SCUTTLEBUTT No. 670 - October 18, 2000
GUEST EDITORIAL - Talbot Wilson
So, UK organizers have come up with a "clever ruse to allow clubs some say
over what they do" to allow event management to control advertising in
their events. Read the code and see if you think the 'ruse' will work.
Under the new code, ISAF and non-ISAF Classes choose their catagory, A or
C, in their own method. But read the following section that applies to
Handicap and Rating Rules... including IMS and ORC Club and IRM and IRC
which do not meet the ISAF definition of a class.
The Code says:
"Handicapping Systems and Rating Rules The National Authority of a
competitor in respect of the boat in which the competitor is competing, may
decide the advertising status to be applied to boats racing under a
handicap/measurement system to be either A or C. If Category C is decided,
the said competitor's National Authority may decide the maximum level of
advertising. If the National Authority makes no ruling, Category C shall
apply. Any "Class" (see definition of Class) or individual boat racing
under a handicap/ measurement system shall have its advertising category
determined in accordance with the above provisions."
In discussions at the USSA meetings last week, the consensus was that this
means that events will not be able to designate the category. Classes rule
themselves. For racing under Handicapping Systems and Rating Rules, A or C
is designated by the National Authority of the boat the competitor sails.
So if someone wants to advertise on a boat in the USA and USSA has chosen
to restrict the IMS to Category A, the boat just joins the National
Authority of any country that has gone with category C and pays them the
fee that they have decided to charge for advertising. Also, If someone from
a foreign (Cat C) country comes to race in a US event with Cat C sails,
they can race.
The other interesting thing is that this will now be a "code" called
REGULATION 20, referenced in the RRS, not Appendix G as part of the RRS.
This means, according to two international judges in the USSA meetings,
that it may not be amended or deleted by sailing instructions or NOR. And
as regulations they can be amended at any ISAF Council meeting. - Talbot Wilson
Read the code: http://www.sailing.org/meetings/2000november/subs/172-00.pdf
BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE
(After the light winds of the start of Leg Two of the BT Global Challenge
2000/01, the fleet has begun taking its lumps getting a foretaste of
conditions to come. Here are two excerpts about the storm from a report by
Betsy Crowfoot on the race website.)
* A compact low pressure system hugging the eastern seaboard of North
America is on an intersect course with the 12 Challenge yachts. This poses
a dilemma for the fleet, announced meteorologist and past-Challenge
skipper Chris Tibbs, as there is a dangerous and [a] navigable semi-circle
to a storm like this. On present courses the majority of the fleet are
heading towards the more dangerous side. If they can maintain their speed
they might be far enough away from the storm centre to avoid the worst
conditions. However as they near the depression, the wind will slowly veer
to the southeast making progress difficult.
The area traversed by the fleet as they race from Boston, U.S. to Buenos
Aires, Argentina, is prone to tropical revolving storms as such - called
hurricanes locally but elsewhere referred to as typhoons, cyclones or even
willy-willies.
* Fortunately, Tibbs predicted this storm wont pack too big a punch.
Although not likely to become a hurricane, conditions can be expected to
be rather unpleasant with winds of Gale Force 8 and gusts of Storm Force
10. Moving east at about three knots it should speed up and move north east
over the next 48 hours.
The yachts have been built to withstand extreme conditions, he reminded.
In the Southern Ocean winds of Force 10 with gusts of Force 12 are
commonplace. If the yachts are caught in this Tropical Depression then it
will be a foretaste of things to come, but with water temperatures of 26 C
rather than the 3 C of the Southern Ocean.
Meanwhile the teams are standing close by for weather forecasts. "The next
48 hours will be crucial," realised Norwich Union skipper Neil Murray.
Legger Georgia Williams added that the team is biting their nails and
bracing ourselves for a tropical storm, called Michael, heading our way.
- Betsy Crowfoot, Quokka Sports
Complete story: http://www.btchallenge.com/news/2000/10/News_579.html
GAMBLING
STAMFORD, CT - The Swedish Match Grand Prix Sailing Tour has entered into a
landmark agreement with on-line gaming leader Omni Casino allowing sailing
fans to place wagers on the competition at the final event of Tour year
one, the Colorcraft Gold Cup October 22-29.
This first-time opportunity allows individuals to wager on their favorite
skippers on-line through the official site (www.swedishmatchgp.com). Adding
to the excitement, the Colorcraft Gold Cup features one of the strongest
fields of competitors in recent memory including noted America's Cup
skippers Ed Baird, Dean Barker, Dennis Conner, Russell Coutts and Peter
Gilmour.
