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SCUTTLEBUTT 2429 - September 11, 2007
Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,
features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is
distributed each weekday with the support of its sponsors.
CAN BOTH CLAIM VICTORY?
(September 10, 2007) After the first day in the New York Supreme Court to
seek a legal resolution for the dispute between Golden Gate Yacht Club
(GGYC) and Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) regarding the Protocol for the
33rd America’s Cup, both teams were quick to claim victory in their
announcements released to the press. Fortunately, New York attorney Cory E.
Friedman has been reporting on the events for Scuttlebutt, and provides his
impartial account of the day in court:
“Justice Cahn dropped the flag shortly after 2:00 pm on Monday for what
will be a one leg drag race finishing at the top mark on October 22, 2007.
Fittingly, the scene would have been familiar to NY lawyers practicing in
1887 when the Deed was signed, or 1851 when the AMERICA first won the Cup,
or in Alexander Hamilton’s day for that matter. When the clerk called number
6 on the calendar, two or three of GGYC’s lawyers, three or four of SNG’s
lawyers, two of CNEV’s lawyers and a lawyer from the NY AG’s Office leapt to
their feet to grab a good spot in the tight scrum which quickly formed
pressing against the edge of Justice Cahn’s bench. What then followed was
the usual chaos of lead lawyers straining in hushed sidebar voices to give
bumper sticker versions of who they were, who they represented and why
truth, justice and the American way were on their side, while their juniors
strained to hear what was going on so that they could keep notes of what was
agreed at lightning speed. Meanwhile, Tom Ehman for GGYC and Hamish Ross for
SNG sat outside the bar, almost certainly unable to hear a word, probably
wondering why they had flown 3,000 miles to NY.” -- Read on:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0910
FARR SIGNS WITH DESAFÍO ESPAÑOL
September 10, 2007 -- A press conference took place in Valencia, in the base
of Desafío Español, where the team's general manager, Agustín Zulueta, made
a series of announcement in a public press conference, regarding his team.
Here are some excerpts:
* Farr Design to be principal designer: Zulueta stated they signed a
contract last Thursday with Farr Yacht Design. The American yacht designer
will work exclusively for Desafío Español in the 33rd America's Cup and
according to Zulueta, they will provide approximately 60% of the team's
total design resources.
* New America's Cup Class: On Saturday, September 15th, the first meeting
will take place in Valencia, between the Defender and the 5 challengers,
concerning the definition of the new yacht class. Surprisingly, when asked
about the new yachts, Zulueta responded he "knew absolutely nothing about
them, other than that they are 90 feet long."
* Legal dispute in New York: Zulueta said that his intention is to keep the
team as far as possible from this issue. He stated that "we are not accused.
Alinghi is accused for having accepted us. We presented Alinghi with exactly
what they required from us. We presented everything. We don't want to be
caught in a crossfire of media fights between one party and the other. We
have nothing to add on that issue." -- Valencia Sailing, full report:
http://tinyurl.com/yvls4p
=> Curmudgeon’s Comment: It is interesting to note that while Zuleta claims
his team is removed from the dispute between GGYC and SNG, our report above
notes that his club, CNEV, had lawyers in New York for the hearing.
CANCEL THE CREW SHIRTS
Teams are preparing off the Ceredigion coast for a race of transatlantic
yachts - but no one is aboard. The small, robotic boats are taking part in
sea trials with scientists from universities in Canada, Austria, France, as
well as Aberystwyth. On-board sensors and GPS technology help the boats
"sail themselves" after courses set by computer.
The unmanned craft will sail from Brittany next year to the Caribbean, a
distance of 4,000 miles (6,436km). The aim of the race is to develop the use
of unmanned sailing boats. Called Microtransat 2008, the challenge was
conceived by academics in Aberystwyth and Toulouse, France, and it is
thought to be the world's first transatlantic race for such boats. Complete
with small solar panels, they can be programmed to sail the course of a race
but must be propelled by just the wind. Next year's racing boats must be no
longer than 4m long. Those being tested in Aberystwyth are about half that
size, although the technology is the same. -- BBC News, full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/6976230.stm
NORTH SAILS SUMMER CLEARANCE
North Sails is making room for new Fall and Winter gear by clearing out
several retail items including t-shirts, frisbees, flip flops and more!
