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SCUTTLEBUTT 1403 - August 28, 2003
Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is a
digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock
talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press
releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always
welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
SAILORS INVITED
In March 2003, ISAF invited submissions from sailboard manufacturers to
offer a new and exciting step forward in the evolution of Olympic
Windsurfing, welcoming any new design concepts put forward. In introducing
the trials, ISAF wished to encourage all manufacturers to think "outside
the box", with the possibility that a new design could also lead to a new
and improved format; that could include slalom and/or marathon racing
(although formats that require objective judges, is similar to figure
skating, are excluded).
A two-stage approach has been adopted for the assessment of equipment, with
the preliminary Presentation Event in September 2003 in Cadiz, followed by
the more formal Evaluation Event in Spring 2004 in Torbole, Italy.
Being held from 22-24 September at Puerto Sherry, the Presentation Event
will feature six board manufacturers including Exocet, Boards and More,
Starboard, Bic Sport, Austrian Board Project, and Neil Pryde. The
participation of these manufacturers does not exclude other manufacturers
from participating in the Spring Evaluation Event, and interested
manufacturers must indicate their intent to participate in the Evaluation
Event to the ISAF Secretariat by 1 February 2004.
This is a perfect opportunity for windsurfers to become involved with the
development of the sport and its future inclusion in the 2008 Olympic
Games. Manufacturers will have boards available to be trialled. Proposals
and recommendations will be received from industry representatives and
sailors are invited to have their say on what the future holds in the lead
up time to the 2008 Games.
Further information and the formal invitation to the Presentation Event and
Evaluation Event is available at:
http://www.sailing.org/technical/windsurfinginvitationrevised.pdf
ISAF MATCH RACING WORLDS
Riva del Garda, Italy - The crews left the dock this morning at 8.30 am,
with a nice warm sun and a northerly breeze of 7-10 knots known by the
locals as "ballino." The committee managed to complete two flights (number
9 and 10) in these light conditions before the breeze died out completely,
giving the competitors the chance to enjoy lunch and a short rest at
Fraglia Vela Riva. Coutts made the day for two young local sailors, who
were sailing by the competitor's fleet. Russell jumped on one of the two
Lasers, to the joy of the young helmsman, for a short match race session.
At 1:00 pm the notorious southerly breeze of Lake Garda, known as "ora,"
kicked in and by 1:30 pm the Race Committee was able to resume racing in
blustery 20 knot-plus conditions. A breakage on the tiller of Coutts' boat
compromised his result in the match against Paolo Cian (flight 13), who was
therefore able to score his fourth victory of Round Robin One.
Standings:
Ed Baird, USA 9 wins, 3 losses
Russell Coutts, New Zealand 8 wins, 3 losses
Jesper Radich, Denmark 8 wins, 3 losses
James Spithill, Australia 8 wins, 4 losses
Mathieu Richard, France 8 wins, 4 losses
Karol Jablonski, Poland 7 wins, 5 losses
Jes Gram-Hansen, Denmark 6 wins, 6 losses
Bjorn Hansen, Sweden 6 wins, 6 losses
Paolo Cian, Italy 4 wins, 8 losses
Staffan Lindberg, Finland 3 wins, 9 losses
Ian Williams, UK 2 wins, 10 losses
Mikael Lindqvist, Sweden 2 wins, 10 losses
Event website: http://www.worldchampionship.g2k.it
BARGAINS FOR THE COLORBLIND
If you're flexible about your halyard colors or the type of shackle on the
end of your jib sheets, you should be buying from Hall's new "Rigging
Outlet." Everything in our web-based outlet is first quality, but at
discounted prices. You may never know why an item ended up in the outlet
(Discontinued color? We spliced the wrong shackle?), but who cares! The
prices and quality are unbeatable. Check back often as items change every
time someone in the shop says "oops." http://www.hallspars.com
ATHENS 2003 REGATTA
Sailing's second and final test event in preparation for the 2004 Olympic
Games has just about concluded in Athens, as medals were determined
Wednesday in five of the 11 events. Medals will be determined Thursday
after the final race of the series is held in the Europe, 49er, Laser,
Mistral (men and women) and Tornado classes. - US Sailing,
http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2003/ATHOCmedals.htm
Results:
Star (11 races - 1 discard, FINAL): 1. Torbin Grael/ Ferreira, BRA, 48; 2.
