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SCUTTLEBUTT #366 - July 27, 1999GUEST EDITORIALWe are surprised US Sailing is, at this late stage, apparently seeking to sabotage the good intentions of ISAF in the revisions of the advertising rule especially after the code has been fully debated at ISAF meetings last November and again at the mid year meeting in Vancouver. Last November the principles of the new code were supported by the vast majority of national authorities and received the unanimous support of the International classes committee. At the ISAF mid year meeting the same principles were again fully endorsed by the ISAF Council. Why didn't US Sailing raise it's objections then? The proposed new code addresses a number of problems with the existing rule which US Sailing has probably not been exposed to but certainly have arisen in a number of other countries on the main regatta circuit. The new code places the responsibility for the level of advertising on the sailors where it rightly belongs and more significantly still allows others a piece of the cake or the option not to run events for those sailors who wish to take advantage of the opportunities now available. In that respect nothing has changed. It seems that US Sailing is seeking to hang on to the right of an event organiser to restrict an individuals right to advertise and risk losing everything in the process. Why? Clash of sponsors interest? Under the old rules and the new code there is always a risk of a conflict of sponsors. Indeed most of the world has happily accepted that for the last 10 years. Surely it is better to be open about it so that everyone can work aware of that conflict. If a club or event organiser for some reason has an aversion to individual advertising it doesn't have to run an event. Under the current rules sailors and national teams who fund Olympic campaigns with significant sponsors and the weekend sailor who may be able to fund a new sail or an air ticket for an international regatta with a little bit of advertising do not know from one regatta to the next whether their advertising will be accepted. How are they supposed to negotiate a deal with a sponsor? A the bottom end of the scale the need to have 2 suits of sails, one with sponsorship and one without, would probably cancel out any sponsorship benefits. There may well be a need to fine tune certain areas of the code which is why having a flexible code is important. It is impossible to solve all the problems for everyone at once (the history of the existing rule teaches us that) but at least lets get the new code in operation now to allow the majors problems to be fixed. For those few clubs and event organisers that wish to remain in the 20th Century just take advantage of rule 76.1 but don't come crying when the entries are down or the dynamic classes boycott those events where the organisers are not prepared to move with the times. -- Jeremy Pudney and Jeff Martin, Chair and Vice Chair - ISAF International Classes Committee US SAILING'S POSITION US SAILING is gratified to learn that ISAF's Executive Committee has decided against adding other events to those identified as "Special Events" in the Advertising Code. US SAILING is also very pleased to hear that ISAF's Executive Committee plans to propose a change in the manner by which events are designated "Special Events." US SAILING supports the concept that event organizers and classes may apply for that designation, subject to Council approval. That approach is consistent with US SAILING's belief that events should not be designated as "Special Events" without the consent of the event organizer and class. US SAILING hopes that ISAF will work with US SAILING to address our remaining concerns about the Advertising Code. Those concerns are: 1) Effective Date -- The Events Committee recommended that the effective date should be March 1, 2001, when changes in the racing rules take effect. US SAILING agrees. The date approved by Council, January 1, 2000, does not give classes, MNAs (member national authority) and event organizers sufficient time. The final Advertising Code, and applicable regulations, will not be voted on until November 1999. It can take up to one year for classes to adopt or approve changes in their rules (electing an advertising Category would have the effect of adopting or changing a class rule). Many classes have chosen to wait until the final Council vote in November. Finally, since the Olympic classes have already signed contracts governing such matters as advertising, US SAILING assumes that those classes would not be subject to the Advertising Code until after the 2000 Olympic regatta. For all of these reasons, an effective date of March 1, 2001 is preferred. 2) Handicapped Boats -- Many boats race under IMS, PHRF or other handicapping systems. There is no class association in these instances. The current draft of the Advertising Code could be interpreted to permit each owner of a boat racing in a handicap event to make his/her own choice on advertising. US SAILING thinks that decision should be left to the event organizer or member national authority. 