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SCUTTLEBUTT 3374 - Thursday, June 30, 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: Gowrie Group and Ullman Sails. RESOLVING TWO CONFLICTING REALITIES By Garry Hoyt, sailing innovator Young Olivia Constants tragic death that occurred last week while sailing a Club 420 in Annapolis reveals a need to analyze the unique differences occasioned by small boat downwind capsizes. In the usual upwind capsize the boat tips over to the point that the stabilizing power of crew weight becomes useless - the rig hits the water and skipper and crew literally fall out of the boat - usually on top of the sail. This is generally a slow motion process where all involved can see and feel what is going to happen. In contrast, the small boat downwind capsize to windward (grimly labeled the 'death roll') is very sudden, with the rig slamming hard into the water with enough force to often invert or 'turtle' the boat. And instead of the crew falling slowly out of the boat and onto the sail - both the sail and the hull crash violently on top of the crew. In this instance the life saving flotation force of the mandatory life jacket abruptly becomes a life threatening force that pins the wearer under the boat and sail, blocking the necessary under water escape. You literally have to dive under the water to get out and your life jacket will perversely prevent that. This situation is exacerbated by any hook up like a trapeze, and all floating or dangling lines of halyards create an immediate threat of entanglement. The dilemma here is how to resolve two conflicting realities. - A life jacket is essential to preserving life when separated from the boat. - A life jacket can become a death jacket when its flotation power prevents the wearer from separating themselves from the overturned boat. I can report from personal experience that it is very difficult to visualize the extreme underwater chaos presented by an upside down fully rigged sailboat with halyards, sheets and loose gear all dangling down in ways to ensnare the unwary. The fact that this situation is mercifully rare is of small comfort if your son or daughter is involved. Nor is the prompt presence of a rescue powerboat a solution in this situation. For a crew trapped under a turtled hull and rig, somebody has to be ready to very quickly dive under to get them out in conditions of low visibility. That somebody also has to be a very good swimmer and free diver - equipped with mask and flippers - and preferably unencumbered by a life jacket. All sailors need to be made aware that when their craft capsizes to windward when sailing downwind, special dangers of entrapment are created because the rig and hull come over on top of you. This calls for quick release life jackets and training that makes all participating sailors aware of how quickly that situation can turn fatal. This is a new burden that all responsible regatta organizers should provide for. -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=12147#12147 I AGREE AND I AGREE, OH; AND I AGREE A THIRD TIME By Brad Van Liew, 2010-11 Velux 5 Oceans winner I read the Sailing World report by Tim Zimmerman's in Scuttlebutt 3373, and as the title above states, "I agree!" I wish Joe Harris all the best with his new effort to compete in the Class 40-based Global Solo Race 2013-14, and to anyone else who wants to commit to the astronomically difficult task of professional grade shorthanded racing as an American. Bring it; we need you and want Americans involved in this part of sailing. As the first American to finish three solo circumnavigation races I am now in uncharted territory and am ready to dig deeper if the interest in American participation is real. That means that I feel ready to engage at the highest level with the Europeans (and feel that I can)! But we need to be able to find the financial support to fund a competitive Vendee Globe program (solo, non-stop in Open 60s) to make that a reality. The sponsorship and the experience is what Americans are missing. Fortunately, I have the experience part, but unfortunately, we don't have the corporate investment. Which by the way, I find a bit shocking. Over the last 15 years we have done everything under the sun to find corporate partners to support top tier U.S. solo racing: hired US sponsorship agents, European agents, personally invested, borrowed and employed more creative financial strategies than you want or need to know about. but the U.S. corporate environment remains risk averse. Without the selfless abandonment that it takes from people like Bruce Schwab, Tim Kent, Rich Wilson, Derek Hatfield, Steve Pettengill, Dodge