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SCUTTLEBUTT 1528 - February 27, 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 and personal attacks for elsewhere. ACURA SORC Miami Beach, FL, February 26, 2004 - At the first day of the 2004 Acura SORC, a consistent breeze between 14 and 17 knots allowed for three races to be completed on an action-packed first day, raced just off Miami Beach. The Farr 40s kept the action going on the Acura Course, with three different boats registering wins on Day One. Jim Richardson's Barking Mad took first place in the opening race and remains atop the class with nine points on the day. Peter De Ridder's Mean Machine trails closely with 11 points, tallying second and third place finishes. Steve and Fred Howe's Warpath notched a first place win in the second race, but rests in third place overnight. In the IMS class Marco Birch's Talisman leads the way with two second place finishes and a first place finish, respectively. Daniel Meyers' Numbers, featuring Brad Butterworth and Ken Read, remain a close second finishing in the top three throughout the day. Returning 2003 Acura SORC champion George David's Idler, with a win in the second race, rounds out the top three. In the PHRF 1 competition Terrance Smith's Raincloud took a commanding lead with three first place finishes on Day One. Roger Elliott's Crosswave sits in first place in the PHRF 2 class with two first place finishes and a second place finish on the day. In the PHRF 3 class, competition was tight between the consistent Gordon Ettie and Sazerac, who finish with seven points, and Lorenzo Biessani's Kaster who knotched two first place finishes and end the day with eight points. Racing begins for the J/105 class on Friday. For complete results, http://www.acurasorc.com FOR THE RECORD * Halfway through Day 20 on their Round the World record attempt, Steve Fossett and crew aboard Cheyenne logged 537 miles over the past 24 hours (an average of 22.4 kts), keeping them 750 miles (1 ½ days) ahead of the 2002 RTW record track of Bruno Peyron's Orange. Wind conditions remained at 19-20 kts - and the wind chill factor is increasing. They know they will soon be nearer to Antarctica than to Africa. This morning they caught sight of one tangible reminder of the essentially inhospitable nature of the Southern Ocean - late summertime icebergs. Steve Fossett reports, "We got a close look at our first icebergs of the trip this morning. This one is at 3 miles. Maybe we have gone far enough south for the time being! These full sized icebergs should be easy to avoid hitting. The danger is the growlers - which are chunks of ice of mere 'truck' size. If we hit one it would be -- well, catastrophic. The theory is that growlers will be found up to 3 miles downwind of an iceberg. This means we must divert course to assure that we pass upwind of icebergs. We have tuned up the Radar for constant monitoring at nighttime. The winds are bit better to the south but we are pleased with our progress and we must not get greedy." Ken Campbell of Commanders Weather added, "They should be looking at good winds for the next 4 or 5 days, moving them across the Southern Indian Ocean very quickly. The breeze will back a little on Friday and they'll need to make a decision then whether to push further south or to go a bit to the north - where the winds may get a little lighter."- http://www.fossettchallenge.com * The Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran is now approaching the northwest corner of Spain, just 12 hours after the clock started ticking. "A little bit slacker than forecast - sluggish even," comments the skipper. More importantly, the angle of the wind is not good for achieving maximum speed. The weather vane is set obstinately in the north or, occasionally, northeast, which means that the crew has to gibe regularly. "We have a fairly weak wind - it's not very active. Not weak enough to shift direction and not strong enough to get us going really quickly," adds Olivier de Kersauson. - http://www.trimaran-geronimo.com/index.php?lang=en * Thursday morning, February 26th (8:01'43'' GMT), Orange II, skippered by Bruno Peyron, set out for their Round the World record attempt. The current record is held by the same Bruno Peyron, who sailed Orange I around the planet in 64 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes. In order to better his own benchmark time, the skipper must be back on the line by early evening of April 30th. - http://www.maxicatamaran-orange.com/ WHAT MATTERS FROM YOUR INSTRUMENT SYSTEM Better instruments provide superior information while functioning properly over the long haul. Ockam is the acknowledged leader in bringing high technology to sailing, when it matters. Ockam's wireless product "Eye" for Pocket PC solves a real problem - viewing/controlling the system while hiking or moving freely around the boat. Best of all, the information generated by Ockam is actually worth seeing! Displayed functions are both smooth and responsive without the delayed, "jerky" character seen from lesser systems with misapplied wireless technology and fundamentally flawed sensor design. The information is what matters. Get real, get Ockam. Contact tom@ockam.com or cmf@ockameurope.com ANTARCTIC WEATHER (Top racing navigator and weather expert Mike Broughton provides some insight into the part of the world that the Cheyenne, Geronimo and Orange II are headed) * Antarctica is topped with the largest ice cube in the world, the ice averages over one mile thick. At the South Pole the ice is actually about three miles deep and rather like an iced cake the ice thins towards the edges and breaks off into icebergs. In winter the continent doubles in