SCUTTLEBUTT No. 629 - August 21, 2000
AMERICA'S CUP
(While the curmudgeon was relaxing at Catalina Island, America's Cup
insider Suzanne McFadden was generating a lot of interesting copy for the
New Zealand Herald. Here are a few gems excerpted from recent stories.)
* Self-made man Chris Miller sailed 16,000km to a new life in New Zealand
- and fell into his dream job with Team New Zealand. The American software
guru - who at 36 has earned enough money to retire - is about to make his
America's Cup debut, helping to figure out how to make the black boats faster.
Yesterday in California a new challenge emerged from the world's
second-richest man, Larry Ellison, who has enticed a raft of Kiwi sailors
and designers. At the same time on the other side of the world, the
defenders of the Auld Mug had their roll call, revealing a few foreign
acquisitions of their own. Among them were Miller, English yacht engineer
Andy Claughton and esteemed Australian weatherman Roger "Clouds" Badham -
probably the most sought-after man in the Cup this time.
Miller retired from his profession writing software two years ago, after
buying a 52ft yacht to wend his way through the Pacific. At the end of his
travels he bought a home on Kawau Island, next door to friends of Team NZ
head Tom Schnackenberg. Last January, he started re-analysing data from the
last Cup on his computer, and sent his ideas to Schnackenberg. Team NZ saw
his potential and took him on.
Claughton is another new name in the Team NZ design line-up, yet he has
worked with the Kiwis, running their tank testing, for 15 years. Claughton,
head of the Wolfson yacht-testing unit at the University of Southampton,
could never have an input into the design of the Kiwi boats because he did
not have residency. But he has decided to take a couple of years off his
job and move to Auckland.
Badham is regarded as Team New Zealand's biggest single coup. He has
replaced American weather veteran Bob Rice after Team NZ decided it was
time to "update their efforts" reading Auckland's unpredictable weather.
"Bob was a seat-of-the-pants forecaster and we've moved to someone who is
more of a scientist," Schnackenberg said. " 'Clouds' is the only member of
Team New Zealand who has been approached by every single America's Cup team."
* Paul Cayard, part of the deal when Ellison bought AmericaOne's assets,
said yesterday that he would be general manager of the syndicate, to be
known as Oracle Racing. He will have a role on board the race boat, but he
does not know what it will be. "Chris Dickson has a long relationship with
Mr Ellison, so he's the incumbent skipper," said Cayard. "I will just have
to wait and see what my role is. But in two and a half years anything is
possible."
Oracle Racing, bearing the name of Ellison's giant software company, will
be here in October to start testing with the old AmericaOne boats. They
also bought the assets of the Hawaiian Abracadabra syndicate in case the
AmericaOne deal did not work out, but it is unlikely that his team will
ever sail those boats, famous only for their marine-life paint job.
Oracle Racing, likely to fly the burgee of the St Francis Yacht Club in San
Francisco, would not put a figure on their budget. But it is thought to be
around $US80 million - in the ballpark of other billionaire-backed syndicates.
Ellison, whose Oracle shares rocketed 500 per cent last year, could finance
the entire operation himself, but he is inviting large American companies
to contribute. The 55-year-old does not have a notable sailing background,
other than his six years on his beloved Sayonara. But his new team are
assured he is totally committed to the Cup campaign. - Suzanne McFadden, NZ
Herald
For the full text of McFadden's stories: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ac2000/
IMS
(Jim Schmicker and Britton Ward looked at the development of the latest
Farr Yacht Design IMS Cruiser/Racers on the Quokka Sports website. Here's
an excerpt from their story.)
The IMS Rule uses a complex set of formulations to predict the hydrodynamic
drag of the many types of yachts that it handicaps. Within this framework,
the designer must produce a hull with the optimum combination of length,
beam, displacement, wetted area and volume distribution for the chosen
venue. This optimum combination produces the IMS type-form.
For our 2000 designs we had the opportunity to use our extensive experience
with South Bay Simulations' SPLASH free-surface computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) code from our recent America's Cup program. The three owners
provided capital for a CFD study that rapidly pinpointed areas for hull
shape refinement, directly translating into improved performance (just
plain faster) with little or no handicap penalty.
The rig configurations on these boats are one of their most distinctive
features. They represent an adaptation/evolution/improvement of our very
popular short-footed headsail, swept-spreader designs that IMS favors in
moderate and strong winds. The IMS Rule has always tended to push sail
plans toward default (small) spinnaker sizes, and this plays a role in the
rig proportions.
Since the swept-spreader rigs have some drawbacks - not being able to rake
the rig forward downwind and not being able to fully "power up" the jib in
light winds - we explored a large number of rig concepts for these boats
before the final decisions were made.