Morgan, Mark Schrader, David White (who by the way created the BOC Challenge back in the day) and Mike Plant, North America would be dead in this form of competitive sailing. I find it very sad when Joshua Slocum invented the idea as an American! There is nothing more radical than blasting around the planet on an Open 60 by yourself. It is as extreme as the world gets, and I would love the chance to do it again at the highest level. But, guess what? For that to happen, and really try, and I mean really try, to kick some very well trained and prepared European ass, it is going to take a well funded program with real financial support. There is just no way to compete at the level the high end European programs compete at without the same resources. And while Tim's comments on the evolution of the BOC/Around Alone/Velux 5 Oceans indicate a valid decline in entries and interest, I also believe in supporting the brave and loyal sponsors that continue to invest in the sport for good reasons. The racing was intense and more competitive than you may think (to still be seen at www.velux5oceans.com). So, kudos to Velux for their HUGE investment in the race and all they did to activate their sponsorship with meaningful branding and client hospitality worldwide. PURCHASE ONE-DESIGN INSURANCE INSTANTLY ONLINE FROM GOWRIE NEW! Gowrie Group just launched a One-Design website which enables sailors to customize their coverage, get an instant quote, and buy an insurance policy online - all in a matter of minutes. This One-Design insurance program is endorsed by US SAILING and is available to 135 one-design classes. $300,000 in liability coverage is standard on all policies, with an option to buy up to $2 million. Sail smart this season and protect your boat and lifestyle with an insurance policy designed specifically for one-design sailors. Get an instant quote and purchase the policy online now at: http://www.gowrie.com/onedesignquote GOVERNMENT REGULATION By Lenny Rudow, Boats.com The U.S. Coast Guard is currently considering regulations that would make engine cut off lanyards mandatory on boats 26 feet and under. Everyone's surely seen these cut off lanyards, which attach to a kill switch and are triggered if the captain is thrown from the boat. In fact, it'll be tough to find a boat under 26 that doesn't already have the lanyard and kill switch installed - all of the major engine manufacturers have been using them for decades. The down-side? Tethered to the helm you can only move a few feet in either direction before triggering the kill switch, and it's quite common to accidentally trip it. This issue can be overcome with the use of an aftermarket wireless kill switch, like the Autotether, which uses a personal sensor you can clip to your clothing and a wireless receiver that clips onto the boat's ignition switch. It isn't triggered until you fall overboard, giving you full freedom of motion around the boat. Considering the prevalence of kill switches on modern boats, some people will wonder why a government agency feels it's necessary to create mandates that are already being fulfilled. The answer lies in Coast Guard proposal Docket No. USCG-2009-0206 RIN 1625-AB34, which consists of 6,147 words yet covers precious little ground we haven't already touched on in the above two paragraphs. Can you say: boring? Lucky for you, I've already slogged through it to find the one tidbit of info that counts... read on: http://tinyurl.com/Boats-com-062911 SAILING SHORTS * Sylt, Germany (June 29, 2011) - After two days of racing at the 2011 IKA Kite Course Racing World Championship, the American contingent is holding four of the top five positions in the Open Division Men after five races. Leading the charge with four first place finishes is John Heineken. -- Full story: http://waterhound.com/kitesurfing/kitesurfing-lifestyle/4040.html * Cagliari, Sardinia (June 29, 2011) - Clear skies and a gentle breeze welcomed the 15 teams competing in the RC44 Cagliari Cup, third of the five event 2011 Championship Tour. With one day of match racing scheduled into the event, the fleet raced six flights with four teams coming away undefeated; Team CEEREF, Oracle Racing, Katusha and Team Aqua. Fleet racing will commence Thursday through July 3rd. -- Full story: http://www.rc44.com/news/view/sizzling_start_in_cagliari * U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) recently gave public support to a proposal to ban boat waste discharge in Lake Ontario. Untreated waste discharge is already banned in Lake Ontario, but the state's Department of Environmental Conservation is pushing for no discharge whatsoever. According to an article in the Democrat