Limited quantities available, so act fast to SAVE. --
http://www.northsailsgear.com/store/?c=50
FINAL WEEK OF PREPARATION
(The Mini Transat begins September 16th, and will take 84 solo Mini 6.5’s on
a 4,240-mile ocean race from France to Brazil. American Clay Burkhalter
provides this update from La Rochelle, France.)
“It is 5 a.m. in the old part of La Rochelle. Mostly it is quiet, with the
exception of an occasional scream that comes rolling down the narrow
streets. With nice weather for the past week, there seems to be an
overabundance of young people who live on the streets with their dogs, and
often they party all night… yelling as loud as possible seems to be part of
the ritual. I have shifted away from French hours, which involve staying up
late and getting up late, to my Stonington program of going to bed about 10
p.m. and waking up at 5 a.m. The days work, both doing projects on the boat
and studying weather and preliminarily planning strategy, are fairly busy. I
feel the intensity level, and for that matter, the anxiety level, ratchet up
slightly every day. By evening I am rather burned out, so I have dinner,
read the paper and read a book; I reserve the early morning hours, when I
can be alone, for concentration on the little details… things that
ultimately may mean the difference between a good or a bad finish. At 7
a.m., I head out the door for one hour of exercise, following a program
setup by Jennifer Langille of Sailtrim.org.” -- Read on:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0908
TRIVIA QUESTION
What is 203-feet and cost $102 million when it was built five years ago in
Holland? (Answer below)
KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE
Mantoloking, NJ -- People used to learn to sail on duckboats in Barnegat
Bay. Now, they race them. The 2007 Duckboat World Championship was recently
held at the Mantoloking Yacht Club, with 67 12-foot wooden duckboats sailing
five races throughout the day in the 39th annual event. "This is a truly
unique event, since most of these duckboats were restored from abandoned
condition to well-finished racing sailboats," said Chet Ehrman, president of
the Toms River Seaport.
A duckboat, or sneakbox as it sometimes is called, is a narrow boat with a
shallow draught built for duck hunting in reedy, shallow marshes. They each
generally fit one person, although hunters will sometimes bring their dogs
as well. Early models of these boats were built in the late 1800s on the
Barnegat Bay. They were used in junior sailing programs at many of the
Barnegat Bay-area yacht clubs for many years, he said.
That was the vessel many people from the area used to learn how to sail, he
said. That is, until World War II, when many boats were made from
fiberglass. There's nothing like the originals, Ehrman said, and there's
nothing like taking them out on the water. The Duckboat World Championship
was created to get as many wooden duckboats as possible to sail again on
Barnegat Bay, he said. An anonymous donor has provided money for the last
seven years. Sailors enter on behalf of their favorite nonprofit, and the
donor writes a check to that foundation, he said. The boats are judged for
their restored condition and their ability to sail in the races. -- Asbury
Park Press, full story:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/NEWS02/708290450/1070
39 AND HOLDING
In the big picture of competition under sail, it doesn't matter in the least
who wins the 39th International Knarr Championship. That's part of the
success.
Because, inside the Knarr fleet, it doesn't matter in the least what goes on
in the world around. They have their own thing going. If what this class has
developed in the way of community could be bottled and sold, the world would
be a better place. When you buy a Knarr you don't buy a boat, you're buying
into a way of living, you're joining a fraternity/sorority of lifetime
devotees, and you're telling the world where you will be on weekends and
Wednesdays. Nobody ever leaves this fleet. Somebody might sell a boat and
not buy another. They might sail in other fleets
(many do) but they'll always be back crewing, they'll be at the parties,
they're not "gone."
The frustration is, I can be a witness for the Knarr phenomenon; but how to
explain it? And I hear many of you asking, what in blazes is a Knarr? Stay
with me. First let me tell you, more than one world class sailor has jumped
into the San Francisco fleet expecting easy pickings and discovered that
it's . . . not . . . that . . . easy. -- SAIL WEST, read on:
http://sailmagazine.blogspot.com/2007/09/39-and-holding.html
* Great photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0909/
* Even though it doesn’t matter who won, we suspect that Chris Perkins’ mom
is pretty pleased to see that her son did. Complete results:
http://www.2007ikc.arfisher.com
PIRATES LAIR SALE
The Rolex Big Boat Series this week signals the beginning of the end...of
the sailing season that is. This also makes it time for a Pirates Lair sale:
* White t-shirts with two-color print on front: $4.99 each (36 min.)