3) Role of Event -- Organizer US SAILING believes that an event organizer must have a role in any decision regarding advertising at its event. We hope to work with ISAF to find a better balance between the interests of class associations and the clubs that invest considerable resources to host events for those classes. US SAILING thinks that an Advertising Code which addresses these concerns will be good for the sport, MNAs, classes, event organizers and sailors. We look forward to working to accomplish that objective. -- Jim Muldoon, President, US Sailing WHY NOT? It's now possible for race organizers to provide really neat, high quality regatta apparel, and be absolutely sure they won't lose a dime. It fact, Pacific Yacht Embroidery will guarantee they'll make money. Call Frank Whitton (619-226-8033) for details on how to offset regatta costs while supplying high quality, affordable apparel to the racers. No event is too small to qualify for this program so just do it! PAN AM GAMES Having a blast-the right blast of breeze at the right time, that is--was the key to success for leaders among the 111 sailors competing today at the Pan Am Games sailing event on Lake Winnipeg. For a second day, brisk 18-20 knot breezes kicked in, and the challenge was to harness 25-knot gusts that flipped boats with ease. Team USA held on to five medal positions in five of 10 classes, each of which completed two races today. With seven scheduled races remaining, the U.S. sailors are within striking distance in the other five classes. Finn sailor Russ Silvestri (Tiburon, Calif.) took two second-place finishes today behind Canada's Richard Clarke. "I made the same mistake in both races," said Silvestri, explaining that he was in a close tacking scenario with Clarke much of the day. "I worried about clearing my air instead of playing the shifts to get ahead of Richard." Silvestri, a three-time Finn North American champion in second overall, has both the tenacity and the talent to knock off Clarke, whose performance moved him to the top of the scoreboard. Lightning sailors Andy Horton (Shelburne, Vt.), Bill Fastiggi (Burlington, Vt.) and Heather Rowe (Peru, N.Y.) had another good day, taking a 2-4 to maintain a silver-medal position. The second-place race finish was despite a 720 degree turn the trio took to exonerate itself from a port-starboard infringement shortly after the start. "Getting back to fourth was real important," said Horton. "A fourth is a keeper, not a throwout." As in all of the classes, with four races completed, each team is allowed to discard one race. Most are using the privilege to eliminate an ill-fated race posted in either today's or yesterday's high winds. "Our mistake today didn't cost us," added Horton, explaining that USA and Argentina are the only two entrants in the Lightning class that have not capsized during this regatta. Laser sailor Mark Mendelblatt (St. Petersburg, Fla.) posted a 1-2 to break yesterday's four-way tie for second and put himself in a silver-medal position. Being alert paid off handsomely in race one when Mendelblatt-in 5th place at the time--observed an M flag flying from a downwind mark boat. The flag designated that competitors were to round it instead of a mark further downwind that had unanchored itself and was drifting away. "I heard that some sailors wanted to protest the race," said Mendelblatt, "but the race committee did the right thing." In the second race, Mendelblatt battled with overall leader Robert Scheidt to the first mark, but then Brazil's '96 Olympic gold medalist began extending his lead and won. Repeating yesterday's performance, boardsailor Lanee Butler (Dana Point, Calif.) traded off victory in her two Mistral races with defending Pan Am Gold Medalist Caroll-Ann Alie. Again as well, the longtime rivals each finished second in the race they did not win and are tied for first. "Caroll-Ann and I both fell in the first race, but she got caught up on the windward mark and I recovered pretty quickly," said Butler. "The gusts were extreme, because they set our marks close to shore and the land affected them." While Butler and Alie are way ahead of the rest of their fleet at mark roundings and finish lines, the men's Mistral sailors are more tightly packed. Mike Gebhardt (Ft. Pierce/Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) maintained his fourth-place position with two third-place finishes today but expressed disappointment that he didn't cover--in the second race--Argentina's current leader Marcos Galvan, who had won the first race. "It's basic stuff really," said Gebhardt. "Marcos peeled off and went left. He came out golden, winning the race. The guy I stayed with was in second place, so that didn't do me any good. Every little mistake is amplified in a small fleet like this. Lynn Olinger (Westminster/San Francisco, Calif.) is in fourth after turning in a 4-3 in Europe class. "I tried a go-fast strategy that didn't work," said Olinger, who-along with most of the fleet--flipped her boat several times. "I should have been conservative and just worked my way through the accidents. USA's 14-person sailing squad is assisted by Team Leader Hal Haenel (Los Angeles, Calif.), US Sailing Team Head Coach Gary Bodie (Hampton, Va.), Assistant Coach Scott Ikle (Geneva/Manhasset, N.Y.) and Boatwright Carl Eichenlaub (San Diego, Calif.). -- Barby MacGowan For more information and complete scores: http://www.olympic-usa.org LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks. -- From Keith Taylor -- In addition to Ken Read and crew doing their best to break his boat, Idler's owner George David also had to suffer my attempts to mangle his name. I referred to him in error as David