|
SCUTTLEBUTT 2754 - Wednesday, January 7, 2009Scuttlebutt 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 North Sails and Team One Newport. THREE LENGTH ZONE On January 1, 2009, the new edition of The Racing Rules of Sailing go into effect. Dave Perry, Chairman of the US SAILING Appeals Committee, explains some of the game changes that the new rules will create: New three-length zone; no more “about to round a mark.” The previous rule 18 (which is the rule for rounding or passing marks and obstructions) began to apply when boats were “about to round or pass the mark or obstruction.” Though this was a useful, self-adjusting criteria given the varying speeds and levels of boat handling in the wide spectrum of boats and conditions that are raced under, it was also very vague and almost arbitrary. The new rules now create a definitive location where rule 18 begins to apply. It is when the boats reach the Zone, which is now three lengths from the mark (see definition Zone; note that sailing instructions can change the Zone to two or four lengths; and team and match racing are staying with two lengths, and radio-controlled boats are staying with four). The game change here is that even if the boats are approaching the mark quickly and/or have a lot of sail handling to perform before rounding the mark, outside right-of-way boats do not need to start giving room until they or the inside boat reaches the Zone. However, outside boats are required to give the room the moment either of them reaches the Zone, so they must be ready for that obligation. And for boats clear ahead of others, they are “safe” from being overlapped on the inside when they reach the Zone, which is now three lengths from the mark, not two as in the previous rules. For a complete explanation of the racing rules, get Dave’s classic book Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing available from US SAILING’s on-line store at http://store.ussailing.org BOB DILL: KING OF SPEED Luckily for Bob Dill, his claim to fame is not just being the world's second fastest land sailing pilot. Dill designed the land sailing yacht that Bob Schumacher piloted nearly ten years ago to the current record, and provides some insight into this area of sailing: * Why has there been so much time between land speed records? DILL: Previous attempts were with racing boats (Nord Embroden, 88.4 mph in 1976) or modestly modified racing boats (Bertrand Labmbert, 94.7 mph in 1992 on sand). These racing boats are optimized for sailing in a wide range of wind speeds and courses of sail, and most people are focusing their design and sailing effort on racing and only occasional serious attempts to just go fast (and many of those were not successful). The Wood and Iron Ducks we built were among the first boats designed with only speed as a goal, eventually permitting Bob Schumacher to set the current record of 116.7 mph on March 20th, 1999. * How was the Iron Duck able to increase the wheeled yacht speed record from 94.7 to 116.7 mph? DILL: A Speed yacht only needs to be fast in a lot of wind on one tack on a near beam reach. Speed potential comes from low drag to keep the amount of drive needed as low as possible combined with high stability and traction to handle the high lateral forces needed to generate that drive. Compared to the fastest racing dirt boats, the Iron Duck has a similar sail area but it was much bigger and weighed over twice as much. It is fully fared and uses aerodynamic asymmetry to point its fairings into the apparent wind at speed on port tack. In addition it uses a wing instead of a soft sail and has no shrouds. It would be hopeless on a racecourse on all but the windiest days. But when the wind gets to 30 mph, the Duck comes into its own while most racing boats are struggling to control the power. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/tt THE RACING RULES HAVE CHANGED! As of January 1, the Racing Rules have changed. To help prepare you for the coming season, North U. has partnered with US Sailing to present a series of one-day seminars throughout North America to explain the new rules changes and help you use them to your advantage. You'll have your questions answered, participate in racing scenarios and receive a free Racing Rules Workbook created by North U. and Dave Perry. Coming up in January: Tiburon, CA; Long Beach, CA; Wayzata, MN; Kennebunkport, ME, Cincinnati, OH; Marion, MA and Punta Gorda, FL. For a full seminar schedule, visit http://www.NorthU.com ERICSSON 4 HOLDS INVALID MEASUREMENT CERTIFICATE Here is an excerpt from a story posted on The Daily Sail subscription website regarding the trouble surrounding the Ericsson Racing Team, and how a remeasurement of race leader Ericsson 4 finds her now to be too long: After all the furor in Alicante over Ericsson 3's keel, you might have thought that Ericsson Racing Team would make all possible effort to dot every 'i' and cross