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SCUTTLEBUTT 2096 - May 17, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.BMW ORACLE RACING TAKES TOP PRIZE Valencia, Spain -- The American BMW Oracle Racing team has won the Louis Vuitton Act 10 in Valencia. The Americans beat Luna Rossa Challenge in Flight 11 to move into a four-way tie with the other leading teams. Although they have sailed one less match than the other teams, BMW ORACLE Racing pops out the top on the tie-breaking procedure to confirm the winning spot. It's the first Louis Vuitton Act victory for BMW ORACLE Racing since the opening Act in Marseille in 2004, when there were just six teams competing. The American team will likely still sail its last match, scheduled for Wednesday, against +39 Challenge, to improve its position on the challenger rankings, although it won't affect the overall results for Act 10. If the Americans win on Wednesday they finish clear ahead on points in both the Act and for the Louis Vuitton Challenger Rankings. Equal tonight on nine points with BMW Oracle Racing is Luna Rossa Challenge, Emirates Team New Zealand and Alinghi. Under the tie-breaking rules, the championship is decided on the best performance in head to head matches between the tied teams. BMW Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa both have 2 -1 records, and as the Americans beat Luna Rossa, they end up on top, with the Italians in second place. Emirates Team New Zealand ends up third by virtue of defeating Alinghi in their match. FLIGHT 10 BMW Oracle Racing beat Desafío Español 2007, 00.25 sec Alinghi beat Victory Challenge, 02.33 Luna Rossa beat Emirates Team New Zealand, 01.08 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team beat Shosholoza, 00.15 Areva Challenge beat China Team, 01.48 +39 Challenge beat United Internet Team Germany, 00.38 FLIGHT 11 Desafío Español 2007 beat Victory Challenge (Did Not Finish) BMW Oracle Racing beat Luna Rossa, 01.38 Emirates Team New Zealand beat Alinghi, 00.16 Team Shosholoza beat China Team, 01.27 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia beat United Internet Germany, 02.28 +39 Challenge beat Areva Challenge, 00.31 ACT 10 RESULTS 1. BMW Oracle Racing, 9-1 2. Luna Rossa Challenge, 9-2 3. Emirates Team New Zealand, 9-2 4. Alinghi, 9-2 5. Desafío Español 2007, 6-5 6. Victory Challenge, 6-5 7. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team, 5-6 8. Team Shosholoza, 4-7 9. +39 Challenge, 3-7 10. Areva Challenge, 3-8 11. United Internet Team Germany, 2-9 12 - China Team, 0-11 Event website: http://www.americascup.com ALINGHI STILL HOLDING THE ACES BMW Oracle’s victory in Louis Vuitton Act 10 proves that America’s Cup racing is not always won on pure speed. Pundits around Valencia have been marvelling at the ability of USA-87 to turn through an incredibly tight turning circle – a valuable trait not only for pre-start manoeuvring but for executing the killer move that Chris Dickson pulled on the Italians aboard Luna Rossa. As for straightline boatspeed, observers thought the Kiwis’ new boat looked pretty tasty, while USA-87 and ITA-86 appeared to struggle at times. But no one really knows what subtle games are being played out there. Without actually saying it, Chris Dickson hinted in a press conference at the beginning of the week that they might not be revealing their full hand. Sandbagging is definitely on the agenda at this stage. At times, USA-87 has looked quite ordinary and at others quite extraordinary. A few people round the media centre certainly believe Dickson is holding back. Alinghi’s fourth-place finish doesn’t sound great, but the challengers remain concerned about Swiss potential. SUI-75 is still a good boat, as McKee pointed out. “She’s not slow, and they still have two new boats to come, so they’re not in a bad position, but for sure the gap has been closed. That’s good news for all of us and probably good news for the event too.” Terry Hutchinson was less optimistic. “You have to wonder what they have sitting in that shed over there. They were at least half a generation ahead of everyone in 2005, so if they make another generation jump, they’ll be another half-generation ahead of where the challengers are now. They’re obviously very good at what they do, so I think we all have our work cut out. Vasco Vascotto, skipper of Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia, was most forthright of all. He belittled the design efforts of the big challengers. “Alinghi continues to be the benchmark. This means that the strongest teams have already thrown away a new boat just to get to where Alinghi was. -- Excerpts from a summary by Andy Rice, full story: http://sailing-talk.blogspot.com QUOTE / UNQUOTE “All today’s racing demonstrates is that no one is unbeatable in this competition. We didn’t come here expecting to win every match. We’re also here to look and learn. I would be disappointed after