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SCUTTLEBUTT 2640 - Thursday, July 17, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. NEXT GENERATION OF CAYARDS HEAD TO SEA by Jan Pehrson, Marin Independent Journal Growing up in Kentfield, CA, 19-year-old Danny Cayard and his 18-year-old sister Allie were raised on sea stories, not lullabies. Surfing around Cape Horn, waves sweeping over the decks, dodging freighters in the black of night - these images were the stuff of their childhood. Danny and Allie are descended on both sides of their family from famous sailors. Their mother Icka's father, Swedish ocean racing veteran Pelle Peterson, was one of the true pioneers of the sport, winning three Olympic medals before they were born. Their father, Paul Cayard, won the Whitbread Round the World Race when they were still in grammar school. On Thursday, the Kentfield teenagers get their chance to try out ocean racing firsthand when they set sail in the Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Hawaii on the Santa Cruz 50 Hula Girl, racing in a crew of eight, composed of two adults and six young sailors ranging in age from 18-23. One very experienced adult will be on deck at all times, either their dad Paul or German-born sailing coach Ralf Steitz, 46. Two of the young crew, 22-year-old Mill Valley residents Cameron McCloskey and Morgan Gutenkunst, were on the Marin Catholic High sailing club team with Danny and Allie. Mark Towill, 19, of Hawaii and Robert Kane, 23, of Connecticut are experienced beyond their years - they sailed in last year's Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii. The idea for the Hula Girl project originated when Paul Cayard experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash as he approached his 50th birthday. -- Read on: http://www.marinij.com/sports/ci_9900742 EXPERTS PREDICTING HIGH LEVEL OF HURRICANE ACTIVITY by Kate Piserchia, SAIL Bertha, the first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, jumped from a Category One storm to Category Three on July 7, then relieved storm watchers by dropping to Category Two within 24 hours. Bertha's brief threat, however, reminds us that the summer of '08 could be a rough season. According to an outlook issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, the Atlantic Basin should expect an above-normal hurricane season. There is a 25 percent chance that the region will experience a near-normal incidence of named storms, but above-normal is more likely, at an estimated probability of 65 percent. Dr. Gerry Bell, NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster, said, "We’re expecting quite a bit of activity this year.” An average hurricane season has 11 named storms, 6 of which reach hurricane status, 2 of which become major hurricanes. This season, there is a 60-70 percent chance that the Atlantic Basin will have 12 to 16 named storms, including 6-9 hurricanes and 2-5 major hurricanes, according to the Climate Prediction Center outlook. Predictions about this year’s hurricane season were based primarily on two factors, according to Bell: the continuing active hurricane era, which started in 1995, and the possible influence of La Niña in the peak months of hurricane season. -- Read on: http://preview.sailmag.com/news/hurricane_season_again/index.aspx BETTER WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD BEAT NEW RECORD Setting out from New York 5 days earlier, the French sailor Thomas Coville, the skipper of the 105-foot trimaran Sodeb’O, beat the legendary solo North Atlantic record under sail on Tuesday 15th July at 07 hours, 17 minutes and 20 seconds; a record held since 2005 by Francis Joyon on Idec of 6 days 4 hours, 1 minute and 37 seconds. Thomas Coville’s time on Sodeb’O was 5 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds (to be approved by the WSSRC). Already the holder of the 24 hour distance record since January 2008, with 619.3 miles at an average of 25.8 knots, this latest victory is clearly not down to chance. At 40, this multihull specialist is a sailor with one of the largest number of miles single-handed under his belt, thanks to his racing background in the 60 foot class with a second place in The Transat 2004 and a fabulous podium finish in the Route du Rhum in 2006. Since 2005, the young sailor from La Trinité, father to two children, has been committed to his loyal sponsor Sodeb’O in a single-handed record programme, which enabled him to become successively the fastest man around the British Isles, between Spain and the Bahamas and between Miami and New York. -- Read on: http://xrl.us/kk4dc WHY CAN'T I TAKE A SHOWER? Because the British pump on my Italian-winched American yacht has packed it in. Luckily, I'm at Newport Shipyard that not only has showers but has added