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SCUTTLEBUTT 1649 - August 18, 2004Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere. OLYMPIC SAILING * The weather experts who were predicting three or four days of strong northerly Meltemi winds were very badly mistaken. Today was tactically the hardest day of the Olympic regatta so far with a northerly wind blowing inside the Olympic harbor at times when there was a shifty southerly blowing offshore. The southerly was a strange breeze the tripped most people up at one stage or another, the scale of the fall being the deciding factor as the overnight results were published; though there were a few familiar names that managed to avoid the meteorological banana skin. - Andrew Preece, The Daily Sail, http://tinyurl.com/6xofb * After a couple of days of largely disappointing results, the U.S. Sailing Team made some positive moves in three classes on Day 4 of the 2004 Olympic Regatta. In a shifty and inconsistent sea breeze that started in the west and eventually backed all the way to the east, the U.S. 470 teams and Laser sailor Mark Mendelblatt improved their overall standings and now stand either in the medals, or very close to them. The wind forced race committees to work overtime to get the scheduled races off. In fact, the final Women's 470 race didn't finish until nearly 7 p.m., and the competitors, who'd left the harbor before noon, were straggling into the harbor at sunset. But at least the 470s can now say they're back on schedule after racing on what was supposed to be a day off. The Men's Mistral class, already down a race because its first race on Sunday was thrown out, was unable to get a race in today and is now three races behind schedule. The women's boardsailing division got one race in and is a race down. The 49er class, sailing on a reserve day, completed one of three scheduled races. The Europes got in a pair of races, but are still two down and, with the Lasers, will likely race tomorrow on their reserve day. Paul Foerster and Kevin Burnham had another solid day in the 470s. Though their results, a 10th and a fourth, might not look so spectacular, they were better than all but one other boat. More importantly, they beat the first-place team from Great Britain in both races and are now second by just two points. - Stuart Streuli, Sailing World website, full story: www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=34289&typeID=400&catID=587 Europe - 25 boats (4 of 11 races) 1. NOR, Siren Sundby, 10 2. AUS, Sarah Blanck, 23 3. DEN, Signe Livbjerg, 33 10 USA, Meg Galliard, 43 470 Men - 27 boats (6 of 11 races with one discard) 1. GBR, Nick Rogers/Joe Glanfield, 23 2. USA, Paul Foerster/Kevin Burnham, 25 3. UKR, Eugen Braslavets/ Igor Matvienko, 31 470 Women -20 boats (5 of 11 races with one discard) 1. GRE, Sofia Bekatorou/Aimilia Tsoulfa, 6 2. DEN, Susanne Ward/Michaela Meehan, 19 3. SWE, Therese Torgersson/ Vendela Zacrisson, 21 11. USA, Katie McDowell/Isabelle Kinsolving, 36 14. CAN, Jennifer Provan/Nikola Girke, 40 49er - 19 boats (standings from race 1) 1. NOR, Christoffer Sunby/ Frode Bovim 2. BRA, Andre Fonseca/Rodrigo Duarte 3. ESP, Iker Martinez/ Xavier Fernandez 7. USA, Tim Wadlow/ Pete Spaulding Laser - 42 boats (4 of 11 races) 1. BRA, Robert Scheidt, 15 2. BEL, Philippe Bergmans, 32 3. CRO, Mate Arapov, 41 4. USA, Mark Menderblatt, 42 20. CAN, Bernard Luttmer, 83 42. ISV, Timothy Pitts, 163 Mistral Women - 26 boats (after 3 races) 1. ITA, Alessandra Sensini, 14 2. FRA, Faustine Merret, 16 3. HKG, Lai han Lee, 16 14. USA, Lanee Beashel, 38 25. MEX, Rosa Campos, 71 Complete scores: http://www.sailing.org/olympics2004/ Updated Olympic photo gallery: www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/olympics QUOTE / UNQUOTE "Very tricky, very shifty and thus very difficult for sailing. There were big changes in terms of velocity and wind direction. When going downwind, the wind filled in from behind on a big shift. And from where we were we couldn't get to it. So, there was nothing we could do about it." - Kevin Burnham, USA 470 crew - www.sailing.org/olympics2004/results/news2690.html WINDWHACKERS A painful and frustrating day on the water for many of the competitors today as the breeze swung around the Saronic Gulf and caused chaos on several of the race courses. This was probably not the day