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SCUTTLEBUTT 1228 - December 27, 2002Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news ofmajor 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. ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART RACE Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo holds a five-mile lead as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race frontrunners enter Bass Strait. Sailing in 12 to 14 knot northeasterly breezes with its big silver spinnaker flying, Alfa Romeo was some 50 miles east of Gabo Island, and still in front of Canon, skippered by owner Mike Slade. Astern and wide of Canon was Australian Skandia Wild Thing (Grant Wharrington), and further back is Nicorette, who according to skipper Ludde Ingvall have now overtaken Grundig (Sean Langman), and George Snow's Brindabella. Overnight the 55-strong fleet separated in shifty breezes and sloppy seas, with the race leaders heading well offshore to find breeze but at dawn winds remained light at 8-10 knots from the northeast, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting stronger winds inshore this afternoon. Whilst Alfa Romeo is holding a lead that should see it take Line Honours tomorrow afternoon, Skandia has taken a gamble, seeking stronger winds offshore. Last report had Skandia some 105 nautical miles east of the rhumb line. Collisions knocked two yachts out of the fleet within the first hour of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start from Sydney Harbour this afternoon, with a crewmember being knocked over the side from each boat. The Tasmanian yacht Valheru, skippered by Tony Lyall, suffered extensive hull damage in a resounding collision with the French Australian entry, Peugeot Racing, as they crossed tacks just outside the Heads. The hull of Valheru has been sliced open on the port side, a gaping hole that has opened up the entire cabin below deck. Crewmember Peter Fletcher was thrown into the sea, but was picked quickly up by an Australian Yachting Federation inflatable dinghy and put back on the yacht. The collision apparently happened as Peugeot Racing attempted to bear away astern of Valheru and the mainsheet jammed. Peugeot Racing was not extensively damaged and continued racing after taking a penalty turn as the boat at fault. The only Queensland yacht in the race, Trump Card, skippered by Craig Coulsen from Brisbane, also retired after being holed in the stern by the Sydney yacht Loki at the start in pouring rain and 50-metre visibility. Crewmember Richard Cowen was knocked through the rails and dragged for 50 metres with his head in the water. - www.rolexsydneyhobart.com SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT The AP story in the Christmas Eve 'Butt entitled "Another Rule Broken" was inaccurate to say the least. The jury made no ruling vis-a-vis Oracle, and most certainly did not rule that "the syndicate broke America's Cup rules by using a sophisticated radar system during races." What has occurred is yet another example of how badly the rules, and structures, governing our sport's most prestigious event are in need of a major overhaul: + Prior to being eliminated, OneWorld submitted a number of questions to the jury seeking interpretations about the use of radar on Cup yachts and team tenders. The jury circulated OneWorld's questions to the remaining teams -- Alinghi, Oracle and Team New Zealand -- for their input along with OneWorld's. This is the usual procedure any time a team asks the jury for an interpretation. It was not a protest. + Team New Zealand, on holiday, made no submission. Alinghi, Oracle and OneWorld all submitted papers agreeing that Laser Range Finders and Radar are permitted by the Protocol to ping the opposing yacht in a match (as has been done since, I believe, the 1983 Cup). Indeed, every team in this LVC is said to have used one or the other, or both; and Team New Zealand trains with laser guns and has had a Raytheon radar plainly visible on their "roll bar" for some time. + Nonetheless, on Monday the jury ruled that the "Conditions" (historical AmCup-speak for "Notice of Race") do not permit the use by Cup yachts of laser range finders or radar, period. The jury said that the teams were wrong to rely on the wording in the Protocol that all teams believe states clearly that laser guns and radar are permitted. Unless the three remaining teams (Alinghi, Oracle and TNZ) can mutually consent to a re-wording of the Conditions (two different documents -- one for the LVC and one for the Match), or unless the teams get a different ruling out of the Arbitration Panel, it will be back to hand bearing compasses and lines on the deck for the LV Finals and the Match. By the way, Oracle has yet to reveal, other than to ACC Technical Director Ken McAlpine, what is in white pod they call "The Goose." The jury has never asked if it is - let alone determined that it is - a radar. - Tom Ehman, Director of Rules Compliance, Oracle BMW Racing." WHAT'S THE DEAL? No foul-weather gear or gas-powered blender under your Christmas tree? Don't be bummed, Annapolis Performance Sailing has the solution for you. While we'll be closed to enjoy the holidays with our families, APS is offering free shipping on Internet orders. Check out the tremendous selection of hardware, line, apparel, and accessories that make APS the most comprehensive performance sailing store in the Americas. Swap those sweaters and ties for the gear you can't sail without or take the opportunity to fit out for the winter circuit or next season. For the Scuttlebutt holiday deal, visit. http://www.apsltd.com/scuttlebutt.asp US SAILING CENTER The City of Miami issued a Certificate of Occupancy to the United States Sailing Center, a U.S. Olympic Training Site. The official name will be the Schoonmaker Center and the Herman F. Whiton Pavilion. The dedication will take place on January 27, 2003. This visionary project began back in 1987, but received a major boost in 1998 when the United States Sailing Center Miami received the official designation as a U.S. Olympic Training Facility. Four years later, after an incredible amount of hard work, determination and generous contributions from dedicated volunteers and staff, this new state of the art facility will officially