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SCUTTLEBUTT 3044 - Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,
providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and
dock talk . . . with a North American focus.
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Today's sponsors: North Sails, Morris Yachts, and Henri Lloyd.
UNIQUE COCKTAIL OF FUN AND SERIOUS RACING
Simpson Bay, St. Maarten (March 7, 2010) - There can be few events in the
world that match St. Maarten Heineken Regatta's unique cocktail of fun and
serious racing. Under the leadership of Robbie Ferron - Sint Maarten Yacht
Club commodore - who set up the regatta 30 years ago, this Caribbean classic
continues to go from strength to strength and, if the positive buzz on the
street is anything to go by, next year's event is going to reach record
levels.
With some of the world's most talented sailors including the likes of
America's Cup legends Peter Isler, Peter Holmberg, Gavin Brady, round the
world sailors Kenny Read, Wouter Verbraak, Olympic/America's Cup skipper
Andy Beadsworth, and Dutch double Europe Olympic silver medallist Margriet
Matthijsse, among the many high profile sailors competing here this week,
it's not surprising this event is fast becoming a Mecca for seriously fun
winter racing.
As well as the big names racing on the latest, powerful ultra-light racing
machines such as Irvine Laidlaw's Wally 82 Highland Fling, Tom and Dotty
Hill's brand-new stunning-looking custom Reichel/Pugh 75, Titan 15, George
David's Reichel/Pugh 90 Rambler, and a healthy mix of big Swans, Farrs and
custom builds, yachts in the 30ft-40ft range make up the majority of the 20
separate racing classes which included a bumper 99-strong Bareboat charter
fleet. While fun and partying contribute hugely to Caribbean regatta
success, it's what happens behind the scenes and on the water that really
counts. St. Maarten Heineken Regatta race team run a good balance of coastal
and round-the buoys races, and offer a highly efficient results system,
which are the other key factors that make a good event, great. -- Read on:
http://tinyurl.com/y93bufu
Complete results: http://result.vg/heineken/xprintall?series_id=7
=> Curmudgeon's Comment: This is the only regatta where the number of racing
reports I receive is matched or exceeded by the information about which
bands will be playing each night.
FOR FRIENDLY COMPETITION BETWEEN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Auckland, NZL (March 8, 2010) - Louis Vuitton Trophy teams drew for race
pairings at a press conference and cocktail evening at the Royal New Zealand
Yacht Squadron Monday night, where Dean Barker, skipper of host team
Emirates Team New Zealand, and the winner of last year's Louis Vuitton
Pacific Series, said his team had its work cut out for it when racing begins
Tuesday.
"The fantastic thing about this event this year is that the standard has got
better," Barker said. "Many of the teams have been training in the Version 5
boats in preparation, so I think the bar has been lifted." Ben Ainslie,
skipper and helmsman for Britain's TEAMORIGIN, said it was great to be back
aboard the Kiwi boats despite the day's challenging conditions. "The boats
are lovely to sail, with excellent helm response and all the mechanicals
beautifully thought out."
Like Ainslie, Kiwi skipper Gavin Brady who is steering Mascalzone Latino
Audi Team, has had months of experience in Cup boats in Auckland. "The race
course for this event is fantastic," Brady said. "Most Cup sailors know it
as the area they tow through behind the tender on the way to racing in the
Hauraki Gulf. But it's great. It provides passing lanes and you have to
engage with your competition. It's either that or hit the rocks at the
harbour's edge."
The forecast for the first day of racing is for light southeasterlies,
increasing during the day. Winds are expected to increase later in the week.
Live streaming web coverage of the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland is
available on the event website. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/yaxa3gr
Team lists: http://www.louisvuittontrophy.com/teams/EN/
BACKGROUND: The Louis Vuitton Trophy series is designed to be a
cost-effective format for match racing competition in Version 5 America's
Cup Class boats. Teams will take turns on the two Emirates Team New Zealand
yachts NZL 84 and NZL 92 that have been fitted out, optimized and rigged
after a year in storage. They will race four matches a day to complete a
round robin seeding series before a ladder elimination culminating in the
finals on March 21st. The 2010 series continues on to Sardinia (May 22-June
6) and Dubai (Nov. 13-28).
NORTH SAILS-POWERED BOATS SWEEP 2010 MIAMI GRAND PRIX
Congratulations to James Bishop and crew on 'Gold Digger II' for winning the
IRC class and to Helmut Jahn and crew on 'Flash Gordon' for winning the Farr
40 class at 2010 Miami Grand Prix. Both boats, along with the 2nd and 3rd
place boats in these classes were powered by North sails. Jean Francois
Cruette and crew onboard 'Teasing Machine,' who races with a complete North
Sails Class Sail Development (CSD) inventory, went from placing 13th at Key
West RW to winning the highly competitive 23-boat Melges 32 fleet in Miami.
