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SCUTTLEBUTT 2723 - Wednesday, November 12, 2008Scuttlebutt 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. Today's sponsors are Ultimate Sailing and Goetz Custom Boats. MAKING CHANGES TO THE SPORT Madrid, Spain (Nov. 11, 2008) - The ISAF Annual Conference is now in its sixth day. Here are some of the recent updates on the eve of the annual ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards ceremony: * The 29erXX was chosen by the Women's Committee at ISAF by 1 vote over the women's 470 as preferred equipment for the women's double handed boat for the 2012 Olympics. Also the ISAF Equipment Committee is reported to have selected the 29erXX as preferred equipment for the doublehanded women's event by an 11 to 2 vote over the 470. Although not a done deal, the support of these committees and others hopefully to come, is an indication of great changes for the world of sailing. -- Sail World, read on: http://tinyurl.com/6bc6b5 * The ISAF Executive Committee's recommendations for the appointment of Committee Members to ISAF Committees for 2009-2012 have been published online. The Committee Members of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) are appointed every four years. The term for the current Committee members ends at the ISAF General Assembly on Saturday 15 November 2008, when they automatically retire. -- Complete report: http://www.sailing.org/26096.php?PHPSESSID=be461f208e9e17b506106ec9e4cf5335 * The Race Officials Committee is responsible for policy areas relating to the 650-plus ISAF International Race Officials around the world and also ensuring the integrity of the application and renewal process for International Race Official status. The Committee has four Sub-Committees, which represent each of the disciplines of Race Official: Judges, Measurers, Race Management and Umpires. During the meeting, the Committee discussed live tracking systems that could be used at regattas and reviewed the applications for appointment and renewal of ISAF International Race Official status. -- Complete report: http://www.sailing.org/26092.php * The Offshore Special Regulations Sub-Committee is tasked with maintaining the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations. Amongst the observers in their meeting yesterday was Stan Honey (USA), world renowned for his expertise as a sailor, navigator and electrical engineer, who was able to provide some colourful illustrations of the issues being discussed based upon his experiences during the Volvo race and also the recent attempt to break the monohull transatlantic record onboard Virgin Money. -- Complete report: http://www.sailing.org/26092.php STORMS ARE PART OF THE COMPETITION - THE RACE GOES ON (Nov. 11, 2008) - Following the extreme weather since the start of the Vendee Globe on November 9th, where 9 of the 30 entrants in the Open 60 solo, non-stop around the world race have been forced to either return to Les Sables d’Olonne (FRA) for repairs or retire, a press conference was organized in Vendée Globe HQ in Paris this morning. Extracts: * Philippe de Villiers, President of the Vendée Council: "We knew that the start of this year's Vendée Globe was going to be difficult. What we have just experienced is a classic November storm. I noticed that there have been no requests for assistance and that all of the sailors have coped well with the situation. There have been two official retirals (Kito de Pavant / Groupe Bel and Marc Thiercelin / DCNS). We must not forget that we are talking here about a major sporting event and that storms are part of the competition and the race goes on...." *Alain Gautier, Vendée Globe safety consultant: "The Vendée Globe is living up to all its promises. Sport, competition and adventure are all there. We must not forget that sailing is a mechanical sport and that what has just happened, however tough it may be for some, is common in this type of race. This situation reminds me a little of the 1992 Vendée Globe, when after the fine weather at the start, a huge low-pressure area moved in, forcing many back to Les Sables. Apart from the two retirals, for the moment most of the boats are due to set sail again after their repairs in Les Sables. We can add that in 1992 on the final podium of the Vendée Globe there were two boats that had returned to Les Sables shortly after the start." -- Race website: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en Standings at 1500GMT 1- Loïck Peyron (FRA), Gitana Eighty, 23197 miles Distance to finish. 