to be out on the windsurfer course, or the windwhackers as many here like to call them. Until I'd witnessed a race in this class I hadn't really grasped why they have this nickname, but as the clock counted down the last five seconds, the cacophony of flapping Mylar as the fleet pumped their way off the line said it all. Sounding like a flock of birds that have suddenly decided to take flight, the windwhackers' start is an extraordinary spectacle and a shock to us traditionalists. Having whacked their way upwind, they then proceed to stir themselves downwind in another, more elegant pumping manoeuvre. Frankly, it's just not cricket to anyone who grew up sitting on a thwart, but it does at least get them around the course. - Yachting World website, full story: http://tinyurl.com/69g4l "TEAM MUSTO" WINS AGAIN You don't need to have a Maxi Catamaran to wear Musto gear, you don't even have to Race Offshore. Ed Baird has just won the Portugal Swedish Match Cup as well as his third match racing world championships wearing Musto's latest GORE-TEX Race gear. "Great kit" said Ed, "Comfortable, easy to move in, very breathable, keeps you dry and does its job for a very long time. Nice quality". Thanks Ed, and congratulations. You don't need to be the Match Racing World Champion to experience Musto. Give it a try next time: www.musto.co.uk A GATHERING OF THE EAGLES Castine - Some of the finest minds and reputations from the rarefied world of yacht design exchanged reminiscences, ideas and observations at Delano Auditorium last week. The assemblage of a dozen luminaries was centered around 96-year-old Olin Stephens, an undisputed giant of modern yacht design and one of the founders of the storied Sparkman & Stephens yacht design firm. In addition to Stephens, the all-star line up of designers included German Frers, Bruce Johnson, Bruce King, Bill Langam, Roger Marshall, Greg Matzat, Chuck Paine, Doug Peterson, Bob Stephens, David Pedrick and Craig Walters. Appropriate to the celebration of Sparkman & Stephens's 75th year, changes in yacht design, construction and use were a recurring theme during the wide-ranging discussions. "I'm a little bit dubious about progress, but I'm certain about change," Stephens said in his first response of the evening. Inevitably, what once was new now is old. However, Stephen's finds value in the new and the once new as he looks back. Argentine designer Geman Frers suggested there needs to be a new way of looking at rules that takes into account the professional level formerly amateur ocean racing has attained. He suggested two sets of rules, one for a "grand prix" circuit of professional racers, and another for the amateurs who still want to participate in ocean racing."As long as we try and do a rule for everybody, we are heading to the wrong end," he said. Bill Langam, a former chief designer at Sparkman & Stephens, concurred. "We have designed and built boats where people sit up on the weather rail for the entire Fastnet race," he said, noting the extreme that was unheard of when he was first involved in ocean racing. Underneath the glamour and magic of large yacht design and construction, "the things done to call attention and satisfy egos," as Frers put it, is a more basic lesson he doesn't forget and that doesn't change: "The sea is something to be respected." - Excerpts from a story byAaron Porter, ellsworthamerican.com, full story: http://tinyurl.com/5g2gy INDUSTRY NEWS New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, RI, have just finished building the Staten Island September 11 Memorial, which honors the 267 people from Staten Island who died in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. The memorial, named "Postcards," consists of two 50-foot-high sculptures by artist Masayuki Sono that feature granite profiles (sort of "commemorative stamps") of each of the victims; the artist has designed the memorial so that on September 11 each profile will be lit in turn as the sun passes through the sky. From Staten Island the view from between the twin postcards frames Ground Zero. NEB built the memorials out of resin-infused fiberglass, engineered so that the structure can flex slightly and withstand the stresses of strong winds without micro-cracking. Each "wing" weighs 30,000 pounds and the steel base will be bolted to a structure embedded at