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SCUTTLEBUTT 2684 - Thursday, September 18, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WEB SITE FOR RACING SAILORS Southport, CT (September 17, 2008) - The Southport Sailing Foundation, based in Southport, Conn., today announced the launch of a new web site designed to help young American sailors plan more successful racing campaigns. The new site is designed for any sailor who wants to take the next step in their sailing career, whether he or she is a veteran racer aiming toward the Olympics or a young sailor preparing for their first national regatta. According to Dave Perry, a Foundation director, “When sailors want to organize a campaign or simply raise the level of their game, there is so much to do beyond just racing their boat fast. The idea behind CleverPig.org is to provide a resource for ‘one-stop shopping.’ Hopefully it will give sailors most of the information they need to be successful off the water as well as on the race course.” The CleverPig.org web site brings together a wide range of resources and tools for everything from fundraising to coaching. Sailors will be able to create their own campaign web page, calendar, resume and budget. They can apply for grants, search for coaches and get local knowledge about regatta venues. They’ll find resources on one-design classes and regattas, sample materials from previous campaigns, plus extensive lists of campaign FAQs and links. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6413 FIVE GREAT SAILING TOWNS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT by Dave Reed , Sailing World Imagine living in a town with a thriving sailing scene, a place where weeknights and weekends have but one purpose. We found five of them, and we didn't have to look too hard. The question was tabled after one evening's race. "What if you had to relocate?" Someone asked. "And it could be some place where there was a ton of racing and a cool, laid-back scene?" The group instantly dismissed the talent-laden havens of San Diego, Newport, and Annapolis as high quality sailing spots, but just too known. This had to be something off the radar, the sort of place where nearly everyone on the racecourse knows your name. Someone's road atlas, dog-eared and tattered, was soon splayed out and the search for small-town sailing bliss was underway. There was possibility with each blue blotch—lakes, harbors, bays, and open oceans—the options were overwhelming. But we caught wind of their plight and picked up the task, gathering opinions and experiences far and wide to narrow the search to a mere handful amongst thousands of underrated sailing towns. We had our demands: we had to have weeknight beer can racing—that would be our "in." There had to be a community sailing program from which we could poach new and eager crew. Sailing conditions had to be reliable, there had to be a walk-in fleet so we wouldn't have to start anew. And, of course, there had to be one good watering hole. With all due respect for the natives of the following towns and cities, we apologize for spot burning, but thanks for putting out the welcome mat at the county line. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/SailingWorld091708 11TH MEDAL COMING BACK? by The Daily Sail (subscription website) Rumours have been circulating for a while about the Tornado possibly being put back into the Olympic line-up for 2012. For the most part these rumours are still more or less just that, but recently we have learned there is some truth to them. After asking around a number of Olympic sailors recently we hear the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are now debating the possibility or re-introducing the 11th medal for sailing at the 2012 Olympic Games. Of course all that is known at the moment is that the IOC is debating the possibility but this is encouraging news all the same. As many might remember there is already a precedent here as the IOC has previously removed one medal from the Olympic sailing competition back in 2000 before re-instating it. Back then it was the Star class that was removed and then re-instated. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/DailySail091708 * In Scuttlebutt 2594 (May 12, 2008), a letter by past ISAF President Paul Henderson explains where there a legitimate reason for IOC to provide sailing 11 events for the 2012 Games: “The reason that sailing added events to the Olympic program was to change our sport to include women in the Olympic Sailing Regatta, which was a decree of the IOC. In 1984 there were NO women's events and only two women competitors, Cathy Foster, who won the last race in the 470, and Trine Elvstrom, who crewed with her dad Paul in the Tornado. There were seven so-called "Open Events", but they were really best suited for men. Sailing was still the worse dual gender sport in the 1996 Games, with only 19% women. In Athens 2004, there were 4 of 11 events for women, with women's participation up to 35% of the total participants, an admirable accomplishment for the ISAF Council. “The cutting back of sailing events by the IOC from 11 to 10 events has nothing to do with stopping some uncontrolled ISAF expansion, but rather having to do with the IOC wanting new sports while at the same time keeping the total sports at the Games to 28, the events at 300, and athletes at 10,500. “So sailing and other sports were asked to cut back, with sailing being reduced to 10 events and 380 sailors (from 11 events and 400), which is the reason for the angst at the ISAF Council. When one discipline or event has to go, it is not something done lightly and always the disenfranchised are disturbed. However, due to the IOC voting procedure, there will be only 26 sports in London 2012 with the dropping of Baseball and Softball . No other sport got enough support for inclusion, which is why it is not necessary, at least for the 2012 Games, for Sailing to reduce from 11 to 10 events.” -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/archived_Detail.asp?key=3914 FLYING AROUND THE CORONADOS It was time for a change this year. So on September 13th, the Flying Tiger 10 fleet in San Diego started the 2008 Around the Coronados Race as a one-design class with their own start. At the end of the 32.5 nautical-mile race, Paul McPherson and team on “Niuhi” sealed their victory in the six-boat fleet with over two minutes ahead of second place. “Niuhi” competed with 100% Ullman Sails and was a recent participant in the latest Ullman sail testing session in Southern California. We invest in your performance. So should you. Visit Ullman Sails at http://www.ullmansails.com SHUFFLING SCORES FOR TP52 MEDCUP FINALE Portimao, Portugal (September 17, 2008) - The Quantum Racing team entered the 2008 Audi MedCup circuit with a simple purpose: put together the most complete, comprehensive program, and see how they can measure up against the fleet of North Sails supplied boat. With the team now on the verge of winning the overall circuit trophy, and having built up a manageable points lead, the final event this week is as much about closing strong as it is not throwing it all away. After taking the lead following the first day of racing the Portugal Trophy Regatta, the second day wasn’t quite as neat for the Quantum team. “The boathandling was great and the speed was pretty good,” commented Quantum’s tactician Morgan Larson. “I think we have been better speed wise before against the fleet but it wasn’t anything about speed today, it was about strategic and tactical decisions, about communication and we just did not execute." In light and shifty winds, between five and eight knots, the steady improvement by Desafio during the circuit earned them their first time as the overall leader of a MedCup regatta. Going in to the season’s final double points coastal race on Thursday, Quantum Racing has an overall lead of 45.2 points on Bribón, who are currently in 6th in the Portugal Trophy regatta standings. -- Daily report: http://2008.medcup.org/news/?id=438 Current standings (Top 5 of 15) 1. El Desafio, ESP, (10,2,3,7,3) 25 2. Matador, ESP, (8,5,10,1,2) 26 3. Quantum, USA, (4,8,1,6,10) 29 4. Platoon powered by Team Germany, GER, (11,10,8,2,1) 32 5. Synergy, RUS, (9,1,4,14,5) 33 Complete results: http://2008.medcup.org/results/venue.php?trophy=6 FRENCH LEAD MATCH RACE RANKINGS Mathieu Richard and Claire Leroy maintain French control at the top of the Open and Women's ISAF World Match Racing Rankings in their latest release on September 17, 2008. Claire Leroy (FRA) continues to look formidable at the top of the Women's Rankings, with nobody looking set to challenge the world #1 standing of the French skipper for some time yet. In contrast, Mathieu Richard (FRA) leads the Open Rankings by a very narrow margin, with Ian Williams (GBR), the reigning ISAF Match Racing World Champion, snapping at his heels. The focus of the match racing world is set to shift to a national perspective over the coming weeks, with the first of the Regional Finals for the ISAF Nations Cup. -- Full report: http://www.sailing.org/25347.php?PHPSESSID=311123c96d25c2bc676176dba4c106b9 SAILING SHORTS * San Francisco, CA - Luiz Kahl, Executive Director of the US-IRC Foundation, and Norman Davant, Regatta Chairman of the Rolex Big Boat Series, have announced that the 2009 Rolex Big Boat Series will also be the 2009 Rolex US-IRC National Championship. The first Rolex US-IRC National Championship was held in 2007 on the East coast in conjunction with the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, while the 2008 National Championship was held with the Little Traverse YC's Annual Regatta in Harbor