SCUTTLEBUTT No. 876 - August 10, 2001
Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
PREVENTION OF HEAT ILLNESS IN SAILORS
In light of recent extreme heat conditions, which have caused significant heat-related injuries and deaths and are expected to continue into next week, it was suggested that an ounce of prevention might be in order for the sailing community. The heat index (temperature and humidity) has been over 100 across the country, and has already contributed to multiple heat-related illness situations in sailors - including those who raced in regattas in Chicago last weekend, where the heat index reached 105, and over 21 people died in Cook County. For this reason, proper precautions are essential.
For those who are not familiar with heat-related illness, it can include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and life-threatening heat stroke. Dehydration plays a significant factor and can contribute to decreased performance, increased injury, and further risk of heat illness Anyone is susceptible to these conditions, but the young, the elderly, the disabled and those with certain diseases including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are at increased risk for problems. Heat cramps, which can be painful, are associated with excessive sweating and are usually, caused by salt depletion. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body temperature is increased as the sweating mechanism becomes overwhelmed due to overheating. Symptoms may include thirst, irritability, headache, weakness, dizziness, cramps, nausea, decreased performance, clammy skin and occasionally disorientation. Heat stroke is life threatening and is characterized by confusion, rapid pulse, and elevated body temperature due to inadequate sweating response. This can lead to severe neurological problems and even death.
If the signs of heat related illness begin to occur, lay the sailor down in a cool environment, loosen their clothes, give them small amounts of water or sports drink (do not give salt tablets), fan and sponge off the patient (cool patient quicker in heat stroke), remember the ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation), and get medical assistance
Preventative measures include drinking 20 oz of water or sports drink before you exercise or go out for a sail - racing or for pleasure. Maintain hydration by drinking 10 oz of water every 10-20 minutes, and when you return to the dock, another 20-oz. If you drink sports drinks, be sure they have less than 8% carbohydrate. Caffeine, carbonated beverages, and alcohol will worsen the dehydration - even from the party the night before. Remember; do not wait until you are thirsty. Sailors also need to shield themselves from direct sunlight in addition to the UV radiation reflected off of the sails, decks, and water. Use waterproof sunblock SPF 15 at least, wear a broad-brimmed hat, 100% UVA and UVB protective sunglasses, light weight, light colored reflective long clothing and stay in the shade when possible.
Remember prevention and awareness is the best medicine! Sail Safe! - Anne Allen MD, SailSportMed Inc. (aasail@aol.com) www.sailsportmed.org
FOR THE RECORD
NEW YORK, AUGUST 9, 2001 - Sponsored by Monster.com, the 110-foot American catamaran Team Adventure departed New York today in an attempt to break the 11-year-old record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean under sail from west to east. After waiting all morning for the breeze to fill in, Team Adventure blasted across the start line at the Ambrose Light Tower, which guards the entrance to New York Harbor, at 3:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
While Manhattan baked in a heat wave, Team Adventure flew her starboard hull like a monster beach cat and zoomed across the line and up the coast of Long Island at speeds up to 30 knots, powered by 25 knot cooling breezes from the south-west. Under ideal conditions, the big boat is capable of sailing almost twice as fast as the wind.
Team Adventure is being campaigned by two skippers. Team Adventure CEO and skipper Cam Lewis, from Lincolnville, Maine, has been joined by his Swiss/French friend and co-skipper Laurent Bourgnon. They are sailing with an international crew of 15, including Larry Rosenfeld, the navigator and Lewis' partner in Team Adventure.
The existing mark of 6 days, 13 hours, 3 minutes, and 32 seconds was set by French skipper Serge Madec sailing the 75-foot catamaran Jet Services V in June 1990. Madec and his crew averaged 18.42 knots (34.5 kph) for the crossing.
A prize of 200,000 French francs ($US26,000) and a beautiful trophy has been posted by Roger Caille, former president of the French courier operation Jet Services, for any boat that breaks the record of the boat his company sponsored. - Keith Taylor, www.TeamAdventure.org
NO CHICKEN TENDERS
With all the hot racing action going on, you still can not help noticing the awesome new tenders beings used by many of the worlds top racers. From the rugged conditions of the Kenwood Cup to the short stormy chop in Newport, RI and even the biggest ebb tide in SF Bay, one boat stands above the rest in performance, stability and comfort, THE PROTECTOR! Built in New Zealand, Protectors are now being imported to the states and Europe by ProtectorUSA. For more information to call toll free 1.877.664.BOAT or log on www.protectorusa.com - Get onboard!