a loss if we had learned nothing. It’s all part of the building process to 2007.” -- Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand COMFORT ZONE The discussion about the style of hiking that has developed in the class has been ongoing both publicly and within the class. The Executive Committee has decided to lead the resolution of the discussions. It is intended to put forward for consideration a proposal to tighten the hiking lines following the feedback from Harry Melges after sailing in Santa Cruz. He tried the boat with taut hiking lines: “We had two boats and we tightened the hiking lines so they were completely tight. It was unanimous that everyone that sailed on either boat thought it was great. We had girls and guys sailing and everyone thought it was much better than hiking over the lines when they are loose. With the tight lines you just press into them, you keep your butt on the deck and it is much more comfortable and civilized.” Although the wording has not yet been finalized, the Executive Committee is intending to propose a rule change for consideration and voting at the AGM in August in Hyères. -- Excerpts from a report by David Chivers, IMCA Technical Advisor, http://www.melges24.com/displayarticles.asp?year=2006&id=1001 TRIVIA QUESTION At a 1962 dinner celebrating the America’s Cup, who was it that made the following speech: “I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it’s because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it’s because we all came from the sea. All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and therefore we have salt in our blood sweat and tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether to sail or watch it – we are going back from whence we came.” (Answer below) FASTER THAN TWO SPEEDING BULLETS First Don Finkle/Gary Tisdale and their team on “Fandango” took the Beneteau 36.7 class at San Diego NOOD with Doyle sails. Then Charles Bayer and crew on “Grizzly” took the 36.7’s at the Annapolis NOOD. Are you ready for fast sails and a tuning setup that’s right for your boat and right for local conditions? Call us at 1-800-DOYLE, or click here to see how we’re helping Beneteau 36.7 owners across the country go bullet-fast: http://www.doylesails.com/beneteau36.7-home.htm FAST FINISH A fast finish into Portsmouth is what the competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race are looking forward to. And the weather forecasts are indicating that their wish may be granted. Mike Sanderson, skipper of leading boat ABN Amro One says it looks like the fleet will be flying down the Solent on Saturday in 25 plus knots of breeze, which would make a change from the light wind finishes experienced so far. “How cool would it be to come smoking down the Solent with gennakers up,” he says. But Sanderson is playing it carefully. “I need to keep reminding myself that we don’t have to win, just a good solid finish will do. We have to keep the ultimate goal in mind, and that is to win the Volvo Ocean Race,” says the skipper. Unfortunately, for movistar (Bouwe Bekking), the outlook is not so bright. “We will be running dead downwind for the next two days, meaning a bad angle, while the others have a reach and are sailing more or less on course to the Lizard,” wrote Bouwe Bekking. Movistar has logged just 282 miles in the last 24 hours while all of the others are well over 300 miles -- and ABN 1 just one mile short of a 400-mile day. -- http://www.volvooceanrace.org Volvo Ocean Race Positions at 2200 Tuesday: 1. ABN Amro One, Mike Sanderson, 1720 miles to finish 2. Ericsson Racing Team, Neal McDonald, +59 miles 3. Brasil 1, Torben Grael, +104 miles 4. Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard, +139 miles 5. ABN Amro Two, Sebastien Josse, +184 miles 6. Brunel, Matt Humphries, + 188 miles 7. movistar, Bouwe Bekking, +269 miles QUOTE/ UNQUOTE ABN1 has sailed a very smart leg so far. I always say it doesn't matter where they go but this time they definitely figured out the weather better than the rest of us.” -- Paul Cayard, Pirates of the Caribbean skipper THEY’VE DONE IT AGAIN After wrestling with the problem for a couple of days, Dee Caffari’s shore team has solved the problem with the #1 auto-pilot as Dee attempts to become the first woman to sail solo and non-stop westwards round the world. “They had a bypass for the solenoid and then I had to reattach the ram and try the pilot,” Dee reported. “The trick however is that with the ram from pilot 1 in place you can only steer with the pilot and you are unable to steer by hand or with the other pilot. That was a top tip that I must remember. My tears were tears of joy, relief, and tiredness and pent up emotions from the last 48 hours.” Scuttlebutt has just received the following information clarifying the arrangements for Caffari's homecoming: “Dee Caffari set off from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth on 