Paul Cayard/ Phil Trinter, USA, 49; 3. Pickel / Kolb, GER, 54; 4. Peter
Bromby/ L.C. White, BER, 55; 6. Ross MacDonald/ K. Bjorn, CAN, 60
Yngling (11 races - 1 discard, FINAL): 1. Shirley Robertson, GBR, 39; 2.
Hannah Swett, USA, 44; 3 Wagner, GER, 44; 10. Paula Lewin, BER, 72; 13.
Clarke, CAN, 111
470 Men (11 races - 1 discard, FINAL): 1. Molund/ Andersson, SWE, 59; 2.
Rogers/ Glanfield, GBR, 73; 3. Zandona/ Trani, ITA, 80; 5. Paul Foerster/
Kevin Burnam, USA, 87; 27. Russel/ MacDonald, CAN, 239
470 Women (11 races - 1 discard, FINAL): 1. Bekatorou/ Tsoulfa, GRE, 47; 2.
Ward/ Ward, DEN, 64; 3. Sesto/ Reinoso, ARG, 69; 5. McDowell/ Kinsolving,
USA, 94; 22. Provan/ Girke, CAN, 159
Europe (10 races - 1 discard): 1. Sundby, NOR, 48; 2. Desillie, BEL, 56; 3.
Macky, NZL, 58; 5. Meg Gillard, USA, 71; 24. Marcil Bonneau, CAN, 174
49er (15 races - 2 discards): 1. Nicholson/ Boyd, AUS, 67; 2. Brotherton/
Asquith, GBR, 71; 3. Martinez/ Fernandez, ESP, 77; 5. Wadlow/Spaulding,
USA, 105
Laser (10 races - 1 discard): 1. Birgmark, SWE, 42; 2.Scheidt, BRA, 44; 3.
Arapov, CRO, 49; 15. Luttmer, CAN, 140; 22. Richardson, USA, 182
Tornado (7 races - 1 discard): 1. Bundock/ Forbes, AUS, 22; 2. Lange/
Espinola, ARG, 35; 3. Hagara/ Steinacher, AUT, 38; 10. Daniel/ Jacobsen,
USA, 81; 13. Holden/ Coakley, CAN, 94
Finn (11 races - 1 discard, FINAL): 1. Ben Ainslie, GBR, 30; 2.
Kusznierewicz, POL, 51; 3. Trujillo, ESP, 52; 18. Cook, CAN, 147; 22. Peck,
USA 188
Mistral Men (8 races - 1 discard): 1. Kaklamanakis, GRE, 18; 2. Fridman,
ISR, 21; 3. Zhou, CHN, 33; 22. Bolduc, CAN, 133; 24. Barger, USA, 146
Mistral Women, (8 races - 1 discard): 1. Senini, ITA, 9; 2. Lee, HKG, 22;
3. Merret, FRA, 28; 14. Lanee Butler, 84; 20. Valee, CAN, 110
Complete results: http://www.athens2004.com/page/default.asp?la=2&id=16917
NEWS BRIEFS
* You can watch the construction of Ellen MacArthur's new B&Q 75-foot
trimaran live on-line via the new Sony webcam that has been installed in
the boat construction facility at Boatspeed. Every 20 seconds the webcam
will update and it will be possible to scroll back through the archive
images - just so you don't miss anything! The webcam will be live via BT
Openworld from around 1600 hours GMT for 12 hours which is effectively the
working hours at Boatspeed's yard just north of Sydney, Australia. To go
directly to the webcam, click on http://www.teamkingfisher.com/webcam
* US Sailing will hold its Annual General Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri,
from October 16 through 19 at the Adams Mark Hotel. The meeting is open to
members of the organization as well as non-members and will be filled with
more than 60 committee meetings and an awards presentation dinner. At this
year's meeting, a new US Sailing president will be elected and new officers
will be named to the Board of Directors. For a complete schedule and more
information: http://www.ussailing.org/events
* The J/22 Eastern Great Lakes Championship Regatta presented by
Mannington Mills, was held on Tawas Bay in Lake Huron with winds of 12-18
knots for both days, the sun was out in full force and the waves were
minimal. Boats came from Toronto, Buffalo, Cleveland, Charlevoix, San
Antonio, as well as Michigan. Results: 1) Keith Zars, San Antonio Texas, 7;
2) Chris Doyle, Kenmore, NY, 12; 3) Tim Finkle, Youngstown, NY, 13; 4) K.
