe. This year he returned not only as a master sailor still active in the American Windsurfing Tour but also as a videographer with a unique and distinct style which is already turning heads and gaining recognition. Kevin's splitting his time between sailing and shooting and editing. His company, Maui Nerd Productions that he founded with Johannes Nuemann, has made great strides in early existence and is setting a high bar when it comes to laying down some tape in a quick fashion with impact and style. Here are daily highlights from the first stop of the 2011 tour, the Santa Cruz Classic held May 5-8: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/11/0520 BONUS 1: When teams and America's Cup organizers convened in Auckland near the end of April, it was an unprecedented opportunity to define and refine the racing that will take place later this year in the America's Cup World Series. In this slide show, photographer Gilles Martin-Raget trains his lens on all the America's Cup activity in New Zealand - both on and off the water: http://www.americascup.com/blog/a-taste-from-the-tests_130 BONUS 2: The Camper team for the Volvo Ocean Race is completing their 2000 mile qualifying sail, which is giving their media guy an opportunity to sort all his equipment. So far he is setting a high standard for engaging video. Here is the latest: http://youtu.be/jgpp1b4iqiI SEND US YOUR VIDEOS: If you have clips to share for the Video of the Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com GUEST COMMENTARY Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community. Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted comments chosen to be published in the newsletter may be limited to 250 words. Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should save their bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From John Rousmaniere: The May 11th incident on Lake Michigan that Joe Hummel describes so vividly in Scuttlebutt 3345 has already earned an Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal for Mary Kovats, Jacob Karlin and Dave Stix of the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club. The Hanson Rescue Medal is awarded by the Safety at Sea Committee of US SAILING. Concerned that a Rhodes 19 had not returned to harbor according to the float plan, they went out in a small powerboat and found three sailors (in life jackets) in the cold water near the swamped boat. As Joe points out, lessons can always be learned, and there are many important lessons in accounts of Hanson incidents at http://offshore.ussailing.org/SAS/Hanson_Rescue_Award.htm * From Dean Dietrich: I sympathize with Ian Brown's lament (in Scuttlebutt 3345) that though he is a "humble sailmaker", he is grouped as a Group 3 pro with the likes of Cayard and Coutts. However, there are many pros, whether humble or not, that make their living outfitting boats they crew on with their employer's sails. This is a standard practice in the industry and, without commenting on Mr. Brown's skills, many of these sailmakers are very good sailors indeed and are often critical to the boat's success. In Mr. Brown's case, this may be unfair, but is it fair to allow one to buy talent through extravagant sail purchases? * From Paul Newell, Isle of Wight: It had been said in a Scuttlebutt letter that "if you are paid in any form to race sailboats (including prize money), you are a professional sailor.... If you're not paid to race sailboats you are an amateur." Why can't people see this as being the truth? I race my own boat having made my own sails. I have fun doing both and regularly get beaten by people who sail a better course. That doesn't make me a professional even though people come to me for advice on how to make their boat go faster. I freely give advice to anyone who asks. It's up to them to take it or ignore it. Ian Brown's letter in Scuttlebutt 3345 hits a key point Coutts and co. get paid to RACE. I don't. Coutts and co. are EXPECTED to win. I'm not. Coutts and co. earn a lot of money from racing. I don't get paid to race. So why do I have to suffer the penalty of Group 3 with all its stigma and limitations. If we are going to have to have these groups then why can't they create a group that we (the guys who make most of the sailing world happen - the unsung heroes) can be put into and still be able to race with the rest of the world. Our rule makers have made our sport one of the most complicated sports to participate in. I'm sure that one more category of sailor won't make any difference but would make so many people who work in the marine industry with no expectation of reward, other than the monthly paycheck, happy. DO YOU NEED RAFFLE PRIZES FOR YOUR EVENT? Scuttlebutt has special ordered t-shirts to provide for raffles to any of the championship events occurring this season in North America. Are you an event organizer in need of raffle prizes? Post your event details in the Forum. A random drawing will be held next week. Here is the link: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=11875 CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION I would rather check my Facebook than face my checkbook. SPONSORS THIS WEEK Quantum Sails - Kaenon Polarized - West Marine - Atlantis WeatherGear Interlux - North Sails - APS - LaserPerformance - Ullman Sails US SAILING - JK3 Nautical Enterprises - The Pirates Lair Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