20th November 2005. Gunwharf Quays hosted a fantastic send off for Dee and it was hoped that she would be able to return to the same venue. However, due to the uncertainty of the date of her return and the possibility of this date coinciding with the Volvo Ocean Race's fleet being based at Gunwharf Quays an alternative return venue needed to be found. It was agreed by all parties concerned that to host the two events at the same venue would not be practicable. “The Aviva Challenge team reviewed all suitable options and Ocean Village Marina, another venue which has also hosted many great sailing occasions, met all the requirements for this much-anticipated event. We hope all those following Dee will be able to join us for the celebrations. The current estimated date for Dee's return to Southampton is Sunday 21st May 2006.” -- Aviva Challenge Team, http://www.avivachallenge.com ANOTHER FIRST On Friday May 12, four Kiteboarders; Adam Koch, (Los Angeles, CA), Chip Wasson (Berkeley, CA), Jeff Kafka (Pacifica, CA) and Steve Gibson (Mountain View, CA), attempted the first-ever circumnavigation of the Farallon Islands by Kiteboarders. Launching from Drakes Bay on Point Reyes at 11:40 a.m. the team, supported by four boats rounded the South East Farallon Island by 1:15 p.m.. Koch and Wasson were able to successfully work their way though a portion of light wind several miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge and land in San Francisco at Crissy Field beach. Kafka and Gibson, on slightly smaller kites and boards, floated in the waters outside the bridge for over an hour but were unable relaunch their fallen kites in the 5 m.p.h. light winds and were picked up and brought in by their support boats. The full team or riders and crew were all reunited at the St. Francis Yacht Club. The riders completed the 70+ mile journey in 4 hours and 30 minutes powered solely by kites and riding a 4 to 5 foot kiteboards. -- Full story: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2595#2595 ONLY A BACKDROP Newport Shipyard is only a backdrop for the biggest beauties in the world. Keewaydin, Knickerbocker, Morning Glory, Rebecca, ABN Amro, and Northern Star to name a few. We try as hard as we can to shine at the Shipyard, but in the looks department our customers have us beat. Our job is to help these gleaming yachts run well and stay beautiful...That's our mission. Details at http://www.newportshipyard.com ONE MORE TIME (The Daily Sail subscription website spoke to double gold medallist Shirley Robertson about the latest challenge in her Olympic career. Here are a few excerpts.) If you have been to the Olympics four times, won two gold medals and become Britain’s most successful female Olympian of all time then there must be very few genuine challenges left. Luckily Shirley Robertson - who has ticked all the above boxes - has always been one to find challenges for herself. Earlier this year she announced that she was doing an Olympic campaign for the fifth time, with a new crew and she is having twins as well. She says at the moment she is obviously out of the Regatta circuit but after the twins are born - they’re due in July - she is keen to get back on the water and expects to be sailing with the team by September. Her commitment to Olympic sailing is obvious as she goes on to tell us she would have liked to do more regattas and if she was only having one baby she might have but admits that with two babies on the way it will all be a bit harder. It is obvious that Robertson has planned very carefully the logistics of this campaign but there remains the question mark over whether they as a team will have enough time on the water to stand a realistic shot at the Olympics. However, she is adamant that the time away from sailing will be very small. “My first regattas will be in 2007, but there are actually very few regattas on the Olympic circuit.” -- http://www.thedailysail.com SAILING SHORTS * The forecast at the ISAF World Sailing Games in Lake Neusiedl on Tuesday indicated a five knot breeze from midday onwards, but it failed to materialize until 1600, when all the fleets went out eager for some racing after an impatient wait on the shore. For the 49ers, the RS:X windsurfers and the Hobie Tiger fleet, races all took place, but elsewhere the wind died and competition had to be abandoned. -- www.worldsailinggames2006.at * Log on to www.Sail.tv this week to watch coverage of the ISAF World Sailing Games, in Austria, for free. Sail.tv will be showing daily news round-ups of the previous day’s racing at the ISAF World Sailing Games from 08.00-10.00 GMT, on Wednesday 17 – Friday 19 May 2006 in the run up to Saturday’s live coverage of the final. Log on to watch the final day of racing live on Saturday 20 May when yachting pundit Magnus Wheatley will provide exclusive live commentary. For those that miss the event, footage will be available for viewers to watch on