George in my wrapup release about the US Team at the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup. Sorry, George. -- From Campbell Field (Re Harold Cudmores comments on Chris Law/Arbitrators performance) -- How damaging to the sport can this kind of childish finger-pointing be? While some people are conversing in this forum of the difficulty in attracting sponsorship, we have the Harolds of the sport bleating in the press in this unprofessional manner. You don't see the top athletes in any other professional sport being dragged before the cameras and made scapegoats due to a fumbled ball, a missed goal or a dropped catch. Grow up Harold. What ever happened to team work and supporting those within the team? -- From Scott Truesdell -- I have always been attracted to the aesthetics of sailing-- long sleek boats with acres of pristine canvas spread aloft-- and dread the day when race boats resemble logo-covered NASCAR racers. -- From Seth A. Radow (and savagely edited to our 250-word limit) --Every measured rule, almost by definition, is type forming. Measured Rule Racing therefore becomes and should remain, a Grand Prix format. I have criticized PHRF in past discussions, and will continue to do so until the system is "cleaned up". Many in S'Butt have offered phenomenal suggestions to alleviate and eliminate many of the concerns relative to PHRF. Hopefully US Sailing will implement some of these suggestions. I believe that PHRF remains the ideal format for recreational racing. PHRF remains the only way for boats designed to different rules or no rules at all to be handicapped for fair and equitable (albeit somewhat inaccurately scored) racing. With a little help from US Sailing and ongoing input from S'Butt readers PHRF can go from "Good" to "Great". From a Grand Prix perspective, PHRF is simply not good enough and never can be. Sure, One Design racing is an ideal format for Grand Prix, but the format will remain limited in scope. A measured rule attempts to keep all boats on a level playing field within certain design parameters, so long as they are designed to that rule (and so long as the rule is not developmental). IRM apparently aims to correct the problems of IMS, and might deserve the support of US Sailing for a Grand Prix format. I have become familiar with its design concepts... and they appear quite reasonable. If worthwhile, maybe we can put some weight behind the concept for Grand Prix Racing throughout the States. -- From Tom Ehman -- I agree with Robbie Haines comments in 'Butt #364. On the other hand, I'm sitting here in Boston having just raced up from Plymouth today on the NYYC Cruise (day 5) on the NY 40 HORNET -- my first time racing under the USSA prescription. We are dutifully putting on our life jackets at the start and finish as required by the infamous prescription; and, in my opinion, it is asinine. The Transpac rule makes much more sense than the current USSA prescription. -- From Michael Foster SRO, former SDYC R/C -- I concur wholeheartedly with Robbie Haines' comments regarding wearing lifesaving gear at night. On a post Transpac race to Kauai we "pooped" a wave over the cockpit and only my hand in the back of a crewman's trunks kept him from going over the lifelines. Owners should require that the delivery crew should wear the gear on the return trip! -- Dan Nowlan, Transpac Entry Chairman (Response to Chris Welsh) -- Transpac participants are required to meet the ORC Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing for Category 1. The description of that category states "Races of long distance and well offshore, where yachts must be completely self-sufficient for extended periods of time, capable of withstanding heavy storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance." Included in the substantial list of required equipment for this category is a VHF radio that did Vapor carry. According to her post race report, Vapor contacted at least one passing ship via VHF and asked her to notify Transpac that she could receive but not send on her single side band radio and was proceeding to Honolulu. That message did not reach Transpac. Those regulations are well thought out and address most critical situations. The emergency steering gear requirement allowed Vapor to complete her passage when her rudder failed. The comments of Robbie Haines and others regarding the wearing of PFD's at night are meant to identify possible improvements to make a comprehensive and proven even better. -- From Glenn T. McCarthy -- Well after the black hole of information on the Chicago Mackinac passed, now the J/24 North Americans just competed at Chicago Yacht Club. Will we be seeing anything on the J/24's in Scuttlebutt? Curmudgeon's comment: I'd love to publish a report. However, I checked both the Chicago YC and the J/24 Association websites and found nothing. In fact, CYC does not even show the event on their race schedule? AMERICA'S CUP Nippon Challenge invited the general public to make name suggestions for their two new IACC yachts and received 2,482 replies, finally settling on two ancient Indian gods for their inspiration. The yachts will be called Asura and Idaten. Asura is a Buddhist deity famous for its three faces and six arms and Nippon believes that, like its namesake, their yacht JPN-44, will be a great warrior. Idaten has six faces and 12 arms and wages war with spears and bows from the back of a peacock. Idaten is