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SCUTTLEBUTT 1601 - June 10, 2004Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest 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, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere. ISAF MID-YEAR MEETINGS The 2004 ISAF Mid-Year Meetings concluded on Sunday 6 June 2004, hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, USA. Meetings of the ISAF Executive Committee, Events Committee and Council were held over the four days. Here's a summary of just of the items discussed: Olympic Windsurfing Evaluation Event -Based on the feedback and evaluation in Torbole, the Evaluation Panel concluded that the current longboards do not reflect the latest trends in windsurfing and do not excite the sailors, warning that if longboards remain as the Olympic equipment then windsurfing racing will continue to decline. Similarly, the Formula boards are not suitable for racing in the range of wind strengths required for an Olympic sailing event. The Evaluation Panel presentation and recommendation focused on the new breed of "Hybrid" board - which has the light wind performance of long boards, combined with the planning capabilities of formula boards. The ISAF Council was advised that "Hybrid" boards excite the sailors and meet the needs of Olympic windsurfing, although at the present time there is not a suitable board. The Evaluation Team proposed specifications for a box rule, with development for two years, before identifying the specific design in 2006 which would be used for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition. However, the Events Committee and Council were uncomfortable with this proposal to delay the specification of the equipment beyond November 2004. Therefore, in order to propose a specific one-design at the 2004 November Conference, ISAF will be working with manufacturers to conduct a further Evaluation Event in September 2004 and identify a board that could be used at the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition. Olympic Equipment - Having determined the events for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition in November 2003, the Events Committee chaired by Bjorn UNGER (SWE) considered the equipment which has been put forward on the slate for consideration. The route preferred by the Events Committee was to present a specific Olympic Event and Equipment evaluation sheet which they will use to make their recommendation on the equipment for the 2008 Olympics when they reconvene in November 2004. The criteria provide a clear synopsis for the specific events, with the following generic equipment guidelines for all events: - Commonality between men's and women's equipment is beneficial when it is also appropriate - Suitable for racing in wind strengths from light (5 knots) to strong (25 knots) - Not unnecessarily expensive - Relatively easily transportable for type of equipment - Simple to ensure equipment is fair and conforms to rules, low equipment measurement costs at regattas - Suitability to be supplied equipment is an advantage - Spectator and media friendly - all events should be suitable for TV and newspaper coverage Moving forwards to November 2004, when the final decision on the 2008 Olympic equipment will be made, the slate remains as follows (present equipment listed in parenthesis): - Men's windsurfing:`Hybrid' Board, (Presently using Mistral) - Women's windsurfing: `Hybrid' Board, (Mistral) - Men's single-handed dinghy Finn, Laser Finn - Open single-handed dinghy Finn, Laser (Laser) - Women's single-handed dinghy: Byte, Europe, Flash, Laser Radial, Zoom (Europe) - Men's double-handed dinghy: 49er, 470, Snipe (470) - Open double-handed dinghy: 49er, (49er) - Women's double-handed dinghy: 49er, 470, Snipe (470) - Men's keelboat: Soling, Star, Yngling (Star) - Women's keelboat: Soling, Yngling (Yngling) - Open Multihull: Hobie 16", Tornado (Tornado) Coach Boat Rules - Continuing the desire to minimize any external influences on the sailors' performance at the Olympic Sailing Competition, the ISAF Events Committee considered the equipment which will be permitted to be carried onboard the Coach Boats, supporting sailors. The overriding principle is that coach boats shall be prohibited from carrying any electronic devices, with the exception of: - Any device for time keeping only; - Hand-held devices for wind measurement; - (electronic) compasses - photo camera(s); - video camera(s); - tape/digital voice recorder(s); - electronic stabilized binoculars; - any electronic equipment strictly related to the safe operation of the boat and engine. ISAF World Match Race Rankings - ISAF has approved an overhaul to the ISAF World Match Race Rankings, which will now include the results of the previous America's Cup. There is a lot more to this report posted on the ISAF website: http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=7295 AMERICA'S CUP One year after he unveiled the formation of a third French syndicate for the America's Cup 2007 with Bertrand Pacé, the French skipper Loïck Peyron announced today that Team France has stopped all Americas Cup activities. Bertrand Pacé, who had replaced Kiwi Hamish Pepper as tactician aboard NZL82 during the last America's Cup, has joined another syndicate and Loïck said he would not continue alone. "It was a difficult decision to make and the inciting factor was Bertrand Pacé", Loïck said. "Since the beginning, it's known that he received several requests - It was less risky for him - and when he announced me that he leaved the team, I decided to stop". In spite of his previous optimistic declarations, Loïck recognized that the main problem for the Team France was raising funds. - Cup in Europe website, http://www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/2007TF-LN3.htm UPGRADE YOUR OCKAMS While Ockam systems installed in the 1980's are still going strong, Ockam continues to develop new products and update existing components, firmware and software. Backward/forward compatibility has always been Ockam's approach to engineering, so your system can easily be brought up to 2004 spec (or ask about trade-in credit for older gear). Want to interface that new GPS and trade-in your Loran interface? Update version 14 CPU firmware for Unisyn V16? Or swap out your clip-in card type 005 displays for the amazing Matryx? Unisyn CPU to Tryad T1? Contact Tom Davis (tom@ockam.com) or view dealer listings at http://www.ockam.com THE TRANSAT On Tuesday night, three of the eleven 60ft trimarans racing in The Transat 2004 arrived in Boston. The top three boats - Geant (Michel Desjoyeaux), Sodebo (Thomas Coville) and Groupama (Franck Cammas) have all trounced the existing course record by finishing in under nine days - all taking over a day and half of the race record set four years ago by Francis Joyon. The Open 60 monohull fleet is also set to provide a tight finish. Mike Golding (Ecover) has increased his lead over Mike Sanderson (Pindar AlphaGraphics) and now leads the IMOCA yachts by just under 38 miles - approaching the North American coast on the same latitude as Boston. Third place Temenos (Dominique Wavre) is heading west on a similar latitude to Golding, but Sanderson has chosen to keep further north which may benefit him in the long run. Competition is also intense in the 50ft monohull fleet and Americans Kip Stone (Artforms) and Joe Harris (Wells Fargo-American Pioneer) have 7 miles between them. Stone re-took the lead Wednesday night and with 1055 miles to the finish line an intense match race looks set to develop. However, typical North Atlantic weather will hamper their progress across as long-range forecasts show a hard upwind slow to the finish. Standings @ 0300 GMT on June 10: ORMA 60 Multis: 1. Geant, Michel Desjoyeaux, finished; 2. Sodebo, Thomas Coville, finished. 3. Groupama, Franck Cammas, finished IMOCA Open 60 Monohulls: 1. ECOVER, Mike Golding, 562 miles to finish. 2. Pindar Alphagraphics, Mike Sanderson, 38nm distance to leader; 3. Temenos, Dominique Wavre, 56nm dtl Open 50 Multihulls: 1. Trilogic, Eric Bruneel, 864 mtf; 2. Gifi, Dominique Demachy, 203nm dtl Open 50 Monohulls: 1. Artforms, Kip Stone 1055 mtf; 2. Wells Fargo - American Pioneer, Joe Harris, 7nm dtl Event website: http://www.thetransat.com/ Scuttlebutt Photos captures the drama as Michel Desjoyeaux and Thomas Coville finish in Boston on Tuesday: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/0609transat/ SWEDISH MATCH TOUR - MATCH RACE GERMANY Langenargen, Germany - In light conditions, Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) got off to a fast start at the 8th annual Match Race Germany, posting a 3-0 record in winds that hardly topped 7 knots. He's now one-third of the way to winning the Mercedes Benz SLK 200 roadster offered to the skipper who can win 10 straight races. Four flights were completed as the wind came and went, and mostly went on this beautiful lake that borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria. But the flights weren't evenly distributed. Three were completed for Group B and one for Group A. The competitors largely praised the new Bavaria 35 Match yachts being used at the event. They replaced the Diamant 2000, a 24-footer. "The new boats are great. You wouldn't have been able to get the old fleet down to Kressbronn and back again and get this much racing completed," said Peter Gilmour. - Sean McNeill, http://www.swedishmatchtour.com/ Round Robin Standings - Group A (After 1 of 5 flights) 1. Gavin Brady/NZL, BMW Oracle Racing, 1-0 = Peter Gilmour/AUS, Pizza-La Sailing Team, 1-0 = Lars Nordbjaerg/DEN, 1-0 4. Tino Ellegast/GER, 0-1 = Karol Jablonski/POL, Toscana Challenge, 0-1 = Bertrand Pacé/FRA, Team France, 0-1 Group B (After 