demand. -- http://www.Sail.tv * The SL16 Class Association has chosen Mike Siau from Manlius, New York and Sara Newberry from Miami, Florida to represent youth from the United States in the first ever SLICA Gold Cup in La Baule, France July 21st - 25th. Youth sailors from around the country were asked to send their resumes of sailing experiences to a select committee for consideration several months ago. The team will sail on the new SL16 catamaran chosen by ISAF to be the new youth catamaran in future ISAF events. * US Sailing has determined the ranking system for the 2007 US Disabled Sailing Team. The 2007 ranking system identifies three qualifying events for each Paralympic class. US Sailing’s Pre-Trials and 2007 Rolex Miami OCR are two mandatory events for all classes. The classes currently selected for the 2008 Paralympic Games are the Sonar, the 2.4 Metre (Open Singlehanded), the SKUD-18 (Open Doublehanded), and the Sonar (Open Triplehanded). A complete overview of qualifying events for the 2007 US Disabled Sailing Team and the scoring policies are available at: http://tinyurl.com/h3b7w * The World Sailing Speed Record Council has recognized a new World Record route - Yokohama to Hong Kong. Olivier de Kersauson and seven crew recently established the time for that 1650 nm passage on the 90-foot trimaran Geronimo: 4 days 17 hours 47 minutes 23 seconds. TRIVIA ANSWER At a 1962 dinner celebrating the America’s Cup, it was American President John F. Kennedy who spoke of our affiliation with the sea. (This trivia question came courtesy of the book, “Bottoms Up!” by Robert McKenna. Book details are available at http://tinyurl.com/m568h) LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. For those that prefer a Forum, you can post your thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Brian Watkins: Regarding the Swiftsure post today, how about a discussion on race organizers requiring boats to have AIS transponders or go home. I'd like to see the ships, I'd like them to see me (once this info is displayed on their radars screens), but I'm not sure I'd like to electronically exchange position, speed, and course data within the racing fleet. Who wants to be down below at the computer when you could be sailing? If you've ever done Swiftsure you know you don't do it for the "race organizers, followers, or the general public." We're out there for ourselves and our competitors. This technology will be readily available soon, not just from race sponsors in the business, and while you may well decide it's an awesome idea you may also want it to be your decision. I'd like to know what other people think. * From Ray Tostado (Re AARP boat for Disney movie): I feel that suggesting that the standard of "senior sailors" rests upon AARP standards is unrealistic. Today, a bonafied "senior" should be post 65. Of course this is a trick challenge. We have the best and most experienced navigators and past winner tacticians. We can swap grinders every 30 seconds and helmsmen every 30 minutes; cause we have the best wines and meals. The "juniors" all under age 21 cannot indulge in same. We old guys have a pool of several hundred, while the young set is short of dozens. So come on, get us a boat. * From Linda Foran-Evans: It was nice to see the OLN segment on the Acura Miami Race Week that aired yesterday and today. Great shots, good sailing, and I can't wait until next year. Peter Craig, you and your team are doing a great job with sailboat racing in South Florida! We also loved the Key West Race Week and Volvo segments the week before. * From Steve Morton: Congratulations to the Antilles School Sailing Team (St. Thomas, VI) who recently won the equivalent of the HS National Championship at the Mallory Cup in Michigan. It may look natural for a team from a tropical island to excel at sailing, but these kids have worked tirelessly to reach the top. With very limited financial resources and small fleets to compete against locally, the core of the team has spent years traveling to the states to sail against the best. I’ve watched these kids since they were 6 years old when their dedicated parents helped to rig their Optis on Saturday mornings, and now see them selling hot dogs and calendars at the yacht club to raise money to get to the big events. Following in the path of better known St. Thomas sailing products, Anthony Koutoun and perhaps even Alinghi’s Peter Holmberg, is not a stretch for these kids. I have a feeling you’ll be seeing the names of Thomas Barrows, Cy Thompson, Taylor Canfield and Nate Rosenberg a lot in the next several years as it appears they will all be sailing for some of the top college programs in the country. They are great kids and have made our small yacht club very proud. CURMUDGEON’S COUNSEL “Don't eat anything that's served to you out a window unless you're a seagull.” -- George Carlin's Special thanks to Doyle Sailmakers and Newport Shipyard. |