"We are pleased to enter into an agreement which will further enhance
sailing fans' enjoyment of the sport," stated Scott MacLeod, Tour Director.
"Stakes will be high with such an outstanding group of skippers competing
in the Colorcraft Gold Cup."
Operating for the past three years, Omni Casino has established itself as a
leader in the online casino industry, with more than 92,000 customers and
an impressive track record in winning pay-outs and customer service.
"We view this as a great opportunity to tap into a new market of passionate
fans," said Bob Mann, Marketing Director, Omni Casino, "With this agreement
we're breaking new ground in terms of allowing people to wager on sailing.
We're very excited to see the response." - Sports.com website,
http://www.sports.com/sailing/171000bet.htm
THE REST OF THE STORY
You need a lot of things to win a world championship, and boatspeed is at
the top of that list. Boatspeed was not a problem for Giorgio Zuccoli when
he won this year's Melges 24 World Championship - he used Ullman Sails. Of
course he did - Giorgio is a licensee of Ullman Sails International and has
been with Dave Ullman for years. But more importantly for Ullman customers,
Giorgio is also a major player on the sail design team that Dave anchors.
Wouldn't you like to have this design team working for you? You can:
http://www.ullmansails.com/
RED FLAGS FLY AT LONG BEACH YC
Local Sailor Keith Ives, apparent winner of the US Sailing Offshore
Championship, his father Pete Ives RC chairman, and the protest committee
of US Sailing Blue ribbon Judges were at the center of a controversy that
all but eclipsed this excellent event.
Unfortunately no official results have been posted because of pending
protests against the top finisher Keith Ives of the Los Alamitos Yacht
Club. The protests allege Ives sailed over the weight limit proscribed in
the notice of race. A weigh in was held after six skippers protested the
fleet. Ives crew and one other were found to be significantly over the
allowed weight.
A week after sailing has ended, the blue ribbon Jury of Us Sailing Senior,
national and International Judges are still debating the merits of
disqualifying the overweight crews. Complaints about the handling of this
matter by the race committee chaired by Pete Ives and the Jury headed up by
international senior judge Ken Morrison have been lodged with US Sailing.
Gordon Hall stands unofficially second, John Leitzinrer of Tacoma WA third.
If the judges ever get their act together Hall will be move to a
well-deserved first. Hall and the his regular crew from Katabatic a well
known Marblehead based Taylor 40 finished no worse than fifth in any of the
five races. Throughout the regatta Hall stayed clear of the traffic at the
marks and went fast. A first place in the mourning race of the last day
moved them into contention.
If only the Race Committee had held a weigh in prior to racing or the
Judges had handed out swift justice all the angst could have been avoided
and perhaps we would have spent the above two paragraphs describing the
excellence of the regatta and the hospitality of the Long Beach Yacht Club.
- Mac McPherson
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net)
Letters selected to be printed may be edited for clarity, space (250 words
max) or to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a
bulletin board or a chat room - you only get one letter per subject, so
give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.
-- From Paul Sustronk - I am more then a little surprised that Star sailor
Mark Reynolds has not been included in the list of nominees for the male
world sailor of the year award. While in an Olympic year there is a host of
worthy applicants, in my opinion, there isn't a sailor more deserving then
Mark. In this Olympic year, in the most competitive fleet in the world, he
has managed to win both the World Championships and the Olympic gold medal.
-- From Scott Ridgeway - Huh? I don't get it! Serena Amato from Argentina
wins the Bronze at the Olympics and gets on the 'short list' of candidates
for the ISAF Sailor of the Year Award. But Mark Reynolds, who won both the
Star Worlds and an Olympic Gold medal is totally overlooked.
Three Brits and three Aussies made the list of nominees, but no Americans.
Is it possible this snub is simply a reflection of US Sailing's lack of
stature on the world scene?
-- From Tim Bohan, Sebring, FL - I find it a little ironic that the man
who, some 20 plus years ago, made the America's Cup a full time job is now
taking a much more laid back approach. Back then he was criticized by Ted
Turner for destroying the spirit of the cup. Ted said words to the effect
that Dennis was taking the Corinthian, part time, sailors out of the cup
and making it a full time profession/obsession, and that it would become a
race of the checkbook. I guess what goes around comes around! It's nice
to see the "new" Dennis and I wish him luck.
-- From John McBrearty - Let's get out of the dark ages. Sponsorship would
have so many benefits for sailboat racing. Many of the boat owners I race
against have their own businesses. If I were able to advertise my business
on my boat, I would be able to write of my racing expenses. Buying new
sails would not be the dark cloud over otherwise domestic bliss that it now
is. And consider the trickle down effect, I'd buy imported beer for the crew.