EDS ATLANTIC CHALLENGE
Just days after seeing their world literally come crashing down, Roland Jourdain, skipper of Sill Plein Fruit today announced that his team was down, but not out. Forty minutes into the start of Leg 4 of the, the 85-foot carbon fiber mast on Sill Plein Fruit snapped, and in front of their competitors and the media, went crashing into the water. Now, just two days after realizing their worst scenario, Jourdain announced that he would be rejoining the race and sailing for France with a repaired mast and renewed spirit.
"Our mast is being repaired in Charlotte and we are sailing for Boston with a jury rig made from our boom," said Gael Le Cleac'h, co-skipper of Sill Plein Fruit. The team plans to rig the boat in Boston and join Leg 5 as soon as possible. Jourdain anticipates that the repaired mast will be ready for installation by Tuesday afternoon. Leg 5 to St. Malo, France starts on Monday, August 13. - Meaghan Van Liew, www.edsatlanticchallenge.com
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
leweck@earthlink.net
(Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* From Mike Zuilhof: I disagree with your statement that the Gulfstream routing controversy was not a productive thread. You sell yourself short. While not a "feel good" topic, it was an interesting one, and more important, some of us learned something by gaining a little insight into a world we may never be a more direct part of. This is a true value of your letter. Thank you for including it.
* From Ralph Taylor: Thank you for airing all sides of the EDS Challenge "routing information" protest, especially Jenifer Clark's clarification. I know you are killing that thread, but there are questions beyond who, if anyone, broke the rules.
I can't help but think there wouldn't have been a controversy had the Protest Committee's Findings of Facts been made public. Or, was it that the protest was tossed, without hearing, on a notification or filing technicality? That would mean there are no Findings of Facts, leaving the media as the only forum for the dispute. Some judges look for any excuse to avoid a hearing. This doesn't always serve the interests of the competitors or the sport.
* Bill Elmer: Self policing is an issue. Apparently, and to everyone's credit, in regards to receiving routing information, the rules were followed. Let's discuss self policing. For example, even at a very local level, and in full view of competitors and the RC at a recent regatta (an advertised fun race where to file a protest a bottle of rum is required), a competitor found it necessary to protest another competitor under Rule 11 (Windward - Leeward). On hearing the protest, the PC disallowed the protest and found the protestor had violated Rule 15 (giving the burdened boat room to keep clear), but did not disqualify the protestor.
In the next race, this same boat found itself far from the line in very light airs and used its engine after the class signal was raised, and maybe even after the start signal. But heck, it was a fun race and the RC did the right thing even though the violation was observed. As for self policing, did the boat retire? You can guess.
* From Ken Guyer: While the thread regarding the Bonair is closed, thankfully, I have to give a cheer to Bill Menninger (Butt #875). It is very rare in today's world for someone to step forward and take responsibility for actions, or in this case words, which are not really well thought out. Good on yer Bill, well spoken.
* From Allan F. Johnson: (re: jet ski incident) Even if they were intended as sarcasm, the comments of Vaughan and Brierre lack any Corinthian tone. Come on! We are all boaters and even if we are disturbed, frustrated, and annoyed, we don't shoot at people or even point guns at them! Elvis Costello once eloquently wrote: "What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?"
* From Douglas Holthaus: What allows Gavin Brady's candidacy for Prada's AC-31 crew while also sailing as a New Zealander in the Star Worlds is really quite simple. The AC Protocol allows a non-national to qualify by continuosly maintaining a principal place of residence in a particular country; a popular but sometimes vulnerable basis of nationality. Someone like designer Doug Peterson - red blooded American as they come - is technically Italian because of his home in Milan while New Zealand native, racing guru and Ventura resident Robbie (the "Battler") Naismith can take over Oracle's helm before the Kiwi sheep dung is dry on his britches.
The Olympics and other major events generally prohibit individuals from competing for a nation if they have represented a different country within a defined time period; these limitations that have yet to be applied to AC competition but that could change before long. As for Gavin Brady, until he sails for Prada in actual AC competition, he remains eligible to represent New Zealand, the real question being whether they will invite him back after Prada wins the Cup.
* From Scott Ridgeway: Question: If the idea of a running a major regatta like a continental or world championship is to find the best sailor, why do we continue to reward inconsistency, unpreparedness, or rules abuse by having a drop race?