Springs, MI. -- Complete report: http://www.us-irc.org/newsfull.cfm?ID=125 * The Stamford Yacht Club is celebrating next year's 75th anniversary of the Vineyard Race by forming The Buzzards Society for those who have raced 10 or more Vineyards. A special trophy will be unveiled at the 75th running of the Vineyard Race, which will be awarded to the boat skippered by a Buzzard with the fastest corrected time. Prospective Buzzards must apply for admission before the dinner in the spring. They must supply a list of boats they sailed on, years of participation, total years participated as well as their mailing address. Sailors can apply by sending an email to mailto:vineyard75@stamfordyc.com * Westport, CT (9/17/08) - First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff announced Tuesday the town has completed a review of safety procedures at the privately owned Longshore Sailing School, which operates under a town lease. Joseloff ordered the review after the Aug. 26 death of Alexandra Vitale, 3, who was in a Hobie Cat near Cockenoe Island when it was overturned by a gust of wind. Two cousins and an instructor were rescued. Joseloff said that although the school has had an excellent safety record in its more than 30 years of operation at Longshore, the review had identified a number of areas of operation where the town was making recommendations for improvements. -- The Advocate, read on: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/localnews/ci_10483490 * Sailing World's College Rankings as of September 17, 2008 find Boston College and College of Charleston start out atop, respectively, in the Coed and Women's divisions as determined by SW's coaches panel. -- Complete list: http://tinyurl.com/CollegeRankings091708 * (September 17, 2008) Team Delta Lloyd arrived in Alicante today with a message for its Volvo Ocean Race rivals: “Underestimate us at your peril.” The syndicate, which used the six-day crossing from Cork as its 2,000-mile qualifier, is the last of the eight teams to reach the start port. Only three weeks ago the team had not concluded deals with its Dutch backer, but Ger O’Rourke, who will skipper the boat formerly known as ABN AMRO ONE, is adamant his team can raise some eyebrows. – Full story: http://tinyurl.com/VOR091708 FIVE STAR QUALITY MEETS YACHTING ACTION If you love being part of the action (think: headquarters for high performance racing boats including 'Speedboat' and 'PUMA') and want a marina that pays attention to details like cleanliness, customer service, and having a knowledgeable staff who specialize in paint, refit & repair, call or email Newport Shipyard today to book dock space. Complete with crew amenities + 70 and 330T Travel Lifts. Head south with a light heart and a working boat. -- http://www.newportshipyard.com U.S. MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK * Belvedere, CA - The San Francisco Yacht Club will be the host for the U.S. Sailing’s Mallory Cup, September 17-20, where eleven teams representing each of U.S. Sailing’s nationwide districts will be fleet racing on J/24 class boats. Eleven races spanning four days, with skippers including Scott Young (Austin, TX) who has won the title five times, twice as crew and three times as skipper, and placed third in 2007, and David Klatt (Oxnard, CA), who placed second at the 2007 J/24 North Americans and first at the 2004 U.S. J/24 Championship. -- Event site: http://www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/usmsc/index.asp * Oklahoma City, OK - The U.S. Women’s Sailing Championship for US Sailing's Mrs. Charles Francis Adams Cup and the Mrs. Willis D. Wood Trophy will be held at the Oklahoma City Boat Club this week, September 18-20. The event was originated by William Upham Swan in 1924 and is widely believed to be the first women’s championship ever held in the world. This year’s competition, raced in J/22s on Lake Hefner, will feature eleven teams that include 2006 and 2002 U.S. Women's Champion Vicki Sodaro (Tiburon, CA), plus the youngest skipper in the regatta, 19-year-old Shelby Aughtry (Edmond, Okla.) who will be enjoying the local knowledge advantage. Complete results, daily reports, and photos from the event will be posted on the event website at http://www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/women/uswsc 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 Gram Schweikert: The crew of Rumours/Unplugged had a successful Leukemia Cup Regatta, winning their class, and an even more successful fundraising week in honor of our skipper Tim Woodhouse who is now home from his second round of Chemo. By Sunday afternoon, we had raised $55,000 in ONE WEEK. This is more than double the previous record for a boat in Rhode Island, and helped the Rhode Island Leukemia Cup increase donations from $115,000 last year to nearly $200,000 in 2008. The outpouring