-- From Greg Davis, Hull, MA (edited to our 250-word limit) - It's been
over a week since the Lloyd Phoenix Cup regatta in Long Beach was concluded
and there has still been no resolution to what in my mind is a fairly cut
and dried issue; were there boats who's crew were above the posted weight
limit or not?
As it clearly stated in the Notice of Race sent to each participant:
5.3 The total weight of the crew, including skipper, dressed in at least
shorts and a shirt shall not exceed 1,400 pounds, determined at the time of
registration or such time as required by the RC.
At a weigh-in conducted by the race officials on the 3rd day of
competition, it was clearly found that 2 of the boats were over this stated
weight limit. One of these boats being the leader (and also, the boat
representing the local area). Instead of being penalized, these boats were
allowed to substitute crew in order to get under the weight limit and
allowed to continue the regatta. Subsequent protests filed by race
participants resulted in a series of protracted hearings which still have
not been resolved.
This unfortunately has caste a shadow on what was a very well run regatta
by the Long Beach Yacht Club. The members and staff there put a lot of
time and hard work into putting together a really great event and it would
be a shame to have it ruined by an appearance of favoritism to the local boat.
-- From Robert Moore - Little Annie's counsel is, "Excess in moderation."
VENDEE GLOBE
The Vendee Globe is a French-organised, non-stop, single-handed race around
the world, which is held every four years. Competitors have to sail 26,000
miles completely on their own, their only contact with land being via
satellite telephone and e-mail. It is widely thought to be the most
difficult sailing race. The race will see over 100 days racing, across four
oceans - from the Atlantic to the formidable Southern Ocean alone. It
will be the ultimate in human endurance. Twenty-four skippers will take
part in this fourth edition of the Vendee Globe which is scheduled to begin
on November 5, 2000 from Les Sables dOlonne in France. - Sailsail website.
Full story: http://www.sailsail.com/news/news-article.asp?Articleid=2308
PARALYMPICS
Sailing will make its Paralympic Games debut at Sydney in 2000. Sailing was
a demonstration sport in 1996 at Atlanta in 1996 featuring the Sonar event.
Both the Sonar and the 2.4mR events will make up the Sydney 2000 Paralympic
Games sailing competition. Crews of three athletes will compete aboard the
23-foot keelboats in the Sonar event. The 2.4mR is a single-handed
keelboat. Both events are open to male and female competitors.
Sailors race under fleet racing format and strategically manoeuvre their
yachts to the designated course marks with expert steering and positioning.
The start is a critical factor for the competitors as they struggle to time
their yacht's position with the starting signal. A yacht which crosses the
starting line ahead of the signal must turn around and re-start.
A scoring system that assigns points based on level of disability allows
athletes from different disability groups to compete together in this
Paralympic sport. In essence, the difference between able-bodied sailors
and disabled sailors is that Paralympic sailors may receive a minimal
amount of assistance in launching and getting aboard the yacht. -=
BoatMagic website, http://www.boatmagic.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=&UAN=1808
PARALYMPICS SAILING CALENDAR
Practice Race - October 20
Competition - October 21 - 27 (including reserve days).
Medal Ceremony October 27
Website: http://www.boatingoz.com.au/news2000para.htm
THE RACE
Engineers continue to examine Team Philips' 135 foot masts in Totnes,
Devon, UK. They are currently looking in detail at several avenues for the
final repair solution. The final assessment should be known in the next
couple of days. A small section at the base of the mast has now been
removed to inspect the internal structure. This has shown much less damage
than was initially expected.
Much of the preparatory work for the repair has been carried out. The
feeling in the build site is that the repair will be straight forward and
all of the concentration is on getting Team Philips ready to sail to the
start line of the RACE in Barcelona. The two masts will be taken from the
Baltic Wharf site into the build site over the next couple of days so that
the full repair work can commence. Team Philips website,
http://www.teamphilips.com/index.cfm?ArticleID=281
TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE
Thanks to new breathable fabrics, the discomfort formerly associated with
certain aspects of racing has been greatly reduced. And now there's another
breakthrough. Camet International has introduced a Neo-thermal top so
sailors (and others to) can wear breathable Neoprene close to the skin. As
a result trapped moisture disappears quickly. Almost magically, the action
increases with higher levels of physical activity- responding to the
exercise level of the user. As a result, sailors can be more comfortable
than ever possible before. To learn more about the amazing Camet Bubble top
go to: http://www.camet.com
RACE RESULTS
* Shorts only, no wetsuits for the I14 sailors at the inaugural CSX I14
Pacific Rim Championship held Oct. 7 thru the 10 at Kaneohe YC,
Hawaii. The regatta was sailed in 15 to 20 knots of wind with a constant
81 deg. F. air temp and 78 deg. F. water temp.
