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SCUTTLEBUTT 2961 - Thursday, October 29, 2009Scuttlebutt 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. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today's sponsors are Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. MELGES 24 WORLDS Annapolis, MD (October 28, 2009) - For the competitors arriving at the City Dock this morning on day three of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship, the chances of racing taking place seemed unlikely, with Annapolis shrouded in low cloud and no evidence of any wind whatsoever. Despite the gloomy outlook, Principal Race Officer Jeff Borland put all trust in his local knowledge and led the fleet out on to the race area. This forthright strategy was eventually rewarded, when after a prolonged delay, a fitful breeze finally developed and racing got underway with winds peaking at no more than seven knots. Fickle wind conditions were the theme for the day, with another delay occurring between the first and second race of the day whilst the Race Committee and competitors waited around hopefully for the wind to re-establish itself. When a seven to eight knot breeze finally filtered on to the racecourse, it took a general recall and an I-Flag deterrent to get the fleet underway for the final race of the day. Despite the challenging conditions, success is being measured by consistency, and the top teams have set the bar extremely high. However, at the half way point in the event, only Chris Larson’s team onboard West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes have maintained all top ten finishes, which may prove to provide significant protection in this scheduled 12 race regatta. There is no let up in the scrap for the Corinthian Division World Title either, with Bruce Ayres now leading by just one point from Othmar Mueller von Blumencron on 'Gannet' in second. A good day for Germany's Christof Wieland on 'Unsponsored' elevates him now to third place overall. Racing continues through Saturday. Complete daily report at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/1028/index.htm Standings after Day 3 (top 10 of 51) 1. Gabrio Zandonà (ITA), Joe Fly, 6-(18)-3-1-1-4, 15 pts 2. Chris Larson (USA), West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes, 5-2-(6)-4-2-3, 16 3. Eivind Melleby (NOR), Full Medal Jacket, 8-4-4-(22)-5-1, 22 4. Bill Hardesty (USA), Event’s Clothing/Atlantis, 19-3-2-7-7-(38), 38 5. Carlo Fracassoli (ITA), Gullisara, 9-1-10-13-8-(14), 41 6. Terry Hutchinson (USA), Quantum Racing/Gill Race Team, 1-(38)-14-10-10-7, 42 7. Lorenzo Bressani (ITA), UKA UKA racing, 26-10-1-2-4-(31), 43 8. Brian Porter (USA), Full Throttle, 2-12-5-12-12-(13), 43 9. Nicola Celon (ITA), Fantastica, (23)-23-8-5-6-2, 44 10. Flavio Favini (SUI), Blu Moon, 3-6-9-21-11-(24), 50 Complete results: http://tinyurl.com/yh3ra64 Event website: http://www.melges24worlds2009.com Weather forecast: http://tinyurl.com/yks94ec LIVE UPDATES: Here are some of the sites posting videos, photos, and text updates during (and after) the races: * Melges 24 class blog: http://www.melges24worlds2009.com/IMCABlog.asp * Sail22: http://sailingupdates.com/?page_id=3 * SailGroove: http://tinyurl.com/yjw2qe6 ** In addition to the above sites, T2P.tv is posting a highly produced daily video show by 9pm EST: http://tinyurl.com/T2P-tv WHERE TO FROM HERE? By Richard Gladwell, Sail-World Justice Shirley Kornreich's decisions, handed down from the Bench of the New York Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street, New York (on Oct. 27th), should have surprised no-one. Like the other Decisions that have emanated from the Bench of that Court, all are consistent with the literal meaning of the words contained within the Four Corners of the of the Deed of Gift, for what was the premier trophy in sailing. The words 'America's Cup' have now become a general byline for long run litigation in sport, that benefits no-one. How long will it take the parties to realise that continued obstinacy is an exercise in self-destruction? It's time to back up the truck. Accept the America's Cup for the simple, basic game it can be, and run it that way. Here are the steps: Accept Valencia as the venue. Take the date of 8 February 2010 that has been set. If the regatta can't be financed by a combination of sponsorship, TV rights and modest event fees, then charge the competitors an entry fee that does cover the costs of the competition - the same as happens in every other regatta in the world. The time for brinkmanship has long gone. Everyone is tired of it. Accept the ISAF appointed International Jury