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SCUTTLEBUTT 3215 - Monday, November 8, 2010Scuttlebutt 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. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: Ultimate Sailing and Quantum Sails. DRINKING THE KOOL-AID Yachting columnist Chris Caswell shares his commentary as published in the November edition of Sailing Magazine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OK, I admit it. I drank the Kool-Aid. I actually believed that Ellison, Coutts & Company were going to fix the America’s Cup. They came off as the knights on the white chargers who were going to rescue us from the evil Bertarelli and his Cup manipulations. What we got is just a different flavor of Kool-Aid. And, no, it’s not that I’m angered by Russell Coutts eminently quotable but also eminently stupid comment that they are aiming this America’s Cup “towards the Facebook generation, not the Flintstone generation”. And I could only smile wryly when he added that “previous events have been like watching a senior tour.” There was a time in Fremantle when Dennis Conner chose to insult the Kiwi challenger by saying that the only reason to build a fiberglass 12-Meter was to cheat. Tom Blackaller was quick to shout into the microphone, “Uh-oh, Dennis, you shouldn’t have said that.” Uh-oh, Russell. You insulted the majority of sailors around the world who aren’t Facebooking or Tweeting or watching teen-age music videos on their cell phones. The Facebookers don’t care about the America’s Cup, but there are a lot of marinas and yacht clubs filled with Flintstones who were hoping you’d do the right thing. The minute they declared that the next America’s Cup would be sailed in 72’ wing-sailed catamarans, I knew I shouldn’t have taken the paper cup and sipped. The claim that 72’ high tech cats are cheaper than a proven monohull is crap. Their claim that the cats can easily handle winds up to 33 knots is more crapola. That’s Force 7 on the Beaufort scale, which is also called a near gale, with foam being blown off 19-foot waves. With wingsails 130-feet tall? But, of course, the merry Oracle band has also thrown match racing, that long-time tradition of the America’s Cup, out with the bathwater, too. Big. Mistake. Steroidal winged cats are drag racing machines, not nimble tactical boats. Facebookers glued to their iPads won’t see tacking duels or sail changes or dial-ups before the start. Though Coutts says the boats will be “cool”, all those Facebookers might not even see them on the same screen because, at 30 knots, they won’t be close. As if they even care. Coutts tells us that the race has to be faster. If he had his way, the Kentucky Derby would be run with motorcycles (because they’re faster and more Facebook-friendly) than with thoroughbreds. Sad. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/1107 STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES By Jonathan Mckee, Sailing World In sailing, the field of play changes from day to day. A big part of success in racing comes from understanding the conditions - especially when you’re in a new place. By planning in advance and thinking clearly, you can feel at home in any venue. Enjoy the town. Every venue has its shoreside charms. I recently spent two weeks in Tallin, Estonia. The city has a beautiful, medieval core, and I really enjoyed wandering around and taking it all in. [Stopping to smell Estonia’s roses didn’t prevent Jonathan from winning the Melges 24 World Championship in August. –Ed.] Get a chart. There’s nothing worse than running aground. Studying the depth gradients won’t just keep you off the rocks—it may provide clues about the current. Talk to the locals. It can be helpful to speak with sailors who know the place—just be sure to get more than one viewpoint. “Why” is just as important as “where.” Understand the factors influencing localized conditions. Is the left favored because of current or wind? When conditions begin to change, the reason for an advantage may disappear. Examine the geography. Just as depth contours tell you about current, the height of the land provides clues about how the wind will bend. -- Read on: http://www.sailingworld.com/experts/stop-and-smell-the-roses NO SWEAT OFF YOUR BACK! Ultimate Sailing introduces new technical T’s with a splashy color photographic design by Sharon Green. The T’s are specially designed to provide not only superior moisture management, but also to enhance comfort. Contrast side gusset colors create sporty look and complement the full color dye sublimation graphic that will