the site. NEB workers have been putting in 18-hour days, often seven days a week, to get this done in time for the Sept. 11 dedication. Right now "Postcards" is en route to NYC on two barges, and the memorial will be installed next week by a huge floating crane. The official dedication will take place on Sept 11, with Mayor Bloomberg et al presiding. The NEB crew are even going to have to suit up in their blazers for the event. - Take a look www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/postcards/ SOUND ADVICE US 470 Olympian Paul Foerster is profiled on the UK's The Daily Sail website. He was asked, What's the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors? Foerster replied, "The journey and experience is where the reward is." - www.thedailysail.com/ WIN A GOLD MEDAL AT THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES! The Pegasus non-profit foundation is putting together a complete program for a few select, talented, hardworking team players. As part of our Pegasus Racing Olympic Gold program, you will be sailing at least 250 days a year, coached by the best and work with fitness trainers and nutritionists. Your focus will be to win medals in 2008 by becoming a better sailor, stronger, faster and more flexible. If you (and your crew) believe that you have what it takes, we want to hear from you now, drop us a line at Olympic.gold@pegasus-digital.com AMERICA'S CUP * GBR 44 left the compound in Cowes last week en route to her new temporary home of Marseille. ACM - Americas Cup Management - have bought GBR 44, which is to be used as a display boat in Marseille and eventually in Valencia. GBR 44 will be exhibited ashore as a focal point for the forth coming Americas Cup Acts. GBR 44 started life as Nippon 44 and was one of a pair of training boats purchased in 2001, providing GBR Challenge with a training platform in preparation for last Louis Vuitton Cup. - www.gbrchallenge.com/da/12788 * Currently the +39 team are setting up a base in Sicily (Marina of the upmarket Villa Igiea in Palermo) for training through to December 2004. It is thought in Italy that the boats are for "exhibition" purposes in Palermo rather than serious training. But this could mean match race training. The boats are certainly close enough for realistic starting practice. There is also the suggestion that Il Moro III will be based in Valencia and be taken to the Acts as a PR / VIP boat run for ACM by +39. This still leaves +39 without a boat for 2004 Acts. Giovanni Ceccarelli has been contracted to build two new yachts, but these will be built to version 5 of the ACC rule and not eligible for 2004. - Mariantic website, full story: www.mariantic.co.uk/ac/six.htm NEWS BRIEFS * Hurricanes Bonnie and Charley disrupted the U.S. Singlehanded Championship in Bay Shore, NY, and limited the number of races. Steven Kirkpatrick (Portsmouth, RI) earned the US Sailing George O'Day Trophy after winning the event by finishing first in two races and getting a total of 11 points. Mark Eldred (Houston, TX) finished in second with 14 points. Ryan Minth of New York, NY, finished third and was awarded the Peter Barrett Sportsmanship Trophy. Hosted by Bay Shore Yacht Club, the competitors raced Lasers which were provided by Vanguard Sailboats. The event is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. - www.ussailing.org/championships/oday * After five races, brothers Jon and Chris Perkins are running 1-2 at the 36th Annual International Knarr Championships at St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, CA. The third place skipper, Soren Pehrsson (Copenhagen, Denmark) has never sailed on San Francisco Bay before this event. Regatta leader Jon Perkins is joined by his teammates from his 2002 win, sister-brother team of Melissa & Tom Purdy, and Jeff Mosely. The IKC's alternate between San Francisco Bay, Norway, and Denmark each year. Ten races with two throw-outs are scheduled over 7 days, including a lay-day. www.stfyc.com * Russell Coutts is currently in Athens as a spectator and hasn't ruled out a return to Olympic sailing. He says he will be racing big Star class boats in the Bacardi Cup next year and if he has fun, who knows. Coutts says he is also yet to decide whether to fight the clause which prevents him from sailing for another syndicate at the America's Cup, but admits it is on the