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SCUTTLEBUTT 1334 - May 21, 2003Powered 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 and personal attacks for elsewhere. REINSTATED Following a strong lobby from sailing officials, the President of the Pan American Sports Organizations has confirmed that the Sailing has received a one-time exemption that will allow events with a "technical equivalent" to those disciplines scheduled for the 2004 Olympic Regatta to remain. Pending approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee, all of the sailing events that were initially planned for the 2003 Pan Am Games will continue to be held with the exception of the Lightning Class. A letter from US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Committee chair Fred Hagedorn stated, "I am sure that all of you share our disappointment in the loss of the Lightning at the 2003 Pan Am Games. Though we are delighted that all of our efforts to fight the initial decision of the PASO were, for the most part successful, we are still saddened that the PASO would take such a draconian action in eliminating the Lightning with less than 3 months to go before the event. "We will continue to fight for the Lightning, though the likelihood of success is very low at this point. Regardless of our success in reinstating the Lightning in the 2003 Pan Am Games. Full letter: http://snipeus.org/snipedroppings/sd051903.htm THE TEAM Listed below by are the members of the USA's 2003 Pan Am Games Team-Sailing, who will compete August 1-17, 2003, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: - Hobie 16 (open doublehanded catamaran) Paul Hess and Mary Ann Hess - Laser (men's singlehanded dinghy) Benjamin Richardson - Laser Radial (women's singlehanded dinghy) - Sally Barkow - Mistral Men (men's windsurfer) - Peter Wells - Mistral Women (women's windsurfer) - Lanee Butler - Snipe (substituting for 49er) Henry Filter /Lisa Griffith - Sunfish (open singlehanded dinghy) Jeff Linton - J/24 (substituting for Star) Tim Healy / Nick Judson / Gordon Borges / Davenport Crocker All of the sailors who qualified for the 2003 Pan Am Games Team-Sailing, including Lightning sailors Brian Taboada (Island Heights, N.J.), Theresa Parker Colantuono (Portsmouth, R.I.) and Ryan Dunn (Brick, N.J.), become members of the 2003 US Sailing Team. - Jan Harley, www.ussailing.org/Olympics/ THE NEW AQUASPORT RANGE FROM DUBARRY New from the leaders in Marine Footwear - The Fiji and Coral models utilize Dubarry's award winning Cup Sole, dual stitched to a combination Dri-lex and leather upper; providing superior traction and lateral stability in an athletic styled deck shoe. Visit http://www.dubarryna.com/aquasport.htm WITH RESPECT TO SQUARE RIGGER - Bill Biewenga Although not aboard for this record attempt, I sailed on Great American II with Rich Wilson on his San Francisco to Boston and New York to Melbourne record passages. One element that has been overlooked is the fact that the G A II records are designed as multidisciplinary education programs. The primary mission is to bring K - 12 education alive. A unique aspect of the Great American II voyage is its Newspaper in Education program. Rich and his office produce a 1/4 page weekly piece that is distributed to contracted newspapers which publish it in the full run of their paper. On the day of publication each week, a classroom set of 25 papers is distributed to teachers who have signed up. Thus, reaching both schoolchildren and the general readership is guaranteed. This time, the following newspapers are publishing the 11 part weekly series. The numbers represent some of the teachers guaranteed to receive the classroom sets. LA Times (680), SF Chronicle (170), Seattle Times (529), Baltimore Sun (100), NY Newsday (50), Hartford Courant (150), Boston Herald (150), Eagle Tribune (165). The total readership of these papers is about 9 million. Through this mechanism (used on such programs as PACT95 for the America's Cup, over 2,000 teachers, 19 million weekly readers), Rich has raised awareness of sailing while bringing education alive. When the public is educated about the mariners who preceded us, it only raises our respect for the efforts of those who have gone before. - Bill Biewenga (BillBiewenga@compuserve.com), www.WxAdvantage.com TEAM NEW ZEALAND The (New Zealand) Government's offer of up to $34 million for another America's Cup challenge has received a decisive thumbs-down in an opinion poll taken in the past week. The greatest number, 43 per cent of those polled, believed no public money should be provided for another challenge. A further 25 per cent of the New Zealand Herald -DigiPoll survey would prefer the Government to contribute a lower amount. Only 11 per cent would like to see a larger grant. Following the cup loss this summer Sports Minister Trevor Mallard said up to $34 million could be provided to support Team New Zealand's fund-raising if it decided to mount another challenge. The decision is expected by the end of the year. The survey of 802 eligible voters nationwide found opposition to investment of public money in the cup increased markedly with age. Of voters under 40 years of age, 38.8 per cent were opposed. In the 40-60 age bracket, 41.4 per cent were against the idea and 55.9 per cent of over 60s wanted no taxpayers' money given to the challenge. Opinion was more sharply divided among men than women. More men than women supported a larger grant, but more men were also opposed to public money going to the cup. A larger number of women would be happy to see the team given something less than the $34 million offered. Nearly 20 per cent would be content to see a challenge given the same amount as previously. - New Zealand Herald, full story: www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyID=3503103 