Doyle/ V. Snyder, Niagara Falls, NY, 13; 5) Jim Andraitis, Lakewood, Ohio,
28. http://www.tbyc.net/Fleet44/CurrentNews/2003EGLC.htm
* The official launch of Great Britain's Peter Harrison's Sojana, a Farr
115 cruising ketch - one of the largest sailing yachts ever built in Cowes
- will take place on 12 September. This new water/fuel-ballasted yacht,
which should reach speeds of 25kts in the right conditions, was built by
Green Marine using a pre-impregnated carbon laminate and Nomex honeycomb
core, similar to the technology used in America's Cup yachts. She will also
compete in various regattas around the world such as Antigua Sailing week
and the Nioulargue in St Tropez. In racing mode, she will require 27
professional race crew. - Yachting World website, http://tinyurl.com/l6h0
PEGASUS 77: BEST FIRST TO FINISH & IRC 77 FT TURBO SLED
Neither Enigma (ex-Chance) nor Pyewacket could beat her in the Transpac.
With Enigma just recently winning the 2003 IRC big boat Fastnet class,
Pegasus 77 looks to be an excellent option for IRC sailing in Europe, Asia
or the US. Designed by Reichel-Pugh, she is immediately available for
purchase. Launched in 2001, Pegasus 77 has proven continually to be the
ultimate Turbo Sled. She comes complete with full inventory of sails and
remains the best in every aspect. We are selling Pegasus 77 only because we
are now building a very different boat. Please email your interest to
philippe@lightsurf.com
SCUTTLEBUTT WEBSITE LINKS
Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
Classified ads listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/classifieds.html
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com)
(Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be
edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room nor a
bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best
shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* From Brad Read: For too long, there has been an adversarial role
between RC's and sailors. Chris Ericksen, Peter Reggio, Ken Legler, Sandy
Grovsner, Robin Wallace and so many other PRO's have found that more
communication leads to better and more fun racing for the sailors. It has
also led to fewer instances of redress hearings. This makes race management
less confrontational and more fun for the scores of volunteers needed to
run the races that we sail.
There is nothing wrong with the RC getting on the loud hailer in a dinghy
race, or the VHF in a keelboat or big boat race and reminding the troops
that the current is forcing them over the line. Also, I'd rather know if I
was over at the one-minute rule at 50 seconds to go as opposed to 20
seconds after the start! Large fleets on long lines almost require radio or
verbal communication on upcoming start schedules because of the shorter
starting sequences. We don't need the RRS changed; RC's must simply decide
that the path of the least resistance is to have the sailors on your side.
It isn't us versus them out there. The RC is an integral part of our game
that the sailors respect very much.
"Thank you" to all of the RC's who have chosen to communicate versus those
who feel it is a "distracting dialogue".
Curmudgeon's Comment: Brad Read has provided Scuttlebutt with Sail
Newport's communication policy from their Sailing Instructions, along with
permission for other clubs to use them as they see fit.
2) Communication:
a) Division 2 will monitor VHF Channel 73 for all communication as
described in the Sailing Instruction #11. Competitors are urged to monitor
RC radio communication at all times as the RC may attempt to give
competitors advanced warning of upcoming starting sequences and schedules.
b) Failure to hear any RC transmission shall not be grounds for requesting
redress.
11) Recalls: Individual Recalls: The Race Committee may attempt to hail
sail numbers of premature starters. Recalls may also be announced on VHF
Channels as described in the appropriate Division appendix. The delay,
failure to hail, or broadcast the individual sail number of recalled boats
shall not be grounds for requesting redress. Failure to hear your number
shall not be grounds for redress.