and Race Officials. Give them the power to act, independently, and trust them to get on and do what they do best. Forget the blamestorming. Right now, a bit of forgiveness will go a long way. And give the sailing world the Match they deserve - between two great teams, sailing two of the most spectacular, most powerful and technologically advanced yachts in history. It won't fix the damage that has been done, but it might ease some of the pain. Now is the time to move on. -- Excerpts from Sail-World, full story: http://tinyurl.com/yz9szn3 BOO! IS YOUR FOUL WEATHER GEAR SCARY AND CREEPY? That may be a good look for Halloween, but not for when you want to stay warm and dry. Team One Newport has the best selection of foul weather gear so you can find the gear that is perfect for you. Choose from Musto, Henri-Lloyd, Gill, Slam, Atlantis, Kokotat and Puma. Remember to wear the proper wicking layers under your foul weather gear or dry suit. Choose from Patagonia, Slam, and the new fleece lined tops and bottoms by Zhik. Don't forget your boots! Get Dubarry, Aigle, Ronstan, Gill, and Sperry. Call 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327) or visit http://www.team1newport.com QUOTE / UNQUOTE “There is a good argument to be made that very few cases in recent legal history have featured the exquisite litigation skills of such a high-priced, high-caliber cadre of lawyers as those who have toiled, at little or no benefit to society, on the America's Cup dispute between billionaire sailors Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli.” -- Law.com, http://tinyurl.com/ykp6qf7 "Exquisite litigation skills? On Tuesday? Exquisite my ass. I've seen better advocacy in small claims court. Try excruciatingly awful." - Cory E. Friedman, America’s Cup legal analyst VIVA VALENCIA Valencia mayor Rita Barbera says the city will receive the America's Cup "with open arms" if the two vying teams want to race there. A New York judge ruled this week that the match series between defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland and challenger BMW Oracle Racing of the United States could not be sailed in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates in February because the cup cannot be raced for in the Northern Hemisphere from Nov. 1 to May 1. Despite Valencia also being in the Northern Hemisphere, both syndicates had indicated they were willing to return to the Mediterranean city, where they last raced for the cup in 2007. Barbera says Alinghi hasn't contacted her yet. "Now we need to listen for if they want to come here and then negotiate the conditions and be realistic with the necessities of the competition," she said on Wednesday. -- http://tinyurl.com/yfr67mm => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Justice Shirley Kornreich is expected to submit her written order no later than early next week, which should state the terms at which a new venue for the America’s Cup can be determined. It is conceivable that the Alinghi team will have lost some of their rights regarding venue selection, as under the Deed of Gift the defender is to announce a compliant site no later than 6 months prior to the Match, and there are now just over three months remaining until the February 2010 Match. As a suggestion to the NY Court, T.J. Perrotti has designed a new home game called the ‘Handy America's Cup Resolution Spinner’. This is pretty funny: http://tinyurl.com/yjwmeft REDEMPTION TOUR John Bertrand captured consecutive world championships in the Laser class in 1976 and '77. The California native moved into the Finn class and won another world title and a silver medal at the Olympics. However, Bertrand has spent the past two decades as a professional sailor racing big boats and performing campaign management. The Annapolis resident started working out more and getting in tip-top shape last year and rewarded himself by competing in Laser class at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in January. It was the first time in 30 years that Bertrand had touched tiller of a Laser and he was off the pace, finishing in the lower third of the fleet. He was determined to sail the high-performance dinghy at a high level again and has been training toward that goal."I want to go back to the Miami OCR and redeem myself," he said. Bertrand appears to be regaining the touch, winning the Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship in impressive fashion last weekend. Bertrand won all six races that were held for a 12-point victory over runner-up Peter Seidenberg of Newport, R.I. Bertrand also placed 10th at the Laser Masters World Championships in Nova Scotia