* Dry-Release 85/15 t-shirts with two-color print: $9.99 each (48 min.)
* 144 Cotton Caps with Embroidery: Starting @ $4.99 each. (45 days)
* Nike/TW, Ping, Adidas, Ogio golf gear, yes golf gear...(Call)
Call The Pirates Lair today: (888) 724-5286, Catalog Request:
http://www.pirateslair.com/sailing
SAILING SHORTS
* Rochester, NY (September 10, 2007) For the first day at the IFDS Disabled
World Sailing Championship, light air and lumpy conditions permitted only
one race for the 2.4mR and Sonar, and no racing for the Scud 18. Damien
Sequin (FRA) leads the 45-boat 2.4mR fleet, while Shimon Ben Yakow (ISR)
leads the 27-boat Sonar fleet. -- http://www.2007ifdsworlds.com
* Leixões, Portugal (September 10, 2007) -- American crews are highlighted
candidates at the TMN Snipe World Championship, where racing begins Tuesday
for the 60 crews from 18 countries. Augie Diaz (USA), consecutive world
champion, will be teaming with Mark Ivey to defend his title Among those
that Diaz will have to beat is the team of Ernesto Rodriguez/ Leandro Spina,
who hail from the same sailing fleet as Diaz in Miami, FL, and that last
week won the Milaneza Trophy, a pre-event for the World Championship. The
tune-up race on Monday had to be abandoned due to the fog settled off
Leixões. -- http://www.worldsnipe2007.org/swc.htm
* Hamilton, Bermuda (Sept. 10, 2007) -- With one month remaining to the
start of the King Edward VII Gold Cup, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore
Andrew Cox announced that Ed Baird, the America’s Cup-winning helmsman from
Alinghi, has entered the $100,000 match race regatta. Baird is one of 24
skippers entered in the centennial anniversary Gold Cup, scheduled Oct. 9-14
on Hamilton Harbour. Other entrants include last year’s finalists, England’s
Ian Williams of Team Pindar and France’s Mathieu Richard of the Saba Sailing
Team. Williams defeated Richard, 3-1, last year in the first Gold Cup final
for both skippers. -- http://www.bermudagoldcup.com
* Hyeres, France (September 10, 2007) With racing in the final event of the
five regatta Breitling MedCup TP52 Circuit to begin on Tuesday, the top of
the leaderboard finds Russell Coutts and the crew of Torbjorn Tornqvist’s
Swedish flagged Artemis are locked together with Vicente Tirado’s highly
experienced CxG Corporacion Caixa Galicia team (that includes tactician John
Kostecki), both teams sharing 173 points apiece. Although light winds
plagued the scheduled practice race on Monday, the forecast is for the
breeze to return with some force this week. --
http://2007.medcup.org/index.php?idioma=2
* This year, US Sailing members will elect three individuals to the Board of
Directors. The newly elected members will join Gary Jobson, who was recently
named to the Board by President Jim Capron. The election period is now open
and will continue through October 19, 2007. -- Full details:
http://www.ussailing.org/BOD/election/default.aspx
* Photographers Carlo Borlenghi and Amory Ross provide an outstanding look
at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which concluded this past weekend in Sardinia,
Italy. The area is among the most exciting place to sail - anywhere. Tacking
up "Bomb Alley" in 30 knots and smooth water in and out of the beautiful
rock islands and peninsulas in sparkling sunshine is just not to be missed.
Enjoy their images: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0910
LIGHTS ON...9/11
A lot has changed in our world since September 11, 2001, however, for many
Americans, this day seems like yesterday. To keep the memory of this tragedy
alive, Scuttlebutt asks that the ‘butthead community join in a national day
of remembrance, and that on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, everyone in the USA
driving a motor vehicle do so with their headlights on during daylight
hours. Like so many disasters in our world, it is important that we learn
from them, and that we move forward. However, for the lives lost that day,
and for the innocence that may never return, ‘We Will Never Forget.’