VOLVO OCEAN RACE
* This Sunday August 12th at 4pm, the Rolex Fastnet Race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line off Cowes, Isle of Wight, with four Volvo Ocean 60s among them. For the first time, four brand new VO60s will be racing together in the 608 mile Rolex Fastnet, using this event as a shakedown before contesting the Volvo Ocean Race Around the World which starts from Southampton on 23rd September. Contenders: Assa Abloy Racing Team (SWE) - Skipper Roy Heiner (NED) Co-skipper/Navigator Mark Rudiger (USA) Team SEB (SWE) - Skipper Gurra Krantz, Navigator Marcel van Triest Team News Corp (AUS) - skipper Jez Fanstone (UK) Navigator Ross Field illbruck Challenge (GBR) - John Kostecki (USA), Navigator Juan Villa (ESP)/Ian Moore (UK) - www.VolvoOceanRace.org
* With more than 2000 sea miles behind them Nautor Challenge's head of sportive and technical organisation, Grant Dalton is well satisfied with the syndicate's yachts for the Volvo Ocean Race. Dalton said that in the nine days it took to sail from Porto Cervo, Sardinia, to Sanxenxo on the Atlantic coast of Spain, the yacht experienced a full range of conditions - from very light to very strong winds and big seas.
The syndicate has built two VO60 yachts - one a Frers design and one from the board of the Farr Design Office. A male crew, skippered by New Zealander Grant Dalton will sail one boat, a female crew skippered by UK-resident American Lisa McDonald will sail the other. A decision on which crew sails which yacht will not be made until after the testing programme is finished. For the qualifying voyage crews were mixed so that both crews qualified to sail both yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race.
On the question of which is the faster boat, Dalton is giving nothing away: "As you would expect one outperforms the other in some conditions and vice versa. We have two very strong boats in terms of performance." - www.nautorchallenge.com/
STAR WORLDS
Medemblik, The Netherlands - Standings after four races with one throwout: 1. USA Brun, Vincent, Dorgan, Mike, 14; 2. NZL Brady, Gavin, Iverson, George, 20; 3. ESP Van der Ploeg, Jose Maria, Trujillo Villar, Rafael, 22; 4. SWE Lššf, Fredrik, FinnsgŒrd, Christian, 22; 5. DEN Rasmussen, Christian, ¯rsted, Peter, 23; 8. USA MacCausland, John A., Strube, Mark, 34; 9. USA Reynolds, Mark, Liljedahl, Magnus, 39; 20. USA Szabo III, George M, Darrell D. Hiatt, 66; 21. USA Mitchell, Ben, Peters, Rick, 66; 23. USA Vessella, Peter, Fatih, Brian, 68. - www.starworlds2001.nl/
FALL BOAT SHOWS ARE COMING SOON
Savvy buyers know that the fall shows are a great time to buy: good deals, new models, and plenty of time for delivery and commissioning for the next sailing season. This year the finance rates are the lowest they've been in a long time. And with the new boatsbank program, getting a loan has gotten a lot easier. You can apply online, get multiple lenders to compete for your business, and get your loan approved FAST. There's a call center for help, a wide range of financing options, and very competitive rates. www.boatsbank.com
IMS 50 WORLDS
PALMA de MALLORCA, Spain - After five hours of testimony and deliberations, the international jury at the IMS 50 World Championship has decided that the offshore race be finished at Cabrera Island. The ruling came about after four boats protested the position of the finish line off Palma early this morning. The international jury agreed that the boat was late to station and 0.7 miles out of position. The four boats had to drop their spinnakers and raise headsails to beat to the finish line, a move that Caixa Galicia said took as long as 13 minutes.
The jury also found that two other boats may have been directly affected and that all boats in the fleet were affected to some extent. "The only way to resolve it was to count the rounding at Cabrera Island as the finish. We think this is fair," Finzi said, adding that a committee boat recorded each boat's time as they passed the lighthouse off the island approximately 18 miles from the finish.
At least one boat didn't agree. Onorato's Mascalzone Latino XI filed a protest for redress after the decision was announced claiming it was materially prejudiced by the jury's decision. "They think they gained positions between Cabrera and the finish," said Finzi.
The jury's decision resulted in CAM winning the offshore race, which totaled approximately 69 miles at Cabrera Island. CAM defeated Brava Q8 by 2 seconds on corrected time, although it passed the lighthouse 6 minutes and 5 seconds ahead of its rival. King Harald V's Fram XV placed third, 3 minutes and 10 seconds behind the leader.