revered as a hero for recovering the Buddha's ashes from a demon thief, a feat that required great speed. -- America's Cup 2000 Website: http://www.americascup2000.org.nz/fs.html IMAGES The Walter Cooper Photography website has an incredible photo of the mast going over the side on Terry Kohler's Santa Cruz 70 Cynosure at the start of the Port Huron Mac Race: http://www.waltercooperphoto.com/ PAN AM GAMES NOTES The U.S. Sailing Team's Boatwright Carl Eichenlaub of San Diego, Calif., has a story to tell for every one of the Pan Am and Olympic Games in which he has participated since 1976. (And the 69-year-old HAS participated in every one since then, fulfilling the all-important mission of fixing and fine-tuning boats and equipment.) Before these Games started, a therapist told Carl he couldn't attend, due to three pins in his shoulder that were helping to heal a broken humerus bone suffered in a car accident. "I fired him and got a new therapist," said Eichenlaub, who brings with him his own workshop and kindly offers to help other countries when he can. -- Barby MacGowan OFFSHORE RACING SYDNEY, Australia-Fears of possible litigation as a consequence of events surrounding the tragic 1998 Sydney to Hobart race has forced the Queensland Cruising YC to cancel this year's Australia to New Caledonia race and may result in the historic Brisbane to Gladstone race next Easter facing a similar fate. The club's commodore, Ian Gidlow, said major offshore yachting events remained in limbo while the Australian Yachting Federation considered the rules governing the sport as a result of the Cruising YC of Australia's review of the 1998 Hobart race which claimed six lives. -- Rob Mundle, Grand Prix Sailor For the full story: http://www.sailingworld.com AUCKLAND UPDATE (Reprinted with permission from DEFENCE 2000, which is available for US $48 per year from John@roake.gen.nz) * "Dennis would like to drive. He didn't in '95 because Paul Cayard was there, but he would like to steer in Auckland. He's still very hot." -- Bill Trenkle, Conner's operations director. * Isn't it funny that a Kiwi should just turn up to watch the Prada team practising and putting their new boat through its paces. "And so" says a member of the Italian team in a message to Defence 2000, "How can the Kiwis cry foul with a straight face," referring to their New York spying charges. According to our correspondent "We had a spy of our own shadowing our boats just a week or two ago but instead of whining to the local press and charging rules violations, we invited the Kiwi to dine with us, declaring it was all a big laugh. There was no hope that the Kiwi spy could remain incognito when there are at least a dozen Kiwis working for Prada." For sure, intrigue is still alive, well and prevails on all America's Cup fronts which is par the course. Red faces all round! PHRF Racing legend Chris Bouzaid has created a very interesting PHRF web page. This is a personal page and it is not affiliated or endorsed by any PHRF organization or official group. The purpose of this site is to help racers understand the PHRF system and have discussions with other people about the rule and how it works. This site is meant to be a constructive forward-looking site. It is hoped that comments, discussions and suggestions will help the progression and participation of the rule and the sport of yachting: http://www.phrf.com/ BIG PROBLEM For as long as I can remember, I've used my tired, beat up old shorts for sailing. But no more. I've gotten spoiled by my fast drying Supplex Camet shorts, and with their foam pads that pamper my aging butt. And the Camet shorts do have a good look. So now I have a problem - what do I do with my old shorts? http://www.camet.com/ SNIPE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Mission Bay YC, (90 boats) After two races: 1. Doug Hart / Gus Wirth (2.75) 2. George Szabo / Eric Wilcox (3.75) 3. Craig and Lisa Leweck (4) Chuck Sinks / Andrea Nilsen (7) 5. Rick and Carol Merriman (7.75) 6. Ken and Julie Redler (10). For some reason MBYC has still not yet posted the final results of the Women's and Junior Nationals which ended Sunday. However, we did hear that Robbie Haines' son Brian won the Snipe Junior Nationals. Perhaps we'll be able to confirm that tomorrow. Perhaps not. Regatta website: http://www.snipe.org/ INDIGO ISAF WORLDS UNDERWAY The first race of the Indigo ISAF World Team Racing Championship started in Dun Laoghaire Harbour (Dublin, Ireland) this morning at 0900 (local) in bright sunshine and a fresh easterly breeze. The opening race saw USA1 beat GBR2 though with 30 (at time of writing) out of 153 races scheduled for round one, team form will only become apparent later this afternoon. A total of 18 teams from 13 nations are competing at the event with two squads each from Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa and USA. Also competing are Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka and Canada. India had been expected until last Friday when the entry was withdrawn. An international team had been planned to even out the fleet to 20 teams but was dropped from the event as a result. -- David Branigan PORT HURON MAC RACE Your patience is rewarded! The results of the Port Huron Mackinac Race are now posted on the race website: http://www.byc.com/mack99/index.html THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS Schizophrenia is better than eating alone. |
