|
SCUTTLEBUTT No. 843- June 25 2001Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. INSIGHT - By US Sailing President Dave Rosekrans Readers should know the reasons behind the US Sailing Ad Code decisions. Based on PHRF sailor's input, Category C was chosen for PHRF fleets so those local regatta organizers could make decisions about allowing advertising. With Category A as the default, advertising would be banned in the United States based on the Ad Code. In Fall 2000, US Sailing surveyed sailors about advertising and announced a poll with a press release, web site banner, email to the 7000 members, and a notice in Scuttlebutt. Open until March 2001, the poll responses were half for and half against permitting advertising. US Sailing appointed a working party including three offshore sailors, all of whom had competed in PHRF, and two national PHRF leaders to look at the responses and the various issues. All Olympic classes have been placed in Category C by ISAF. Other international classes, including J22 and J24 have elected to become Category C, and many other one-design keelboat classes have also selected that designation. These classes regularly sail in events that include PHRF fleets. IMS adopted advertising and US sailors are multi-fleet competitors, sailing in IMS in some events and in PHRF in others. Another reason for not banning advertising is that some events involving PHRF have permitted and have been supported by advertising. The new Advertising Code does not allow PHRF Fleet to decide regionally. - Dave Rosekrans For more information, visit "The Skipper's Meeting" at www.ussailing.org
ADVERTISING CODE CLARIFICATION - Art Engel Except for the "Club" or "Invitational" event exemptions (which allow event organizers to restrict Category C boats to Category A advertising), the Ad Code does not distinguish between size or type of event. Moreover, there is no provision for ever allowing Category A boats to display Category C advertising for an individual event, even if for a good cause (such as in connection with a charity event). Thus, any charity-advertising on a Category A boat would exceed that allowed by the Ad Code. [In the USA, all PHRF boats are automatically designated Category C so the issue is moot for a typical PHRF charity regatta. And, the rules are different when the event organizer provides the boats.] Unfortunately, this is not a trivial issue under the ISAF Eligibility Code. An event that allows advertising in excess of that permitted by the Ad Code is a "prohibited event" [ISAF Reg. 19.4.1(a)]. Any individual that competes in such a "prohibited event" can have his or her ISAF eligibility suspended permanently or temporarily [ISAF Reg. 19.4(c)]. And, a competitor whose ISAF eligibility has been suspended is banned from any competition in the sport of sailing [ISAF Reg. 19.1]. The only way I can think of to avoid the prohibited event "problem" for Category A boats at a charity regatta would be to clearly state that the event is not a "sailing" competition as contemplated by the Racing Rules of Sailing and that such rules will not apply to the event. Of course, that would leave the event organizer in the uncomfortable position of having to come up with its own set of racing rules for the event. Unfortunately, the ISAF Regulations do not permit ISAF to grant approval for events prohibited under Reg. 19.4.1(a), as it can for events prohibited under Reg. 19.4.1(b)-(d). Under procedures instituted in the last few years, the ISAF Codes were not subjected to the same approval processes that apply to the Racing Rules of Sailing. Hence, they do not appear to be as well thought out or as responsive to some of the concerns of the non-elite competitor. Mr. Sander has pointed out an obvious weakness that ISAF should correct as soon as possible. For those interested in the ISAF Ad Code, I have posted more information about its application and on-line resources at: www.racingrules.org/adcode.html
SO WE'RE A LITTLE OFF-COLOR..
