|
SCUTTLEBUTT 3370 - Friday, June 24, 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 Team One Newport. OVERCOMING ADVERSITY A plane crash may have taken Brad Kendell's lower limbs, but not his sea legs. The mainsheet trimmer from Clearwater (FL) is preparing for the 2012 Paralympics in Weymouth, England, carrying with him his love of sailing, introduced to him by his dad. "It took a lot to get back to normal, everyday life, not to mention losing a great friend and losing my Dad. It was probably the hardest part of the whole thing," Kendell said. "The whole thing" is the 2003 plane crash in St. Augustine that killed his father Bruce, and friend Daniel Griffith, Jr. Kendell was the only survivor. He lost both his legs in the accident. He started sailing at the age of seven, and continued through high school. He took a break from it during his time at the University of South Florida. After the accident, with prosthetics, water - and competition - lured him back. "Competing, really, helps with healing, and it does for a lot of people...anything on the water...I love it," Kendell said. The trio of Kendell, skipper Rick Doerr, and jibsheet trimmer Hugh Freund make up TeamUSA 674. It has already racked up honors including US SAILING's 2010 Paralympic Team of the Year, the bronze medal in the Sonar class at the Rolex Miami OCR. As part of their training for the Paralympics, they race in regattas around the country - usually against teams of able-bodied sailors. "Winning a major regatta against everyday sailors - able-bodied, we like to call them - is a huge reward. To know we can do it, that we still got it," Kendell said. To pay for their passion, they hold full-time jobs since they're not professional athletes. Kendell is a construction estimator. Sponsors help with the costs, so do fundraisers like the ones recently held at local BMW dealerships, allowing supporters to test drive convertibles. For every test driver, BMW donated $10 to TeamUSA 674. The next step to the ultimate international race - the 2012 Paralympics - will come in January. That's the trials, and Kendell hopes that TeamUSA 674 will have a little bit of an edge: they'll be racing in "home water", Miami and Fort Myers. -- BHSN, http://tinyurl.com/BM9-062311 CRASH: This was the story in Scuttlebutt Extra on August 23, 2003: Bruce Kendell, who captained three Kialoas and was one of the giants of the maxi class, died on Thursday when the twin-engined Piper Navajo he co-owned crashed short of the Clearwater Executive Airport, in Clearwater, Florida. His son Bradley 22, was seriously injured. A friend of Bradley's, Daniel Griffin, 24 was killed. Kendell, 56, a New Zealander who supervised the building of Kialoa III and Kialoa IV for Jim Kilroy, was later an executive in Kilroy's construction company before starting his own business in Clearwater. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/archived_Detail.asp?key=2626 MASTERS OF SPEED (June 23, 2011) - Oracle Racing’s AC45 catamarans, blasting up and down San Francisco Bay, have inspired a torrent of breathless prose. But are they fast? Really? AC45 #4, skippered by Jimmy Spithill, and #5, skippered by Russell Coutts, have generally used the Golden Gate Bridge as a windward boundary for their race training, which places their turning point right off Crissy Field, one of the world’s great sites for windsurfing and kiting. And the kite guys, especially, have been keen to take on the cats. After all, the 500-meter speed sailing record presently belongs to American Rob Douglas at 55.65 knots. With a kite. Top gun kiter Johnny Heineken, off today for Silt, Germany and the Kiteboard Course Racing Worlds - a kiting discipline developed on San Francisco Bay, by people who sail on San Francisco Bay - checked in with this: “You got to go sailing on one of the cats. Jealous! I’ve been close, though. On two days we lined up with them on kites. Pretty amazing. The first day, they were racing, so I didn’t want to get too close, but I jumped in on a downwind leg and paced them for a while. “Later, Joey Pasquali (who will be joining John Craig ((AC34 PRO)) as a mark-set boat driver), Bryan Lake and I followed them around for an hour or so on our courseboards. I would say that on upwind angles we were even, but they had a tiny speed advantage with that not-slowing-down-over-chop thing they’ve got going. We get bounced on our 6-foot boards. Their leeward hulls just drive through it. But it was pretty amazing to sail half a boatlength away from one of those things, just to leeward, off their bow, and hang with them. “Downwind we were close, but I can’t honestly say I was faster. Once again, their advantage …hmm …doubling their sail area downwind. If only I could magically turn my 9-meter kite into a 15-meter kite when I round the top mark.” -- Kimball Livingston, read on: http://blueplanettimes.com/?p=7283 JK3 FOR MORE THAN JUST RACING! JK3 is well known for our dominance in the racing sailboat marketplace. However, we also offer a wide variety of brokerage boats that appeal to the