For the two boats intended for light-to-moderate winds (Bribon and
Mascalzone Latino), we decided rig control was more important than the
handicap benefits derived from the fixed forestays and lack of running
backstays of the swept-spreader rigs. These boats have unique rigs with
in-line spreaders and runners, while maintaining the advantageous small jib
and foretriangle and default IMS spinnakers. The key to the success of
these boats in light winds was determining the proper rig proportions.
With Esmeralda optimized for Hawaii and moderate-to-strong winds, a smaller
range of rig control is required and the runner-less, swept-spreader rig
was chosen with its associated "simplified" rig handicap allowances. -
Story by Jim Schmicker and Britton Ward, for Quokka Sports
Full Story: http://www.quokkasailing.com/stories/08/SLQ__0814_s_farr_WFC.html
SIMILARITY
There are few similarities between Naples Sabot mainsail and the #3 genoa
for a ULDB 70. But there will be one dramatic similarity if both of those
sails have an Ullman Sails tack patch - they will both be fast. The same
applies to a 470 jib, a J/120 A-sail, the main for a 505 or a Schock 35
kite. Right now is the very best time to find out how affordable improved
performance can be:
http://www.ullmansails.com/
QUOTE / UNQUOTE
* Ian Williams, an amateur driver of the Farr 40 Warlord in the Rolex
Commodores' Cup 2000 Cowes, had his non-professional status questioned. "I
haven't earned anything out of Olympic sailing, in fact I'm in L18,000 in
debt. It depends on what the rules are trying to achieve - whether you
exclude people because they happen to be good at sailing or because they
earn money from the sport." - Boating OZ Report,
http://www.boatingoz.com.au/newsframes.htm
REDRESS
In a joint press release, King Harbor YC and Santa Barbara YC announced
that the standings of their Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race had been
revised as the result of a hearing reopening requests for redress:
* ULDB A - Vicki was awarded redress of 37 minutes.
* ULDB B - Bay Wolf was awarded redress of 32 minutes.
Earlier, two other requests for redress were granted after hearing
representatives from those boats.
The two clubs additionally commended all of the boats involved in the
rescue or attempted assistance of the crew of an overturned catamaran.
Special plaudits were given to the crew of Vicki for their successful
recovery of three sailors on the catamaran.
Both clubs are nominating Vicki and her crew for the US Sailing Arthur B.
Hanson Rescue Medal. In addition, special commendation awards will be
presented at a SCYA dinner meeting to Vicki, Bay Wolf, M Project and Mar
Caballo.
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net)
Letters selected to be printed are edited for clarity, space (250 words
max) or 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 Rich Matzinger - Having raced for the last 25 years, I have
experienced a wide variety of competency in race management. As best as I
can recall, the last time I VOLUNTEERED to help out at an event was about
18 years ago.
Because of this, I am very careful not to find fault with those that give
their free time so that I may have an enjoyable weekend. I am disappointed
by the tone of many of the comments I have seen over the last few days on
the SB to KH race, as I am sure many of the volunteers are as well.
Thank you Mr. Folkman and the rest of the volunteers that work so hard so
the rest of us can enjoy the racing. Kudos to the crew of Vicki for
interrupting their fun and volunteering to help others in need!
CURMUDGEON'S COMMENT: That's the final word. This thread is now officially
dead.
-- From Doug Reid - I concur with your comments re Ball Room Dancing in the
Olympics. Ball Room Dancing is not Sport - its "Foreplay".
-- From Dan Ibsen - The match-race centre at SKOVSHOVED HABOUR has been a
driving force in Denmark for nearly 10 years organising daily training and
15-20 regattas annually, among those grade 1 regattas and during the years
both the Worlds and 3 Europeans. This activity has brought 200 young
sailors to the clubs, among those talented sailors as Sten Mohr and Jesper
Radich. But there are also 6 other match race centres in Denmark using the
37 feet DS Match Racer, J-22's, H-boats and Mustangs. These "centres" at
sailing clubs provide also daily training, weekly club races and national
regattas during the season.
A Sports High School with 4 DS Match Racers is also offering sailing
courses and match race training. There are now also DS Match Racers in
Gothenburg, Sweden and Oslo, Norway. The Danish Sailing Association (DSA)
offers interest free loans to the clubs and the rest is financed mainly by
boat sponsors. Several of the centres offers VIP events to their sponsors
and local/regional companies.
The "DS Match Racer" was developed in the beginning of the 1990's at the
initiative of DSA. The goal was a training/racing boats in order to develop
Danish sailors to make them competitive in the top of the World Ranking
Events. Sailors do not have to bring a boat, every time you are going to
national or international races, which reduces the cost. I believe that the
same development could be achieved in other countries if supported by the
National Sailing Authority and/or a National match-race Organisation.
-- From Glenn Oliver - Letters in recent Scuttlebutts regarding the redress
denial for Vicki all share two common themes. The first was that the crew
of Vicki came to the aid of a vessel in distress following a creed that all
sailors honor. The second is that none of us knows all the facts that led
to the denial of redress. I was a participant in the regatta and had the
opportunity to talk with a number of the parties to the incident. However,
I, and many of your readers, were not parties to the redress hearing, so we
do not share full knowledge of why redress was disallowed.
I do share the dismay of scuttlebutt readers. I wonder if the responsible
parties from Vicki were notified of the hearing. The rules specifically say
that parties to a hearing must be notified. Simply calling for their
representative over the yacht club PA systems is not sufficient. If they
could not be contacted, the hearing could have been delayed. I hope the
jury for this redress issue will reopen the hearing and provide Vicki
redress. To do otherwise will cause all racers to doubt the system they
compete under.
--From Bob Constable - I second Clark Chapin's motion in 'Butt #624:
"concentrating on the rule changes [is] a misplaced effort....Far better to
teach the new rules as a fresh start."
My girls (ages 8 & 10) started crewing for us in our one-design races last
year, and have really gotten into the competition. After several
rules-related incidents, one requiring us to withdraw, they have begun to
ask "right of way" questions. Just for fun, I started reading the rules to
them over breakfast on Sunday morning, much as Captain Aubrey in Patrick
O'Brien's series read the Articles of War to the crew of Surprise.
It's restating the obvious to the seasoned veterans of Scuttlebutt, but the
fact that the rulebook begins: 1. Safety, 2. Fair Sailing, and 3.
Acceptance of the Rules, is profound to these kids. They intuitively
understand that these are not rules, as much as the basic values which
frame our love for the sport. It has certainly given them a new
perspective on all the shouting they hear during the pre-starts and mark
roundings.
Furthermore, while they may not yet appreciate all of the subtleties that
differentiate situations, the simple logic and flow of the New Rules makes
absolute sense to them.
I've sat on enough protest committees, both under the old and the new
rules, to know that most conflicts come down to a differing view of the
facts. Those few which result from lack of rules knowledge could usually
have been prevented by having actually read the rules.
-- From Christian Fevrier - Refering to the astounding performance of the
trimaran Bayer and his crew in the Quebec-Saint-Malo Race, the former
record of 540 miles in 24 hours still stands in the WSSRC for the
singlehanded category. Bayer is the new name of the former Primagaz,
launched in July 1990 for Laurent Bourgnon (older brother of Yvan, and who
made the boat's fame). Laurent Bourgnon also still holds the singlehanded
transatlantic record in 7d 2h and 34'
The trimaran was modified several times under the decisions of his skipper
and sometimes against the opinions of the the two designers Vincent
Lauriot-Prevost and Marc Van Peteghem. But the Laurent ideas were very
clever: new shape of central hull, new floats, new crossarms, new wingmast,
new ruddeers... The boat, like Fujicolor, has been improved constantly in
the past ten years.
PV 2000
The sixteenth biennial edition of the Del Rey YC's race to Puerto Vallarta,
"already has attracted over 40 requests for entry in the February, 2001
event. DRYC has decided to drop the "handicap distance" of 1015 nautical
miles and go back to the rhumb line distance of 1125 nm for figuring time
allowances for the handicap fleets. (All of the participants will have a
valid PHRF/off the wind rating, which should compensate for the down wind
aspect of the race.) Also, the Race Committee decided to leave Catalina as
a mark of the course (left to starboard) so that a few of the larger boats
would not gain an insurmountable advantage at the very beginning of the
race. http://www.dryc.org
SWEDISH MATCH GRAND PRIX TOUR
Sweden's Magnus Holmberg and his Stora Enso Team scored a decisive victory
over Frenchman Bertrand Pace to win the Danish Open Match Racing
Championships on Sunday. The Swede and his crew took the final in three
straight races, controlling each one from start to finish, and never
letting the French cross in front of them at any stage.
This is the Enso Stora Team's second successive victory on the eight event
Swedish Match Grand Prix Sailing Tour, and gives them an outside chance of
taking second place on the Tour, with just one event left to sail. Last
month they won the Trofeo Roberto Trombini in Italy, to lift themselves
into fourth place on the Tour scoreboard, this Danish result has moved them
up to third place.
The final regatta on the Swedish Match Grand Prix Tour is Bermuda's
Colorcraft Gold Cup, with the two main contenders for the $50,000 Tour
first prize being Bertrand Pace, and America's Cup holders Team New
Zealand. Pace has already said he will not contest the Bermuda regatta,
but he currently has an eleven point advantage over the New Zealanders.
Cameron Appleton skippered the Team New Zealand crew here in Denmark,
finishing fifth, which kept the door open for the America's Cup holders.
Dean Barker will be back at the helm for the final event, and must finish
fourth or better to win the first Swedish Match Grand Prix Sailing Tour. -
John Roberson, http://www.swedishmatchgp.com
OVERALL RESULTS. 1. Magnus Holmberg (Sweden) 2. Bertrand Pace (France) 3.
Ed Baird (U.S.A.) 4. Sten Mohr (Denmark) 5. Cameron Appleton (New Zealand)
6. Jesper Radich Johansen (Denmark) 7. Peter Holmberg (US Virgin Islands)
8. Jes Gram Hansen (Denmark) 9. Andy Green (Britain) 10. Jesper Bank
(Denmark) 11. Neville Wittey (Australia) 12. Mikael Lindqvist (Sweden)
US JUNIOR SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The final day of the U.S. Junior Sailing Championships was a great day for
the San Diego Yacht Club contingent. Mikee Anderson-Mitterling and Tyler
McKay won the doublehanded championship for the Bemis Trophy and Andrew
Campbell, son of one-time America's Cup sailor Bill Campbell, won the
singlehanded championship for the Smythe Trophy in a tie-breaker against
long-time arch-rival Clay Johnson. Campbell and Johnson each had the same
score minus throwouts and they each had the same number of firsts (3). But
Campbell had three second-place finishes to Johnson's two and won the
trophy on that basis.
The Sears Cup had been claimed the day before by Rick Korab, Ryan Druyor
and Kevin Reali of the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Yacht Club. - Dave Phillips,
Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/cgi-bin/story.pl/sports/04110551.htm
RESULTS: Singlehanded - Smythe - 1. Andrew Campbell, San Diego YC, 16.25;
2. Clay Johnson, Toms River YC, 16.25; 3. Vincent Porter, Lake Geneva YC,
36.75; Doublehanded - Bemis
1. Anderson-Mitterling, Tyler McKay, San Diego YC, 27.25; 2. Eric Oppen,
Annie Leonporra, Wayzata YC, 32.5; 3.David Seigal, Michael De Sousa, New
Bedford, YC, 38; Triplehanded - Sears
1.Rick Korab, Druyor/Reali, St. Petersburg SC, 17.5; 2. Tyler Haskell,
Grimes/Moddisette, Newport Harbor YC, 18.5; 3. Sebastian Reeve,
Besse/Gibson, Vinyard Haven YC, 24.5.
Complete results: http://www.ussailing.org/
ROLEX COMMODORES' CUP
Tony Buckingham's Channel Islands Team won the Rolex Commodores' Cup 2000 a
crushing margin over second-placed England Blue. Steve Hayles, a veteran of
many Admiral's Cups and Whitbread Round the World Races, had predicted
earlier in the week that the team that stayed out of trouble would win the
event, and so it proved. The Rolex Commodores' Cup 2000 had everything,
with dismastings, protests and a range of exacting conditions. The Channel
Islands Team never sailed spectacularly but they were happy to sit back and
watch the wheels fall off the teams around them. - Susannah Bourne
Final Team Positions: 1. Channel Islands 49.5, 2. England - Blue 61.25, 3.
Commonwealth 64.5, 4. England - Red 71.5, 5. Scotland 79.165 6. France
108.75, 7. European 121.
TARTAN 10 NAs
The 2000 T-10 NAs were held over Aug. 12-15 at Mentor Harbor Yacht Club in
Mentor, Ohio with 43 boats attending. MHYC and Lake Erie brought the
competitors nice weather and great entertainment. The 6 race series had
some very close and tough sailing and places were hard to secure. With
nobody winning more than two races, being consistent paid off and brought
Hoggy Groggy the championship. Top five finishers - 1. Hoggy Groggy - Wayne
Pignolet (14 points) 2. Simpleten - Rich Sterns (15) 3. It - Jim Sminchak
(22) 4. Troll - Tim Britton (27) 5. Us - Rick Strilky (29)
CLUB 420 NAs
148 boats, Barrington (RI) YC - Final Results: 1. Peter Levesque, Portland
(ME) YC and Caroline Hall, Bristol (RI)YC. - 16 pts 2. Scott Hogan and
Meredith Potter of Newport Harbor (CA)YC - 22 pts, 3. Peter Deming and
Cammie Williams of Cold Spring Harbor (NY)YC - 24 pts
Complete results: http://club420.org/Results/na00.htm
SANTANA 20 NATIONALS
Balboa YC (38 boats); 1. Head First, Van Waay/Wilson (19 pts) 2. Mini-Me,
Golison/Washburn (24) 3. Hitched, Kerry Poe, (28) 4. Mighty Mouse, Mike
Pinckney (38) 5. No name, Yumio Dornberg (43) 6. Disaster Area, Chris
Winnard (44)
Complete results: http://www.balboayachtclub.com/
THE CURMUDGEON'S QUOTATIONS
Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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