of support is more than we could have ever imagined, and we would like to thank all our generous donors as well as the Scuttlebutt Newsletter for posting our call to action. Tim and Kim Woodhouse as well as all the Rumours Crew are truly touched. * From Rory Ramsden, COO, International RS:X Class Association: (re, commentary in Scuttlebutt 2683) Whilst I admire Svein's zeal for promoting Olympic windsurfing, I have 16 years of experience in managing both the International Mistral Class Organization (IMCO) and now the RS:X classes. This has lead me to the following conclusions a) IMCO was selected for the Olympics in 1992 so when we staged the 1993 IMCO Europeans there were more than 250 entries made up of a mixture of the best recreational sailors already in the pre-existing large class and the Olympic athletes transferring from the Lechner class. The recreational sailors pretty soon found out that they were neither fit enough or with enough spare time off work to compete against the ex-Lechner Olympic class athletes. They quit to race something else where they could have fun with their circle of friends. Numbers have remained stable ever since. b) To be an Olympian requires a very special dedication. To get onto and stay on the Olympic pathway requires an equal amount of determination. Only very few possess such drive and focus. c) Windsurfing is a global sport. Windsurfing in the Olympics is supported by ISAF national authorities in every continent. Many do not have the beautiful sea breezes that every windsurfer likes to enjoy. The ISAF had a six knot minimum windspeed at the recent Olympic Regatta in Quingdao, China. Everyone believed that it was going to be a light wind event. In fact it turned out to be the windiest Olympic Regatta since Seoul 1988. Weymouth 2012 is predicted to be 'windy' but history tells us that there is no guarantee that it will be. -- Read on, and post comments here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6412#6412 * From Russ Saunders, San Francisco, CA: From the story in Scuttlebutt 2683, WILL PIRATES ATTACK VOLVO OCEAN RACE FLEET?, it states that a “French tuna fishing boat came under rocket attack some 700 kilometers off the Somali coast on Saturday. Pirates are becoming increasingly emboldened, with approximately 50 ships, mainly merchant vessels, having been attacked by pirates off Somalia's 2,300 miles of coastline since the beginning of the year. According to Mr. Sarkozy, Somali pirates are currently holding 150 people and at least 15 ships.” The Law of the Sea, which has, to my knowledge, never been repealed has stated that piracy is crime against mankind. During the American Revolution, given the nature of our belief in the Judicial System, when American Naval ships captured a known pirate crew, the United States commanders gave them over to British captains where they were promptly hung from a yard arm. It is time for each of the United Nations naval powers to act in concert and go in to rescue those people captured by these people. Once rescued, every boat on the Somali coast which is much too powerful (read fast) for fishing should be destroyed, and capture with extreme prejudice anyone not able to explain how they made a living. This is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart but must be done to protect the sailing and commercial shipping world. Then a United Nations member warship needs to pass by the coast on a regular basis to insure that no one else dares challenge the world’s shipping. There is no recognized government in Somalia so there can be no complaints. * From Maxwell Rosenberg, Santa Barbara, CA: I remember Bruce Goldsmith. I was a pimple faced 15 year old and needed a new sail for my Lightning. Bruce was winning lots of races and I called him and ordered a jib. Bruce was cool, calm, and collected. Got the jib and won many races with it. Met Bruce several years later at a post race party at Block Island Race week. Same thing…nice and mellow. The keg gets tapped and 30 minutes later…Bruce is upside down bobbing for apples in a tub filled with beer. Best part? $ girls were holding him upside down and he was chugging the beer! CURMUDGEON’S COMMENT Based on the feedback regarding the story titled “WELCOME TO HOUSTON YC” in Scuttlebutt 2684, we realize our presentation did not take into account the dire straits that some find themselves in as a result of the storm. We do regret any hard feelings that our story might have caused, and thanks again to those readers who took the time to share their opinions with us. Photos of the club and harbor can be viewed here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2008/09/welcome-to-houston-yc.html CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. Special thanks to Ullman Sails and Newport Shipyard. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