When performance counts, the choice is clear: http://www.na.northsails.com
QUOTE / UNQUOTE
* "We have to announce a timeline for some of the key decisions like the
venue, format, type of boats and so forth at the end of March," explained
BMW Oracle CEO Russell Coutts. "We've been meeting some of the teams to get
their ideas on some of the big issues to be sorted out." Coutts confirmed
that his boss Larry Ellison's first choice of venue is San Francisco - home
to their representative club the Golden Gate Yacht Club - with 2013 the most
likely timing. -- NZ Herald, full story:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10630811
* With regard to whether BMW Oracle CEO Russell Coutts will be on the boat
during his team's America's Cup defense: "I'm still deciding what to do in
the future. I don't want to rush things on that. I've got a young family now
and that's definitely a consideration. Honestly, I'm really not sure. Right
now I'm just doing the best job I can for Oracle and trying to speak to some
of the other teams to create some good processes [for the next America's
Cup], but I haven't made a decision on my future yet." -- NZ Herald, full
story:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10630818
=> Curmudgeon's Comment: If you click through to the NZ Herald links above,
you will learn how Coutts is both considering retirement and planning to
raid the Alinghi team for their top personnel. However, after I questioned a
spokesperson with the BMW Oracle team who witnessed the interview, Russell's
quotes were incorrectly attributed in the articles, and he made neither of
these two claims.
SCUTTLEBUTT POLL
Even though the 33rd America's Cup is behind us, it is not safe to assume
the litigation is too. Match winner Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) still
holds the option to pursue their breach of fiduciary duty (BFD) action
against Société Nautique De Genève's (SNG), which in short means that SNG
were bad trustees of the America's Cup, and should possibly not have a right
in the future to become a trustee again. This would mean SNG could no longer
compete for the Cup.
SNG is asking GGYC to end all litigation concerning the 33rd America's Cup
and all prior Cups. SNG has little leverage other than their own challenge
of GGYC's boat, which as Legal Analyst Cory E. Friedman describes is their
"ultra bogus constructed in country/sloop/wings are not sails cross motion."
SNG says they will drop their challenge if GGYC drops theirs.
The NY Supreme Court is set to welcome the parties on March 10, 2010, which
is when we may find out how they plan to proceed. Seems like GGYC is in
control of this next phase...so should they seek to pursue charges against
SNG, or should they let it go and move forward? Vote here:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/polls/10/0308/
=> Curmudgeon's Comment: The last time Scuttlebutt ran a poll that involved
SNG, somebody from the club initiated an email campaign to affect the
results. Let me put this as simply as I can... don't do it again.
FOR THE RECORD
(Day 37 - March 8, 2010; 16:58 UTC) - Still in the high pressure which is
stagnating off Argentina, Groupama 3 is combating headwinds that have led to
seven tacks since Sunday afternoon to help their northerly progress. Very
attentive to the slightest wind shift, skipper Franck Cammas and navigator
Stan Honey are finding themselves in a virtual race against Orange 2 with
five years separation.
"In high pressure conditions such as these, there is always a discrepancy
between the grib files and the actual situation on the water: at the moment,
we've fallen into a zone of light winds, probably due to a big squall to our
right," indicated Cammas. "The breeze should pick up radically at sunset to
pump out 30-40 knots of E'ly on our beam. For now we're back on a route
taking us almost due North until Tuesday morning, at which point we'll have
to put in some more tacks to reach the tradewinds, which are still some 700
miles ahead of our bows."
Cammas estimated that he couldn't have a deficit of more than a day on
crossing the equator. Indeed Orange 2 only began to slow as she approached
the latitude of Rio de Janeiro, but then her climb up to Recife proved to be
fairly laboured. In fact it's becoming an increasingly established fact that
bagging the Jules Verne Trophy record is still uncertain and everything will
depend on their progress off Brazil. -- Full report:
http://tinyurl.com/y8acjc5
Current position as of March 8, 2010 (22:00:00 UTC):
Ahead/behind record: -332.0 nm
Speed (avg) over past 24 hours: 16.2 knots
Distance over past 24 hours: 388.2 nm
Distance to go: 5,464 nm
Data: http://cammas-groupama.geovoile.com/julesverne/positions.asp?lg=en
Map: http://cammas-groupama.geovoile.com/julesverne/index.asp?lg=en
* After their start on January 31, 2010, Franck Cammas and his nine crew on
Groupama 3 must cross finish line off Ushant, France before March 23rd
(06:14:57 UTC) to establish a new time for the Jules Verne Trophy (21,760
nm) for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht with
no restrictions. Current record holder is Bruno Peyron and crew, who in 2005
sailed Orange 2 to a time of 50 days, 16 hours, and 20 minutes at an average
of 17.89 knots.