STILL HAPPENING Buddy Melges sailing with Tony Jewett, Katie Jewett and Chris Andert won the 2003 Lake Geneva Spring E-Scow Regatta in decisive fashion, being the only boat to stay in the top ten every race during the five race event. Fleets from as far as Colorado, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana joined the locals from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Winds were moderate to heavy from the East with brilliant sunny skies and temperatures were in the 60's and 70's - ideal spring racing conditions. Tony Jewett commented on sailing with Buddy Melges, "He was completely calm and cool, Buddy was pulling off amazing moves and saying "Did ya see that, did you see how I did that!". Tony asked him on the second day what he was thinking about going into the last day with a seven point lead, "I am thinking about getting home this afternoon and taking a nap". Final results (41 boats): 1. Buddy Melges, 17, 2. Gordy Bowers, 24, 3. Jim Gluek, 30, 4. Art Brereton, 34, 5. Brian Porter, 34. - http://www.e-scow.org/regatta/LGYC/LGresult03.htm TEAM ULLMAN SPEED ADVANTAGE! For 30+ years Ullman Sails has progressively grown into one of today's premier sailmakers. With lofts established throughout the world and new lofts being added, Dave Ullman and a loyal team of talented and dedicated followers have put Ullman Sails at the forefront of the sailmaking community. By utilizing the latest in cloth and construction technologies, Ullman Sails has developed the fastest and most durable sails possible. From local club sailing to international competition, give yourself the Team Ullman Speed Advantage. For great service and competitive pricing, call your nearest Ullman Sails loft or visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com AROUND ALONE Fine sunny weather has returned to Newport after two weeks of chilly, damp conditions, but the warm sunshine is having a hard time keeping the gloom out of the air. The Around Alone fleet is disbanding and moving on. Solidaires has left for France, Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America for New York. Bobst Group Armor lux is already half way across the Atlantic. In the next few days Pindar will leave for Europe under new management. The boat has been chartered to a French sailor for two years that will include another solo circumnavigation. Only the Tiscali crew remain hard at work getting the mast repaired and the boat ready for their trip across the pond to Italy. Out on the water Derek Hatfield has now passed the halfway stage of Leg 5 and is making great progress towards Newport. "I have passed the halfway point and now have less than 2000 miles to go to the finish," he wrote. "For the past four days the trade winds have really helped us along." Unfortunately for Hatfield the fine sailing will not last all the way to Newport. He too will have to face the transitions zone between the trade winds of the Caribbean and the frontal systems that come off the eastern seaboard of the United States. - Brian Hancock, Around Alone website, full story: http://www.aroundalone.com/raceviewer/archive/ For Spirit of Canada updates: www.spiritofcanada.net TRANSPAC G'day, mates, and no worries, say three Australian entries already signed up for the 2,225-nautical mile romp from Los Angeles to Honolulu. The turnout from Down Under features William Rawson's Helsal II, an Adams 60 from Melbourne; Rod Skellet's Krakatoa, a Young 32 from Sydney, and James and Jenny Neill's The Cone of Silence, an Australian Super 30 from Newport, New South Wales. All have extensive ocean racing records, including the Sydney-Hobart race. Additionally, from Hong Kong, Karl Kwok's new Farr-designed Transpac 52, Beau Geste, is on a ship from New Zealand bound for California. The crew includes Gavin Brady and several other world-class Kiwi sailors. Entries currently total 60, which would be the most since 64 boats sailed in 1985. - Sail-world website, full story: http://www.sail-world.com/ Event website: http://www.transpacificyc.org/ VANGUARD 15 MID-ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD - Final results after ten races with one discard (40 boats): 1. Mike Buckley, 33.00 pts 2. Chris Ashley, 36.00 3. John Mollicone, 67.00 4. Ryan Costello, 68.00 5. Geoff Becker, 71.00 http://www.v15.org/ VALET SERVICE It's not too late. We're geared up for quick turnaround in service, so if your displays are dim, bezels and fascia are cracked or UV damaged, connectors are green and corroded, or it simply makes sense to bench test the system components and install the latest firmware upgrades - we're ready. In many cases we can get things back to you by Friday if they're in our hands by Tuesday. Get the most out of your system this year. Contact Ockam's service expert Dave Wilcox (dave@ockam.com) to plan your tune-up. NEWS BRIEFS * Today the 19th SPA Regatta begins in Medemblik, the Netherlands. 864 boats and 1,200 competitors representing 60 nations, including 16 world champions, will compete in the eleven Olympic classes. In the Star class, the Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists from the Sydney Olympic came to the Netherlands to compete.