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SCUTTLEBUTT 2407 - August 9, 2007
Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,
features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is
distributed each weekday with the support of its sponsors.
KILLING THE GOOSE THAT IS LAYING GOLDEN EGGS
When Denton R. Moore wrote his book, “Gentlemen Never Sail to Weather,” he
was not discussing the Southern California offshore racing scene -- although
the title of that book would surely be appropriate for such a story. All of
the major Southern California ocean races either go southwest to Hawaii or
southeast down the Baja Peninsula to Mexico. Both directions generally will
get the boats quickly into downwind sailing conditions -- frequently with
enough breeze to promote surfing. Nice!
So nice that many of the SoCal yacht clubs want to get into the act and
sponsor their own races, predominately to Mexico. As a result, there are now
three, 800+ mile Mexican races scheduled by SoCal yacht clubs in the four
and half month period between this November next March. And the following
year there will undoubtedly be back-to-back, long-distance Mexican races in
February and in March.
Could a boat do all of them? Probably … but there certainly aren’t many
owners with that kind of time or money. So the limited number of owners who
want to do a Mexican race will have to select what they feel is the most
attractive one that year; and the small SoCal offshore fleet will be divided
into tiny little pieces. Consequently, none of these events will provide the
most competitive fleet possible -- and none of the yacht clubs will maximize
the ‘bang for their buck.’
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of the sponsoring clubs would just sit down
together and agree to a race calendar with only one ‘monster’ Mexican race
each year? With the hurricane season in the summer, and the typically
lighter winds in the fall, the ideal would be to target the full moon in
either February or March. This kind of cooperation has certainly worked well
for the two clubs sponsoring July races from California to Hawaii in
alternating years.
Sure -- the sponsoring clubs would have to surrender their “traditional time
slots,” but the payoff is that each of them would most assuredly attract a
big, competitive racing fleet when their turn came up. It would be good for
the clubs, and great for the racers. Everyone wins!
These are changing times, and it grieves me to see neighboring clubs
fighting with each other over entries to their respective races. And racing
to Mexico in tiny fleets of dissimilar boats is killing the goose that once
laid golden eggs. As Rodney King said, “Can't we all... just... get
along?” -- The Curmudgeon
Link for post and event list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0807
BILLIONAIRES TO BATTLE IN GIANT HIGH TECH CATS
Imagine this: “It is now late June 2008. The Spanish challenge was ruled
invalid. Alinghi was forced to accept Oracle’s challenge. Negotiations on a
new protocol failed. Both teams have designed giant multihulls for the
40-mile windward leeward and 39 mile triangle courses specified in the Deed
of Trust. The first race will be in a few days, on the 4th of July…”
No, not a replay of 1988’s lopsided "Mismatch" of Big Boat vs Cat, but high
stakes racing in the fastest, all out high tech designs that money and big
egos can buy. It’s more likely than you think. And, while it would be hell
for the other challengers and their sponsors, it sure would be entertaining
for the media and public, not to mention the designers and sailors.
Now posted on the Scuttlebutt Forum is a detailed analysis of the current
legal situation, with links to the relevant documents, including the NY
Court of Appeals ruling on the catamaran defense from the 27th AC. After
reading the Forum post, the Curmudgeon notes, “This is as good a read as
there has been on the subject, with all the details in one place. Very well
written, incorporating facts, forecasts, and humor. Definitely worth a read
by even the most indifferent Cup followers.” -- Read on, with all comments
welcome to be posted in the Forum:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5224
* The Valencia Sailing website, which has emerged as a leading source for
America’s Cup news, has posted an unconfirmed report that Emirates Team New
Zealand skipper Dean Barker has signed or is about to sign an agreement with
Russell Coutts, the brand new CEO of BMW Oracle, in order to become the
helmsman on the American team. -- http://tinyurl.com/34ue6d
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TESTING THE WATERS
(August 8, 2007) -- One year before the 2008 Olympic Games, the top ranked
sailors in the world will be in China for the Good Luck Beijing - 2007
Qingdao International Regatta. The second of two annual Olympic Test Events,
the regatta will be held at the location of the 2008 Olympic Sailing
Competition, the Qingdao International Marina in Qingdao, China, a coastal
city located 430 miles east of Beijing. Ranked a Grade 2 event by the
International Sailing Federation (ISAF), this 2007 Qingdao International
Regatta is expected to draw 463 sailors from 52 countries and regions. The
event will be held from August 9-24, with the first day of racing on August
15. Staggered medal races are scheduled for August 22 and 23. -- Complete
report: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/qingdaopreview.asp
Among those in attendance will be the 18 top ranked members of the US
Sailing Team (USST):
Finn: Zach Railey
470 Men: Mikee Anderson-Mitterling/ David Hughes
470 Women: Amanda Clark/ Sarah Mergenthaler
49er: Morgan Larson/ Pete Spaulding
Laser: Brad Funk
Laser Radial: Anna Tunnicliffe
RS:X Men: Benjamin Barger
RS:X Women: Nancy Rios
Star: John Dane/ Austin Sperry
Tornado: John Lovell/ Charlie Ogletree
Yngling: Sally Barkow/ Carrie Howe/ Debbie Capozzi
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Who says sailing can't be as cool as rock 'n roll? This week's clip features
random segments of speedy boats going fast, many living on the edge, plus a
few crossing the line. You might want to adjust your speaker volume if at
work, as the pacing and beat of The White Stripes song 'Fell In Love With A
Girl' might not fit within all employee guideline manuals (lyrics included
with video). Than again, maybe crank it up and let this video bust those
stereotypes that your non-sailing friends hold. Also, if you have a video
you like, please send us your suggestions for next week’s Video of the Week.