3 of 5 flights) 1. Jes Gram-Hansen/DEN, Team Denmark, 3-0 2. Luc Pillot/FRA, 2-1 = Michael Dunstan/AUS, OzBoyz Challenge, 2-1 4. Eric Monin/SUI, 1-2 5. Mathieu Richard (FRA), 1-2 6. Ray Davies/NZL, Team New Zealand, 0-3 NEWPORT TO BERMUDA - ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? Dedication. Passion. Raising the bar. Simply put, the Southern Service team of rigging experts are like no other. Experience true experience. Stop by our black rigging trailer onsite in Newport Shipyard this season. Get rigged and schedule a worldwide rig inspection. Consult with the pro's at 401-683-6966. http://www.southernspars.com WOMEN'S MATCH RACING WORLDS Annapolis, Maryland, USA -With the first round robin of 120 in the regatta finished Tuesday, along with the first 16 matches in the second round robin, fully 60 more matches were completed Wednesday in 8-12 knot winds under sunny skies. With a 7-1 record Wednesday, a dark horse victory may be brewing as 23-year-old Sally Barkow of Chenequa, Wisconsin, USA, and her team have risen to the top of this stellar fleet, just ahead of Danish sailor Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen. Weather permitting, race organizers expect to complete the second round robin and start the quarterfinal round Thursday, wherein the top eight will compete. Racing continues through Saturday. Standings after Round Robin 1 and 76 races of Round Robin 2 (Ties Not Broken): - Sally Barkow (#27), USA, (11-4), (8-2), 19 pts. - Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (#4), Denmark, (12-3), (6-4), 18 pts. - Paula Lewin (#9), Bermuda, (9-6), (7-3), 16 pts. - Elizabeth Kratzig (#23), USA, (6-9), (8-1), 14 pts. - Liz Baylis (#5), USA, (8-7), (6-3), 14 pts. - Betsy Alison (#8), USA, (9-6), (5-3), 14 pts. - Claire Leroy (#7), France, (8-7), (6-4), 14 pts. - Katie Spithill (#16), Australia, (8-7), (6-4), 14 pts. - Deb Willits (#20), USA, (8-7), (5-4), 13 pts. - Jenny Axhede (#12), Sweden, (8-7), (5-5), 13 pts. - Christelle Philippe (#15), France, (7-8), (4-5), 11 pts. - Carol Cronin (#18), USA), (10-5), (1-8), 11 pts. - Sabrina Gurioli (#10), Italy, (7-8), (1-8), 8 pts. - Nina Braestrup (#3), Denmark, (3-12), (4-6), 7 pts. - Linda Rahm (#19), Sweden, (5-10), (2-8), 7 pts. - Marie Faure (#6), France, (0-15), (2-8), 2 pts. Event website: http://www.santamariacup.org/ NEWS BRIEFS * Challenge Business and Sony announced a strategic technology partnership, with Sony equipment being fitted onto the entire fleet of Global Challenge race yachts. Onboard all 12, identical, 72ft race yachts will be a suite of Sony equipment including laptop computers, TFT screens, video cameras, digital stills cameras and audio systems, showcasing its Vaio hardware range. In addition to running key navigational and weather software, the systems will enable an audience of millions around the world to follow the action, via images and journals published on the official race web site. - http://www.challengebusiness.com/ * Frank Bohlen's second Gulf Stream update for this year's Newport Bermuda race is now available on the event website. Frank's insights are intended to help crews prepare for getting the most out of this current. The latest article is at http://www.bermudarace.com/links/2004note2.php. You can read all of Frank's articles, in addition to a useful list of Gulf Stream and weather related web sites, at http://www.bermudarace.com/links/streamweather.php * The Herreshoff Marine Museum/America's Cup Hall of Fame and the New England Section of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers has announced a "Call for Papers" from any persons interested in presenting their classic yacht restoration project at the first Classic Yacht Symposium, to be held at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol on April 1-3rd 2005. - http://www.herreshoff.org/ * Hayn Enterprises LLC, manufacturer of rigging, lifeline, and cable rail fittings, announced the hiring of Don Whelan & Associates of Bonita, California as a manufacturer's representative. Don Whelan & Associates will be responsible for the territory of California. - http://www.hayn.com/ OLSON 30 NATIONALS - SEATTLE 74-year old retired Canadian Air Force Officer, Trevor Hayward, won his first National Championship. Trevor won the 2004 Olson 30 National Championship, competing against 18 competitive teams from Canada and the West Coast of United States. Hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle, Trevor and his crew sailing their Olson 30 "M.O.F" outfitted with their first set of Ullman Sails, triumphed in the end to capture the title of 2004 Olson 30 National Champion. Are ready for the "Fastest Sails on the Planet"? Contact your local Ullman Sails loft or visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com 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 Annie Johnson: You published the names of all of