every 't' when it came to the measurement of their boats. However another embarrassing debacle is evolving as the boats Christmas in Singapore, this time involving race leader Ericsson 4having been found to have had a new bow fitted after she was originally measured. According to a Protest to the Jury (VOR01-RMG) from the Rule Management Group, dated 4 January, James Dadd, the Volvo Ocean Race's Chief Measurer "noted a section of the bow of a boat in Ericsson Racing Team colours behind the ERT containers. On enquiry, members of ERT informed the Chief Measurer that this section of hull was the bow section of Ericsson 4 which had been installed on the boat when it was presented for original hull measurement at the builders in Sweden on 11 June 2008. Following damage to this portion of the hull prior to the Assembly Period in Alicante, this entire section was removed and replaced with a new bow section". By bow section we understand it refers to the section forward of the crash bulkhead. According to Dadd, the Rule Management Group were not informed of this change which effectively invalidated a number of key measurements required under the VO70 rules. Dadd concludes: "As such Ericsson 4 has not to this date held any valid Volvo Open 70 certificate, as required in Notice of Race 5.1 (g)(i)." -- Read on: http://TheDailySail-010609.notlong.com Current standings after Leg Three 1. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 35 points 2. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 30.5 points 3. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 27.5 points 4. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Anders Lewander/SWE, 23.5 points 5. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 20.5 points 6. Telefonica Black (ESP), F. Echavarri/ESP, 19.5 points 7. Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, 10.5 points 8. Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, 9 points Race website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org Overall scores: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/rdc/#tab4 Race replay and tracking: http://volvooceanrace.geovoile.com * The third episode of the monthly VOR shows in the U.S. will be on January 7, 2009 at the Versus network: http://ww2.versus.com/tvlistings/test-DB.asp?tb=d&dt=1/7/2009 DARING RESCUE NEAR CAPE HORN (Jan. 6, 2009; Day 58) - At 00h26 GMT Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) informed his shore team that he was in distress two hundred miles west of Cape Horn, and it was possible that he was capsizing, but then the phone went dead at that point. Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) were instructed to change course to assist Le Cam, in addition to a cargo ship and Chilean search and rescue plane. The plane was the first to confirm sight of the IMOCA 60 at 0945. The yacht was floating upside down with the keel bulb missing from the fin. The cargo ship was next onsite followed by Riou and Le Cléac’h. Wind conditions in the area saw 25-30 knots, gusting 40, with a rough sea state of 4-5m. Following his arrival at 1421, Riou shouted for Le Cam and heard a response from inside the capsized boat, but unfortunately Le Cam’s emergency escape hatch near the stern was underwater. A Chilean naval tug was also called to aid the rescue effort - due to arrive Wednesday morning - equipped with a RIB and divers to assist in recovering the skipper. At 1810 (GMT) on Tuesday, Riou reported that Jean Le Cam had climbed out of VM Matériaux wearing his survival suit. Riou circled repeatedly to retrieve the skipper from the water, and on the fourth attempt he successfully rescued Le Cam on board PRB. However, the end of PRB’s port outrigger was damaged against the upturned keel fin, with the integrity of PRB’s mast now uncertain. Armel Le Cléac’h on Brit Air, who was also standing by to assist in the rescue, is now following PRB as they investigate repairs to the rig. Solo, non-stop, around the world race in Open 60s. Standings as of 18:30 UTC (Top 5 plus of 30 entrants; 13 now competing): 1. Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA), Foncia, 6590.5 nm Distance to finish 2. Roland Jourdain (FRA), Veolia Environnement, 102.0 nm Distance to leader 3. Vincent Riou (FRA), PRB, 641.4 nm DTL 4. Armel Le Cléac´h (FRA), Brit Air, 641.8 nm DTL 5. Samantha Davies (GBR), Roxy, 1858.8 nm DTL 8. Dee Caffari (GBR), Aviva, 2983.8 nm DTL 12. Rich Wilson (USA), Great American III, 4821.5 nm DTL Event website: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en Complete standings: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ranking.html Race tracking: http://tracking.vendeeglobe.org/en PACKING YOUR DUFFEL FOR THE SOUTHERN REGATTA CIRCUIT By Martha Parker, Team One Newport It’s that time of year when a great deal of us are lucky enough to be heading south for some exciting sailboat racing. With the holidays behind us, it is the right