MORRIS YACHTS AND USCGA TO PRESENT AT MBBS MARCH 20
After 45 years of service, the Coast Guard Academy is replacing its fleet of
Luders 44. Morris Yachts was chosen to be the builder of the new Leadership
44. Come learn about this exciting project and the Coast Guard's mission to
train and develop future officers. The talk will be held Saturday, March 20
at 11am during the annual Maine Boatbuilders Show in Portland, Maine. While
there don't forget to stop by and see our guys from Morris Service and
Brokerage! This show is a sure sign of Spring! For more information call
1-207-244-5509 or email mailto:sales1@morrisyachts.com -
http://wwww.morrisyachts.com
BACARDI MIAMI SAILING WEEK
Miami, FL (March 8, 2010) - Accomplished Floridian Skipper Augie Diaz teamed
up with Brazilian Crewmate and 2007 Star World Champion Bruno Prada to open
the first day of the BACARDI Cup Star Class competition with a win, taking
the pair one step closer to the coveted Trofeo BACARDI. The day's victory by
Diaz-Prada, which took place among a field of eighty-four vessels in a light
easterly wind up to 5 knots, was the first in five days of Star Class
sailing.
The Star Class started the weeklong BACARDI Cup competition, which also
doubled as the opening event to the first ever BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, a
new addition to the celebrated eighty-three year old sailing tradition. The
Star Class competition will continue Tuesday and go through Friday, March
12th. The Viper Class begins Wednesday, March 10th with Melges 20, Melges 24
and J24 starting their run on Thursday, March 11th. -- Full story:
http://www.miamisailingweek.com/news.html
Preliminary results (top 5 of 84)
1. Augie Diaz/ Bruno Prada, USA
2. Jud Smith/ Brian Fatih, USA
3. Gustavo Lima/ Rubrio Basilio, POR
4. Rick Merriman/ Phil Trinter, USA
5. Peter McChesney/ Shane Zwingelberg, USA
Complete results: http://www.miamisailingweek.com/results.html
SAILING SHORTS
* The Techno 293 North American Championships held Mar 5-7 in Merritt
Island, Florida was the North American country qualifier for the first IOC
Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore, August 14-26. Mexico dominated
the youth men's with Ignacio Berenguer Lleonart leading the way. The junior
womens was dominated by the new Techno 293 North American Champion, Marion
Lepert (USA), but due to IOC eligibility requirements, Marion was not
eligible to qualify USA for the Youth Olympics. Therefore the top two
qualifiers in junior women's are Audrey Caron from Canada and Margot Samson
from USA. -- Details:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9360
* The first rankings of the spring 2010 Inter-Collegiate season are now
compiled, which finds Boston College holding the top spot in both the Coed
and Womens divisions. Yale is also in the top three in both rankings. --
Full rankings: http://tinyurl.com/yalk3tf
* The Volvo Ocean Race will continue to introduce the new route for 2011-12
on Wednesday 10 March. A press release will be issued at 13:30 GMT, 14:30
CET on that day. Early reports indicate that the announcement will detail
how the final leg of the race will be from Lorient, France to the finish in
Galway, Ireland. The race generated almost 60 million Euros in revenue when
it stopped in Ireland for the first time last year, attracting some 650,000
people to Galway. --
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0308/1224265795524.html
* New Orleans, LA - Eight teams competed this weekend at Southern Yacht Club
for the Southern Nichols Masters Team Race. After Hurricane Katrina's
devastation of SYC's clubhouse and trophy collection, several yacht clubs
donated trophies of their own to SYC to help restock the trophy case. New
York Yacht Club donated the Nichols Cup to SYC in 2005 in honor of their
former Commodore Nichols to be used to foster the growth of Team Racing. A
three-way tie between Buccaneer YC, Bay-Waveland YC, and Southern YC saw the
home team win out on the second tie-breaker. -- Details:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9359
* Dubai, UAE (March 8, 2010) - When sailing the International Moth, there
are two primary modes of speed: foiling and not foiling. The speed
difference is significant, and with the 6-8 knot winds on the first day of
the PUMA 2010 International Moth Class World Championship, this was the key
to success. Andrew "Amac" McDougall (AUS) lead the first beat and finished
the only race with a bullet. Michael Lennon (GBR), Brad Funk (USA), Chris
Graham (UAE), and Simon Payne (GBR) rounded out the 44-boat fleet. --
Results:
http://www.dosc.ae/moths-entry-list/results/puma-moth-worlds-2010.html
* (March 8, 2010; Day 7) - With the first 1,000 miles of the 5,680-mile leg
from Qingdao to San Francisco.race almost completed, the forecasted low
pressure system has finally arrived with strong 40 knot headwinds
challenging the Clipper 68 fleet. Meanwhile, back in Qingdao, Team Finland
awaits the arrival of their replacement mast. The 90-foot spar has left