Click here for this week’s video:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/07/0806
US GOVERNMENT THREATENS RECREATIONAL BOATING
Without Congressional approval of corrective legislation or a successful
legal appeal, a September 2006 court decision by the US District Court for
Northern California designed to hold the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) accountable for the regulation of the discharge of ballast water from
ocean going commercial ships will have unintended and serious consequences
for recreational boating, according to Boat Owners Association of The United
States (BoatUS).
“As it stands now, a permit will be required for ‘normal operational
discharges’ on every recreational boat – even your dinghy – in every state
where you boat,” said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret
Podlich. “This is an attempt to apply a complex permitting system designed
for industrial dischargers to recreational boats that will not yield
significant environmental benefits.”
Instead, BoatUS is pushing for passage of HR 2550 “The Recreational Boating
Act of 2007”. It would continue a 34-year-old exemption applied to
recreational boats and release the EPA from having to implement an expensive
and bureaucratic national permit system for all recreational boats by
September 30, 2008. -- Read on:
http://www.boatus.com/news/releases/2007/august/hr2550.asp
SAILING SHORTS
* (August 8, 2007) Pindar, the brand new Open 60, who was leading in her
debut race today, the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, dismasted
whilst sailing around the Isle of Wight. The wing mast snapped less than two
metres from the deck at 11.30 this morning. All of the crew are safe.
Reaching along the southern side of the Island, Pindar was leading the fleet
when the incident occurred. The cause of the breakage is not yet known. The
dismasting of the cutting edge Open 60 will force Pindar to pull out of the
historic Rolex Fastnet Race this Sunday. -- http://www.pindar.com/teampindar
* Since the passing of Chris Law at Lake Constance, Germany on Tuesday, July
24 2007, a service in celebration of his life has been planned for August
17th 2007 at St.Mary’s & St. Gabriel’s Church, South Harting, Nr
Petersfield, Hampshire on 2.45pm. All are welcome. Family flowers only but
donations if desired to R Y A on-board fund, c/o Michael Miller and Partners
Ltd, 27A High Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3JR. Tel: 01730 233244.
Information for the church can be found at
http://www.acny.org.uk/venue.php?V=4952
* Scheveningen, Holland (August 8, 2007) -- On the third day of the Laser
Radial Youth World Championship in the Netherlands, the female and male
divisions saw a steady 16 knot northerly along with a strong current against
the wind to give a new set of conditions for the sailors and some good
surfing waves. After five races, overnight leader Anne Haeger USA scored a
consistent 8th and 9th to hold onto a share of the lead. Thursday is the
last day of qualifier races before the fleet is split into gold, silver, and
bronze. -- Complete results: http://www.laserklasse.nl/radial2007/results
* St Quay Portrieux, France (August 8, 2007) -- After the 17 round robin
matches at the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, four crews are
already selected for the quarter finale that will be run on Friday. As the
top four teams, Claire Leroy (FRA), Josie Gibson (GRR), Katie Spithill
(AUS), and Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN) will be able to rest on Thursday
as the other eight crews continue racing for the remaining four slots. The
lone North American entrant, Sandy Hayes, remains winless at 0-11. The event
is being sailed in First Class 8 type boats. -- Event site:
http://maiarmor.free.fr/wwmr
* US Sailing is now accepting applications for the 2007 U.S. Team Racing
Championship, which will be sailing in Vanguard 15s at Seawanhaka Corinthian
Yacht Club in New York on October 19-21, 2007. Teams interested in competing
have until September 7th to apply, with plans for up to 24 teams to be
invited by the U.S. Team Racing Championship Committee. Winners in 2006 were
Silver Panda, sailed by Colin Merrick, Clay Bischoff, Amanda Callahan,
Elizabeth Hall, Lisa Keith, and Peter Levesque. -- Event website:
http://www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/ustrc
J/105 SAVASANA HARD TO BEAT THIS SEASON
Ullman Sails congratulates Brian Keane and crew on Savasana for winning the
35th Buzzards Bay Regatta, August 3-5, 2007 in South Dartmouth, MA. Keane
adds this win to a growing list of victories this season. Competing with a
full inventory of Ullman Sails, Savasana also won the 2007 Charleston Race
Week, the 153rd NYYC Annual Regatta, and defended her title at Storm Trysail
Club’s Block Island Race Week. Ullman Sails wishes Savasana good luck at the
North Americans in Annapolis this November. For more on the ‘Fastest Sails
on the Planet,’ contact an Ullman Sails loft or visit
http://www.ullmansails.com
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine)
Here are a few of the events that are coming up:
August 9-12 - U.S. Laser National Championship - Colchester, VT, USA
August 10-12 - 8 Metre North Americans - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
August 10-11 - Flip Flop Regatta - Boston, MA, USA
August 10-12 - Mumm 30 Great Lakes Championship - Cleveland, OH, USA
August 10-12 - Verve Cup One Design - Chicago, IL, USA
August 11-18 - IMS World Championship - Hankø, Norway
August 11-12 - J24 Western Regionals - Cascade Locks, OR, USA
August 12-15 - CYA National Youth Champs - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
August 12-17 - Rolex Fastnet Race - Cowes, Plymouth, United Kingdom
View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be
edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250
words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot,
don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks
for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is
available on the Scuttlebutt Forum.
-- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
-- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum
* From Richard Hazelton, Editor, 48 ° North Sailing Magazine: (in regard to
Jim Durden's and Mike Guccione's comments this week on "fun" racing) The fun
events have taken off in the Northwest. In the Seattle area we have the
infamous Duck Dodge for 30 years, but of late we have fun races in Elliot
Bay, Shilshole Bay, and Des Moines (south of Seattle). Elliot Bay kind of
started it off a couple years ago and was so successful the others were
hatched. Short courses with prizes handed through drawings and not how you
did on the water. It's the participation that's the key. A throwback to the
more relaxed days of sailing; go out for a couple hours in the evening, then
back to the clubhouse for some socializing. More kid and family friendly
evenings on the water than the truly competitive racing. Can't see anything
but these kinds of "races" getting more and more popular.
* From Richard Johnson: In the top story in Issue 2406, writer Mike Guccione
began by saying, "I totally agree with Jim Durden's comments in Issue
2405 …" and then goes on to tell us about three wonderful new races his club
has added to the race calendar for three Saturdays in October. I wonder if
Mr. Guccione really read Mr. Durden's comments, which said, and I quote, "We
need to convince our local clubs that less is more, and quality over
quantity. Anytime a spot opens up on the racing calendar, some club wants to
fill it with a new event that they are sure will attract the big crowd; but
it doesn't. My suggestion is to limit the number of local regattas to one a
month…" Doesn't sound like much agreement to me.
* From Cory E. Friedman: The Buzzard's Bay results demonstrate the perverse
effect of the proliferation of registration limits. The Club 420 and Laser
classes have caps at Buzzard's Bay and large numbers of no shows. Obviously,
sailors registered early to avoid getting shut out, changed their minds
about participating, and wound up shutting out other sailors who could have
been accommodated. The upcoming Laser Nationals in Vermont, way up at
Mallet's Bay on Lake Champlain (not exactly a Laser hotbed -- trust me, I
live in a town on Lake Champlain) closed long ago and even the waiting list
closed long ago. Tell me that all the last minute no show slots will be
filled from the waiting list when Lake Champlain's main attraction is that
it is many hours from anywhere. Sure. Clearly, the no shows are not troubled
about losing their entry fee, but should this situation be allowed to
continue if there is real concern about declining participation in sailing
over all, even if these events are pro-forma filled? Sounds like yet another
example of the sailing community shooting itself in the collective foot.
* From Jack Engel: I'd like to invite Stu Weintraub for a drive on our
Merritt Parkway (CT) that has been without commercial signage since its
opening in the 1930's. Still beautiful. PS - wonder what the ACLU would have
to say about the ad issue.
* From Andrew Troup, Christchurch, New Zealand: I know I'm not alone in
wanting to dissociate myself from comments casting aspersions on the
patriotism of Brad Butterworth, and making unwelcoming comments on the
prospect of him living in NZ. It's great that there are sailors who wish to
be part of a predominantly national effort in the America's Cup, but that is
their choice. At one time, Brad and others chose to sail for NZ, and they
did us proud. But we've no right to assert that, just because they have
sailed for us, they belong to us forever thereafter. It is we who are in
their debt, rather than the reverse. There is a point beyond which love of
country becomes the jingoistic "Refuge of a scoundrel".
* From Warren Kavanagh: Totally agree with Bob Bauch's sentiments (in Issue
2405). For us Kiwi's, the racing was so exciting, we all thought we could
win the Cup back! Then we lose by 1 second, & in some way got gazzumped by
Alinghi? Then we had to watch the sickening rock star presentation,
Butterworth sticking a cap on the Cup which really said it all. TNZ sailed
away but we got the biggest cheers & support. Alinghi are not sportsmen at
all, they are bringing the history of the Cup into disrepute. Let's hope
Russell & Larry can stick it up them in court, & take on Berterelli in a one
off, as the Cup doesn't belong with this Corporate Raider who doesn't want
this (excuse my expression) “bullsh&t.”
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
The average Hermit Crab lives to the ripe old age of 75.
Special thanks to Atlantis WeatherGear and Ullman Sails.
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