size as sea ice freezes over the sea and in some places extends as far north as 54 degrees south. * As the icebergs break off from the edges of Antarctica and head north there is little initial melting as the sea is so cold. Once they get to the Antarctic Convergence zone, where the cold north moving water undercuts the relatively warmer sub-Antarctic water, the bergs melt and break up at a faster rate, but can still survive for several years. * Large waves can be created by icebergs rolling over and interestingly the 'calving' of large icebergs is often related to sub ocean earthquakes and tsunamis. * This is the place of the biggest waves on the planet. Recently a cruise ship encountered a huge wave near Cape Horn and the waves washed right through the bridge windows at over 100 feet above the waterline. The bridge electronics were ruined and the ship had to limp into Chile and was taken out of commission for three months. For publicity reasons the incident was kept pretty quiet. Complete story at: http://www.bangthecorner.com/ STRIKE THREE Japanese yachtsman Masayoshi Kikuchi broke down in tears today as he described how a violent storm forced him to abandon his boat and his dream of sailing solo around the world. It was the third time his hopes were dashed by accidents at sea. "After the second time I was rescued, I joked that I would die with my yacht if it happened again," he said, speaking through an interpreter. "But when it actually happened, I told my boat: 'I must leave you now and live because my wife will be upset'." Kikuchi, 66, spoke to journalists from a ward at Cape Town's Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, where he is recovering from ligament damage to both arms after his 13-metre Beam VIII yacht rolled in a storm. "I had just had supper when I noticed strong winds and waves had come up," he said. "A huge wave hit my boat from the back, and I was concussed." He believes he was unconscious for less than a minute before he was woken by water splashing over him. He managed to send out a distress signal but could do little more with both arms injured. "I could not even make food," he said. He lay helplessly for two days until his stricken ship was spotted by an Australian rescue plane about 3,700 kilometres southwest of Australia. The plane guided the Hong Kong-registered cargo ship CSK Radiance to the site to pluck him from the ocean. Members of the South African National Sea Rescue Institute picked up the injured sailor from the carrier on Tuesday and flew him by helicopter to the hospital. He had been rescued twice before from South African waters, once off the southwestern Cape Point and the other time near the east coast port of Richards Bay. "I always had a dream to sail around the world, but I am old now and have to be realistic that it may be better to give up," said the grandfather of four. News.com.au, http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8805331%255E1702,00.html CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar DECKMAN FOR WINDOWS USA SEMINAR Saturday, March 20th in Newport, RI at the Newport Marriott. Deckman for Windows is the leading tactical and routing software program used by the world's top racing yachts. Come and see how Deckman for Windows can improve the performance of your boat. Register online at: http://www.protechmarine.com VIEW RESPONSIBLY A new standard for regatta websites might have been established when the Bacardi Cup, a high profile March event in Miami for the Star class, is prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 years from viewing their website. The event has enjoyed a lengthy association with Bacardi rum, but it appears US liquor laws limits the website to only those who are legally allowed to consume alcohol in the states. Yes, they are carding you at the door: http://www.bacardicup.com NEWS BRIEFS * Organizers of the Rolex Women's Match and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. will offer an introductory match-racing clinic with World Match Racing Champion and America's Cup sailor Ed Baird. The two-day clinic will take place April 8-9 and precedes the three-day Rolex Women's Match scheduled for April 9-11. The clinic and regatta will be raced in Sonar class keelboats on Tampa Bay. - http://www.rolexwomensmatch.org/ * The skippers to compete at the 2004 Boat US ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship this June in Annapolis, MD, USA will include 9 of the world's top 10 skippers, with the remaining seven ranked within the world's top 22. With 2003 World Champion Malin Millbourn (SWE) unable to defend her title, Number 1 ranked Marie Bjorling (SWE) will be a hot favourite. Also contending will be Liz Baylis (USA) 5th; Betsy Alison (USA) 7th; Paula Lewin (BER) 8th; Debbie Willits (USA) 16th; Carol Cronin (USA) 17th; Elizabeth Kratzig (USA) 19th; and Sally Barkow (USA) 22nd. - ISAF, complete story, http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=6502 YALE, IF YOU LIKE SAVINGS ok, Ok! We said Yale, not yell. But now that we're all paying attention, check this out. For 2004, Yale Cordage, leading marine industry line manufacturer, rolled back it's pricing on everything Vectran and Annapolis Performance Sailing is passing on the savings. Upgrade now for less. Replace halyards with our most popular halyard line, Crystalyne. Save weight aloft replacing wire with Vectran 12-strand. Trim more accurately with Vizzion sheets. When you've got a lot on the line Yale and APS can help. Check out the new pricing and let's set you up with the best. http://www.apsltd.com/Scuttlebutt LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) 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 Vann Wilson: I'm