Custom Yacht Outfitters to its store, to help me obtain those hard-to-find parts. Speaking of winches, Custom Yacht Outfitters is also a Harken Service Agent. The Newport Bucket yachts have "no excuse to lose" being moored at Newport Shipyard this weekend! http://www.NewportShipyard.com LIGHTER CONDITIONS PROVIDING BALANCE AT YOUTH WORLDS Arhus, Denmark (July 16, 2008) - The top five places in the 29er boys, RS:X girls, Laser Radials and the SL16 are getting tighter with only two days left of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships. The strong winds that marked the beginning of the event were replaced today with a lighter breeze on the Bay of Arhus, allowing for more of the sailors to excel as the conditions eased for them. The race committee set three races for each class today to catch up on those lost on the first day. In the 29er boy’s fleet, the American’s Judge Ryan and Hans Henken had a great day with a 1, 2, 3 bringing them to the top of the pile. Henken explained how they started slow but placed themselves well in the lighter breeze. “We played the shifts downwind well and getting top three positions today was a great achievement.” In the Laser, Pavlos Kontides (CYP) had a rare blip today with a fifth in race eight, but sandwiched between a bullet and a second place it did nothing to affect his dominant position at the top of the Laser standings. Luke Lawrence tightened his grip in second place with a win the day’s final race. For Thursday, two races (three for the 29ers) are scheduled for each event, with just one race remaining for each fleet on the final day of the championship on Friday. -- Complete report: http://xrl.us/kk4dg Preliminary results (top three plus top North Americans) Laser (nine races) 1. CYP, Pavlos Kontides, 8 2. USA, Luke Lawrence, 16 3. DEN, Thorbjørn Schierup, 23 7. CAN, Robert Davis, 47 Laser Radial (nine races) 1. AUS, Gabrielle King, 16 2. ESP, Susana Romero, 23 3. CAN, Isabella Bertold, 27 9. USA, Anne Haeger, 48 29er Boys (eleven races) 1. USA, Judge Ryan/ Hans Henken, 22 2. GBR, James Peters/ Edward Fitzgerald, 23 3. AUS, Byron White/ Rhys Mara, 37 29er Girls (eleven races) 1. GBR, Frances Peters/ Claire Lasko, 16 2. NED, Annemiek Bekkering/ Jeske Kisters, 21 3. AUS, Hannah Nattrass/ Michelle Muller, 28 10. USA, Julia Paxton/ Karoline Gurdal, 85 RS:X Boys (nine races) 1. CYP, Michalis Malekkides, 16 2. GRE, Thiseas Kampas, 19 3. GER, Oliver-Tom Schliemann, 25 RS:X Girls (nine races) 1. ITA, Laura Linares, 8 2. POL, Maja Dziarnowska, 15 3. BRA, Patricia Freitas, 17 SL16 multihull (nine races) 1. FRA, Valentin Bellet/ Romain Bellet, 12 2. RSA, Matthew Whitehead/ Michael Ovenstone, 20 3. GBR, James Ellis/ Andrew Glover, 21 Preliminary results: http://www.youthworlds2008.org/Results.aspx Daily video highlights: http://www.sailing-tv.tv/2008isafyouthworlds.html => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Since we are largely a North American publication, we occasionally miss some of the world news, such as like when the country of Cyprus became a major player in sailing. While the Youth Worlds isn’t over yet, sailors from Cyprus are currently positioned to win two of the seven events, and they are only entered in three events. Can someone please enlighten us? Post your reports here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6105 THE TALLEST ALUMINUM MAST IN THE WORLD Seventy-five meters is tall. It's just shy of 250 feet. It's a 25-story building, or a "small" redwood tree in California's Sierra Nevada, or what a tape measure would read if you held it on the George Washington Bridge and dropped it to the surface of New York's Hudson River. It's also now the height of the tallest aluminum mast in the world. The distinction belongs to the Perini Navi cutter Salute, a newly launched 184-foot sistership to recent stunners Selene and Rosehearty. The Italian builder designed Salute's mast in collaboration with the department of naval architecture and marine engineering at the University of Genoa, including sensors that track the loads on Salute's stays and shrouds. Such sensors have been used on America's Cup racing yachts, but Salute represents their first use on a large cruising yacht, according to the builder. -- Read on: http://xrl.us/kk4dp SAILING SHORTS * This weekend ESPNU broadcasts the 2008 Gill College Nationals Sailing Championship presented by Rolex on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 11:00pm ET. The New York Yacht Club was the host club for the 36 race series on Narragansett Bay June 2 - 4. The program is hosted by Gary Jobson, and includes onboard cameras and microphones to highlight the action of the 18 teams from across the United States. -- Full details plus re-air times: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar/shows/#7 * Resume applications for the 2008 U.S. Singlehanded Championship for the George O'Day Trophy are being accepted until the deadline of July 18. The championship is open to both men and women 16 years and older. Hosted by Sayville Yacht Club of Blue Point, NY and sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and LaserPerformance, the event runs from August 6-10 and will be sailed in Sunfish on Great South Bay. -- http://www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/ussc * Three of the most influential OK Dinghy sailors from Australia, Germany and Poland were honored last week at the championship dinner of the Bombardier OK Dinghy World Championship in Warnemunde, Germany, by being welcomed in to the OK Dinghy Hall of Fame. All amateur classes depend to a large extent on the enthusiasm and dedication of many unpaid individuals, with honorees Bill Tyler (AUS), Norbert Petrausch (GER) and the late Marian Jankowski (POL) recognized for their significant contributions to OK Dinghy sailing in their countries and beyond. -- Complete report: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/0716/ * Nieuwpoort, Belgium (July 16, 2008) Following the third day of racing at the Laser European Championship, the completion of six races has allowed entrants to drop their worst score. Aussie Tom Slingsby continues to dominate the Full rig division with Michael Leigh (CAN) in fifth, only three points from second. Sari Multala (FIN) has been equally strong in leading the Radial Women, with American Paige Railey able to drop her black flag starting penalty to rise up to eighth. Racing ends on July 19th. -- http://www.kycn.be/fr/laser_european_ch__2008.html * Sailing Weather Services will be providing free weather forecasts for the Chesapeake Bay’s Screwpile Challenge 2008 from July 20-22. To receive the daily detailed forecasts, log on to the North Sails online weather center: http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf * Traverse City, MI. (AP) - Hundreds of pounds of household garbage has washed onto Lake Michigan shores in the past couple of days, leading to an investigation by the Coast Guard and the temporary closure of a public beach. Trash that apparently came ashore overnight Sunday was strewn along a 10-mile stretch in Mason and Manistee counties in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula. Junk piles up to 8 inches high were reported at a beach in the city of Manistee. -- Read on: http://wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1440543 * To advance growth in women’s sailing, Rolex Watch U.S.A. has announced that it will expand its sponsorship of “Road to Rolex” clinics in 2008 and 2009, and is working with US SAILING to increase the number of clinics offered. The clinics are known as “Road to Rolex” as they prepare women for keelboat racing with an eye toward competing in US SAILING’s Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC). The biennial regatta returns to Houston Yacht Club in La Porte, Texas from October 14-17, 2009. -- Read on: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2008/r2rclinic.asp FIELD TAKES FIRST IN MELGES 24 FLEET IN RHODE ISLAND Ullman Sails customer Alan Field and his crew on Melges 24 “WTF” claimed first place in the 2008 Coastal Living Newport Regatta in Newport, RI, last weekend. Competing with partial Ullman Sails inventory, including a main, jib and spinnaker, “WTF” beat out a fleet of 13 boats, finishing with a total of 12 points. Field won four of the eight races, dropping a third place as his worst finish. The competitors sailed a total of eight races with one discard. Make an investment in your performance - contact a local Ullman Sails loft and visit our new website at http://www.ullmansails.com. SUSPENDED SAILORS As of July 16, 2008, the following sailor(s) have their ISAF Eligibility suspended: * Anders Steen Gotschalk (DEN) - For two years from 5 October 2007 to 5 October 2009 - Anti Doping violation, Presence of Cocaine metabolites. * Christine Johnston (GBR) - For two years from 1 June 2007 to 31 May 2009 - Anti Doping violation, Refusal. * Shinya Kunieda (JPN) - For two years from 1 November 2007 - 31 October 2009 - Breaking RRS 5 (banned substances and method). * Stefan Eriksson (SWE) - until 27 September 2008 - Lack of Good Behaviour and Sportsmanship. * Brodie L Cobb (USA) - until 31 December 2008 - Gross Breach of good manners and sportsmanship. The above mentioned sailors according to ISAF Regulation 19 may not participate in the following events: 1. The sailing regatta of the Olympic Games; 2. The sailing regattas of Regional Games recognized by the International Olympic Committee; 3. Events including “ISAF” in their titles; 4. World and continental championships of ISAF classes and world championships of