Racing resumes tomorrow with two windward/leewards scheduled on the Bay of Palma. Preliminary weather forecasts are calling for strong winds up to 30 knots from the north. The nine-race series runs through Sunday. - Sean McNeill
PROVISIONAL STANDINGS After 4 of 9 Scheduled Races: 1. CAM (Farr 51) Fernando Leon 4-1-2-1-8.18 points 2. Brava Q8 (Farr 49) Pasquale Landolfi 3-5-1-2-11.43 3. Fram XV (Farr 51) H.M. King Harald V of Norway 2-4-4-3-14.75 4. Mascalzone Latino (Farr 51) Vincenzo Onorato 9-3-3-4-20.75 5. Caixa Galicia (B&C 51) Roberto Bermudez 1-6-7-5-21.75. - www.ims50.com
INDEPENDENCE CUP
Defending champions Peter Benson of Bedford, NH and Matt Sullivan of Coventry, RI overcame a slow start, light winds, and Chicago's heat wave to capture top honors at the U.S. Independence Cup / North American Challenge Cup for Sailors with Disabilities. The three-day event, held August 4-6 on Lake Michigan, is hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club in association with US SAILING, the sport's national governing body.
As champions of the regatta, Benson / Sullivan were awarded the North American Challenge Cup's American Eagle Trophy and US SAILING's Chandler Hovey, Jr. Trophy. Finishing in second place were Karen Mitchell of Deerfield Beach, FL and Kerry Gruson of Miami, FL. Third place went to Chris Murphy of Annapolis, MD and Julie Dorsett of West Chester, PA.
Competitors from across the U.S. and Canada qualified for this year's regatta through a series of regional events. During the championship, 14 two-person teams sailed against one another in 20-ft. Freedom Independence sailboats accompanied by a third non-competing able-bodied volunteer to ensure contestant safety. www.chicagoyachtclub.org/NACC
LEITER CUP
The US Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship, The Leiter Cup, was sailed in moderate breezes at Richmond YC, Pt Richmond, CA. August 7-9. Final results after 10 races with 2 throwouts: Page Railey, 12pts, Clearwater, FL: Molly Carapiet, 15pts, Belvedere, CA; Lauren Bernsen, 25pts, Coronado, CA. For details and pictures: www.ussailing.org/leiter/
NAPLES SABOT JUNIOR NATIONALS
Alamitos Bay YC, Long Beach, Calif. - Tricky and tough conditions in the 54th Naples Sabot Junior Nationals called for the experience of a veteran, and thus the title settled on Adam Roberts of the San Diego Yacht Club Thursday. Never mind that Roberts is 14 years old. He has been sailing in the Nationals since he was 9 - the last four times qualifying for the premier Gold Fleet - and with four years of eligibility remaining he has a chance to dominate the event as no one has before. He topped a total of 157 entries that for the last two days were cut to the best 120, who were separated into Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron fleets, in that order of qualification. Matt Hogan of Newport Harbor YC won the Silver crown, Megan Magill, Mission Bay YC, the Bronze and Lauren Gautschi, Lido Isle YC, the Iron. About a fourth of the competitors were girls. - Rich Roberts
Results (pending protests): GOLD FLEET (30 boats) - 1. Adam Roberts, San Diego YC, 4-1-3-(8)-4-3, 15 points; 2. Parker Shinn, SDYC, 17; 3. Adrienne Patterson, Balboa YC, 20; 4. Richard Somers, Newport Harbor YC, 30; 5. Killarney Loufek, NHYC, 33. SILVER FLEET (31) - 1. Matt Hogan, NHYC, 1-(16)-5-5-1-4, 16; 2. Mary Buckingham, NHYC, 25; 3. Graham Biehl, SDYC, 32; 4. Christophe McNaboe, Alamitos Bay YC, 35; 5. Wade Buxton, BYC, 38.5. BRONZE FLEET (29) - 1. Megan Magill, Mission Bay YC, (10)-3-9-2-1-2, 17; 2. Eric Carlson, NHYC, 28; 3. Melissa Wheeler, BYC, 28; 4. Derek Belisle, ABYC, 31; 5. Andrew McDade, ABYC, 32. IRON FLEET (30) - 1. Lauren Gautschi, Lido Isle YC, 29; 2. Jay Springer, NHYC, 30; 3. Katie Love, SDYC, 31; 4. Hillary Bryant, NHYC, 35; 5. Ryan Sampson, Coronado YC, 36.
Complete results: www.abyc.org
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS
Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it.
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