and Chronicle, boaters would have to use one of the 37 pump stations on the New York side of the lake to remove wastes from on-board holding tanks if the DEC proposal is approved. http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=2790649 * More than 160 of the World's top Paralympic sailing talents are ready to stake their claim for supremacy as the IFDS Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships 2011 get underway in Weymouth and Portland. No fewer than 96 boats from 30 nations will compete in the three Paralympic classes - 2.4mR, SKUD and Sonar - in what is the final opportunity for athletes to qualify for the 2012 Paralympic Sailing Competition. Racing gets underway on Sunday 3 July with 11 races in total scheduled for each class (two races per day Sunday-Thursday and one race on Friday 8 July). -- Full story: http://www.sailing.org/36172.php CORRECTIONS * In Scuttlebutt 3373, it was reported that the 2011 Transpac Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu would have three staggered starts. Actually, the race will have only two starts, with the slower boats starting on July 4th and the faster boats beginning on the 8th. -- http://www.transpacrace.com * In Scuttlebutt 3373, Bob Black said "Tom Ehman was the honcho of the U.S. Sailing Team at the 1984 Olympics which went on to win a record of three golds and four silvers out of seven classes..." This led to a flurry of emails from members of that team - Robbie Haines, Edward Trevelyan, Carl Buchan, Robert Hopkins, and Gary Knapp - to clarify the information. Each of the sailors echoed the comments of Jonathan R. Harley, who was the Olympic Director for USYRU in 1984: "Sam Merrick was the Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Yachting Committee and Team Leader of the 1984 US Olympic Yachting Team. He was the individual behind the success of that team, having worked tirelessly to rebuild the program following the 1980 boycott." As for Tom Ehman, his role in 1984 was significant too, as he was the Executive Director of the US Yacht Racing Union (now US SAILING) and was the Secretary to the Olympic Jury. CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Is your event listed on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar? This free, self-serve tool is the easiest way to communicate to both sailors and sailing media. These are some of the events listed on the calendar for this weekend: Jun 30-Jul 4 - Extreme Sailing Series - Boston, MA, USA Jul 1-2 - Lake Huron International Regatta - Port Huron, MI, USA Jul 2-8 - Bayfield Race Week - Bayfield, WI, USA View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATES The Industry News category of the Scuttlebutt Forum provides an opportunity for companies to announce new products and services. Here are some of recent postings: * Stratis from Doyle Sails selected for Volvo Ocean Race * Tacktick acquired by Raymarine * Subscrub - Worlds only underway sailboat hull scrubber View and/or post Industry News updates here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/industry_news A SOLID SCORECARD AT LONG BEACH RACE WEEK Ullman Sails customers proved their prowess on the racecourse last weekend, collecting hardware in several one design and PHRF classes at 2011 Long Beach Race Week! Tim Carter's "Team Viral" dominated the Viper 640 class with Chris Winnard securing second. David Michaelis' "Mako" sealed his Schock 35 win in a 7-boat fleet, and John Laun's "Caper" won a fierce battle in the J/120 fleet in a tie-break. Geoff Longenecker returned to racing with a bang, winning PHRF 3 by 10 points. And Ullman Sails powered a clean sweep of the J/105 podium led by Gary Mozer's "Current Obsession 2". http://www.ullmansails.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 Greg Fisher, Director of Sailing, College of Charleston: Thank you for posting the 'Eight Bells' for Edgar Cato in Scuttlebutt 3372. I met Edgar only once this winter at Carolina Yacht Club during a tribute to him hosted by his longtime sailing team mates. It was obvious that the friendships and relationships they all had developed over the many years of racing together meant much more to him than all the regatta wins they had accumulated (and that was quite an impressive list!). Edgar was a gracious sportsman and he enjoyed all the right things that the sport had to offer, and supported it in areas that meant the most to him. The College of Charleston Hissar Sailing program (apply named for his many Hissar boats) is one program that Edgar supported and we are forever grateful for his enthusiasm. Because of his generosity, our program, like Edgar's legacy, will remain strong and be able to offer many