TECHNOLOGY
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON * From Dave Perry: I appreciated all the kind words about my book "Winning in One Designs" in recent Butts, and I accept Andrew Palfrey's explanation of how the material found its way onto the Internet. I'm always glad to hear that sailors and coaches continue to find the material in WIOD useful and enjoyable. For those looking for a copy, US Sailing is the publisher of all my books and sells them directly from their offices in Portsmouth, RI. * From Morgan Larson: I do agree with Fred Schroth that Bruce should have earned "All-American" status. In 89-90 I had no other Collegiate successes other than winning the single-handed nationals like Bruce has done and I was awarded "All-American" status. Either they use a different system now or single-handed sailing doesn't have the same weight? It's a shame he wasn't on the list. In any case Congratulations on a successful season Bruce! * From Matthew Sessions: I would have to support Fred Schroth's argument. Bruce Mahoney's receiving Honorable Mention versus All-American does inspire some research. Since 1967, every winner of the ICSA Singlehanded Nationals has been awarded All-American for that academic year. The exception being in '98 and '00 when the winning school was Queens in Canada (I'll assume those sailors were Canadian residents). See www.collegesailing.org for the detailed list. Winners of this regatta are some of the world's best (Jobson, Buchan, Johnstone, Chris Larson, Morgan Larson, Mendelblatt, etc.). A prestigious title of 'Collegiate All-American' lasts a lifetime. Although I never came close to nomination for my collegiate sailing, I have significant respect (for) an 'All-American' sailor. * From Blake Middleton: With all due respect to Fred Schroth, and with all due applause for a great year to ICSA Singlehanded NA Champion Bruce Mahoney, All America status and Sailor of the Year awards are not quite so cut and dry. As a former chairman of the All America selection committee, I can tell you that they probably have the hardest job in college sailing. The topic of this years selections has already been discussed on the ICSA email list in recent weeks, and many on that list agreed with Fred that Bruce's 2000/'01 college sailing accomplishments were not given due weight. Having said that, the reality is that well over 90% of College sailing is doublehanded dinghy sailing. Sloop and Singlehanded events are part of the diverse schedule, but the Sailor of the Year is not likely to be the ICSA North American Singlehanded Champion in ANY given year unless he or she is also the sailor with the best record (including North America's most outstanding doublehanded performances) over the entire season. All-America status is about picking out individual skipper and crew performances in a team sport, and College sailing is about teams. Not an easy thing to do! One last thing: We haven't seen the last of Bruce Mahoney. If I have the fortune to compete with him in Lasers (or anything else), I just hope I'm fast enough to keep him from lapping me too many times, and can keep my sense of humor if he does! * From Ken Guyer: Reading Mark Reynolds comments in Butt #842 regarding the lack of financial support for our U. S. sailing team cannot help but get anyone who loves this sport "red face & riled". It has been the same old story year after year, we want our team to win, we are proud as Americans when they do. But with few exceptions, that is where it ends. Why is it the wealthiest nation on earth, filled with mega billionaires cannot put together the dollars our sailing athletes need, at least equal with other countries with less resources at home? Imagine, Great Britain sporting a budget three times larger than ours? There are fractions of fundraising efforts out there throughout the US. The many who have already given time, effort, and dollars are to be commended, the efforts now need to be broadened. How do we do that? Well, there are people a whole lot smarter than I reading this. Change has occurred from what has been debated in this sailing rag. Perhaps a national fund raising organization for Olympic sailors can evolve from it also. * From Megan Martin: It is hard to believe this statement: From Faye Bennet, "The Adams Committee focus is on women's sailing, to widen and increase participation." To promote women's sailing and increase turn out has not been the experience I have had this year. Last year the Adam's Cup Area H-e regional was fabulous. It was the first time I raced in a women's event. I encouraged all the women racers I knew to give Adam's Cup a try. The weight limit was not in place last year and came as a shock. After all my enthusiasm to promote the Adam's Cup, I felt I had to loose the weight. 13 weeks and 30 lbs later I think our team will make the weight. However, frustrations and resentment have been the overall theme this year. I doubt that I will participate next year. I don't think this is the way to "Promote and increase participation." * From Sandy Grosvenor, Co-chair, 2001 Rolex IWKC: Faye comments are quite insightful, however, she was incorrect in one area: The 2001 Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship does NOT have a requirement on the number of crew. We are using the J/22 class rules unchanged. Which means that crew must weigh 275 kg or less while racing (In the US, we generally translate 275 kg to 605 pounds). We expect that most teams will have 4 crew, but we also think there will be a few teams at 3 and a few teams at 5, we welcome them all!
