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SCUTTLEBUTT 2355– May 31, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). COUNTDOWN With the challenger finals beginning on June 1st and the America’s Cup set to start on June 23rd, all three teams remaining in competition at the 32nd America’s Cup were on the water training on Wednesday afternoon. The two Luna Rossa Challenge boats sailed together, while Emirates Team New Zealand and Alinghi had two races against each other. Conditions were excellent on Wednesday afternoon with 10 to 14 knots of Southeasterly sea breeze. Alinghi and Emirates Team New Zealand started two races against each other, where neither pushed too hard in the start, and where both boats peeled apart on the second beat of both scrimmages. Observers noted that Alinghi appeared to be able to sail higher, pointing better than Emirates Team New Zealand. The Swiss team also appeared to have plenty of speed. Crew work was smoother on the battle-hardened Kiwi squad; Alinghi had a poor spinnaker drop and a couple of pretty average gybes over the course of the afternoon. Ed Baird was the helmsman on Alinghi, with neither team using their newest boat. The press conference for the two Louis Vuitton Cup Finalists is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 am. -- http://tinyurl.com/25fsc4 * Flashback: If you care for a Semi-Finals flashback, photographers Thierry Martinez, Amory Ross, and Jan Pehrson have kicked in gallery images during those crazy four boat days when the Spanish were knocking on the front door and BMW Oracle Racing was slipping out the back door: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/sf * Underdog: Maybe it is the underdog status that is empowering the Luna Rossa Challenge. The Scuttlebutt poll closed on Wednesday with the Luna Rossa making late gains, but the voters still see them losing to Emirates Team New Zealand in the challenger finals. Have the ‘buttheads just given the Italian entry the extra push they needed to prove the pundits wrong again? Final results: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/polls/07/0524 * Foreshadow: But if the pundits are right, here are some images from photographer Thierry Martinez of Alinghi and Emirates Team New Zealand engaging in some practice races on May 30th -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0530a/ * Bun in the oven: ETNZ skipper Dean Barker and wife Mandy have announced they're expecting their second child together. CHALLENGER FINALS Racing begins June 1st (best of 9 series) 1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ = 0 3. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ = 0 -- Complete schedule: http://www.americascup.com/en/americascup/program/calendrier.php THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE (T2P.tv’s Tucker Thompson is in Valencia, Spain, and is part of the Versus television team of experts providing coverage of the America's Cup. Here is the latest posting to his America’s Cup diary.) It has been seven years since I have sailed on an AC boat. So when Terry Hutchinson offered me an unusual opportunity to sail with them as a guest aboard NZL 92 I jumped at the chance. All I can say on behalf of all those who may not have been aboard a modern America’s Cup Class boat in full race mode is “WOW!” The boats are enough make any sailor jealous. They are purpose built machines, perfect in every detail. The very best minds in the sport are working on them every single day with one goal in mind: to make the boat faster. The hull and deck mold together as one flowing unit, sleek and sexy. There are NO unnecessary items aboard. Every piece of equipment fits exactly as it should, to the millimeter. Electronic displays no bigger than they need to be, sleeves and drink holders are made of paper thin sail material glued strategically to the inner shell of the boat. Velcro straps are tucked under rail holding predetermined spare parts- a spectra strop, an outhaul pin, etc. These boats are a sailor’s dream- as cool as it gets. The crew is all business. There is a contagious energy aboard, and each person is focused on the task at hand. There is no wasted time. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/t2p/#May30 $10 BILLION BOOST Dubai would receive a $10 billion economic boost from staging the next America's Cup, more than five times as much as Auckland, according to a study on possible hosts of sailing's elite competition. The winner of the America's Cup, which starts June 23 in Valencia, Spain, decides the date and location of the next event. San Francisco, Italy's Genoa and Valencia are other possible venues. Team Alinghi from landlocked Switzerland is the first defending champion not to hold the event at home, and hasn't decided where to stage the races if it wins again. Dubai would benefit the most because the event would coincide with the completion of $75 billion worth of investment including a new airport and metro in the United Arab Emirates sheikdom, said Tom Cannon, dean of business at Buckingham University in the U.K. San Francisco would see benefits of $8 billion and Genoa $4 billion, he said. -- Bloomberg, full story: http://tinyurl.com/ysotmq * Politics: The possibility of the America's Cup staying in Spain for a second time strengthened this week as the leaders of both the local and regional governments were returned with increased majorities in the elections on Sunday. -- Stuart Alexander, The Independent, full story: http://sport.independent.co.uk/general/article2594097.ece DISCOVER That it’s better to ask for what you want for Father’s Day. If you’re a dad, there are three days each year when people have to give you presents. One of them is coming up in a couple of weeks, so make sure they know what you want. Send them to your nearest Atlantis WeatherGear retailer or to the Atlantis website to see the new 2007 line of waterproof / breathable sailing jackets. That way you won’t get another pink tie. Discover the new Atlantis