Luxemburg and whilst the Clipper Race team is doing everything to ensure a
timely delivery in Qingdao the journey is at the mercy of shipping agents,
airlines and customs. -- Full report:
http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/race_news/?item=1624
* (March 8, 2010) - Brazil today released a list of US products that it will
include on a retaliatory tariff. According to the National Marine
Manufacturers Association (NMMA), US-built powerboats to be imported into
Brazil are on the list, while US-built sailboats and engines are not. The
proposed hike is scheduled for April 8th, and would double the tariff on US
imported boats from 20 to 40 per cent. -- IBI Magazine, read on:
http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20100208160400ibinews.html
NEW GEAR FROM HENRI LLOYD
Venture out sailing with the newest fully waterproof, windproof, breathable
foul weather gear from Henri Lloyd. New TP2 Ventura Jacket and TP2 Trouser
offer uncompromising protection at an unbelievable value. Check out all the
features at your local Henri Lloyd dealer, then check out for the weekend
with Henri Lloyd gear. Learn more here:
http://www.henrilloydonline.com/web/product.php?prodID=667
LETTERS AND FORUM
Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, 'The
Curmudgeon'). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer
than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). 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 Charles J. Doane: (re, letter in Scuttlebutt 3043)
I have to disagree with Ted Jones's characterization of the losses of Pamir,
Albatross, Pride of Baltimore, and Marques as being due to a lack of
"built-in weak points." All these incidents are discussed and dissected in
great detail in Dan Parrott's authoritative book Tall Ships Down, and none
of Mr. Parrott's scholarship supports Mr. Jones's opinion. Pamir's rig in
fact carried away before she sank; the others were largely stability
casualties. For more on Albatross in particular vis a vis the recent loss of
Concordia, you can check out
http://www.wavetrain.net/lit-bits/65-song-of-the-sirens
* From Keith Kenitzer:
Regarding Nicholas Hayes comments about pros in sailing (Issue 3038), I
would tend to agree. My other recreational passion is ice hockey. Over the
years I have had the opportunity to take the ice in various pick-up games
with a variety of very talented players with NHL, Olympic and NCAA
experience. While it's fun to say I skated with so and so, especially when
they were on my team, the reality is they are so much better than the
average recreational player, like myself, that even when they "take it
easy", they can still make me look ridiculous. I am sure the same can be
said on the race course. While it's fun to say we raced against the best,
the reality is, in most cases, they are just so much better than most
recreational sailors.
I think in most sporting endeavors, athletes want a relatively level playing
field with the same chance of success as everyone else playing the game.
Guys that go to a fantasy baseball camp have a great time for the week they
are competing with the pros, but if A-Rod, Derek Jeter and several other
pros were regulars in their weekly league, they'd probably look for another
league to play in. I am not sure why sailing would be any different. Of
course, when the pro is calling tactics or guiding your boat across the
finish line first, things might be a little different. I guess it's all a
matter of perspective. -- Forum thread:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9331
UNH BOATHOUSE FIRE - DONATE HERE
Last week, the University of New Hampshire sailing team suffered an arson
fire that resulted in the total loss of their equipment and boats. The blaze
destroyed 55 boats, five motors, three launches, trailers and additional
equipment - totaling a complete loss for both the sailing team, the UNH
Community Sailing Program, a summer program for youths between 6 years old
and 18 years old, and a combined junior and senior high school sailing team.
The damage is estimated to exceed $500,000.
To help expedite donations, Scuttlebutt has established an account that will
be accepting funds this week. Use this link to submit your donation by Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or PayPal:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/store/
Also, Z Blok sunblock will donate $1 to the UNH Sailing Team for each tube
of Z Blok sold on-line in the month of March. This donation includes all
sales retroactively since March 1. -- Details:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9347
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
"Stop saying that high school boys who have sex with their hot, blonde
teachers are permanently damaged. I have a better description for these
kids: lucky bastards." - Bill Maher
Special thanks to North Sails, Morris Yachts, and Henri Lloyd.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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