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SCUTTLEBUTT 3068 - Monday, April 12, 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: Harken, West Marine, and Quantum Sails.
KEN READ - PREPPING FOR ANOTHER LAP
PUMA announced last week that it will participate in the Volvo Ocean Race
2011-2012 after placing second overall in the 2008-2009 competition. Led by
skipper Ken Read in the last race, Read is again in charge of the PUMA Ocean
Racing team, and shares his thoughts here about the team, the lessons
learned in the last race, and how they seek to improve for the next race.
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* How active has the team been since the finish of the 2008-9 Volvo Ocean
Race?
KEN READ: There were three or four of us that for the most part continued
on. We took a couple weeks off after the finish in June 2009 and then we
jumped right back into it. The process from the end of the race to the end
of the year was three fold: one was to figure out what we did well, second
was to figure out what we did not do well and how we would change it, and
third was to find an additional sponsor that was interested in taking this
trip with us.
It was a lot of work. Some of the people specifically took care of the
assets, and Kimo (Worthington, team general manager) and I did the breaking
down of the program for the most part, and I did most of the fundraising.
* Tell us about your new partner.
KEN READ: BERG Propulsion makes massive variable pitch propellers for big
commercial ships for the most part. It’s kind of a dream partner. What we
were looking for in a partner for this project was a company that wanted to
use the race in ways that PUMA doesn’t use the race. PUMA really uses the
race to publicize its products, and sell products. That’s what they do…they
sell stuff. There is a whole hospitality business-to-business client
entertainment side of the race that PUMA doesn’t utilize and we have the
capabilities to utilize it, so hence the fact we decided to go out and find
another company to help defray the costs from PUMA but at the same time
utilize this aspect of the campaign that PUMA doesn’t necessarily utilize
enough.
BERG is a reasonably sized Swedish company that has been involved in sailing
for a long time. CEO Hakan Svensson is an avid sailor, and they have not
only clients but also facilities in many of the stopover areas where this
race goes to, so it is a perfect match for his company to help it grow and
utilize the hospitality features of the race.
* Was PUMA always looking to do the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race?
KEN READ: It was always their intention to never do this just once, and
without the recent financial crash, maybe it would have been a little
different, and they would have been doing this next race on their own. I
don’t know that, but it was always their intention to do it twice in a row.
But they had to internally figure out if what they were thinking was
correct. They thought it was great, but they needed to confirm if the race
was really working for them. And afterwards, the answer was clearly yes.
* Who do you expect to enter this next race?
KEN READ: I would be surprised if we didn’t see at least two America’s Cup
teams enter the race. I don’t want to blow their cover, but I believe two
very high profile Cup teams are about to enter the race. As for the total, I
have maintained from the start that I expect to see 9 or 10 teams in the
race. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0411/
=> Curmudgeon’s Comment: It is believed that one of the Cup teams is Team
New Zealand, which will enter the race with the financial backing of the
Spanish footwear company Camper. -- http://tinyurl.com/yalqsbe
NEW YORK TO BARCELONA TRANSOCEANIC RECORD
New York, NY (April 11, 2010; Day 4) - Since Estrella Damm and W-Hotels
passed Ambrose Light and broke the official start line for the New York to
Barcelona Transoceanic Record last Thursday, the first thousand miles have
been covered at close to maximum speed, recording consistently high
averages. In the 24 hours into Saturday evening the pace was only 38.7 miles
off the 24 hour record mark set by Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape in 2007 on
the IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss.
But as Sunday pushes on for the two crews the winds have been easing,
bringing with it more sail changes and the prospect of traversing the
lighter winds of the high pressure ridge, before a long thrash close
reaching down the Atlantic to get to the more favourable breeze on the south
side of a relatively static, cut off low pressure system. It is estimated
this could take them as far as a point midway between the Azores and
Madeira, but the speeds are expected to be quick all the way to Gibraltar.
Positions report (as of 16:30 UTC):
Estrella Damm - 1215.8 nm from NY; 2450.7 nm to Barcelona
W-Hotels - 1197.7 nm from NY; 2468.8 nm to Barcelona
Event website: http://www.ny-bcn.org/en/
HEADING TO STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC?
