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SCUTTLEBUTT 3001 - Wednesday, January 6, 2010Scuttlebutt 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 Melges Performance Sailboats, North Sails, and Atlantis WeatherGear. AN UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY Bob Little has played the game of sailing at nearly every level, and would have likely been racing a Lido 14 with his kids last November if not for an unexpected phone call and opportunity. Here is his story: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- It wasn't the type of phone call a guy like me would expect on a random late October night on the way home from work. It was a message from Paul Cayard asking if I would be interested in joining him and his RC44 program 'Katusha' as the Helmsman in their next event called the Gold Cup in Dubai. "Interested? Dubai? Paul Cayard? Me? Helmsman? Is this for real, I thought?" I dialed him back and learned that he needed a helmsman for the fleet racing portion of the event who is qualified as a category 1 sailor and willing to make the trip to the UAE during the entire week of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states. It took all of two minutes to get the support of my wife "Mrs Peaches" (more on that name later), so I jumped at the opportunity. Now... I have sailed with Paul before on John Kilroy's Farr 40 program, so this was not a total cold call. but why me? in this amazing event 8,500+ miles from home? Let's be fair, I am not out sailing on a daily basis these days. And as far as Paul Cayard goes, I presume I am like most other sailors... more used to reading about him sailing around the globe or keeping up on his Volvo or America's Cup email updates rather than fielding phone calls from 'the man'. Anyway, on Saturday, November 21st before Thanksgiving I was off to the Dubai, passport in-hand, ground transportation instructions and a target weight for the morning after arrival crew weigh-in. Having no cell phone or email reception the next morning, I found my way down to the dock where I saw an amazing line-up of these RC44's. The shore teams were already populating the dock that morning with work lists and projects that needed to be done. The boats are a true sailor's machine, designed by Russell Coutts and outfitted with the best equipment and pro sailors available on the planet. So let's see... I am in the office Friday in Los Angeles and Monday I am standing on the dock in Dubai .not bad. A 1:00 pm dock start for starting practice that day got things rolling quickly and I definitely felt a bit rusty getting plugged into this great team of sailors. Hopefully, I would be a quick study as I was asked to play tactician while Paul drove the match race practice drills! After starting drills I was able to get some driving time in preparation for the fleet racing series later in the week. I can tell you that these boats are as hard to drive as they are fun. If you are off the pace, guys like Marco Contant and Robbie Naismith are quick to let you know your deficiencies and keep you focused! -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0105/ ATLANTIC MISSION TAKES A BLOW Disabled sailor Geoff Holt's bid to sail across the Atlantic unassisted has taken a hit after his onboard generator failed. With only 500 miles of his epic 3,000 mile voyage left to go, the loss of the generator has forced Geoff to resort to manually steering the 60ft catamaran Impossible Dream. The hi-tech yacht normally relies on electricity to power its complex electronic and hydraulic systems. Its backup electrical supply is an alternator on the starboard engine - but this uses five times the fuel and there is only enough fuel for another eight battery charges. As a result all electronics have been switched off to try and save fuel for the tricky final stages of the journey as he attempts to navigate into his destination - Tortola in the Virgin Islands. Quadriplegic Geoff has been joined onboard by film maker Digby Fox and carer Susana Scott, but neither of them is allowed to help with the sailing. Said Digby by satellite phone, "He's trying to conserve power by turning off the autopilot and physically it's making a huge difference for him. It is a struggle for him to steer manually and he's only been doing it for a few hours but it is already making his arms ache. I think it's going to be a difficult struggle to the finish line from here." -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/ybgw26m MELGES 24 UPDATE The Melges 24 is strong and growing. Melges is finalizing another run of new boats for the USA. The Midwinter Championship in Key West looks to be another strong event. The Bacardi Miami Sailing Week in March will more than likely become a staple in the M24 Winter Series, and then Charleston Race Week in April will be another large turnout event! Go Melges 24! Additional information at http://www.melges24.com SO FAR, SO GOOD When