TRIVIA ANSWER
If you are wondering what is 203-feet and cost $102 million when it was
built five years ago in Holland, well, it is merely number 100 on Power and
Motoryacht magazine’s World's 100 Largest Yachts list for 2007. This is
their 22nd year monitoring the unbelievably big yachts of the world. For the
full list:
http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/2007-worlds-largest-yachts
J/122 ON TOUR THIS FALL
Owners in France, Netherlands, UK, and the States are raving about how
comfortable the J/122 is to cruise and how quick she is around the
racecourse. See what all the talk is about and visit us at Newport
International Boat Show (9/13-16); Long Beach Boat Show (9/20-23) and the US
Sailboat Show in Annapolis (10/4-8). http://www.jboats.com/j122
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 Janice and Barry Carroll: (regarding the passing of Tim "Tiny"
Miller) Tiny was one of those guys that lit up a room when he walked in. He
was generous with his time, especially if it had anything to do with his
friends and sailing. He was a gentle soul. He will be missed by everyone who
knew him. It’s hard to find words right now, but our thoughts and prayers go
to Jim and his family.
* From Will Toulette: It was very entertaining to learn of Morning Glory’s
tactics in the finale of the Maxi event. While this is pretty textbook stuff
in dinghies and even small keelboats, it must have been quite a site to see
the 87-foot maxi making the moves. I wonder how much heat tactician Morgan
Larson is taking from the big boaters, who might not be accustomed to a
highly decorated dinghy sailor bringing this style of play into their world.
However, I say “right on” to Morgan for choosing to control his destiny
rather than letting the weather conditions dictate the outcome. Different
types of boats performing differently in different weather conditions is a
primary reason why handicap racing stinks, and Morgan wasn’t about to let
this reality knock his team off the podium.
* From Richard Clark: (regarding letter in Issue 2428 about the America’s
Cup) "Do you people really care about this stuff?" Yes, I certainly do. It
reminds me of the fallibility of man, my/ our imperfection. The same issues
take place regarding religion, politics, and almost every other area of
human behavior. I am reminded Tolstoy's view - "the meaningless absurdity of
life" - it reminds me to not take life or my self too seriously. So roll on
the reportage, roll on the unraveling of what was, what is, and the
revelation of what could be. May the most dollars win.
* From John Greene: I'm sorry Alan (Re: Scuttlebutt 2428 - Alan McReynolds:
Ok enough is enough!), but I have to say I really enjoy reading about the
skullduggery and intrigue that has surrounded the Cup almost since its
inception. It makes great drama and is one of the key driving factors for me
to open up Scuttlebutt every day. I thought the ‘Butt coverage leading up to
and during AC was exceptional this time around. The only thing missing this
year was the usual off course battles. I must say I missed it. It is, and
always has been, part of the AC deal. Some people don't get it. But I for
one do. Bring on the NYSC case!
* From Bob Colpitts: In view of criticism of your coverage of AC legal
manoeuvres, may I say I appreciate and am very interested in informed
commentary on these issues and trust you will continue to provide the same.
* From David Redfern: In response to letters in Issue 2427 from Geoffrey
Philips and Ken Guyer, who called me out from my letter a day earlier last
week, and asked for an apology to fair-minded New Zealanders - yes I do
apologize to all fair-minded New Zealanders, and was maybe generalizing too
much, but the examples I give did happen, and on a world stage. Some may
call it hard play, but sometimes it is better to accept a loss with dignity.
Those with the responsibility for behaviour on the world stage should give
consideration to the image they are making of the nation- and the reaction
they create that is obviously not supported by all New Zealanders.
My rugby experience was as a media director for the Rugby World Cup In 1991,
responsible for journalists and photographers for the whole tournament, at
30 venues in five countries. The All Blacks Rugby Team refused to go to a
press conference at one of the venues I was handling when little Italy gave
them a good showing. They sulked in the dressing room and wouldn't come out.
Italy sat at the table on their own, themselves embarrassed by the situation
.I had plenty of opportunities to see the New Zealand attitude to losing
including an incredulous tirade at the press conference when Australia beat
them in the semi-final. They said in effect England had no right to be in
the final. The New Zealand team attitude and projected image was in total
contrast to the brilliant PR campaign run for the eventual winners,
Australia by Bob Dwyer, the Australian coach.
Curmudgeon’s Comment: Normally we limit letters to 250-words, and have done
so above, but for those that want to read on, we have posted the balance of
this letter online. As for continuing the discussion about NZL
sportsmanship, you can take it to the Forum as the thread in the newsletter
ends here. Link: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0908a
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
A statistician is someone who is good with numbers but lacks the personality
to be an accountant.
Special thanks to North Sails, Pirate’s Lair, and J Boats.
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