time to take inventory of the items that are a must to take with you. Here is a list to get you started: Sun Protection Shirt (Can double as a first layer if it gets cold) Waterproof or quick dry shorts Sailing Gloves Foul Weather Gear Boots Sunglasses Hat Sunscreen Backpack Personal items for your position – bowman’s harness, rigging knife, etc Thermal Item (just in case it gets cold – it does happen!) For your sun protection shirt, if you have a polyester top, that will not only keep the harsh burning rays off your skin, but it can act as a wicking shirt to layer under your thermal piece and foul weather gear when the weather turns cooler. It is important to always dress in layers and that those layers are made of performance fabrics that wick away any body moisture and keep you warm and dry. For your shorts, it is a personal preference (as well as what type of boat you’re racing) as to whether you select a waterproof or quick dry version. Both of these items are very easily washed at the end of the day so you can use them for the next day of racing. If you are lucky enough, your owner or someone on the crew might have had the foresight to place an order for some screen printed or embroidered shirts and shorts so that your crew looks rather sharp on the race course. Your foul weather gear should be of a breathing nature and make sure that your gloves fit snugly (or they can actually create blisters on your hands); your boots will depend on your position on the boat and what type of boat you’re sailing. Don’t forget to protect your head and eyes with a hat and sunglasses. The final word of wisdom is to have plenty of sunscreen and make sure that it is a type that won’t give you a rash or make you break out. There are a number of sunscreens that use fragrances and they can react differently to different skin types. BE PREPARED WHEN HEADING SOUTH… And let Team One Newport be your resource. There is still time to get some last minute crew uniforms if you’re going to a big regatta soon! Your crew would look very snappy in some team hats or shirts! And don’t forget your sun block. Team One Newport has the brand new fragrance free ZBlok. This is revolutionary sun protection that Ken Read and the Puma crew are using while racing around the world in the Volvo Ocean Race and its base is zinc oxide. Visit http://www.team1newport.com or call 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327) for any help with your needs! SAILING SHORTS * Thirty-five youth sailors have been selected for the newly-launched US Sailing Team - Under 18 (U18) and US Sailing Team - Under 23 (U23). These talented athletes have been identified as future Olympic prospects, and US SAILING is dedicated to guiding them from youth programs to the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program. The US Sailing Team - U18 includes the Laser Radial (boys), Laser Radial (girls), 29er (open) and I420 (boys or girls) classes. The US Sailing Team - U23 includes the Laser (men) and Laser Radial (women) classes. -- Complete report: http://SButt010609a.notlong.com * The World Sailing Speed Record Council announced the ratification of a new World C Class Record by Simon McKeon (AUS) aboard Macquarie Innovation on December 19, 2008, setting a new average speed of 48.14 kts over the 500 metre course at Sandy Point, Australia. The previous record of 46.52 kts was set in 1993, also by Mckeon at Sandy Point aboard Yellow Pages. -- http://www.sailspeedrecords.com * Bridgeport, CT -- Although its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing has grown a little more complicated, Derecktor Shipyards Connecticut has added more than 100 workers since it filed the action more than six months ago. Derecktor Connecticut, one of the city's largest manufacturers, had about 250 employees when it filed for bankruptcy on July 18, 2008. Derecktor Connecticut is a subsidiary of Derecktor Holdings of New York, which is not in bankruptcy. – Connecticut Post, read on: http://www.connpost.com/ci_11374674?source=most_emailed 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 Grey McGown, Fort Worth, TX: (re, lead story in SBUTT 2753) I have known Brodie Cobb and his superb parents since his days as a junior sailor at the Fort Worth Boat Club. He is a good sailor and a good guy. He has paid dearly for his transgressions and I'm sorry that Caswell and Scuttlebutt, in a sense of superiority, have seen fit to pile on. All of us have had incidents in our sailing careers we'd rather not discuss and I'm sure Brodie regrets his. * From Beat Stegmeier (edited to the 250-word limit): The annual Star Class membership votation on changes of the Star Class Rules brought two major improvements that will probably have an impact on other Olympic classes too. While the sea state evocated by Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) waves became an usual part of the meteorological descriptions of racing conditions