Jessica Watson sailed through Sydney Heads (Australia) in mid-October, she left family, friends and controversy in her wake. The 16-year-old's attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world attracted plenty of critics, particularly after she collided with a cargo ship before she even reached the official starting line. But as Jessica approaches the halfway point in her 23,000 nautical mile voyage, so far she has proved the doomsayers wrong. She has battled 44-knot gales and five-metre ocean swells, but her boat and positive outlook have remained intact. ''I'm having the time of my life,'' she told the Herald. ''It has been much better than I ever expected. I've been really enjoying myself much more than I thought.'' The ''very toughest'' part of her journey was just making it to the start line. ''Everything else I've been able to work through.'' But she still has to surmount the Everest of sailing - Cape Horn at the base of South America. Her route has taken her north past Fiji and Samoa, crossing the equator and rounding one of the Line Islands before turning due south into the Southern Ocean. She is now 750 nautical miles from the cape that divides the South Pacific and South Atlantic, where the seas are among the most dangerous in the world. Her circumnavigation is expected to take another four months. -- Sydney Morning Herald, full story: http://tinyurl.com/ybf57a9 SCUTTLEBUTT TRIVIA What are the origins of college sailing? (Answer below) CONSTRUCTED IN COUNTRY By Roger Boshier, Schnack-Net America's Cup aficionados keen on lawsuits were disturbed when the New York Appellate courts seemed to wrap-up the legal saga. They should not have worried because BOR (BMW Oracle Racing) recently indicated there will be problems if the Alinghi 5 catamaran appears in the startbox wearing sails made in the Excited States. George Schuyler and his mates who wrote the DOG (Deed-of-Gift) saw this as a contest between nations and, as such, said competing vessels had to be constructed in their home country. Sails on the Alinghi catamaran have been built from North Sails 3DL panels made in Minden, Nebraska. Alinghi buys the "cloth" shaped by Minden. Alinghi sailmakers install the hardware and, presto, there is a "Swiss-made" sail. "Yeah . right!" says BOR. You can use those sails for training. But, if they show up on race day, there will be a protest and you know where this will end. Hearing this, Fred Meyer, Commodore of Ernesto's yacht club, decided denials would not suffice. So they opted for confession. Yes, the sails are made in Minden. But it does not matter because the "constructed-in-county" clause of the Deed-of-Gift refers to vessels, not sails. At the same time, Meyer agreed to have a sit-down meeting with BOR to discuss sails and other issues - such as whether Dogzilla is a sloop. When BOR challenged for the Cup, they claimed they would show up with sloop (i.e. a single-masted sailing vessel). "So . is it a sloop?" asks Meyer. "With all those hinges in the wing .. err, um, yea . we had better discuss it." You want to criticise our sail. So we talk about your wing. What`s new? At any sit down meeting, if BOR orders coffee, Alinghi will have tea. If BOR says noodles for lunch, Alinghi says rice. Like meetings between Palestinians and Israelis, the meetings are always "cordial". But rarely result in decisions honoured by both sides. BOR will not overlook the fact Alinghi has sails made in the USA. However, until Alinghi commits the crime - crosses the start line - they are not guilty. Hence, the BOR warning shot is just that. Later, BOR counsel will say "Yer honour . we warned 'em .." => Curmudgeon's Comment: For the Buttheads interested in what the broadcast options will be for the 33rd America's Cup, Scuttlebutt contacted Alinghi spokesman Paco Latorre, who replied, "We are currently working on plans for media and television for AC33. We will keep you updated as soon as details are final." UNDERSTANDING WEATHER CYCLES With 135 entries listed to begin racing at Key West 2010 on January 18th, there is only one hailing from Key West, FL. Talk about a lack of local knowledge! For the remaining 99% of the fleet, Matt Sanders of Sailing Weather Service believes that to get an edge, the time to start tracking the weather cycles is now. Said Sanders, "Very consistent sailing conditions are frequently experienced during Key West Race Week. Often nailing subtle wind shifts is the key to success. The typical Key West weather in January follows a relatively simple and predictable cycle lasting between five and seven days. Predicting individual shifts is difficult, but a general understanding of the weather patterns can be a big help in defining what shifts you will experience. "To understand the cycle, let's say that the first day of racing finds a recently passed cold front stationary or dying south of the racing area. At the same time, a high pressure center would likely be building in the northern Plains and sweeping toward the southeastern U.S. coastline. This weather pattern often brings cool temperatures and a cloudy sky to Key West. Winds would be northerly with gusty and shifty conditions. The wind speed will normally start the day fresh, say 15 to 20 knots and maybe more, but decrease with time." -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/y9b9qp9 ONE YEAR FREE SAIL CARE & REPAIR WITH YOUR NEW NORTH SAIL North Sails is offering FREE sail care & repair WORLDWIDE on all new North sails purchased starting January 1, 2010.