2- Jean Pierre Dick (FRA), Paprec-Virbac +1.5 miles Distance to leader 3- Roland Jourdain (FRA), Veolia Environnement +3.1 miles DTL 4- Vincent Riou (FRA), PRB + 7.7 miles DTL 5- Sébastien Josse (FRA), BT, + 12 miles DTL Damage Update Vendée Globe rules stipulate that if they suffer damage, the competitors may only return to Les Sables d’Olonne to carry out repairs before heading off again. They must cross the start line by 13h02 on 19th November. >> Entrants that have restarted (2): * Dominique Wavre aboard Temenos II restarted Sunday night after replacing a part within the onboard power computer system. * 2001 winner Michel Desjoyeaux on Foncia restarted Tuesday morning after returning to fix a leak in the water ballast system and repair the engine. >> Entrants that need repair (4): * Following the collision on Sunday with a cargo vessel, repairs on Bernard Stamm's Cheminées Poujoulat are proceeding on the broken bowsprit and hull, with the mast removed Tuesday in order to deal with these scrapes and to give the mast a thorough inspection. It is not expected for Stamm to restart before Wednesday evening. * Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty, the skipper of Groupe Maisonneuve, arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne Tuesday night and will attempt to repair cracks in the deck on the port and starboard sides of the coach roof. Repair time estimate is 2 to 3 days. * Derek Hatfield on Algimouss Spirit of Canada is citing electrical problems as the reason he has returned to Les Sables d'Olonne. * Alex Thomson on Hugo Boss reported structural problem Monday evening after finding a crack located between the aft keelbox and bulkhead on the port side hull (opposite side to the recent repair). The boat is taking on water, but at a manageable rate. He should arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne by early Wednesday. >> Entrants that have officially retired (3): * Groupe Bel skipper Kito de Pavant had broken his mast, boom and one of the carbon deck spreaders on Monday, and was likely headed to Les Sables d'Olonne. * Yannick Bestaven on Aquarelle.com had been dismasted on Monday and was heading under jury rig to Les Sables d'Olonne. * DCNS skipper Marc Thiercelin was dismasted Tuesday morning, reporting that the damage was extensive and it would be impossible to set out again. DCNS was motoring at around three knots and is due to reach La Coruña in northwest Spain by Wednesday morning. BE THE ULTIMATE GIFT GIVER! A 2009 Ultimate Sailing Calendar, a hydro-zip moisture wicking shirt, soft shell jackets, t-shirts caps, vests, book, note-cards, and custom prints will delight all the Ultimate Sailors on your list. To select your Ultimate gifts, visit us at http://www.ultimatesailing.com VOLVO OCEAN RACE - FOUR DAYS TO RESTART Cape Town, S.A. (Nov. 11, 2008) - With the start of the 4,450nm second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Cape Town to Cochin, India beginning on November 15th, the final crew announcements are being made. Additionally, Green Dragon skipper Ian Walker reflects on his newbie status: * “It’s fair to say I’m still loving this race,” remarked Walker! “There were times in that last leg when I was thinking ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ and there were others where it was just so exhilarating. As it’s my first time in this event I guess I’m just really enjoying the whole experience. One thing about this race which I knew going into it, but I’ve realised even more as it goes on, is just how much you learn.” - Read on: http://tinyurl.com/SButt111108a * Telefonica Black has confirmed that Gonzalo Araujo will replace Francisco Rivero onboard for the leg two of the race to Cochin, India. Spain’s Araujo, 39, was initially slated to sail the first leg from Alicante, but a back injury on the 2,000-nautical mile qualifier saw him left on the dock. Rivero, who sailed the first leg as bowman, has chosen to prepare for the 2010 Barcelona World Race, in which he will team up with Guillermo Altadill (who earlier left Team Russia after Leg 1, replaced by Nick Bubb). -- http://tinyurl.com/SButt111108b * Team Delta Lloyd appointed Spainard Roberto Bérmudez de Castro as skipper, replacing Ger O’Rourke who announced before the race start in Alicante that business interests would prevent him from sailing leg two, leg three, and the mammoth leg five from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro. Castro is also joined by fellow newcomers, Dutchman Peter van Niekerk and Australia's Morgan White, who step onboard for Bert Schandevyl and Stu Molloy respectively. -- http://tinyurl.com/SButt111108e Overall Leaderboard (Team - Skipper - Total points) 1. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 14 points 2. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 13 points 3. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 11 points 4. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 10 points 5. Telefonica Black (ESP), Fernando Echavarri/ESP, 7 points 6. Anders Lewander/SWE, 5 points* 7. Delta Lloyd (IRL), Ger O’Rourke/IRL, 4 points 8. Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, 4 points *Scoring penalty: http://tinyurl.com/illegal-keel Race website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org WHAT BOAT IS BETTER THAN THE M 30? This past summer, twenty-seven M 30s competed in the Tour de France Sailing Race, covering more than a thousand nautical miles in twenty-five days. The M 30 had been chosen nine years ago by the event organizers as the type of boat to be sailed, but now it will be replaced in 2011. After much consideration, here are the ten essential characteristics that an event of this type deems needed for a suitable boat: Preamble The will of the Tour de France à la Voile is to retain the historic format of the event. An original blend of course racing with offshore racing up to 200 miles in length. We wish also to retain the spirit of the event where amateurs and students can compete equally with the sports elite sailors, on the same starting line in strict one design boats. The winner of the month long event should have demonstrated sporting excellence at the highest level. 1. Proposals for a new boat should respect the principals of the event as defined in the preamble. The boat must be compatible with the format of the event and therefore must be built to CE standards, minimum category B. 2. To replace the M30, the official class for the Tour de France a la Voile since 1999, the new boat will need to perform at least as well as its predecessor, in particular in light winds. It must also be constructed at least as well and suitable for competitive sailing for a period of at least 10 years. The boat should be attractive for the sailors and sponsors. Performance should be the priority in design combined with a modern look (hull and sail plan). Read on, and make suggestions as to a suitable replacement here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6662 SAILING SHORTS * Special engagements for the Morning Light film this week include events in Evanston, IL (Nov. 13), Traverse City, MI (Nov. 13), and Norfolk, VA (Nov. 15/16), in addition to a new list of theatres now showing the film as of Nov. 14th. Complete details at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/M_L * (Nov. 11, 2008) - Peter Tong and the crew of his Santa Cruz 70, OEX, finished first in the 2008 Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas International Yacht Race Tuesday in record-breaking time of 2 days 22 hours 50 minutes 9 seconds, eclipsing the 23-year elapsed time race record by 4 hours 56 minutes 15 seconds. Finishing Tuesday behind OEX and also breaking the record were, in order, Bob Lane’s Medicine Man, Ed McDowell’s Grand Illusion --- which unofficially has first in class on overall corrected handicap time --- and Brack Duker’s Holua. Per Peterson’s Alchemy also finished Tuesday afternoon, missing the record by just over 33 minutes. -- Complete report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6669#6669 * The specs and photos for 25 new boats, including Sailing World magazine’s Boat of the Year candidates, are posted here: http://tinyurl.com/SButt111108d * The University of Vermont suspended the sailing team's status as a club following a potential hazing incident within the team. The incident is currently under investigation after the University became aware after a student was detoxed, Pat Brown, the director of student life, said. Suspension arose after Oct. 21, when UVM learned of "some behaviors that were a concern for the University that involved alcohol and a new member," Pat Brown said. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/SButt111108f ONGOING BUILDS Construction is well underway on an 82’ cruiser/racer designed by Rogers Yacht Design of Hampshire. The yacht will feature a contemporary, lightweight, super yacht interior with striking external styling. She has been designed to be competitive under IRC and has will be participating primarily on the European regatta circuit. This project marks the first collaboration between Rogers Yacht Design - best known for their Open Class race boats, Class 40s, and Rogers 46 designs - and Goetz Custom Boats. The hull will be coming off of its mold later this month. Visit http://www.goetzboats.com for more information on this project and our other ongoing builds. EIGHT BELLS (Nov. 11, 2008) - Peter “PJ” Wenner, who had done his youth sailing out of California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, CA, passed away Tuesday morning as a result of a boating accident that occurred on Saturday, November 8th. Peter, who was a sophomore on the University of Hawaii sailing team, was on an 18-foot skiff sailing off Waikiki when the boat capsized, with his trapeze harness getting caught on the trampoline rack, holding him under water. A safety boat was onsite and once Peter was freed, he was rushed ashore and promptly received medical attention, but efforts to revive him were ultimately halted this morning when he was taken off life support. The University will be holding a mass for Peter Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the