over Labor Day weekend. "I'm really enjoying myself. It's a great way to stay in shape," Bertrand said. "The Masters scene is tremendous, very competitive." -- The Capital, full story: http://tinyurl.com/yfjtgum SAILING SHORTS * Marseille, France (October 28, 2009) - The fourth day at the Student Yachting World Cup provided one buoy race and one inshore contest in light to moderate conditions. The CUS Milano representing Italy have built a commanding overall lead, but only six points separate the next five places. The lone North American team, University of Rhode Island, have moved up to fourth overall, and are only two points out of second. -- Daily report: http://sywc2009.blogspot.com/2009/10/day-4.html * The 2012 J/24 World Championship will be hosted by Rochester Yacht Club in Rochester, NY. Tentative dates are September 15-21, 2012. -- http://www.rcryachts.com * Ed Massey, founder and president of Massey Yacht Sales & Services, was awarded the SAIL Industry Leadership Award on October 8, 2009 during SAIL's 34th annual luncheon at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis. "Ed is a forward-thinking sailboat dealer and trusted advisor in the sailing industry," said Josh Adams, SAIL Publisher. "He's someone boat manufacturers, dealers and others in our business look to for guidance." -- Read on: http://sailmagazine.com/news/ed_massey_award/ * New Zealand's Adam Minoprio and French skipper Claire Leroy are again unmoved from the top spots in the latest release of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings on 28 October. Minoprio (NZL) holds the world #1 spot for the third consecutive Ranking release, followed by Australia's Torvar Mirsky (AUS) at #2 and Mathieu Richard (FRA) at #3. Claire Leroy (FRA) continues her four-year unbroken run at the top of the Women's Rankings. Lucy Macgregor (GBR) maintains the world #2 spot, whilst 2009 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Champion Nicky Souter (AUS) leapfrogs fellow Australian Katie Pellew (nee-Spithill) into the world #3 spot. -- http://www.sailing.org/30137.php * High Modulus has announced the opening of a new sales office, based in Massachusetts, to operate more closely with its customers and to continue growing its presence in the American market. High Modulus, a leading supplier of composite technology, materials and structural engineering solutions, has to date been servicing its customers in the US from its New Zealand-based head office. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8508 * Australia's Burke Marine has issued a voluntary recall of its Deluxe and Standard Bosun Chairs that were purchased nationally after July 2007 that do not display either a production batch number or inspection label. Several Bosun chairs that were manufactured between July and August 2007 may have been be fitted with a defective stainless steel lifting ring that, when used, could split or break, causing injury or death. -- IBI Magazine, read on: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20090921130045ibinews.html * The Busan Cup Women’s International Match Race, an ISAF Grade 1 event, will be held in Busan, Korea on October 30 to November 4. Participating teams are made up of nationals from 10 countries, including the world’s top-ranked Claire Leroy from France along with American Sally Barkow who won last year’s inaugural cup by defeating Leroy in the finals 3-0. Also coming back is Liz Baylis, president of the Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA). -- http://www.busanmatch.com * UPDATE: The deadline for submitting a one-design award nomination has been extended to December 31, 2009. If you know a one-design sailor, yacht club or fleet that has grown one-design sailing this year, please nominate them for a US SAILING one-design award in one of these categories: service, leadership, creativity, club and regatta. Learn more and make a nomination at http://tinyurl.com/yj9yv6y QUALITY FOUNDED IN ONE DESIGN Ullman Sails is often perceived as a one design sailmaker. In reality, this distinction is the reason why we are the choice sailmaker for both cruising and racing sails. After years of racing and testing sails in one design fleets, our designers use the same development techniques to build and deliver consistently fast big boat sails. And our sailmakers also follow a “one design” standard where construction and detailing matter, no matter whether you’re headed out for a day sail or cruising along the Pacific Rim. Ullman Sails - Make an investment in your performance. Visit us online at http://www.ullmansails.com AROUND AND AROUND THEY GO (October 28, 2009) - Now ten days