by athletes in all Olympic classes, and the organizers of major Grade1 events needed a special organization for coach boats (up to 350 RIB's at Kiel Week), a large majority of the Star Class voted to limit coaching for all future regattas by adopting the rule of the Farr 40 Class which prohibits all contacts between athletes and coaches after leaving the harbour till the end of the last day race of the day. [Rule states: "For Gold and Silver events a yacht shall receive no outside assistance from support boats or otherwise once she has left the dock for the day until the finish of the last race of the day, except in the case of emergency and/or towing supplied by the organizer and available to all participants."] A second resolution accepted by the worldwide Star sailors is the elimination of Rule 42 on all reaching courses. The Stars are using the classic Olympic triangle race course only in more than 15 knots, and while keeping a Star permanently surfing on a reaching course is a lot of work for the team, to ban rule 42 will make Star sailing more athletic, faster and more spectacular. -- Full post: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6854#6854 * From Pascal Desmarets: Regarding Arne Ruse's letter (SBUTT 2753) on routing software and Virtual Regatta: You don't have to buy expensive routing software, or pay $20 to GoFlow. Simply download the demo version of Deckman (http://www.sailmath.com/downloads/Deckman91/DeckmanSetup.exe) or Adrena Tactique (http://www.adrena.fr/medias/files/TactiqueDemoInst.exe). Then download weather from grib.us and there you go. But be careful that old habits of real sailors are sometimes counter-productive on Virtual Regatta: for example, because of instantaneous weather update for everyone at fixed times twice a day, taking a longer route to be first to the shift will actually set you back. Weather routing only gives a strategic framework, but the game has it's own tactical subtleties that are best played with frequent attention. As a matter of fact, many of the top players don't use routing help. Some are not even sailors. Great free game. Sometimes more fun than following the race itself... * From Adrian Morgan: (re, recent America’s Cup statements and court filings) How short are our memories. Quote "...the defender and its lackeys are stacking the deck for a successful defense, not a fair competition". That could have been written about pretty much every defence of the America's Cup since 1870. Ruses include: the challenger having to race a whole fleet (Cambria); facing a choice of four NYYC defenders, depending on the weather (Livonia); Puritan fouling Genesta (Genesta sportingly retired); the requirement for challengers to sail over the Atlantic. Then there's the notorious modern day attempts to jimmy the rules; disqualify Australia II; thwart a dangerous New Zealand challenge (Stars & Stripes cat) and ridiculous requirements, for example to use only home-grown equipment. The list goes on. Alinghi has learned the game well; from excellent mentors... * From Damian Christie, Melbourne, Australia: Some advice for Ernesto Bertarelli: Attack the New York Yacht Club, if you must, for siding with BMW Oracle/GGYC in the current America's Cup litigation, but have the decency to do it directly. The tone of the spurious Amici Curiae submission from lackeys French Spirit and Shosholoza is so full of the propaganda perpetrated by Alinghi over the last 18 months that it is unthinkable that Alinghi’s PR machine could not have concocted it. Even if, remotely, the French and South Africans did write this submission, the New York Court of Appeals should ignore it purely because it offers nothing new to the debate about CNEV's relevance as Challenger of Record. Whereas the NYYC Amici Curiae submission is well written, and illustrates the club's understanding of the Cup's rich history and its part in that history, the French Spirit/Shosholoza submission (undoubtedly at Alinghi's direction) ignorantly attacks the NYYC for its autocratic management of the America's Cup for 132 years, whilst portraying Alinghi/SNG as some democratic and visionary force for good. Like CNEV before them, Spirit and Shosholoza must indeed be desperate to compromise their principles for an America's Cup regatta in 2010 when they're prepared to put their names to such a rambling waste of paper. Attacking the integrity of the NYYC merely shows what puppets the French and South African teams are to be blindly parroting the Alinghi line rather than having the guts to question Bertarellil’s autocratic protocol in the first place. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION What worries me most about the credit crunch is that if one of my checks is returned stamped 'insufficient funds', I won't know whether that refers to mine or the bank's. Special thanks to North Sails and Team One Newport. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