the IMS, Major Events and other events approved by ISAF as a World Championship; 5. Any event at which the Organizing Authority, Member National Authority or ISAF has appointed an International Jury or International Umpires, International Race Officers, International Measurers or ISAF Technical Delegates to serve in their capacity for which they hold a Certificate of Appointment issued by ISAF; 6. Any event approved by a Member National Authority of the ISAF as an Olympic qualifying event; and any event designated by a Member National Authority within its jurisdiction as requiring ISAF eligibility. ISAF website: http://www.sailing.org/suspended-sailors.php CHINA DETERMINED TO BOLSTER MARINE BUSINESS The Chinese government is leading the development of its marine and boating industry by introducing various initiatives aimed at attracting overseas companies to the country. "Development of water system resources, the construction of marinas in 17 provinces and cities and the setting up of yacht clubs have created massive commercial opportunities for overseas companies," says Yang Xinfa, chairman of the China Boat and Industry Trade Association (CBITA). The Chinese government has also significantly reduced taxes on boats sold in China from 30 per cent to 10 per cent. CBITA is lobbying to completely get rid of the taxes in order to further facilitate the growth of the industry. -- IBI Magazine, http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20080616151317ibinews.html CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Here are a few of the events that are coming up: July 17-18 - East Coast Jr. Windsurfing Champs - Vineyard Haven, MA, USA July 18-20 - Finn North American Championship - Shelburne, VT, USA July 19-20 - High Sierra Regatta - Huntington Lake, CA, USA July 19 - Lake Ontario 300 - Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario, CAN View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Paul Cayard: (regarding Mark Rudiger story in Issue 2639) I am thinking about you Rudi and remembering how tough you were when we had some rough times in the Southern Ocean. I remember being on the bow with you one night struggling to hold onto the number 4 in 40 true and asking each other how the skipper and navigator got on the bow for this one. I know you are fighting hard and will overcome. You have a huge number of fans and admirers; for your skill and your personality. We are all thinking positive thoughts for you right now. We are with you! => Curmudgeon’s Comment: We encourage everyone who has crossed paths with Rudi to post a note to him here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6073 * From John Riise, Latitude 38: Many of Mark’s friends and fellow sailors have asked what more they can do. As the family is encountering many extraordinary expenses, a non-profit emergency fund has been set up by Jim Swartz, owner of Moneypenny. Donations are tax deductible and 100% of the funds will be used to pay certain expenses as directed by Mark. Donations can be made as follows: Christian Center of Park City, P.O. Box 683480, 1100 Iron Horse Drive, Park City, UT 84060 (attn: Emergency Assistance Fund, for benefit of Mark Rudiger). * From Joe Sullivan, Coach, Fordham University: In March 2006, the 150-year old mansion, which served as the clubhouse for Morris Yacht & Beach Club on City Island, NY was destroyed by fire. All was lost. Since 2001, the folks at Morris have graciously hosted our team and our team members wanted to contribute in some small way to the club's rebuilding effort. They elected to solicit burgees from yacht clubs all over the world to give to the club for display in the new clubhouse. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for this September. 118 burgees have been received and six more are pending. Our goal is to present 150 burgees, one for every year that the former clubhouse had been in existence. Receipt of a gift burgee from Ocean County College recently reminded us that many college and university teams have their own burgees and we haven't tapped into that resource. We are doing so now and respectfully requesting your assistance in attaining our goal. If your team has a burgee, would you please donate one to this worthy cause. While any size is welcome, for continuity sake, we are seeking size 12" X 18." I realize that school is out and this message may not be received until September but regardless of when you read this, a donation of your team's burgee will be most appreciated. For mailing information, go to http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6099 CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Marriage is a triumph of habit over hate. Special thanks to Newport Shipyard and Ullman Sails. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