When you're done ogling the eye candy on the docks, stop at the Harken booth
in the Exhibit Hall, #108 - you can pull apart one of the new Radial
winches, check out electric furling, or try on 2010 Harken Sport technical
wear (jackets, shorts, fleece, and more). Of course, the super helpful
Harken staff will also be on hand to help you spec out a slick new traveler
or furling system. --
http://www.strictlysailpacific.com/pdf/2010/2010SSPSitePlan.pdf
LOCAL FRENCH HERO REVERSES HISTORY
Marseille, France (April 11, 2010) - Match Race France, Stage 1 of the ISAF
World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), has put a new twist on an ancient maritime
tale. The scenario of English sailors battling French sailors is reminiscent
of the famed 1805 Battle of Trafalgar when UK’s Lord Nelson defeated Emperor
Napoleon of France. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN took on Mathieu Richard
(FRA) French Match Racing Team, the French local, Richard, took a convincing
victory winning both of the final two matches raced under a testing 6-7 knot
westerly. Richard celebrated with local Marseille supporters, who were quick
to take to the water in boats of all sizes.
Mathieu Richard, who is also tactician for the French America’s Cup
syndicate, Aleph, observed, “We had a slow start to the regatta, but a slow
start motivates you to really improve when it counts.” Ainslie sees his time
invested in attending WMRT events as a profitable way to keep his match race
training fresh, “My ultimate goal for the ISAF World Match Racing Tour
events is to improve my match racing skills and rules knowledge”. The Tour
forms an important ingredient in Ainslie’s long term America’s Cup ambition
with TEAMORIGIN.
Richard advanced to the finals by beating Francesco Bruni (ITA) 2-1, while
Ainslie bested Paolo Cian (ITA) by a similar score. Bruni beat Cian in the
single race Petit Final. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/yboo7by
Final standings
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 10,000 euros
2. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN, 8,000
3. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra, 7,000
4. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia, 6,000
5. Sebastien Col (FRA) ALL 4 ONE, 5,250
6. Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing, 5,000
7. Philippe Presti (FRA), 4,500
8. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, 4,250
9. Pierre Antoine Morvan (FRA)
10. Betrand Pace (FRA) Aleph
11. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
12. Gian Luca Perris (MON)
Complete match information: http://tinyurl.com/yaswuoz
BACKGROUND: The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional
sailing series featuring 10 World Championship events across the globe,
sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
QUOTE / UNQUOTE
"I plan to peak for about two events a year. In the other events I'm working
on weaknesses." -- Zach Railey (USA), 2008 Olympic silver medalist (Finn),
providing advice to the 109 boys and girls in the California International
Sailing Association's 33rd annual Advanced Racing Clinic. --
http://www.abyc.org/upload/cisa10pr2.doc
CHARLESTON SERVES UP THREE SOLID DAYS
Charleston, SC (April 11, 2010) - After the first two days at 2010
Charleston Race Week brought winds of up to 20 knots, the final day of
racing eased up to just 8-12 knots of warm wind blowing across the harbor.
For the 184 teams competing, the largest of the 15 classes was the Melges 24
with 31 boats, with a tense showdown developing on the final day when local
star David Dabney used his encyclopedic knowledge of the harbor to sail to
take the lead over 2009 Moth World Champion Bora Gulari (Detroit, MI) with
just one race to go. The final race started with Dabney ahead of Gulari; yet
after crossing ahead of the Detroit boat, Dabney fouled local Guy Mossman,
forcing Dabney to sail a penalty circle and lose his lead, and ultimately
the title too.
The first-ever IRC fleet saw the Swiss Vincitore finish the event with all
first-place finishes. "If we had a couple more 50-footers in the race it
would obviously be more competitive," said Hayden Goodrick, bowman on the
big blue racer. "But we understand it's early days for IRC here in
Charleston, and hopefully they'll be here next year - we certainly hope to
as well!"
Not a frown was seen on the hundreds of faces at the awards ceremony on
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina's sandy beach. "The city, the weather and
the event organizers couldn't have presented this town any better," said
local sailing coach Ryan Hamm, whose J/24 Pigs Fly Too finished in 6th
place. "The competition is stiff, and it's great to see so many sailors
learn to love Charleston. Vincitore owner Jim Mitchell agreed: "This place
is just special." 2011 Charleston Race Week dates are April 14-17.