* This bold new program is a testament to two important cornerstones of North Sails' worldwide leadership in sailmaking: 1. North Sails makes high quality products and... 2. We stand behind every sail we build. Now, when you hoist your new North sail, you'll experience performance AND peace of mind. *Online registration is required. Some restrictions apply. For more information, visit http://www.na.northsails.com SAILING SHORTS * Sydney, Australia (January 5, 2010) - The nor'easter kicked in on day three at the CST Composites International 14 World Championship with winds gusting to 30, and a strong ebb tide providing difficult, steep seas in The Sound. Mark Krstic/ Andrew Wilson (AUS) won their race to hold the overall lead in the Qualifying Series. Currently in fourth overall, Ben Austin/ Peter Nicholson (AUS) incurred a rigging park incident when their carbon mast touched overhead powerlines, frying their rigging, damaging the spar, and nearly electrocuting Austin. Lacking luck was defending world champ Archie Massey (AUS) breaking a jib halyard and Rob Greenhalgh (GBR) breaking a spinnaker pole. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/yc6f9fx * Freeport, Grand Bahama (January 5, 2010) - On the second day of the 2010 Seiko 49er and 29er World Championship two races were completed for the 62 49ers and 35 29ers on a day that saw winds in the teens but gusting to the 20s and 30s. After five races, Stevie Morrison/ Ben Rhodes (GBR) are atop the 49ers and Oscar Haumann/ Taus Holtug (DEN) lead the 29er fleet. -- Results: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8809#8809 * US SAILING's Olympic Sailing Program will host five training camps in 2010 for young sailors who are on an Olympic track or are interested in launching an Olympic campaign in the future. These sailors will have the opportunity to train with the 2010 US Sailing Development Team (USSDT), which will be announced next week, and be coached by Olympic Sailing Program and high-level coaches. The goal of the clinics is to provide young athletes with the tools they need to take their sailing to a new, elite level and achieve top, international results. -- Full details: http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/Releases/Development_Training_Camps.htm * The World Sailing Speed Record Council announced the ratification of a new World Kite-board Record of 50.98 knots set by Alexandre Caizergues (FRA) on November 14, 2009 at Luderitz, Namibia. Caizergues broke the previous record of 50.57 knots that he set in 2008. -- http://tinyurl.com/y8fesqu * The Notice of Race for the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race, which starts on June 18, has been posted at BermudaRace.com alongside a report of a recent survey of race veterans revealing high satisfaction with the historic "thrash to the Onion Patch." The entry period runs from January 18 to March 30. As in recent years there will be five divisions: St. David's Lighthouse (amateur), Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (professional), Cruiser, Double-Handed, and Open (cant keel). One of few international ocean races, this will be the Bermuda Race's 47th running since it was founded in 1906. The last race in 2008 had 198 entries. -- http://www.BermudaRace.com * CORRECTION: From Eric Hall, in reference to his letter in Scuttlebutt 3000: "Before anyone busts me (I can think of my brother Ned who raced on Weatherly in '62 and the whole Intrepid '70 crowd), it was Gretel (I) in 1962. Gretel II was of course 1970." TRIVIA ANSWER Regarding the origins of college sailing, Chris Erickson provides the following details in a recent article: "College sailing started, understandably enough, with a sailing club at Yale in the 1880s. By 1930, intercollegiate sailing, then mostly in larger boats, was an established sport on the East Coast. By the 1940s, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was hosting regattas in a boat of their own design, the Tech dinghy. December 1941 is remembered as the month that the United States entered World War II. However, it also is the month in which the first-ever intercollegiate championship regatta was hosted on the West Coast, in Newport Beach." -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/y9p75fc DISCOVER: A TALE OF TWO ISLANDS Key West Race Week 2002: 76 F with 7-13 knots of breeze. Key West Race Week 2003: Low