cruiser in all of us. If you are looking for a classic design as in the beautiful lines of a Sabre Spirit to the venerable Columbia 50 or a modern performance cruiser such as the Delphia 40 or C&C 121, we have the boat for you. All of our listings can be found by visiting us at http://www.jk3yachts.com or by calling us in San Diego 619-224-6200 or Newport Beach 949-675-8053. PFDS AND THE NANNY STATE By Bill Sisson, TradeOnlyToday.com Broad-based mandatory life jacket wear rules - mandatory as in for all boaters, on all pleasure boats, regardless of size, across the board - are misguided. It’s like hunting squirrels with an elephant gun. Not only is it overkill, but I’m also not sure they will accomplish what well-meaning safety advocates hope they will. I don’t mean to sound like a Pollyanna, but the sort of behavioral change needed to reduce boating fatalities is best accomplished through education. If you and your buddy and your 90-pound black Lab are hunkered down in an aluminum skiff in January shooting sea ducks and you’re not wearing a life jacket - well, you had better be able to walk on water if you wind up in the drink. That happens every year, too often with tragic consequences. Somewhere the educational process failed that crew. Or perhaps they chose to ignore good advice and common sense. But that doesn’t mean you should penalize the majority of experienced boaters who can recognize when it’s appropriate to put on a PFD and when it’s fine to leave it in its locker. Slip and fall on a 40-foot trawler, and you’re more likely to be treated for banging your noggin on a step or a stanchion than be fished out of the water. Boats aren’t cars, and life jackets aren’t seat belts. It’s apples and oranges. There’s far too much variation in size and type of vessel, how they’re used and the wide range of conditions for a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why education is so critical. Sound judgment and good decision-making are key elements of seamanship. One shouldn’t overlook, either, the strong sense of personal freedom that boating affords so many people. The feeling that you are the captain of your ship, small as she may be, and that you willingly accept the responsibilities that go with it. Traditionally it has been an activity that rewards self-reliance and resourcefulness. I think we all hope boating can remain an antidote to the nanny state and not just the latest manifestation of it. We need to preserve a place in this shrinking world where capable people are still permitted to make the right call. -- Read on: http://blog.tradeonlytoday.com/tradetalk/?p=294" CHOICES The Volvo Ocean Racing is coming round fast and we’ve already seen the first two new generation boats hit the water. What makes this race more exciting than ever is the diversity in mast and rigging suppliers. The first two editions of the race sailed in the VOR70’s where much more clear cut than what we are about to see this year. First time round, Future Fibres rigging system completely dominated while in the last edition Southern Spars EC6+ lateral system was on every boat, bar one. In terms of masts, Southern Spars has been the majority ‘shareholder’ over the first two editions with Hall Spars supplying the odd mast or two. However, this is all about to change in this year’s edition. There are currently 5 teams entered (not counting the Mike Sanderson's entry which is still shrouded in mystery) and there will be no fewer than 4 different mast and 3 standing rigging suppliers on the start line. -- Full report: http://riggingnews.blogspot.com/2011/06/choices.html WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR Portimao, Portugal (June 23, 2011) - Torvar Mirsky and Ian Williams have booked their places in the Quarter-Finals of the Portimão Portugal Match Cup after commanding displays on the second day of Qualifying. Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat was the standout skipper of the day winning all of his matches to progress to the next round as the man to beat. Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar added another three wins to his tally to secure his place in the Quarter-Finals. The day also saw the departure of Reuben Corbett (NZL) AON Racing and Olli-Pekka Lumijarvi (FIN) Siragusawa Sailing Team who cannot advance to the Quarter-Finals after finishing Qualifying Session Two with respective scores of 3-7 and 2-7. The fates of the remaining eight teams are this evening hanging in the balance, with each team needing to claim points in the final Qualifying Session to ensure their continuation in the event. Current World Match Racing Tour leader Francesco Bruni (ITA) Bruni Racing is another needing to put in a big display tomorrow to stay in the competition with only three wins to his name so far. With three matches left to sail tomorrow, the pressure is on the Tour leader to prove his skill as Qualifying reaches its climax. Standings after the second Qualifying Session: Torvar Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat, 6-1 