* From Fredrick Ulrich: Mr. Wathen's letter to Scuttlebutt articulately
explained why I never race at Balboa Yacht Club, or at any club that is not
courteous enough to announce the sail numbers of OCS boats by VHF radio. I
race for fun, but I get no pleasure whatsoever to find out after the race
is over we'd been OCS … and had not actually been racing at all.
I find it very interesting that Mr. Wathen states he is waiting for, "… the
Racing Rules of Sailing to be changed to allow such unnecessary
communication to be accomplished, without threat of redress." However, Key
West Race Week - our Nation's largest and most successful regatta - and the
West Coast's Big Boat Series have demonstrated for many years that the
enlightened use of the VHF radio enhances the competitor's enjoyment, with
absolutely no problems. Perhaps it is 'attitudes' that need to change - not
the Racing Rules.
* From Jeffrey Littell: If the Race Committee calls back some but not all
boats (due to blocked visibility of bow or sail numbers) that are on the
course side prior to the start, can't the competitors who were OCS and are
ultimately called over after the start file a protest against the R/C for
Yacht Materially Prejudice? Those called over prior to the start have a
prejudiced advantage over those who weren't called back. That race might be
tossed as well. I cannot find anything in the RRS that give the R/C the
latitude to call any boats over prior to the start. Hmmm, it seems like an
unfair burden and a no-win situation for the R/C to me.
* From Barbara Thoney: Sports, like life, are about people. To make
sailing interesting to readers is to focus on the personalities and their
stories. If and when these personalities at the forefront get that, the
possibilities open. Think of the names that have changed the face of their
sport: Mohammed Ali, Joe Namath, Venus/Serena Willams, Peggy Fleming, Tiger
Woods, Mark McGwire, Dale Earhardt, Babe Ruth and so on. The list goes on
and on. The sport didn't go to the people; the people came to the sport.
And that's not to say having viewer friendly venues and all the other
trappings of commercialization are not vital to the goal. But to not draw
from the amazing pool of personalities involved that can bring sailing
alive is really opportunity missed.
* From Rob Spencer: Please kill this thread ... Let's get to the basics.
It basically comes down to simple economics, especially in the US. A
sponsor can be involved in a regatta and get exposure with a few hundred
sailors and maybe get a photo or two in a sailing magazine.... or they can
get involved in NASCAR or some other form of auto racing and get exposure
to thousands of spectators (100+ thousand if its NASCAR or F1) plus lots of
media. Granted it takes more money to be involved in auto racing but there
are a whole lot more spectators at the race and interested in the race,
hence the media coverage.
Whether we like it or not sailing is not nor ever will be NASCAR or F1 (the
America's Cup is the only thing close), so lets move on with life and
realize our sport will only attract a certain type of sponsor that's
looking to advertise to a particular group. Sure it would be nice if we
could participate in weekend regattas with sponsorship and paydays like
every PGA tournament and made-for-TV golf event, but it's just not going to
happen. And maybe that's not such a bad thing, after all none of my golfing
buddies have ever played a round with Tiger or any other top PGA pro, but
I've gotten to race against the likes of Dennis Conner, Chris Dickson,
Russel Coutts and Tom Leweck to name a few.
Curmudgeon's Comment: Good idea Rob - this thread is now officially dead.
* From Kim Roberts: I, too, am a mourner of Bruce Kendell. His commanding
presence, love of sailing and flying had huge positive influences on me
when I was younger, passing through the Kialoa training camps. In the last
twenty years every time I got into a small plane I thought of Bruce. Every
time my tongue came out to touch my lips pondering what to say or do next,
I thought of him, because he did that. In hindsight I should have stayed
with him longer, he was a man to learn things from. What was I thinking?
He was a global inhabitant with friends and influences spread out around
the world. Travelers like him leave a wide wake of friends, expanding out
across the oceans. It saddens me that most of us can't make it to Florida
to pay the sort of respect that a good man such as this deserves,
comforting his loved ones with the knowledge of how much he was loved and
respected. You should not judge him by the few who can show up, because the
earth is full and covered with the many who can't.
I hope his son has the strength of his father to survive and live as full a
life as he did. Good luck boy, this first fight is all you, but when its
time to tack call on me, I will do all I can for the son of Bruce Kendell.
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS
A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
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