of 44 F and gusting 33. Make sure you're ready for either one. Our Microburst jackets and vests are perfect for those days when all you need is something to cut the wind and spray, while our Aegis gear just passed the Sydney-Hobart test with flying colors on board the super-maxi YuuZoo (and we're not kidding about the "flying" part - click here to see the video: http://tinyurl.com/yuuzoos2h). Visit http://www.AtlantisWeatherGear.com to find your perfect kit for Key West. Discover Your Atlantis 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 the Forum: (mars6hall; re, Eight Bells - Barton Beek) Losing Barton has hit me really hard. Under that crusty exterior was a huge heart (even with the pacemaker). He was responsible for helping Steve Carlson, Ken Young and me revamp the Los Angeles Star Fleet in 1976 which eventually lead to the California Yacht Club hositng the Star Worlds twice. The great legacy for Barton is that the Los Angeles Star Fleet continues to thrive. When I was the chairman of the 1983 Star Worlds, Barton was right there helping to guide the process and leading to a successful regatta. With Linda by his side, Barton participated and showed us all what it was like to be a true competitor in the corinthian spirit. The Star Class was his passion and one of the reasons it remains THE CLASS of yacht racing after 90+ years is the dedication and spirit of guys like Barton. I hope he catches all the shifts in the regatta in the sky! Post additional comments here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8793#8793 * From the Forum: (TL; re, Port-Line Start Boat) Ken offers some great advice in this article (in Scuttlebutt 3000), and with his racing, R/C, and coaching experience he backs it up. Our yacht club (Lauderdale YC) has recently been involved with helping run the Laser course for the youth Orange Bowl Regatta, and the first person who we sought advice from on running large and "extra large" fleets on one line, was Ken. Like the E22, past M24 and other large fleets we also added a mid-line boat that is able to call OCS boats, at his suggestion. Our starting arrangement takes the concept a step further and our pin boat displays all starting signals, flags, horns, and recalls in "synch" the main R/C to stbd. Thanks for the help Ken! Post additional comments here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8781#8781 * From Richard Blake: The article (in Scuttlebutt 2999) states "...I know there are a lot of people getting tired of the BMW Oracle Racing (BOR) team." I have enjoyed checking in on this website (Scuttlebutt), but if this is going to be the editorial view then maybe I should not bother. I am sure you have followed all the tactics used by SNG, and its impact on the Cup, so I won't recount them here. I'm not uneducated or an extremist. But, if you are going to lead with these kinds of stories as your work product I will rethink stopping by. Please write something in touch with reality. * From Bennet Greenwald: Contrary to the comments regarding BOR in Scuttlebutt 2999 (congratulations on longevity and quality) along with other sailors, I am very tired of the Swiss and their nonsense. While the arguments are frequently belittled as two billionaires bashing at each other and "who cares?" the reputation of the sport suffers mightily when someone cheats and gets away with it. Alinghi has been caught cheating on a number of occasions. The Alinghi lawyer's shenanigans and Butterworth's bellicosity to the contrary notwithstanding, the court has said "stop cheating". Unhappily the time and money costs of their bad behavior cannot be recovered - by BOR or by the rest of us who are stuck looking like fools. One of sailing's best qualities used to be on the water self regulation and a spirit of good sportsmanship. Things change - introduce the pros and teevee (which doesn't and won't work until we get to watch someone get killed) and all the economic pressure creates incentives towards cheating in order to win - money. It is important that pressure be resisted and that is precisely what the BOR team has accomplished at substantial cost to them. The inevitable cost to the sport's reputation (at least for elegance and grace - already in serious decline), and the rebound on to those of us who love it, should be laid at Alinghi's door. The courts have said so - decisively. Punch the Swiss some more - they have it coming. * From Frank Betz: The SNG dictate to force the American yacht to dock in the inaccessible Darsena cove in Valencia reminded me of a sleight directed toward Richard Nixon years ago, describing him as the kind of chap whose idea of helping to save an enemy drowning 200 feet offshore "by meeting him halfway" was to throw him a 100 foot line! CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. Special thanks to Melges Performance Sailboats, North Sails, and Atlantis WeatherGear. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