- www.sparegatta.org/2003 * IMS appears to be alive and well … in Europe. Right now there are presently 63 boats racing in the IMS Rolex World Championship in the Mediterranean. - http://www.yccs.it/index.asp * The third biennial Charleston to Bermuda Race was supposed to field a record 20 starters, according to pre-race publicity, but only six boats made the start from the South Carolina port on Saturday for the 777-mile Gulf Stream crossing. - Sail Magazine website, full story: http://www.sailmagazine.com/news/NEWS/ Event website: http://www.charlestontobermuda.com/ CHALLENGE MONDIAL ASSISTANCE Standings at 0400 GMT on May 21: 1. Groupama, 10.2 miles from finish 2. Banque Populaire, 32.8 mff 3. Bonduelle, 71.4 mff 4. Géant 74.9 mff http://www.challenge-mondialassistance.com/uk/accueil_uk.htm 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 or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Peter Epstein: I was rather disappointed with the publication of the letter sent by Scott McLeod to the sailors on the match racing tour. Should Scutlebutt stoop to fuelling this disagreement publicly before a resolution is negotiated? Letters and arguments posed by Mr. McLeod are inflammatory and may contain inaccuracies that aid his argument yet tarnish those of the ISAF and its hard working executive. While often there are issues within any bureaucracy, there are often reasonable explanations for the positions taken. Please continue Scuttlebutt's excellent reporting of situations, events, and developments in sailing but do not get involved in disagreements by only publishing one side of the argument! It is balance in journalism that readers anticipate; the stories behind the controversy, not the petty "He said, She said." * From Grady Foster: Tell you what, let's reduce this thing to the basics. All you hot shots, get on a Sunfish, class rules, and duke it out. Sometimes, we are so wrapped up in PHRF ratings, IOR, etc, we forget what it is we were seeking. After years of this, someone finagled me back to a basic fish. I'm 6 inches off the water, taking waves over the bow, hiking my 67 yr old butt over the edge, aching in every joint, and screaming ooooooweeeeee! It costs the price of a halyard for a Mumm 30, and in this time of instant pleasure, gives all of it. Sunfish Rule! * From Alon Finkelstein: It's pretty clear that Mr Tyrrel and most likely Mr Champ have never been to a team racing event. I suggest that they do before passing judgment on the merits of this format of racing. It's without question the most fun you can have in a boat, and until you have sailed in one of the events or watched from the grand-stand, you simply won't understand. Most team racers that I know are not motivated by marketing, the media or turning pro. They do it because it represents the pinnacle of tactical sailing, skillful boat handling, camaraderie and friendship between competitors and most of all the enjoyment they derive from close, hard-fought and fair racing. Get to an event and see for yourself! * From Pete Levesque: The 54th Wilson Trophy marked only my second trip to the storied event. As is the case with almost anyone on their first trip to the Wilson, I was completely blown away by the excitement that overtook the town. Once my team was eliminated I went to the seawall and eventually the grandstands to join in the spectating and some heckling. When I arrived in the crowd of onlookers, I was pleasantly surprised to hear an elderly woman calling for a sailor on the local team to trap a Yankee at the windward mark. Similarly, I overheard young children cheering their mothers and fathers in a close race. As a sailor you have the excitement of the crowd roaring with disapproval when they feel an umpire call has gone the wrong way. You can also hear the regatta commentator (Legler) getting the crowd going with cheers and jeers at and for the competitors' expense. Team racing in small, slow boats, colored from waterline to mast head in team colors, close to shore with a commentator makes for extremely easy viewing and understanding (at the Wilson eliminated competitors do so over a beer or two). A semi-controlled sailing environment at the Wilson makes for anything but artificial conditions. Team racing is more of a sailing game where tactics often rule out over strategy. It is like chess where all the pieces have a mind of their own. * From Mike Martin (edited to our 250-word limit): Many people complain that sailing is more successful as a spectator sport. There are a couple of reason for this. First, sailboats are not that fast, they are simply not that not that exciting to watch. Secondly, Sailing has been developed over the years with the competitor in mind. We would rather sail on courses in open water away from headlands. From a sailors point of view these are great conditions, from a spectator's point of view they are not. A successful shot at spectator sailing are the 18 foot skiffs, which provide both the excitement of speed and spectator friendly venues. The 18s are exciting to watch not only because they are fast, but because they look like they are going fast. An 18 foot boat going 25mph looks like it is going faster that a 80 footer going 25mph just as a private jet looks like it is going faster than 747 at the same speed. Not to mention that most of the boat is out of the water the majority of the time. The racing is easy to follow since the boats are all logo covered and the courses are very close to shore. Oh yea ,and for the NASCAR in all of us they tend to crash a lot. So if you want to see some exciting sailing check out some of the sailing that is intended to be spectated. * From Rick Nelson: I for one would like to donate to the kiwi Blue Water Black Magic memorial, as I was thrilled when Black Magic won the cup. Please post any information as to where I might send a check. Americans love to root for the underdog, and Sir Peter Blake and crew did not disappoint. Sir Peter provided a true Corinthian atmosphere, on the water and off, and I would hope most sailors feel proud about their sport and their actions on the water in part because of him. Curmudgeon's Comment: We hope to have information about private donations to the Blue Water Black Magic memorial in tomorrow's issue. THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION The worst thing about accidents in the kitchen is eating them. |