VOLVO OCEAN RACE I've been here in La Ciotat, France for over 3 weeks now and a lot has happened. When I arrived our first boat, the Frers design, was still in the shed and the Farr deck was still not attached. It is amazing how fast you can build boats when you work 24 hrs a day and over 50 people. For the last week, the whole yard is on the Farr boat. Can't really test anything till we have our second boat. It is coming along at a very rapid pace. The Frers hit the water at 11:00 PM local time on the 14th. We sailed the first time 2 days later. In general we are all very happy with the boat. Of course, there is a list, but none on the list stopped us from leaving last Wednesday for St. Tropez to do the Giraglia Race. We all enjoyed the sail down to St. Tropez , 70 miles in around 6 hrs. I almost forgot how fun it is to sail these boats. Light enough to move along down wind, and with the water ballast, powerful enough to blast very fast upwind and reaching. The change in rules allowing basically upwind "spinnakers" has really improved the Volvo 60's performance in light air. The crew is coming along great. We have a very multi national group, 2 Kiwi's, 2 Americans, 2 Italians, 2 Canadians, 1 Spanish, 1 Swede, 1 Dutch, and one from OZ. But it is a strong crew, everyone has a specialty, and can cover for someone else. The days have been long, but the work is rewarding. I believe we have the will and the skill to win, just hope we can tune these boats up to be fast enough. - Dee Smith
BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE All of the BT Global Challenge participants are now in La Rochelle preparing for the start of the last leg on Tuesday - the short sprint to Southampton and the end of the BT Global Challenge 2000/01. The fleet is expected to arrive in Ocean Village, Southampton on Saturday 30th June.- www.btchallenge.com
WELL DONE
MATCH RACING Final results: 1) Oracle Racing 1 - Paul Cayard; 2) Oneworld 1 - Peter Gilmur; 3) Oneworld 2 - Kelvin Harrap; 4) Slovenia M, R - . Miitja Kosmina; 5) Oracle Racing - 2, Tommaso Chieffi; 6) Mascalzone Latino, Paolo Cian; 7) Alinghi Swiss Team, Murray Jones; 8) Sailing Planet, Furio Benussi.
NYYC ANNUAL REGATTA Edgar Cato's Hissar, the first fiberglass 12-Meter, known as KZ5, dominated 12-Meter Class 1 with three first-place finishes. Nine 12-Meters competed -- including Columbia, Courageous and Freedom that have won the America's Cup. Eight will board a DYT ship later this summer with other NYYC vessels for the America's Cup Jubilee in Cowes, England, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the America's Cup. Other class winners were Bright Star, Richard Breeden, Idler, George A.L. David; Appreciation, Jeffrey Siegal; Rampage, Mike Nasitka; and Cygnet, Richard Sylvanovich. - Michael Levitt, nyyc.org
KIELER WOCHE Complete results: www.kielerwoche.de/segelsport/Ergebnisdienst/klassen.asp
NORTH SAILS RACE WEEK "It was great sailing," said Olympic silver medalist Pease Glaser, who called tactics for Ullman's Melges 24 in a photo finish with national champion Argyle Campbell of Newport Beach. "The first day it was more of a speed contest, then Saturday we were inside where it was really fun sailing on smooth water in good breeze, and [Sunday] was super light." Ullman's entry was recognized as Boat of the Week as winner of the most competitive class for the second time in four years. Allan Rosenberg's Intense, with sons Ron and Steve Rosenberg aboard, won the Lydia Kent Family Trophy for the second time after sweeping five races in the Olson 30 one-design class. Besides the Rosenbergs, three other boats won all five races: Chris Winnard's Altitude Sickness from San Diego's Southwestern YC, H.L. (Loe) Enloe and Kurt German's F-31 trimaran Mer Loe from Long Beach's Shoreline YC, and Tom Carruthers' J/105 Incorrigible, San Diego YC. John Kostecki, the leader of Germany's illbruck Volvo Ocean Race campaign dropped in for the weekend to call tactics on John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti, which won the Farr 40 class by four points over Alexandra Geremia's Crocodile Rock. - Rich Roberts Complete results and photos: www.Premiere-Racing.com
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS |
