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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 596 - June 22, 2000BLOCK ISLANDBoatscape.com Block Island Race Week saw perfect conditions Wednesday. Wind was south-southwest 12-18 knots. A chop built from one foot to two to three feet by the end of the day of sailing. And the sailing was tight. Nine daily trophies were decided by less than 10 seconds. The J/105 class jammed it up the tightest though, with finishes among the top boats measured in seconds not minutes. San Franciscan Tom Coates put his heavy air experience to good purpose and took a first and a third in this rocking 30-boat class to win the coveted Boat-of-the-Day award. His light air day sailing finishes at 13th and 25th on Tuesday have him out of the magic circle cumulatively, however, in what is shaping up to be a six race series. Three-time America's Cup winner Dennis Conner had no problems moving his Menace XX ever farther into the lead in the Soverel 33 National Championship being sailed during Block Island week. Menace was one of three boats to score two bullets for the day, the others being Bache Renshaw's N/M49 Virago and J. William Healy's Sirprize. Like all the winning skippers, Conner noted that the wind was steady but the left generally was better. "If you went left you couldn't have been wrong," he said. Conner proved that by being over early in the second race, heading left, and in the end winning the race by over two minutes. Tim Woodhouse, of Newport, RI, proved that his wins in the light airs Tuesday were no fluke with a first and a third which put his Thompson 35 Rumours in the lead in PHRF 1 by five points while yesterday's Boat of the Day winner Scherherazade, Hugh Chandler, of Boston, dipped a bit with an eighth in the last race to stand tied for the overall Race Week win with Andrew Wilson's Fitikoko. In other races Troubador, Mort Weintraub's Express 37 still holds the lead in PHRF 3; Wonder Wagon (James Doane, Naples, FL) moved to the head of the J/105 class overall; Hustler (John Esposito, of City Island, NY) has the J/29 class lead by five points; David Whelan's own design, Whelan 27 Angel II moved into the lead in PHRF 5; Bill Baxter's Pirate has a one point lead in PHRF 6; Happy Wanderer (Bruce Byers, Centerport, NY) has five points on second place Beau Che (Bill Thomas, Branford, CT); and in PHRF no spinnaker, longtime Block Island Week sailor Bruce Lockwood, of Ludlow, VT has a two point lead overall. - Gail Scott Complete standings: http://www.Premiere-Racing.com THE VIEW FROM DOWN UNDER (The announcement of Craig McCaw's OneWorld America's Cup syndicate was big news in Auckland. Here's an excerpt from a story in the New Zealand Herald.) It may be called OneWorld, but the latest America's Cup challenge launched in Seattle yesterday could be better recognised as New Zealand Two. A busload of former Team New Zealand sailors, designers and engineers rolled up to the Seattle Yacht Club to reveal the Cup plans of billionaire Craig McCaw. Fifteen New Zealanders have so far signed up with the OneWorld Challenge - 13 of them jumping ship from Team New Zealand. A subdued air surrounded the Kiwis, who arrived from a two-hour meeting with McCaw, the man conspicuously absent from the launch. Grinder Craig Monk summed up the feelings of the defectors: "It's going to take a while for it to sink in that we are not sailing for New Zealand, that's for sure." The defections have cut to the heart of Team New Zealand. Six sailors from the last two campaigns have signed: Monk, Jeremy Scantlebury, Matt Mason, Andrew Taylor, Richard Dodson and Peter Waymouth. The losses are equally strong from the design side. Hull designer Laurie Davidson, fluid dynamicist Richard Karn, and engineers Ian Mitchell, Wayne Smith and Neil Wilkinson were all in Seattle. Also on board are Kiwi sail designer Mike Spanhake, back-up trimmer for Team NZ in 1995, and boatbuilder Peter Sowman, who helped to build the '95 Black Magics. Former Team NZ legal adviser Sean Reeves helped to sign up his team-mates, while another New Zealander asked the syndicate to keep his name secret. Monk said the team spent two hours with McCaw in the morning, talking over the OneWorld challenge and signing contracts. He would not say how much any of the team was getting paid. Davidson, described as an "American" by OneWorld now that he has citizenship, says he is bringing a boat design to Seattle which is faster than either of the black boats which won in March. The septuagenarian said he was delighted to be working with such a talented technical team and had "absolutely no regrets" leaving Team New Zealand. Australian skipper Peter Gilmour heads the sailing team - many of the Kiwis held off joining the campaign until they knew the former world matchracing champion was signed up. - Nick Perry and Suzanne McFadden, NZ Herald Full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ac2000/ QUOTE/UNQUOTE (Larry Edwards OneWorld story on the Quokka Sports website has a number of interesting quotes. Here are a few: * "We're going to give the team the resources they need to make this thing happen. This isn't a battle of the checkbooks, but we're going to do it right." - OneWorld syndicate spokesperson Bob Ratliffe * "We didn't go in there and say, 'Gee, let's plunder Team New Zealand. We went out and said, 'Let's find the best sailors who are available to do this.' We will also have guys from the United Kingdom and the rest of the world to pull this global effort together." - Bob Ratliffe * The OneWorld press release stated, " the location for the defense of the Cup in 2006 will be chosen based upon merit not simple regional prejudice." In Edwards' Quokka story, Ratliffe expanded on that thought: "We're open to the new ideas, flexible thinking - that's the way he [McCaw] runs his business. But it's certainly not say it won't be right here in Seattle if we win." However Edwards' story also quotes Seattle YC Commodore Kenton Thurman as saying, " despite the statement, the defense would be held in the Seattle area, barring unusual or mitigating circumstances." Read all of Larry Edwards' Quokka story: http://sailing.quokka.com/ LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE EVER USED BEFORE Gill have been the market leaders in boating boots for many years. Whilst performance marine clothing has developed in leaps and bounds over the years: boots had not until now! During the past two years Gill has worked closely with WL Gore to develop a completely new and revolutionary marine boot. Style 910 Features include: waterproof, breathable, and light weight. Cordura and Kevlar tough upper. Unique rear lacing system. Superman grip with wrap around 3D sole unit. Reflective strip near to the ankle support. No offshore sailor should leave home without a pair. For more information: http://www.gillna.com AMERICA'S CUP HALL OF FAME Halsey C. Herreshoff, President of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and Commodore Henry H. Anderson, Chairman of the Selection Committee of the America's Cup Hall of Fame officially announced the Year 2000 Inductees into the America's Cup Hall of Fame. The three inductees are Edward I. Du Moulin, E.D. Morgan and Tom Schnackenberg. * Edward I. du Moulin was the manager of more America's Cup campaigns than anyone in the history of the CupIn 1977, Ed du Moulin managed ENTERPRISE in her unsuccessful attempt to be selected as Cup Defender. Then in 1980, Mr. du Moulin managed Dennis Connor's very successful defense of the Cup in FREEDOM over AUSTRALIA. Manager again in 1983 with the yacht LIBERTY, Ed again performed brilliantly as did others in that defense but the Cup was lost to Australia sailing its breakthrough 12 Meter AUSTRALIA II. In 1987 the combination of Dennis Conner as skipper and Malin Burnham as manager and Ed du Moulin working closely with them, brought the Cup back to the USA with the superb victory of STARS & STRIPES in Fremantle, Australia. In 1988, Ed was part of the management team assembled to prove and assert the right for the catamaran STARS & STRIPES to sail to victory over Michael Fay's "Big Boat" New Zealand challenge. Again, Ed had a role in the one boat defense effort in San Diego in 1992, and then the 1995 defense against the successful challenge by New Zealand. * Edwin D. Morgan was a particularly notable organizer and manager of successful America's Cup defenses during the golden period of defenses by very large sloops. In 1891 began a partnership in competitions over many years with E.D. Morgan as owner and manager with N.G. Herreshoff as designer and builder. These included very direct involvement with three Cup Defenders: VIGILANT in 1893 over VALKYRIE DEFENDER in 1895 over VALKYRIE II COLUMBIA in 1901 over SHAMROCK II In addition to serving as commodore of the NYYC in 1893 - 1894, E.D. Morgan was four times a member of the Club's America's Cup Committee. * Tom Schnackenberg has a unique record as a principal participant in three successful America's Cup victories from down under. Tom, a native of New Zealand, was the sail designer for AUSTRALIA II in 1983 when the Cup was first won away from the USA. His brilliant sail design and management plus his important contribution to onboard sailing were a necessary component of AUSTRALIA II's narrow victory. Tom Schnackenberg's genius again came to the front in New Zealand's brilliant BLACK MAGIC America's Cup victory in San Diego. As sail designer, navigator and a member of the leadership team, Tom's contributions were again necessary components of victory. He carried on a close involvement with New Zealand's skillful America's Cup activity extending his role to important participation in the design of the year 2000 BLACK MAGIC that decisively defended. - Sheila Boyce LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) and to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a chat room - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. -- From Michelle M. Orr - I am dismayed by McCaw's comment concerning his OneWorld Challenge. In the press release McCaw states, "Through the OneWorld Challenge we want to focus attention on the global environment with emphasis on the world's oceans..." I do not believe that the America's Cup Competition is the appropriate arena to promote one's own political agenda. While I think drawing attention to environmental issues is a worthy cause, politicizing the America's Cup is wrong (and I am not speaking of intra-campaign politics). The desire to enter the challenge should be motivated by love of sailing, the love of competition, the building of one's ego (LOL). The Challenge should not be used as a vehicle for drawing attention to one's own agenda. I rue the day where PETA, NOW, GREENPEACE, PRO-LIFE, MCCAW-FOR-PRESIDENT, etc., starts working its way onto spinnakers. -- From Todd M. Hiller, Annapolis Maryland - It's too bad that the women sailors are upset regarding the boat for the next Rolex was changed to the J22. The decision was a good one and although my opinion is somewhat bias regarding sailing the event in J22's, for the better interest of women's sailing, the Rolex Committee should promote some diversity to the program by hosting the event in different locations and sailing in a wider variety of boats. I bet if you asked a bunch of women if they would like to sail this event in sunny San Diego in Etchells they wouldn't have a problem. I believe that this event would see more participation and it's not the same people winning the event every year. -- From Steve Thompson - I noticed in your last issue that in your report on the Block Island race Week there is a mention of our new boat being sailed by Tim Woodhouse as a Thompson 30. This boat is in fact a Thompson 35 and is the first one in the US. Chris Bouzaid is sailing in the same division in his Thompson 30 Wairere. These two boat placed first and second in their class after the first days racing. LOOKING AHEAD US SAILING's Olympic Sailing Committee, in conjunction with the Youth Development Working Party and the junior event committees, has announced that Brian Doyle (Darien, Conn./Hanover, N.H.) has joined the Olympic coaching program as Youth Development Sailing Coach. In this newly created part-time position, Doyle will be responsible for creating and coordinating a development program for advanced youth sailors in the U.S. He will travel around the country this summer conducting clinics at four elite-level junior competitions: the U.S.A. Junior Olympic Nationals (June 19-25 in Seattle, Wash.); the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Sailing Championship for the Ida Lewis Trophy (June 29-July 3 in Oklahoma City, Okla.); the U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship for the Leiter Cup (July 29-Aug. 3 in Newport, R.I.); and the U.S. Junior Championships for the Sears, Bemis and Smythe Trophies (Aug. 8-14 in Newport, R.I.). In addition, Doyle will accompany the U.S. Junior Sailing Team to the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in Sydney, Australia, scheduled for December 28, 2000 through January 6, 2001. "This position is dedicated to identifying talented young sailors as candidates for future Olympiads," said Olympic Coach Gary Bodie (Hampton, Va.). "As a former member of the US Sailing Team Doyle's experience in campaigning for the Olympics, combined with his coaching expertise, makes him an ideal choice." A 1992 graduate of Brown University with a degree in organizational behavior and management, Doyle was captain of Brown's sailing team in '91-92 and was an honorable mention member of the 1992 Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Association (ICYRA) All-America Team. He has been the head sailing coach at Dartmouth College (Hanover, N.H.) since 1993 and recently led members of the Dartmouth team to win the prestigious ICYRA North American Women's Dinghy Championship. - Jan Harley CALENDAR * June 23-25 - Boatscape.com/North Sails Race Week. The entry list has topped the event record of 154 and could reach 180. Six handicap classes and eight one-design classes, including the Olson 30 Nationals. The fleet is sprinkled with some of sailing's most successful competitors, including Olympic medalists, world champions and America's Cup helmsmen and crew. Buddy Melges, Jeff Madrigali, Eric Doyle, Katie Petitbone, John Cutler, Dee Smith, Robbie Haines, Vince Brun, Dave Ullman, Brian Porter and Harry Melges will be sailing their own boats in the Melges 24 fleet or riding shotgun as tacticians for heavy hitting owner/drivers on Farr 40s. http://www.premiere-racing.com * July 22 - Seal Beach to Dana Point Race, Dana Point and Seal Beach YCs. http://www.dpyc.org * July 22 - Chicago-Mackinac Race, Chicago YC. More than 300 boats, crewed by approximately 3,000 sailors. The website will feature daily articles, reports, results, satellite tracking, weather, history and action photos of the race: http://www.sailnet.com/chicagomackinac TEAM RACING Itchenor Sailing Club, England - In winds of 20 to 30 knots, Australia blasted to victory in the International 14, 2000 Global Team Racing Challenge, defeating Britain 2 - 0 in the best of three race final. Aussie team captain, Grant Geddes, said, "Fourteens probably aren't the best boats to team race in actually, but it's good fun doing it, especially when you are beating the Poms on their home waters." Australia were the defending champions having won this series on Melbourne's Port Phillip bay in January last year, Geddes was also a member of that winning team. - John Roberson FINAL RESULTS: 1. Australia, 2. Britain, 3. Canada, Britain, 5. Japan, 6. Australia, 7. U.S.A., 8. Germany, 9. Switzerland. CADILLAC VAN ISLE 360 RACE This year's Cadillac Van Isle 360 was anything but a "cake walk" with the weather serving up everything from light air spinnaker reaches in glorious sunshine to storm force south easters off Brooks Peninsula. Each leg presented the fleet with new conditions and new challenges and many blown out sails. Contrary to traditional weather patterns up the inside, the fleet was treated to many great spinnaker runs. Just ask any local float plane operator about the emergency calls they received to pick up and deliver new spinnakers to yet another remote location. In a two week race around wild and rugged Vancouver Island, it's not a question of "if" a storm hits, but "when" a storm hits. And hit it did - with winds reported from 40 - 50 knots and gusting. Tsunami a beautiful Frers 41 owned by Sean Bethune from Seattle Wa., was dismasted off Cape Cook during the storm and 3D an F9A trimaran was forced to turn and run with it after a problem with their reefing system, spending a nasty night off Triangle Island. In all 22 of the 23 boats retired from that leg most returning to Winter Harbour, and the leg was cancelled. Mad Max, skippered by Sid Halls, spent a harrowing night on the sea and was the only boat to finish in Ucluelet under sail. Former Olympic and World Champion Star Boat sailor, Eric Jespersen of Sydney, B.C. won Div. 1 in his 30 footer "Myrrh". In Division 2, Ron Jewula's Dash 34, "Ockham's Racer" from the Royal Victoria Yacht Club was the winner. In the multihull Division "Redshift" an F9a trimaran owned by Wayne Gorrie of Nanaimo, B.C. took first place. "Diehler" a Santa Cruz 52 owned by Bob Diehl of Bellingham, Wa. walked away with the Fastest Elasped Time around the island. - Mike Silverton Full results: http://www.vanisle360.nisa.com THE CURMUDGEON'S COUNSEL Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use. |