open its doors. The Schoonmaker Center will provide everything necessary to train champion sailors and host world-class regattas. Activities officially get underway later this week with the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta (December 27-30), the final USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival of 2002, co-hosted with the Coral Reef Yacht Club. Next month, between January 28 and February 1, the Schoonmaker Center will play host to the preeminent Olympic Class regatta in the United States, the Miami Rolex OCR, which attracts hundreds of sailors from around the world. Website: http://www.usscmiami.org/usscmiami.html LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) (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 Christian Fevrier (edited to our 250-word limit): The Morris and Stanley's stunning images have certainly pushed a lot of us to embrace the maritime photography and we are deeply indebted with their influence. In the early sixties, when I did my first shots during the RORC races, there was a handful of masters to follow really. Stanley was certainly the most respected. Others were Keith Beken in UK, Peter Cornelius in Germany and Erwan Quemere in France. The wonderful Edwin Levick's maritime photographs were hidden somewhere and unknown then. What was remarkable in the Stanley's photographs was his passion for the action at sea and how he was mastering the light. Stanley was certainly not interested to do a perfect yacht portrait only. He wished more. The wave shapes, the clouds or the peculiar light of the day were certainly of equal interest for him. I will never forget a helicopter flight with him for the first race of the 1988 AC "Mistmatch" in San Diego. We were three seated on the rear seat of a small Bell Ranger. Stanley was seated the closest of the door. Almost 10 minutes were necessary to do a turn. So the possibility to have both boats on the same exposure was short. Seeing that, Stanley stopped to shoot at our second passage to allow me the possibility to get some pictures at the exact moment when the boats were in front of each other. Who would do that today ? We have lost a great master and a true gentleman. * From Marilyn Mower: Just as Stanley Rosenfeld was so overwhelmed by the many letters of cheer and remembrance he received shortly before his passing, the Rosenfeld family is similarly buoyed by the compassion extended to them since. Stanley's wife and sons suggest that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to support the "care and feeding" of the massive Rosenfeld Collection at Mystic Seaport Museum are more appropriate. The conservation of thousands of off-gassing negatives made during the 1930s continues, according to the Collection's Director, Mary Anne Stets. Donations earmarked for the conservation and rehousing of the Rosenfeld Collection at Mystic Seaport Museum can be sent to Stets' attention at the museum, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355-0990. You can read all about the Collection on the Website: http://www.mysticseaport.org/research/ro-Rosenfeld.htm * From Art Engel (In reply to Nick Nicholson, America's Cup Measurement Committee): Mr. Nicholson makes a good point - that readers should not necessarily believe 100% of what is reported by the media but should look to the original documents. [In my experience, reporters virtually always get it wrong in ways they consider minor and unimportant but some of us would consider critical to correctly understanding what really happened. I put this down to lack of time and limited experience with the subject rather than evil intent.] Unfortunately, only some of the background material for the America's Cup is available to the public. Rule Interpretations, Jury Decisions, Arbitration Panel Decisions - none of these are available to the public on the official LV or AC site so far as I can find (although they apparently are available to the media only on the "secret" media site - perhaps some kind media person would post them for the public!). I seem to recall that for the last AC they posted all of these documents to the public under a "Documents" section. [The LV NOR and SIs recently were posted - from the front page click on CORM/Event, they are near the top of that page. Let's hope the AC NOR and SIs get posted some day as well.] * From Cam Lewis: I am amused and amazed every time I read a letter lamenting the loss of the Corinthian Spirit in the America's Cup. All I can say is read your history books. Scandal, lawyers, and pushing the rules has been part of the America's Cup since it's inception. Anytime there's big money involved in an attempt to win a coveted prize, there will be controversy. Is it good? Of course not but that's human nature. So, just sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Don't worry about what non-sailors think because I frankly doubt most are even paying attention. * From Gregory Scott: I have two points; 1. I cannot fathom the number of times I have heard and read, Why can't these guys stay between the man and the hoop / stay between the opponent and the mark. As amateurs, we must be missing something that these boats do that justifies these flyers. 2. The rules are mad. This most recent rule issue (the radar) is not unlike the Volvo radio check vs an illegal strut. One gave a material advantage, the other didn't. Oracle claimed they were completely inside the rules; that has been proven false. These AC guys and the Volvo boys play by F-1 racing car type rules. How can we compare what decisions are being made to the environment anyone not sailing Volvo or AC sails in ? They just don't compare, and that's fine with me. * From Jim Morang: As an amateur racer I look forward to top professionals match racing. As Oracle and One World rounded the upwind mark with One World in a comfortable and controlling positon, I thought it was a good observation the commentators made concerning One World being lifted to the mark, in a left shift, and doing a jibe set to get onto the opposite tack to take advantage of the shift to be headed to the downwind mark. However a more tried and proven tactic that hardly ever fails is to cover your opposition. What in the world was the brain trust on One World thinking letting Oracle get