into her attempt to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and unassisted, Jessica Watson today passed the 1,000 nautical mile mark of her 23,000 mile journey. The 16-year-old Queenslander set off from Sydney, Australia in her yacht Ella’s Pink Lady on Sunday October 18 and has enjoyed smooth conditions until yesterday, where she endured 25 knot winds and rougher conditions along her easterly route toward Cape Horn. It appears now that a similar pursuit may commence soon again from a familiar family. Abby Sunderland, whose older brother Zac earlier this year laid claim to the youngest to complete an assisted circumnavigation, this week purchased an Open 40 in Rhode Island and is now sailing it with her dad and Zac to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Abby, who turned 16 on October 19th, will then have it shipped from Florida to Ensenada, Mexico to prep for her own around the world solo non–stop and unassisted trip. Jessica Watson: http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/ Abby Sunderland: http://abbysunderland.com/ CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Is your event listed on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar? This free, self-serve tool is the easiest way to communicate to both sailors and sailing media. These are some of the events listed on the calendar for this weekend: Oct 30-Nov 1 - IRC East Coast Championship - Annapolis, MD, USA Oct 31-Nov 7 - Vineyard Vines Pro-Am Regatta - North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI Nov 1 - North American Rally to the Caribbean - Newport , RI, USA View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Mike Fahle, Toledo, Ohio: Concerning the article about Ian Bruce (in Scuttlebutt 2959), I can personally attest to his qualification for his recent induction into the Quebec Sailing Hall of Fame. After graduating from college and looking for a fast dinghy w/o spinnaker that my wife would be comfortable sailing, we purchased Tasar #222 in early 1977. That fall Ian personally phoned and invited us to Madison, Wisconsin for the Tasar North Americans. At the time that was like getting a personal call from the President so we had to go even though it meant driving through the night after my second shift job and then going racing after an hour's sleep. It was the first time we had raced other Tasars and Ian was very charming and helpful. He continued to be very encouraging and helpful as my wife, Carol, and I ran the NA Tasar Class association for four years (before the internet). He was a keen competitor on the water and he and his wife, and crew at the time, were great company all the time. He arranged for the big events to be run by well respected yacht clubs at interesting venues that made the budding Tasar class a success. Congratulations, Ian, and may more well earned awards be on the way! * From Cam Lewis: I was the Grinder on Stars and Stripes in the 1988 America's Cup. I was fueled with pride, oiled with enthusiasm, greased with appreciation - and it came from DC and Curly and Pedro and Carl and Bill and Duncan and Randy and Rambo and JB and Skip and all our team, and I did my best when complimented by my team mates. Who needs an engine? * From David Gill: I must admit I am getting some enjoyment from the America’s Cup legal battles, not really due to any interest in the Cup itself as that has long since passed. But, more for the entertaining commentary by Cory Friedman, and the wonderful little insights into the US legal system, along with the amusing antics of both SNG and GGYC. I think Mr. Friedman has more than enough material to put together a nice little book. * From Manfred Schreiber: The ongoing discussion about the America’s Cup ´83 and its validity or better, who had been responsible for the keel, is amusing and interesting to read for someone who had been there, been on the water and seen the keel at first haul when Mr. Bond raised his thumb. A very special moment in my life. People like to remember special moments years after, though some truth will never be revealed. The very same thing happens at the moment in Germany. Every newspaper or radio show presents stories about the "Falling of the Wall". Exactly like with the ´83 AC. A lot of people are giving their opinions. Who had been responsible, who did what. Documents are being dug out from the archives, etc. I also remember the 9th of November ´89 as a very special day. Glad I was able to live both moments. CURMUDGEON’S HALLOWEEN OBSERVATION What do birds give out on Halloween night? They give tweets. Special thanks to Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