not fade or wash off. No sweaty patch on your back! Highly breathable fabric will help keep you cool and dry and protected from the sun. Long and short sleeve. Check out the 2011 Ultimate Sailing Calendar and new apparel at http://www.ultimatesailing.com A MOST MEMORABLE DAY North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI (November 5, 2010) - For the finals of Bitter End Yacht Club's Pro Am Regatta, the “Rules of Engagement” switched from fleet racing to match racing. And the big wind that rolled through the North Sound provided the ingredients for some truly spectacular images … and seldom seen sights. Like, when Anna Tunnicliffe made two quick pre-start turns in a row which scattered her crew around the cockpit like so many upside-down turtles. And when Russell Coutts did a spectacular round-down during a starting sequence that buried him waist deep in 83-degree seawater - and clearly displayed his IC 24’s entire keel and rudder to the spectator boats. By the end of a most memorable day, Paul Cayard had fought back from 0-1 to beat Russell Coutts, the Pro Am fleet racing winner, to move into the finals against Peter Holmberg, who’d earlier dispatched Ken Read 2-0. But this was Holmberg’s day. He went undefeated throughout the match racing segment of the regatta to win the Pro Am crown for his fourth time. Cayard finished second with Read and Coutts tying for an even third place. However, the big winners were the tired, somewhat bruised, but smiling guests of the Bitter End who returned to their home yacht clubs over the weekend with many incredible stories about their experiences while crewing for some of sailing’s biggest names. Daily reports: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10730 COLLEGE SINGLEHANDED NATIONALS The 2010-2011 Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association / LaserPerformance Men’s and Women’s National Singlehanded Championship were hosted by St. Petersburg Yacht Club in St. Petersburg, Florida on November 5-7, 2010. Eighteen entrants competed in each event, with the men sailing full rigs and the women sailing radial rigs. In the men’s division, Cy Thompson (2011) of Roger Williams led the event from the start, but posted two 11s in the final two races to lose the lead to eventual winner Charlie Buckingham (2011) of Georgetown. For the women, the story was nearly the same as Claire Dennis (2013) of Yale saw her 10 point lead melt away in the final four races, but she held on to beat Anne Haeger (2012) of Boston College by one point. Dennis finished second to Haeger in last year’s singlehanded nationals. Final Results Men’s: http://www.collegesailing.org/regattaLatest.asp?RegattaID=542 Women’s: http://www.collegesailing.org/regattaLatest.asp?RegattaID=556 VELUX 5 OCEANS The Velux 5 Oceans is the longest running solo round the world race, and has 28 years of rich heritage as the BOC Challenge and then the Around Alone. This edition in Eco 60s covers 30,000 miles and features five ocean sprints over nine months. After setting off on October 17 from La Rochelle to Cape Town, the race will then take in Wellington in New Zealand, Salvador in Brazil and Charleston in the U.S. before returning back across the Atlantic to France. Here is a report from leader Brad Van Liew (USA): ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (November 7, 2010; Day 22) - It has been constant sail changes and working non-stop to keep my slim lead on Gutek (Zbigniew Gutkowski, POL). He has been hunting me down, and doing it at Mach 2 speed with precision. Thankfully I am hauling right now on a tight reach. A satellite pull on the boat earlier today had me trucking along at 22+ knots. I’m averaging 14-15 knots and it looks like the weather pattern is pretty good for the foreseeable future. I was really frustrated that I had to work my way around the high pressure system and Gutek was able to cut the corner, devouring my hard fought lead. It will now be a full-on drag race with an unknown outcome. The data you see online shows a margin of about 100 miles between Gutek and I, yet remember that is based on distance to finish in Cape Town. The reality is we have both chosen a lane. Gutek has been forced to try and come down closer to my latitude. I have a slight advantage on him… let’s say VERY SLIGHT. My advantage is of course being in front. I have a strategy and I’m sticking to my plan. My disadvantage is that I am being hunted. Gutek can come up with tactics to crush my plan. -- Read on: http://lazarusracing.blogspot.com/2010/11/gutek-hunter-on-my-tail.html SCOREBOARD: Brad Van