students the continued opportunity to enjoy the sport just as Edgar had. * From Mike Mergenthaler: (re, junior safety thread) I'm a former member of Severn Sailing Association, have every confidence the Jr Program will survive and thrive after this tragedy. Hal's statement makes clear the Club has the leadership and dedication to pursue any changes possible to improve safety. As we all go to the "Fourth of July Regatta" held at every sailing club around the country, I humbly suggest three things: a moment of silence for Olivia Constants at the Skipper's Meeting; to not use this tragedy to scare our children but as a teaching moment on safety; and to hug our Junior sailors an extra time before pushing them off the dock. * From David Elliott: As a Canadian and a long-time follower of the America's Cup, I admit that I am sensitive about the "Arm of the Sea" requirement, as it was added after two very disappointing Canadian challenges based on the Great Lakes. So I would like to remind those writers who feel that Alinghi's challenge didn't meet this requirement, that the requirement was first relaxed in 1987 for Buddy Melges' Wisconsin-based challenge. * From Tom Priest: In the story 'Racing Solo For America' in Scuttlebutt 3373, Tim Zimmerman said, "Brad van Liew deserves enormous credit and respect for flying the flag over the past few years, and for being the one American to get to the top of the podium in a major solo global race, albeit the increasingly lame BOC/Around Alone/Velux 5 Oceans, and soon to be Purina Cat Chow Global Cruise (kidding, but it feels like it's headed that way)." WOW! That is a bit harsh! True, attendance may have been down...and the world economy was certainly of no help...but the competitor's who DID show up put their best foot forward and commentary like that is simply not fair. Count the number of Mount Everest climbers and compare that to the number of solo sailors who have circumnavigated..."If it was easy, everyone would do it"...These people do not deserve to be described in such terms, as their achievement is beyond reproach. The format (BOC/AA/Velux) may be struggling (for now) but the competitors were NEVER 'cruising'. * From Steve Reed: Regarding real-time vs delayed position reporting in ocean races such as the Transpac Race (as mentioned in Scuttlebutt 3373), I lost interest in ocean racing because I could not see the competition. Would you enjoy buoy racing with invisible opponents? Real-time position reporting might make ocean racing fun again. * From Andrew Troup: "Many people find themselves on a boat that misses a few shifts and is pretty far behind early in the race with a long way to go," notes Alan Andrews' in Scuttlebutt 3373, arguing for a three hour delay at most before position reports become public in the 2011 Transpac Race. I wonder what's better: to try and decode the mystery for yourself at the risk of stuffing it up, or to traipse along in the footsteps of the sport's giants, forgoing the uncertainties attendant on trying to forge your own path, and trading them away for a remarkably pallid alternative to authentic success? Isn't it the difficulty which makes the occasional success (relative to expectations) truly rewarding? And given that sailing runs second only to swimming as the slowest way to get across an ocean, what's so terrible about being one of the less fast slowpokes? Finally, anyone who makes the decision to demystify makes it on everyone's behalf. It would be pretty artificial to pretend that demystification was not a mouse click away. * From Matthew Reid: (re, story in Scuttlebutt 3373) I am really happy to see that Laird Hamilton is going to be part of the Puma Team. He is by far, the definitive waterman and someone most surfers, paddle-boaders, tow-in surfers, etc. aspire to. I have lived in Hawaii for 26 years now, and in the same way that sailing does, living in Hawaii has given me a couple of chances to rub shoulders with a living legend. Laird and others like him - Buzzy Kerbox, Mark Foo, Jose Angel, Eddie Aikau, Nainoi Thompson, the Kealoha's, etc. - have all gone beyond what people thought possible. I foresee great things for the Puma team, especially now with Laird is 'at the helm' of fitness and nutrition. Pomaika'i, Team Puma! CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Man blames fate for other accidents, but feels personally responsible when he makes a hole in one. SPONSORS THIS WEEK IYRS - APS - North Sails - Atlantis WeatherGear - Gladstone's Long Beach The Pirates Lair - Quantum Sails - Melges Performance Sailboats Gowrie Group - Ullman Sails - New England Ropes - USSTAG Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