certain that Marielle Charette knows that Mr. Silvestri represented the U.S. at the last Olympics in the Finn class. His opinion like her own is based on personal experience. That is why I enjoy reading letter's to the Curmudgeon; Differences in opinion backed by exceptional experience. Great stuff. * From Charlie Ogletree-I have sailed four Olympic Trials, won three and lost one. Our system is not perfect, but works. To win the US Olympic Trials requires impeccable boat preparation, incredible mental and physical toughness, knowing when to peak and a little luck. All of these things are also required to win an Olympic medal. The Trials that we all just sailed in Miami and the Trials which so many of you are expressing your opinions was sailed over nine days and had between 14 and 24 races. This many races and length of time allows for all wind conditions. Yes the trials ended in light air and motorboat chop, like Athens, but the regatta began in 15-18 knots of steady wind. None of the Trials' winners were "flukes". They all sailed hard and persevered in a very tough event. The most complete sailors won. I am proud to be a part of the 2004 US Olympic Team and I am confident our team will win medals. * From Morgan Reeser (edited to our 250-word limit): As a washed up Olympian and current Olympic coach, I am amazed at all the concern regarding the Yngling Trials results. I am surprised to hear any complaints over the results and fairness of the US Trials system. The US Trials was eight days and sixteen races long. The Trials was more than long enough to allow any team to recover from a slow start, and forgiving enough to allow two throw outs. The US Trials is a test of Olympic level pressure, and endurance (the Trials were always more stressful that the Olympics for me). As is always the case, the best team won - can there be any other result? I was lucky enough to sneak away from my coaching duties on the Tornado course and watch the deciding race #15 of the Yngling Trials. Hannah Swett and her team had every opportunity to match race Carol Cronin at the start, and take her out of her rhythm (Carol had finished 1st or 2nd in 7 of the previous 8 races!) Hannah and "Team Self" instead chose to sail their own race and let Carol's "Team Atkins" do the same. Looking back at it perhaps a bad choice - as Carol led at every mark, and with the win did not have to sail the last race. As always, the US Trials, like the Olympics, is Darwinian athletic selection. Only the best and strongest will survive - can there be any other result? * From Mike Blecher: Mr. Applegate and Mr. Kiely are both off base, and Rich Roberts got it right. However, the real story of the Olympic Trials is, among many, many others, is that there were two 15 year olds in the Europe fleet and they finished sixth, and ninth. Did anyone notice? Say hello to the future, everyone. I say there's way too much focus on what should have happened at the trials, and not nearly enough on what actually did. As a spectator with the Europe fleet, I saw some fine sailing in 10-12 knots (for the record, twenty percent of the regatta was sailed in winds in excess of twenty knots). There was excellent, tight, tactical sailing, lots of circles (and, no off the water protests), and judges looked very hard for hardly any rule 42 fouls. So, get over this trumped up criticism of what was (at least in Ft Lauderdale) a wonderful two weeks of sailing, a first class event in every way, and a celebration of our determining the best dinghy sailors in the country. They will sail their hearts out in Athens. As someone shouted out at the awards ceremony, "let's bring home the gold!" * From J. Joseph Bainton: U.S. Olympic Trials Controversies -- I am surprised that the ongoing debate about the U.S. Olympic Trials does not address the serious "disconnect" between U.S. Sailing and U.S. Sailors. Two of the three classes with more than a handful of boats participating in their respective trials, namely the Finn and Star, are the two classes that U.S. Sailing did not support for inclusion in the Games. Hopefully the number of participants in those classes in the 2004 Trials will guide U.S. Sailing this November, when it is asked to vote for Olympic Classes for the 2008 Games. * From Rob Brandenburg: This is a sad, sad day for sailing. What a crock. Weight limits purposely exclude people that are big from participating in this great sport. I've heard all the arguments, one being that it favors women. Isn't that affirmative action? My all time favorite comment (from Barry Carroll) is that it's a sport for athletes. (Implying that 200+ pounders are not athletes?) Really? I can think of 60 or 70 pro linemen that would argue that point. Anybody with half a brain will admit that weight is not always an advantage. If you think it is, try racing a Vanguard with 450 lbs in it!! I have an idea, why don't we get separate drinking fountains for the fat people? This ruling and the general upholding of weight limit rules just makes sailors seem even more elitist than we already appear. We don't need more rules, especially stupid ones! * From Pete Mohler: (re. Peter Hinrichsen, ISAF Measurement Committee and IM and swing testing of the I-14) The I-14 class does not now, and to my knowledge, has not ever had a swing test as part of it's rules or measurement process. Perhaps one was done as a test somewhere, but that would be it. CORRECTION In Issue 1527, the Sailing Pro Shop's revolutionary Dryshirt™ was mistakenly called the DryshirtÔ. Learn more about the features of this technical shirt at http://www.sailingproshop.com/dryshirt.htm CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION I have a good memory -- it's just short. |