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, 6-4 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 5.5-4 Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team, 5-5 Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 5-3 Jesper Radich (DEN) Adrian Lee & Partners, 5-3 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing, 4-4 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team, 4-4 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Bruni Racing, 3-4 Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team, 3-6 Reuben Corbett (NZL) Aon Racing Team, 3-7 Olli-Pekka Lumijarvi (FIN) Siragusawa Sailing Team, 2-7 BACKGROUND: The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series, featuring 8 events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with "Special Event" status. Prize money is awarded for each event, with event points culminating in the crowning of the "ISAF Match Racing World Champion". -- http://www.wmrt.com THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK Thank you and congratulations to these teams and the many others for their great sailing accomplishments and showing off their team spirit with good looking, very comfortable and dry crew uniforms they got from Team One Newport: Rambler, Samba Pa Ti, Shockwave, Powerplay, Vela Veloce, Interlodge, Privateer, Vesper, Invictus, Rima 2, Devocean, Snow Lion, Interlodge, Apparition, Bandit, Blazer, Arethusa, Daring, Barleycorn, Quintessence, Celeritas, Mustang, Puma, Tiburon, Sonny, Angelita, White Wings, Bamboozle, Nighthawk, Vixen, Wicked 2.0, Pendragon, Otra Vez, Carina, Act One, Cygnette, Rush, Storm, Mischief, Hornpipe, Victory 83, Intrepid, Courageous, USA, Columbia, Maverick, and Zephyr. Team One Newport has been outfitting the best teams on the course since 1985 with the latest and greatest technical and non-technical sailing gear available. With in-house embroidery & sublimation services, we can decorate anything we sell! For more information: http://www.team1newport.com, Martha@team1newport.com, or 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327)! A SPECIAL RACE AROUND A SPECIAL ISLAND Block Island, RI (June 23, 2011) - After Wednesday’s “no blow” for zero races, today’s 12-15 knots of breeze brought big smiles to the faces of more than 1,000 sailors competing in the Storm Trysail Club’s (STC) biennial Block Island Race Week XXIV presented by Rolex. Forecasted heavy rain did not hit until late afternoon, and that was well after the fleet of 134 boats was safely back at the docks after enjoying an 18.2 nautical mile Around-the-Island Race. As spectators traveled to different vantage points around the tiny island of only 21 square miles, it couldn’t be denied that the biggest boats from IRC 1 and 2 were the best of show, especially as they found it advantageous to tuck in close to the beach near North Light right after they started on the west side of the island. At Southeast Lighthouse, a full array of colorful spinnakers added to the visual impact, and by then it was clear that Austin and Gwen Fragomen’s (Newport, R.I.) JV 52 Interlodge had a hold over the whole pack, and more important, was keeping its closest competitor in IRC 1, Peter Cunningham’s (George Town, Grand Cayman, CAY) 52-foot PowerPlay, well at bay. Interlodge eventually was first-to-finish in the race and in its class, and the performance brought it into a podium-position third from fourth yesterday. (Powerplay is currently second overall with Jim Swartz’s IRC 52 Vesper leading by a slim margin of two points.) -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=12106#12106 PHOTOS: A gallery by Karen Ryan: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/11/0623/ SAILING SHORTS * (June 23, 2011) - The Real Club Nautico de Valencia (RCNV) and Green Comm Racing announced the details of their Challenge for the 34th America’s Cup at a press conference Thursday afternoon in Valencia, Spain. The Green Comm Racing team, representing Spain’s RCNV, completes the field of nine teams from eight nations that will be on the starting line in 10 AC 45 catamarans at the first America’s Cup World Series event in August in Cascais, Portugal, the first competition in the lead-up to the 34th America’s Cup. Olympic silver medalist Zach Railey (USA) is shown in the team photo. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/ACUP-062311 * Cres, Croatia (June 23, 2011) - The locals claim that in over a decade of June championship racing in Cres, it’s never been like this: four consecutive days of light wind. But this is what Principal Race Officer Bojan Gale has had to contend with at the 2011 ORCi World Championship, along with an unruly group of competitors in both classes of the 119-boat fleet. Inshore racing will resume Friday, with Bura conditions predicted for the final two days of racing which ends on Saturday. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=12105#12105 * Wayfarer Marine and Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding have teamed up for a new regatta for sail and power: The Penobscot Bay Rendezvous on August 18-21. The expected fleet of at least 100 yachts ranging from super yachts, to classics to performance racers, Picnic Boats and lobster yachts will gather in Rockland Harbor for Thursday night and will move to Camden Harbor for the following two nights. Details: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=12045 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include flying marks, snowy mountains, spirited ships, month of July, anniversary party, celebrating crew, championship sailing, helicopter photography. Here are this week’s photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/11/0624/ BONUS: Last week we shared photos taken by George Bekris of the J Class racing between the 140 foot Ranger and Velsheda on Narragansett Bay in Newport, RI. Now added to that gallery are images from Daniel Forster, Karen Ryan, and Emily Ferguson: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/11/0616a/ 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 Most people will sail a lifetime without seeing the kind of waves that can tear a boat apart. In case you are among this group, this week’s videos provide three short clips of these kind of waves. One boat gets away lucky, one boat gets away with just some frame damage, and one boat gets torn apart. . Click here for this week’s videos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/11/0624/ BONUS: Photographer Leighton O'Connor is racing in 2011 Block Island Race Week on Indra, a Beneteau First 44.7 racing in IRC3. Leighton strapped a video camera to his body while fulfilling his crewing responsibilities. Here is a three minute edit set to the music of Lotus Crush: http://youtu.be/6arFI4nZyvM BONUS: This week’s June 24 “World on Water” Global Sailing Video News Report features the Rolex Giraglia Cup, The new China Team announcement of the skipper for their yacht “Team Sanya” in this year’s Volvo Ocean Race, Audi MedCup Marseille Trophy, Mark Foy 18 footer Championships in Denmark, the beautiful J Class Regatta in Newport R.I and in our regular “Fresh to Frightening” action segment we look at the huge Alinghi crash in the recent Extreme sailing Series Istanbul Cup. See it at 1200 GMT Friday June 24: http://www.boatson.tv/World_On_Water 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 Chris Ericksen: Did I read that right? Did Andrew Burton really refer to the men and women of the United States Coast Guard as "jack-booted thugs" ('Butt 3369)? Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. That there is often a "faceless...bureaucrat" around does not surprise me, but to conflate such a bureaucrat with the men and women who maintain the buoys around which we race and that make navigation safe, that patrol our coasts and borders and that perform rescues in all weather on all seas--and worse, to do so with a term that brings to mind the terrorism of the Nazis--is completely unconscionable and completely unforgivable. If he did say that, then shame on him. Let me counter with a link (http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2011/06/cgc-morgenthau-rescues-injured-fishe rmen/) to a report of a rescue made on the high seas. Not a jack-boot to be seen, only members of the latest generation of Americans who go to sea to serve. Semper Paratus. * From Bill Elmer, Puget Sound: I know you posted this guy’s rant to stir things up on a slow day, but Burton, jeeze dude, chill. Have you been living under a rock? Permits have been around for years, and quite easy to get; just need to plan ahead. Sounds like your flag officer was knowledgeable but didn’t pass the word down the line. And while I’m no fan of safety inspections, and while the kiddies doing them haven’t a clue how a sailboat operates and its limitations (the order to “stop right now” is classic), I have never experienced “jack booted thugs” but rather mostly polite children that call you “sir” in somewhat intimidating and unnecessary garb, with non marking boots. My favorite story was when they sent some E-2 below to see if the head valves were aligned correctly for holding tank discharge. I shouldn’t say this but they weren’t yet the youngster still reported to his PO that all was “in order sir.” JOIN THIS CLUB.... FOR FREE Don’t let the requirement of club membership stop you from entering regattas. Scuttlebutt Sailing Club was launched in 2001 to eliminate this hurdle, is officially sanctioned by US Sailing, and officially available to all Scuttlebutt readers for free. Want a club burgee? SSC just received a fresh supply of burgees that are ready for shipment. Details: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/ CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION “Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.” - Albert Einstein SPONSORS THIS WEEK Doyle Sails - Kaenon Polarized - Hall Spars & Rigging J Boats - Atlantis WeatherGear - LaserPerformance Gladstone's Long Beach - Point Loma Outfitting Ullman Sails - JK3 Nautical Enterprises - Team One Newport Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