Complete report: http://tinyurl.com/CRW2010-final-report
Final results: http://tinyurl.com/CRW2010-results
Photos: http://www.facebook.com/CharlestonRaceWeek
“SAILING CONDITIONS BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS”
The organizers of the Voiles de Saint-Barth knew it would be something of a
challenge to convince yachtsmen and racers from around the world to include
this race in the West Indies on their race calendar. After that the
challenge was just as big, as they wanted to win them over by using their
know how to combine a friendly event with a serious racing regatta. And yet,
the skippers and owners that climbed on to the podium during the prize
ceremony were unanimous in expressing their genuine satisfaction and
enthusiasm: "We'll be back!"
It seems obvious to all that this week St. Barts brought together all the
ingredients that usually can only be dreamt of when thinking of such a
regatta: warm, brilliant sunshine, turquoise seas with a powerful swell and
strong trade winds, which were stable in direction and strength at around 20
knots throughout the regatta. Luc Poupon and the Race Directors did the
rest, intelligently and creatively coming up with four superb courses, a
different one each day, bringing together the beauty of the backdrop and
huge technical diversity. This choice of 20 to 30-mile long coastal runs
allowed four hotly contested races to take place for each of the four groups
taking part, bringing together large maxis full of technology, to classic
yachts, worked wonderfully well.
Competing aboard George David’s 90-foot Rambler was PUMA Ocean Racing
skipper Ken Read, who noted, “With what I’ve seen since the start of the
week, I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll soon be attracting a thousand
boats to this event! (Laughs). Seriously, the sailing conditions are quite
simply fantastic, quite exceptional. St. Barts is now in my Top five
favourite locations in the world for sailing! The island is magnificent, the
race committee is doing a remarkable job and the sailing conditions go
beyond my wildest dreams!” -- Full report:
http://seaclearcommunications.com/mailing/?id=13
GEAR UP TO GO SAILING AT WESTMARINE.COM
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providing the products and advice you need for a full season of smooth
sailing - it's all just a click away at http://bit.ly/bbzHMV
SAILING SHORTS
* Cannes, France (April 11, 2010) - Darren Choy of Singapore won his second
consecutive Byte CII World Championship, concluding 36 points clear of the
second place finisher, Ian Barrows of the US Virgin Islands who was coming
off a win in the NA and Caribbean Qualifier in Cayman three weeks prior. In
the women's event, the racing went down to the wire, with early series
leader Niki Blassar (FIN) reclaiming the lead and title by four points over
Lara Vadlau (AUT). Nearly 70 sailors from 29 countries competed at the event
hosted by Yacht Club de Cannes. --
http://www.yachtclubdecannes.com/?url=asp/pagy.asp&id=17
* The second annual Sailing Industry Conference has adopted "Adjusting to
the New Economy" as its general theme. The conference, organised by Sail
America, will take place in Annapolis, Maryland, June 15-16, 2010. George
Day, committee chair and publisher of Blue Water Sailing magazine, said this
year's conference was designed to provide members with "practical tools and
proven expertise" to better manage their businesses. "We themed our
conference 'Adjusting to the New Economy' because this is the most
significant challenge our industry is facing," said Day in a statement. --
IBI Magazine, full report:
http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20100309133937ibinews.html
* BMW Oracle Racing, representing San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club,
winner of the 33rd America’s Cup, will bring the oldest trophy in
international sport to Strictly Sail Pacific on its opening day, Thursday,
April 15th. The America’s Cup will be on display at the West Coast’s largest
all-sail show at the East Bay’s Jack London Square from noon until 6 pm,
after which there will be a BMW Oracle Racing team presentation from 6 to 7
pm. -- Details:
http://www.strictlysailpacific.com/shows/press_view.asp?view=1&id=126
* With 196 entries, the 47th Newport Bermuda Race fleet is on track to be
the third largest in the race’s history. The race, which starts June 18,
2010, may get even bigger during the late entry period that expires May 15.