cards. xtramsn website, http://xtramsn.co.nz/sport/0,,11645-3605916,00.html * Tracy Edwards has posted a new website for The Oryx Quest 2005 non-stop round the world race for the big multihulls, and for the Quest Qatar 2006 - a 6-stop around the world pursuit. www.questinternationalsportsevents.com/ * Tuesday at the LightSurf 2004 International 505 World Championships the sailors had a day off. With the abandonment of Monday's race due to extremely light easterly winds it leaves the series two races short, thus reducing the scheduled two throw-outs to one. - www.505worlds2004.org/ VINEYARD RACE WEATHER ADVISORY! Bill Biewenga, Commanders' Weather and OPC meteorologists ramp up to help you study the trends and options to Buzzard's Bay and back! The online interactive weather seminar is convenient to your schedule. Vineyard workshop available Aug. 30th & 31st. Strategize at your computer. Online event. http://www.weather4sailors.com/seminars.htm LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (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 nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Paul Henderson, ISAF President: The problem was caused by the lead Windsurfer sailor who did not sail the proper course and the rest followed. He should have sailed 3 loops and go to the finish. He only sailed two. The sailors all said they knew the course but got confused. The Race Committee did not make a mistake. The Jury had two choices: 1) Disqualify all sailors; 2) Re-Sail. The Jury showed great compassion and decided to re-Sail. * From Josh Lindsay: With regard to the study referred to in "Unexpected Byproduct" from today's 'Butt, I think the authors of the study may be confusing causes with effects. Is it possible that the members of successful sailing teams may be that way in part because they have exceptional spatial relations abilities? I'm told that using similar logic to that employed in this study, one can deduce that toupees cause baldness. * From Bill Shore: Congratulations to Jody Swanson and her team on winning the 100 plus boat Lightning North Americans. Jody is one of our great unsung skippers. Since, the 1970s, I have watched Jody strive to excel in a difficult sport in a variety of classes. In the early 1990s, she jumped into a 470 and challenged herself to win the Olympic Trials. She did this again this year in the Yngling. During this time she has sailed J22s in matchracing and the Rolex Women's regatta, always placing well and sometimes winning the regattas. During all this, she never left her Lightning on the beach too long. She performed a remarkable achievement at the Buffalo Canoe Club this summer taking two young (11 and 13) BCC Junior program girls with little racing experience as her crew in the Lightning Women's Championship, and winning against her regular women's crew Debbie Probst. * From Steven Levy: Bravo to Bravo for showing at least 15 minutes of sailing each evening (and on the left coast, it comes on very pleasantly at 9PM, and again at midnight). That said, I do have one cavil. Most of the shots they're getting are not terribly good ones. To experienced sailors they don't convey the relative positions of boats in the fleet or the individual adjustments that sailors are making, although there were a few good shots last night of Ben Ainslie hiking in waves. To inexperienced sailors I fear they convey neither the excitement of sailing -- though I applaud Gary Jobson for repeatedly noting the conditioning of these athletes -- nor a clear picture of who's winning and losing. They did get a few spectacular shots of the 470s planing, reminiscent of the I-14 sequence in, yes, "Wind." If they could show quite a bit more of this, I bet our sport would get a lot more interest from the general public.I recognize the footage and commentary are being edited in only three or four hours, but it still feels as though they haven't found a single backbone on which to hang even one day's sailing story; there are a lot of competing threads packed into a small slot. I think they'd have a stronger segment if they'd pick one story per day -- excitement one day, boat-on-boat tactics another, and so on. But back to my "backbone" -- Bravo, Bravo! THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "After you turn 80, even your birthday suit needs pressing." - Bob Hope |