Liew (USA) is 2048 nm from the finish, and is holding a 117 nm lead over Zbigniew Gutkowski on this first leg from La Rochelle, France to Cape Town, South Africa (7500 nm). Race viewer here: http://raceviewer.velux5oceans.com/app/index.html?sprint=1 Race website: http://www.velux5oceans.com Brad Van Liew (USA): http://www.oceanracing.org Derek Hatfield (CAN): http://spiritofcanada.net QUANTUM: PUTTING TOP-END TECHNOLOGY INTO EVERY SAIL Some sail makers save their best stuff for only the big boat programs. Not Quantum. Their iQ Technology informs the development of every sail from the smallest one design classes right on through to the TP52 and beyond. Quantum’s proprietary process integrates the most technically advanced design, lamination, shaping and manufacturing methods in the industry resulting in sail shapes that are fast, efficient, infinitely repeatable, and the power behind four world championships this year: TP52, J/80, J24 and J/22. Find your speed at http://www.quantumsails.com. SAILING TO STOP THE SLAUGHTER At age 65, most people look forward to a nice quiet retirement, relaxing vacations and a less frantic existence. Marin County’s Michael Reppy, a physical therapist by day, seeks to conquer something that has avoided him for much of his adult life. 1. The singlehanded record from San Francisco to Tokyo, Japan 2. Seeing an end to the massacre of thousands of dolphins and small whales in a small cove in Taiji Japan in an annual “Drive Fishery” The Record for the course, approximately 5,700 NM was 1st set by Eric Taberly in 1969 aboard his “state of the art” 35’ monohull “Pen Duick", 39 Days. 15 Hours and 44 minutes. The record stayed true until SF Native Peter Hogg drove his 40’ Trimaran “Aotea” in 34 Days, 6 hours and change in 1992. As a youth, growing up in the Southern California coastal town of Oxnard, Michael read about the feats of these great ocean racers of the 60’s and attempted to emulate them, building his own Malibu style outrigger which he would cruise to the Channel Islands with his high school buddies. After graduation from college and building some equity, Michael contracted the build of the 42’ John Shuttleworth designed trimaran Damiana, in 1984. He raced her to a 3rd in the 1987 Multihull Transpac and then a 3rd in the Singlehanded Transatlantic in 1988. In 1990, Michael commissioned Shuttleworth to design a more modern carbon fiber racing trimaran the 30’ Nai’a, Hawaiian for dolphin, representing Earth Island Institutes “Save the Dolphin Project”. By 1996, after lengthening the tri to 36’, he set off to beat Hoggs 1992 record, and was well on the way to doing just that when she pitch poled just short of Tokyo. By 2000, Michael had obtained Warren Luhrs 60’s mono-hull “Thursdays Child” and readied her for a second attempt. Ironically a chance meeting with some large cetaceans ended the quest after his rudder was broken in a collision with said behemoths in the darkness of night. -- Pressure Drop, read on: http://tinyurl.com/PD-110710 SAILING SHORTS * Annapolis, MD (November 7, 2010) - The wind gods continued to bestow great conditions on Annapolis and the nine teams vying for the 2010 Kennedy Cup. It was another day of shifty NNW breeze ranging between 15 and 22 knots and sparkling sunshine albeit a little chilly. Maine Maritime, which started the day with a comfortable 7 point margin over Cal Maritime and 12 over Navy, sealed the victory by winning the day's first race. Maine Maritime’s win earns them the right to represent the U.S. in the 2011 Student Yachting World Cup next year in France. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10763#10763 * (November 7, 2010) - Since the start on Saturday, it hasn’t been the fastest of Long Beach Yacht Club's biennial race to Cabo San Lucas 9804 nm), but it's been interesting. Akela (Reichel/Pugh 78), the leader from the start, was still in first place despite going slower than anyone else---at least according to official position reports---while the last three boats---Alchemy (Andrews 68), Holua (Santa Cruz 70) and Vincitore (Reichel/Pugh 52), in that order---remained within five nautical miles of one another off the Baja California peninsula. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10764#10764 * A record number of entries fourteen strict one design RC 44s will compete in next month’s Oracle RC 44 Cup Miami (December 7-12). The event will be followed by the RC 44 San Diego Cup (March 2-6), whilst some teams will also compete in Key West Race Week in January. The Oracle RC 44 Cup Miami will be the final stage of the RC 44 Championship Tour 2010. The annual ranking is currently led by Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison’s BMW Oracle Racing, ahead of Pieter Heerema’s No Way Back and James Spithill’s 17. -- Read on: http://www.rc44.com/en/regattas/news/index.php?idContent=2668 * (November 7, 2010; Day 8) - Dominating the 44 boat Class40 fleet in the 3542 mile Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale (France to West Indies) is Thomas Ruyant (FRA) on Destination Dunkerque, who holds nearly an 80 nm lead with just over 2000 nm to go. Multi 50 Class leader Franck-Yves Escoffier on Crêpes Whaou! sustained damage to the bow of his trimaran central hull Sunday afternoon. Emergency repairs will hopefully allow Escoffier to finish. The five divisions are amid fast conditions but will soon face light winds and calms that extend north east from the islands. -- Event website: http://www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com/en/s01_home/s01p01_home.php * Steven M. Dettelbach, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Rear Adm. Michael N. Parks, commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, announced that a Cleveland area resident pleaded guilty in federal court last week to boating under the influence of alcohol. Mark H. Hornblower, 49, of Cleveland, was sentenced to two months of home detention and three years of supervised release and was fined $1,500 after pleading guilty in federal court. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/CG-110710 * French boatbuilding giant the Beneteau Group has reported sales growth of 16.0 per cent for its boating business in 2009/2010, as income from boats climbs by over 700 per cent compared to 2008/2009. The group says that the significant improvement in profitability reflects the success of new models and has been achieved following 3m Euros of investment in the launch of Bénéteau's large motoryacht business. -- IBI Magazine, full report: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20101005120238ibinews.html * A study released by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) said that boat shows have a strong influence on the buying patterns of consumers. The 18-page study, done by Foresight Research, was part of an overall research project to measure the influence of marketing communications in the US marine industry. - IBI Magazine, read on: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20101005135223ibinews.html * The 2010 ISAF Annual Conference in Athens, Greece has commenced and will conclude on November 14th. Frequent updates during the conference are being posted here: http://isafconference.wordpress.com SCUTTLEBUTT SAILING CALENDAR Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar GUEST COMMENTARY Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community. Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted comments chosen to be published in the newsletter maybe limited to 250 words. Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should save their bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Rich Roberts: (re "Enter the Principle Race Officer" in SBUTT 3214) At first it appeared to be a misspelling, but on second thought a strong case was made at Valencia when Harold Bennett, the principal (i.e., chief) race officer, indeed brought a new level of principle to the job. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: The remainder of this story in Scuttlebutt 3214 titled THE CHANGING ATTITUDE OF RACE MANAGEMENT can be found at this link: http://tinyurl.com/ABWS-110710 * From Steve Gregory: You haven’t raced until you have been led by a PRO that uses the VHF radio as a communication tool between starts. No longer do you have to ‘wonder’ what the RC is doing. With their updates, you now know how many more races, whether you have time for lunch, change sails, etc. . * From Merv Shenson: In Scuttlebutt 3213: “It is interesting to note how the exceedingly popular yet slow paced game of baseball remains deeply rooted in history, while the America’s Cup organizers believe it necessary to dramatically revise their event to seek out similar appeal.” Your point about tradition and slow paced is well taken, although too late in this next Cup Race. CURMUDGEON’S CONUNDRUM Why can’t a chicken cross the road without someone questioning its motives? SPONSORS THIS WEEK: Ultimate Sailing - Quantum Sails - APS - North U - J Boats North Sails - JK3 Nautical Enterprises - LaserPerformance Hall Spars - Ullman Sails - Holmatro - Southern Spars Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