The race record of 265 starters was set in the 2006 centennial Newport
Bermuda Race, and the 2008 fleet numbered 198 boats. The next largest fleet
was 182, in 2002. -- Details: http://tinyurl.com/ydkzso7
* US SAILING has created a new four-year membership designed specifically
for the college sailor. US SAILING has partnered with the Intercollegiate
Sailing Association (ICSA) to create a new college sailing website that
provides useful resources for the college sailor and helps promote this
segment of our sport. “This is a great way to get college sailors involved
with their National Governing Body,” said Mitch Brindley, president of the
ICSA. “These resources are ideal for the college sailor. We believe this
growing partnership with US SAILING will help provide more exposure to
sailing at the collegiate level.” -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/y8bon8c
* Thirty six new members of the Buzzard Society were welcomed to the group
this past weekend at Stamford Yacht Club. There are now 127 members of this
society which was created to recognize the achievements of those who have
sailed 10 or more Vineyard Races. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/yl4rvh2
* Pedro Galván Paris (35) has joined the Volvo Ocean Race as Marketing and
Communications Director. Galván was formerly Chief Marketing Officer of
Euroleague Basketball for over five years and during this period he was also
a member of the Board of Directors at ESA (European Sponsorship
Association). Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad has been employing the
services of top headhunting firm, Egon Zender International to procure his
new team for the 2011-12 race. The appointment of Galván completes the
Directorial staff for the Volvo Ocean Race. -- Full report:
http://tinyurl.com/yedlkmk
QUANTUM DOMINATES IN ST. THOMAS SPRING REGATTA
Richard Oland’s Vela Veloce (Southern Cross 52) and Austin & Gwen
Fraagomen’s Interlodge (JV52) finished 1st and 2nd - powered by Quantum full
inventories - at the International Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas. Quantum
Sails also dominated the IC 24 division with Orion (1st), Lime (2nd), and
Brand-New Second Hand (3rd). Find your speed at http://www.quantumsails.com
CLUBS CREATE GRADE 2 "TRIFECTA" IN AUGUST
Coordinating efforts to grow match-racing in the United States, the Chicago
Match Race Center, along with Bayview Yacht Club and Manhasset Bay Yacht
Club, will bring many of the world's best match racers to the States, as
they host Grade 2 regattas throughout August.
Chicago Match Cup
August 13-15, 2010
Hosted by the Chicago Match Race Center (Chicago, IL)
Event website: http://tinyurl.com/CMC041110
Toyota International Match Race for the Detroit Cup
August 18-22, 2010
Hosted by Bayview Yacht Club (Detroit, MI)
Event website: http://www.byc.com/detroitcup/
The Knickerbocker Cup
August 25-29, 2010
Hosted by Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (Port Washington, NY)
Event website: http://tinyurl.com/Knickerbocker041110
SCUTTLEBUTT SAILING CALENDAR
Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
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 Diane Swintal: (re, Video of the Week in Scuttlebutt 3067)
I heartily agree with Howard Bentley - the technology might get people
interested, but it's the personalities that give them something to cheer for
and make them real fans.
It's the formula NASCAR has used to great effect - with limited technology
to sell, they sold the game's personalities. That gave the fans faces behind
the helmets, teams to really cheer for. And in the end, it's the reason they
buy the products on the sides of their favorite team's car.
Professional sailing has some great personalities and some very articulate
spokesmen and women. Get and keep them out there - the best example today is
Puma's re-up with Ken Read and the VOR. It can be done - and with the
America's Cup on the rise once again, now's the time.
* From Tim Patterson: (re, letter in Scuttlebutt 3067)
I believe that Mr. Emerson is incorrect, in that the windmill was at an
angle to the wind of 0 degrees. It blades were parallel to the mast
structure and at rights angles to the platform it was propelling. Clearly
the telltales on the rods showed that the wind was directly behind the
platform.
* From Kerdasail: (in Forum)
Can someone clarify the term for this feat that I once read? An official
Circumnavigation claim can only be made by passing South of all the 5 capes
on the globe and also crossing the antipodal point whereby you will have
crossed the equator once? I think I saw this at about the time Jesse Martin
completed his Circumnavigation?
I don't wish to take the feat away from anyone who attempts it as I can only
imagine how tough it would be based on my commercial fishing experiences at
those latitudes - well done. -- Scuttlebutt Forum,
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9593
* From bfishbein: (in Forum)
Looking to join a J Boat team in the NJ/NY area. Does anyone know where I
could find listings for crew needed? I am ASA certified with many years of
boating experience, the last few years focused on sailing only. --
Scuttlebutt Forum,
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9571
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due to a
conflict.
Special thanks to Harken, West Marine, and Quantum Sails.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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