WeatherGear. http://www.atlantisweathergear.com * To celebrate Father’s Day on June 17, take a moment to thank your dad, and if they helped you get into sailing, tell us about it. The best letters will be reprinted in the Scuttlebutt newsletter, and all submissions will be eligible to win an Atlantis WeatherGear Grand Prix vest. Post your letter here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/07/FD COLLEGE NATIONALS Annapolis, Md. (May 30, 2007) – While it may not be scientifically sound, empirical data is often very accurate – possibly never more so than in the case of the two schools selected for the at-large berths to the 2007 ICSA/Gill Coed National Championship. Both the University of California-Irvine (Irvine, Calif.) and Brown University (Providence, R.I.) made it into the national championship courtesy of the at-large berths which used empirical data and observations after 16 other colleges qualified through the seven ICSA North American conference eliminations. Today, after seven races apiece in A- and B-Divisions, UC-Irvine and Brown are leading the overall standings at 72 and 84 points, respectively, with two days of competition remaining. UC-Irvine has won this championship twice previously (1988 and 1990), while Brown would make school history were they to ultimately prevail. Not to be discounted are a number of possible spoilers nipping at the heels of the lead pair, among them being the defending champions from the College of Charleston (Charleston, S.C.) in third with 86 points. Preliminary Results (top 5 of 18; 7 races completed in A and B div) 1. UC Irvine, 72 points (A division=32; B division=40) 2. Brown, 84 (A division=40; B division=44) 3. Charleston, 86 (A division=41; B division=45) 4. Dartmouth, 88 (A division=57; B division=31) 5. Stanford, 94 (A division=55; B division=39) => Complete results: http://www.collegesailing.org/nas/spring07/results.asp?RegattaID=204 * Look for online video reports from the Coed Dinghy Nationals on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights at http://www.jobsonsailing.com FARRAH HALL: REPORTING FROM THE OLYMPIC TRAIL (Being the third ranked member of a US Women's Olympic Windsurfing team that is struggling for decent international events, Farrah Hall realizes that she is closer to the bottom of the mountain than conquering the top. However, don’t expect that detail to slow her down, as she provides this update from her Olympic trail.) It's been a long but productive month here in Poland. Two weeks of intense (and cold!) training and a regatta in Puck, then some sunny, light wind sessions in Sopot...lots of organizing logistics, a little fund raising, and I'm ready again to begin my next adventure in Cyprus (at the RS:X European Championship, Limassol, Cyprus). However, this month has been what I think one of the greatest adventures of my life...an adventure of self-discovery. How does a place get under your skin? We all have a place that we call home. Whether it's in the country or the city, a suburb or trailer park, or even just in your boat or van, that place is special in some way. It is there that you are able to rest not only your body but your soul as well. When you are away, it begins to call you back, and the farther away you go, the greater the sense of loss. Why are we so attached to certain places? Because somewhere along the line, you have there discovered something about yourself and have connected in some way to other people, or unexpectedly, have chanced upon something rare and beautiful. I don’t know if this has actually happened to me here in Poland, but I do know that something inside of me has changed that has led to smoother sailing…and I won’t ever forget this month. I set out this season knowing that I had to change or my sailing never would get better. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/yppdw2 SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER... For the six members of US Sailing's US Elite Youth Development Sailing Team (EYDT), college final exams are finished, and the summer sailing season is heating up! The athletes chosen for the new EYDT are all under 21 years old and have been identified as future Olympic prospects in the Laser and Laser Radial classes. Luke Lawrence (Palm City, Fla.), Kyle Rogachenko (Collegeville, Pa.) and Fred Strammer (Nokomis, Fla.) are on their way to Hyeres, France for the Laser Youth European Championship, which will be raced from June 2-9. Strammer, who just graduated from Pine View High School in Osprey, Fla., details his racing goals and how he plans to reach a high performance level in the Laser this summer: http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/spotlight/spotlight053007.asp AVERAGE JOES FACE MEDCUP PROS There will be a new player in the 2007 TP 52 Breitling MedCup: John Buchan's Glory crew from Seattle. Given that this effort is largely home-grown, and predominantly amateur, it would be easy to dismiss their chances of scoring well in what has become the most competitive grand-prix sailing circuit in the world. However, this boat is stocked with talent. Buchan comes from one of the foremost sailing families on the West Coast. His brother Bill Buchan is a multiple Star world champ and won a gold medal in the Star Class at the 1984 Olympics. Bill's son Carl, who will be the Glory team's tactician, also won a gold medal in those games, sailing with Jonathan McKee in the Flying Dutchman. Carl Buchan won the Star Worlds in 1992. Also on the Glory crew is Fritz Lanzinger, a veteran of the 505 and skiff circuits, and Mark Brink, a J/24 and Laser champion. Whether they can beat the experienced, fully professional teams that make up many of the top programs in the MedCup remains to be seen. But don't expect this team to be intimidated. John Buchan's first foray into the TP 52 circuit came a year and a half ago, when he chartered the TP 52 Braveheart for 2006 Acura Key West Race Week. -- Sailing World, full story: http://www.sailingworld.com/racing/racing-news/bound-for-glory-52234.html ULLMAN SAILS QUALITY INVESTMENT! Why are Ullman Sails the "Fastest Sails on the Planet?" Simple…Ullman selects only premium sailcloth and marine hardware that the sail making industry can provide. Ullman Sails combines the latest proven sail design programs with proven construction technique that have an end result of simply the best sails available. Whether you race, cruise, or just enjoy day sailing and are looking for top quality sails that combine performance, durability, and service, there is only one clear choice: Ullman Sails. Call your nearest Ullman Sails loft or visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com SAILING SHORTS * Annapolis, MD (May 30, 2007) Liz Baylis and Sally Barkow remain undefeated with 7 wins apiece on day 1 of the Boat U.S. Santa Maria Women’s Match Race event, sailed in J/22’s. Time ran out before the ten teams were able to complete the first round robin, with Baylis and Barkow yet to meet. Racing continues through Saturday. -- http://www.santamariacup.org * After a five-medal haul in Medemblik, Great Britain are the big winners in the latest release of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings (released May 30, 2007) and now count crews in the top three of six of the Olympic Classes. Among the North Americans filling top positions are Anna Tunnicliffe, USA (Laser - 1), Sally Barkow/ Carrie Howe/ Debbie Capozzi, USA (Yngling - 2), Michael Leigh, CAN (Laser - 4), and Chris Cook, CAN (Finn - 6). -- Full details: http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j19FnAAC~&format=popup * French photographer Pierrick Contin was onsite for the Melges 24 French Open Championship last weekend in Dinard, France, and has provided Scuttlebutt with brilliant images from what looked to be some nice sailing conditions. Enjoy the slide show format for these twenty-seven shots: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0530 * North Sails has partnered with Sailing Weather Services to provide FREE weather forecasts for the Sperry Top-Sider Detroit NOOD Regatta from June 1-3, 2007. With the racing taking place on the Lake St. Clair, nearly two hundred boats are entered in 14 one-design and two handicapped classes. To sign up for these daily detailed forecasts, log on to: http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf * Newport, RI. -- The Puma Racing Team (preparing to compete in the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race) will enter their first local race on Sunday June 3rd at Sail Newport's Halfway Rock Regatta presented by New England Boatworks. The Race is due to be an "Around Conanicut Island Race" and can be seen from various vantage points around the bay. The Puma Volvo 70 has been training out of the Newport Shipyard for the last month and will be in the midst of a weekend of training and testing. -- http://tinyurl.com/27bsg2 * The Sailrocket project, which has been based at the Walvis Bay speed-strip in Namibia since March 2007 in pursuit of breaking the 50-knot barrier, has decided to move back home to the UK to further refine their craft. High-speed steering issues, recent crashes, and weakening local weather conditions have led to this decision. Their most recent update is posted here: http://tinyurl.com/24narw CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Here are a few of the events that are coming up: June 1 - Annapolis to Newport Race - Annapolis, MD, USA June 1-3 - Fort Worth BC Annual Heineken Regatta - Fort Worth, TX, USA June 1-3 - Southern Bay Race Week - Hampton, VA, USA June 2 - Delta Ditch Run - Pt. Richmond, CA, USA June 2 - Race to the Border - Galveston, TX, USA June 2-3 - Sprit Fest - Sag Harbor, NY, USA June 2-3 - Stamford Y.C. Double Handed Regatta - Stamford, CT, USA View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO 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, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Tim Patterson: (regarding onboard microphones) The coverage of the race down under when the jib of Conner's boat split from top to bottom was made much more exciting and real by the mike picking up Connors quietly saying "Number two jib" to Whidden as he went forward to help, and then the "ready about" as the deck was cleared, and the next "ready about" as they turned to the layline having crossed the Kiwis on port. I think the time was less than two minutes from split to layline, but what excitement. * From Ben Towery: The arguments that the Cup has turned too professional, too international, and too technological are getting old. It’s the same moaning and groaning about the "good 'ol days" and I'm tired of reading it. I have loved this Cup cycle. And I'm not alone. From the numbers I've seen this Cup has been a great commercial success. I have people in the office always asking me about the Cup and the ads they see on TV. For those who think its too professional, go ask the people making their living out there, some supporting families, and see what they think of "professionalism" and the fact they get to make a living doing what they love. I for one, am jealous! For those who want a "friendly match between nations" go watch the Olympics. And there are still many Americans left in the game to root for…Terri Hutchinson, Bruce Nelson, the Mckees. And for those who think technology has ruined the Cup, go back to sailing your wooden boats with cotton sails and a sextant. Wouldn't that make racing so much more fun? I'm sure you don't use a mobile phone, the internet, a car, microwave, fire, toilet paper or any other technological experiments society has burdened us with. It’s the America's Cup for crying out loud! It should require the best of everything to win. We all benefit from the tech used in the Cup. (Do you have an A-sail?) CURMUDGEON’S CONUNDRUM How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? Special thanks to Atlantis WeatherGear and Ullman Sails. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