so separated. Regardless of the "right thing according to the numbers" to jibe set and go right, you have to get back in phase with your opposition and cover. I am disappointed that we will not see more close racing between these two boats. * Peter Harken: I have never lost a race watching from a powerboat and during my expert vigil there are many, "what the hell are they doing?" "Good grief, I don't believe this!" "It's a two boat race for God-sake!" and many more expletives that always emanate from my yap after the fact! Later, I, thankfully, remember the reason my butt is on a power boat watching rather than being chosen to sail on an AC boat is rather simple: I'm a lot dumber than then those lads when I'm under a sail and therefore I will not criticize any of them publicly and continue to have the highest respect for them regardless of their moves, win or lose! Except for some of the lawyering, but that has always been part of the AC since 1851, so people shouldn't get a thin skin over it, but rather read it, laugh about it, enjoy it and get on with it. It's a helluva event steeped in history anyway you look at it and the sailing expertise and boats are superb! * From Rick Merriman (edited to our 250-word limit): With all the arm chair quarterback calls that have been made against One World coupled with the discussions about the pod on Oracle "The Goose", I am surprised that no one has put the two together. It sounds like the goose is a Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging radar) or Sodar (Sound Detection and Ranging radar). Simply put it uses a laser or sound to measure the Doppler shift in the returns which are bounced off the particles in the air. It is assumed that the particles are moving the same direction/speed of the wind. On a shifty day when the wind is coming down the cliffs and is taking a while to hit the water you could use Lidar to see the wind coming before it hits the water. This could explain why OneWorld would have decided not to stay with Oracle. The wind was not to be seen any where on the water so they assumed Oracle was just taking a flyer since they were behind. In actuality Oracle did see the wind coming by use of the Lidar and was confident that it would fill from that direction. How many times have you looked over at someone on the course and said that is flyer I do not see any wind coming! I am not getting suckered into that wind hole! With a Lidar you would not be taking a flyer because you would know what is out there. $$$$$$$$$$$$ A mystery rival is asking officials in the United States to investigate Team New Zealand's use of money earned from trademark rights for the America's Cup. Team NZ use the money to pay for hosting the event, with any surplus spent on financing the sailing team who will defend the trophy next year. But at least one challenger, Alinghi of Switzerland, are suggesting that a surplus should be distributed among all the teams. Two former high-profile Team NZ members, Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth, are key members of the Alinghi challenge. Alinghi have not laid any complaint with the New York State Attorney-General, but someone has asked questions about what trademark income can properly be spent on. The amount earned from trademark rights is not known, but it is increasing as the cup becomes more commercial. For Team NZ, operating in a small economy with limited sponsorship opportunities, money from America's Cup trademarks is a vital part of their defence budget. The Attorney-General's office would not say who laid the complaint, or exactly what it was about. A spokesman did confirm that an inquiry was under way. A discussion paper written by Alinghi rules adviser Hamish Ross is central to the dispute, and it is understood to propose changes to the cup management while questioning if the event should have been registered as a charitable trust. Mr Ross said yesterday that no one from Alinghi had laid a complaint with the Attorney-General's office, which oversees trusts in New York state. He declined to comment further. However, Alinghi media spokesman Bernard Schopfer said the Swiss wanted to "get around the table" with Team New Zealand, Oracle BMW Racing and Prada to talk about proposals. - Helen Tunnah, NZ Herald, Full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/americascup/acstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3048902&thesection=sport&thesubsection=americascup&thesecondsubsection=teamnz IT'S BOAT SHOW SEASON Savvy buyers know that the boat shows are a great time to buy: good deals, new models, and plenty of time for delivery and commissioning for the next sailing season. This year the finance rates are the lowest they've been in a long time. With boatsbank.com, getting a loan has gotten a lot easier. You can apply online, get multiple lenders to compete for your business, and get your loan approved FAST. There's a call center for help, a wide range of financing options, and very competitive rates. http://www.boatsbank.com AROUND ALONE Front runners Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group-Armor Lux and Thierry Dubois on Solidaires find themselves in a peculiar position sailing in very light flukey airs in the Southern Ocean. Dubois echoes Stamm's thoughts in his log: "We had to opt for a progressive climb to the North as the virtual waypoint constrains us from dipping too far South and it's not easy to take a hard left at the lights! We're caught in a transition zone, so the boats behind will get the Westerlies before us and the fleet will bunch up again soon." - Mary Ambler Standings 2200 UTC December 26, 2002 CLASS 1:: 1. Bobst Group-Armor Lux, Bernard Stamm, 3543 miles from finish; 2. Solidaires, Thierry Dubois, 245 miles behind leader; 3. Hexagon, Graham Dalton, 613 mbl. CLASS 2: 1. Tommy Hilfiger, Brad Van Liew, 4631 miles from finish; 2. Spirit of Canada, Derek Hatfield, 416 mbl. 3. Everest Horizontal, Tim Kent, 423 ml: Event website: www.aroundalone.com HOT IMAGES The Louis Vuitton Media Center Staff have posted a few of their favorite images on their website. It's well worth a visit: http://www.louisvuittoncup.yahoo.com/story1564.html THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Some men are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