Final standings: 1. Vinzce/Eaton - CAN (6 points) 2. Mcauley/Molly O'Brien
- CAN (15) 3. Ruetenik/Mohler - USA (16) 4. Disario/Kirk - USA (28) 5.
Williams/Williams (UK) - (29) 6. Hyde/Boatman - USA (36) 7. Andrews/Lewis -
USA (49) 8. Von Sydow/Pochereva - USA (49) 9. Arens/Monahan - USA (54) 10.
Hoffberg/Hildago - USA (60)
* A four-man team representing North Sails has won the seventh annual
DuPont Sailmaker Challenge, sailed over October 6-8 at the US Sailboat Show
in Annapolis, MD. The event is organized annually by Sailing World magazine
and pits competitive sailmakers against one another for three days of
racing in Melges 24's. At this event, class rules are amended to allow
entries to use any material in their sails, provided they are fabricated
from materials manufactured by DuPont.
The North Sails team was led by skipper Scott Nixon with tactical help from
Matt Reynolds. North Sails Chesapeake employees Aaron Serinis (trimmer) and
John Moran (bowman) rounded out the team. North took and maintained a
narrow lead throughout the series, which consisted of 12 races inside the
Spa Creek anchorage adjacent to the Boat Show, and nine windward-leeward
races held on courses set in the Severn River. The inside races were worth
a single point, whereas the outside races were worth five points.
Conditions ranged from very light and fluky on the first day to blustery on
the last day of the series.
North used the event to debut sails made from DuPont's Mylar and Kevlar
Edge products, arranged in a new sail design type known as 3DLx(TM). Fiber
layouts in the mainsail and jib radiate along load paths which are markedly
different from those seen in 3DL(TM).
Final results: 1. North Sails (Scott Nixon, Skipper) 2. Ullman Sails (Max
Skelly, Skipper) 3. Quantum Sail Design Group (Geoff Ewenson, Skipper) 4.
UK Sailmakers (Andy Horton, Skipper)
* On October 14-15 in Seattle, 110 boats congregated for the 2000 Puget
Sound Sailing Championships. Fourteen classes over two courses sat in no
wind on Saturday and returned on Sunday for 4 races in 8-12 knots of wind.
Out of the 14 classes five were one design J-35's (5), Olson 30's (14),
Melges 24's (6), Thunderbirds (9), and San Juan 24's (6). Two other
classes were level rated including the 40 footer division.
The 14-boat Olson 30 class was the largest of the one designs with Charles
Queen and his team on Barnstormer taking the gold. Mark Harang kept his
dominance alive in the Thunderbird fleet with another victory and Gil Lund
aboard Snappy Tom came through the event with 4 bullets to win the San Juan
24's.
Full results at http://sailingsource.com/cyc/
GATHERING OF THE EAGLES
In San Francisco Wednesday evening there will be a gathering of some of the
world's all-time great sailors. Chris Bouzaid, Bill Buchan, Malin Burnham,
Dick Deaver, Roy Dickson (NZL), Bruce Kirby (CAN), Bob Johnstone, Lowell
North and Pelle Petterson (SWE) will be at the St Francis YC to discuss the
changes, both good and bad, that are taking place in our sport; the things
that need to happen to grow the sport of sailing, and other topics that we
frequently kick around here in Scuttlebutt. The curmudgeon will be acting
as facilitator for this open forum.
And then on Friday, the graying rock stars will meet again on the
racecourse along with John Jennings, Dooie Isdale, Larry Harvey, Kim McDell
(NZL) Hank Easom, Don Trask, the curmudgeon and the Great Dane - Paul
Elvstom - to compete in J/105s in the International Masters Regatta. Not
only is this an impressive collection of skippers - the crew lists contain
some familiar names too. Perhaps you've heard of Dave Ullman, Vince Brun,
Keith Lorance, Hans Fogh, Carl Schumacher, Jim Antrim, Carl Sutter, John
Rousmaniere, Mark Rudiger or Russell Bowler?
It's going to be quite a busy weekend. I'm pretty sure we'll publish an
issue of 'Butt tomorrow, although it undoubtedly will be distributed MUCH
later than usual. Friday? There's a pretty good chance there will NOT be a
Friday issue of Scuttlebutt.
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.
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