the All-American coed and women's skippers but not the crews. I realize there are 19 of them but they work just as hard (or sometimes harder) than the skippers. All too often the skippers get the recognition and the crew gets little or none. So how about giving the crews a little recognition? Also, the sportsmanship and leadership award winners deserve a bit of recognition too. I realize space is limited but they deserve equal recognition. - http://www.collegesailing.org/nwicsa/na/awards.htm * From Robin Wallace: Congratulations are certainly due to Michael Desjoyeaux for setting a new record for singlehanded TransAtlantic racing. However, it should be remembered that the old record for the STAR was from Plymouth to Newport Rhode Island. Having to negotiate a course around the Nantucket Shoals at the end of the race put additional stress on the competitors and added to the distance. Thus the two records are not for the same course. * From Tony Chamberlain: I must take exception to an omission in Sail magazine's list of the 10 top places to sail. From May through October the waters of Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound are absolutely without equal. The wind freshens nearly every afternoon, and unlike many places on your list, in these waters one can go over the side for a swim at any time. Temperature is perfect. The beaching and fishing is also superb, and fog is relatively rare. - * From Geoffrey Emanuel (In response to Ian Walker's editorial on the high costs and increased professionalism of racing): I completely agree with him about the impact of increased professionalism. I don't agree about the adverse affects of costs. Look what's happening on the cruising side of sailing. For example, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of custom built sailing vessels over 100 feet which cost monumental sums of money. Money is not the primary issue, especially when one considers the exponential increase in global wealth over the past ten years. Racing at all levels is being impacted by the increasingly hard-core approach of all participants, whether they be personal junior sailing coaches training 13 year old Optimist sailors or increasingly skilled owner/ drivers and their paid professional tacticians. This approach to sailing was unheard of in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1960s, Ted Turner had the same impact on what was then a Corinthian sport of ocean racing where skippers wore coats and ties and dinner was baked in onboard ovens! The resulting quality of the competition has been driven to a level that very few can aspire to, regardless of how much money they can or will spend. * Jim Kelly, ESPN: I must take issue with the bad memory of Bob Bonney who claimed, "ESPN has never provided decent sailing coverage." Apparently he has forgotten our ESPN preview programs on the six American challenges in 1986 before the live Cup coverage from Perth. There were all those shows on Dennis Conner and Stars and Stripes and Rod Davis and Eagle and Buddy Melges and Heart of America and Courageous and Am 2 and, oh yes, Tom Blackhaller and Paul Cayard out of St Francis YC ... and then there was the challenger and defender semi's and finals and I think we were live on, oh yes, Sunbird in '87 for the Cup finals from Fremantle, and oh yes, live again in 2000 aboard Northstar from the Hauraki Gulf. Yep-we should give back all those Ace Awards! ps...there were many many years we did the Congressional Cup and the Liberty Cup and the Kennedy Cup from Annapolis ... and by the way-Gary's shows always deserve better! * From Ken Quant: By filming the pure fun of skiing down any mountain, and presenting it in a fast moving format with not-so-serious commentary, Warren Miller has done more to promote recreational skiing than any of the downhill Olympic race coverage. Who is sailing's Warren Miller? Curmudgeon's Comment: Too bad it isn't Warren, who was also a heck of a sailor in his day. I believe Warren's son Kurt, a 3-time College sailing All-American ('79, '81, '82), now runs their production company. "Heh Kurt, are you listening? Sailing needs you." * From Mark Eustis: Nothing personal toward Steve Johnson, but where I'm from, when we "commence yachting" we break out the rum and tonics (extra limes, please). But when we go racing, we usually share a warm Gatorade or a cold water with whoever's next to us on the rail. That said, I live in a town where "gone racing" is understood as to be a classifier of the sort of sailing you prefer, rather than the type of event in which you participate. But hey, them's what lives nearer a NASCAR track might confuse y'all's friends if y'all didn't specify y'alls were sailracin' 'stead of jus' racin'... * From Skip Allen: Yachting will always be yachting and a boater will always be a hat. THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant. |