campus. This Friday, the UH sailing team will be going out on a boat to spread flowers and celebrate his life. The Wenner family is tentatively planning on a funeral service in L.A. next week Tuesday, November 18, at St. Anastasias Church in Westchester, CA. ALINGHI CONTINUES PROCESS FOR 2010 MATCH (Nov. 11, 2008) - Ten of the 12 entered challengers in the 33rd America’s Cup held a second Competitor Meeting at the Société Nautique de Genève in Switzerland with the defender Alinghi, with hopes of working on the details for a 2010 match. Not in attendance were Team Germany and Mascalzone Latino, with the later blocked from attendance when they did not sign a non-disclosure agreement. Also missing was GGYC/BMW Oracle Racing team, who is not officially entered, and was advised last weekend that they would be excluded from participating. According to GGYC spokesman Tom Ehman, the team’s concerns regarding the proposed AC33 Protocol rules include: *The Defender, through ACM (the management company controlled by Ernesto Bertarelli), can change any of the rules at any time and can impose any new rule or restriction on the competitors. They only need the agreement of CNEV, the Defender’s compliant Challenger of Record. *None of the Challengers, except CNEV, has any vote on any matter. Moreover, CNEV is specifically exempted from acting on behalf of the other Challengers. * For the first time ever, the Challenger Selection Series is under the complete control of the Defender. *The Defender, through ACM, selects all race officials and umpires. Following today’s meeting, the Alinghi team announced that amongst other topics, the group agreed that: * The Arbitration Panel be expanded to five members, with the two additional members being appointed by all the entered competitors through a democratic process. * The Race Committee has been agreed by all the entered competitors. * Other America’s Cup Race Officials, the Technical Director and Umpires will be selected following a similar process amongst ISAF officials. * Two pre-regattas will be organised in 2009 before the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010. Complete reports from both GGYC and Alinghi: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/1111 => Curmudgeon’s Comment: A reminder that there does still remain an appeal to be decided in the NY courts. If BOR’s appeal is disallowed, Alinghi’s plans for a 2010 match will likely continue. However, if BOR’s appeal is upheld, all bets are off, and the next match could go many ways, including using the monstrous multihulls that BOR is training on now and Alinghi is purportedly building. CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Posting your sailing events on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar enters them in the most widely used database for event communication. There is no log-in required… just fill out the information form and submit. Make sure that both sailors and media are informed. Events are listed here: 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 be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). 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 Andrews H. Hooker: (re, letter in SBUTT 2722) Editor, please inform Andrew Flynn from AZ, that the Peace Bridge (Buffalo, NY to Ft. Erie, ON), the Rainbow and Whirlpool bridges (Niagara Falls NY to NF, ON) and the Lewiston(NY)- Queenston(ON) Bridge all span the Niagara River from NY to Ontario. All international bridges crossing the Niagara River which all of the Great Lakes drain into Lake Ontario. The Thousand Island Bridge upstream from Kingston, is also an international bridge on the Great Lakes. * From Mark Zaranski, Chesterton, Indiana: Other than the bridge mistake, I found the Mac race piece represented this year's race quite well. It was rainy, foggy, occasionally windless, and certainly a great many dreams were broken. Gary was mistaken about what lays at the northern end of the Mackinaw Bridge, but Andrew, too, is mistaken. His native Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State, it contacts all but one of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario. There are at least four more (automobile) bridges that link the US and Canada in the Great Lakes such as the Peace, Lewiston and Rainbow Bridges that span the Niagara River (between Lakes Erie and Ontario), and the Thousand Island Bridge at the east end of Lake Ontario where it narrows to form the Saint Lawrence River. There are also some international bridges that carry only rail traffic. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: There were no shortage of letters on this oversight, and hopefully the above information closes this thread. If not, I will do it anyway. CURMUDGEON’S CONUNDRUM Why do people who know the least know it the loudest? Special thanks to Ultimate Sailing and Goetz Custom Boats. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
