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SCUTTLEBUTT 2669 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. WAS THE MEDAL RACE CONCEPT A SUCCESS? This was the first Olympic Games to utilize the Medal Race for the sailing events, where the top ten racers would advance for one final race. The races were short, and with double points that are non-discardable, a lot could potentially happen. The concept of the Medal Race was to provide each event with an easily understood highlight moment, where the ultimate medal winners had to fight for their place on the podium. For many medal long shots, qualifying for the Medal Race was their goal. However, for those in medal contention, the Medal Race created a whole new set of tactics. The smaller fleet meant more match racing, and in the case of the Laser, the ability to push a medal contender right off the podium. The shorter races placed a premium on everything, and the on-the-water jury was easily amid any rules infractions. It is often said how no event matches the pressure of the Olympics, and the Medal Race brought that feeling to a crescendo. Despite trailing the Medal Race system for the past few years, the concept was intended for the Olympics, and with the Games now completed, it was time to ask the ‘butthead whether they liked the concept of the Medal Race. The vote was largely disapproving of the system, with over 70% indicating their dislike for the format. Here is the link to read the comments (and there are plenty): http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/polls/08/0822 JOHN BIDDLE TO BE INDUCTED IN AMERICA'S CUP HALL OF FAME Bristol, Rhode Island (August 26, 2008) - The America's Cup Hall of Fame, located in Bristol, Rhode Island, announces a special format for its annual Induction Dinner. To emphasize the grandeur of the America's Cup, past, present and future, a unique program will be presented by Gary Jobson, John Rousmaniere, and John Biddle. Mr. Jobson, one of the event’s Honorary Chairmen, is organizing previously unviewed video to convey outstanding elements of this best-of-the-sport event, now at the 157 year point in its continuum of superb racing of the world's state-of-the-art yachts. Film themes include "The Best of the Cup in Film and Video" and "The Cup's Top 10 Greatest Moments”. John Biddle (Jamestown, R.I.), who was the very best at filming and making highly popular presentations all during the 30-year 12 Meter era, will be inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame to join a select few previously chosen as chroniclers of the Cup. The black-tie Induction Dinner, supported by Rolex Watch U.S.A., is scheduled for October 23, 2008 at the Metropolitan Club at One East 60th Street, New York City. -- Complete report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6298 BARKER , BRIBÓN BEST OUT OF BLOCKS AT AUDI MEDCUP OPENER (August 26, 2008) - Dean Barker would love to be steering a newly designed TP 52 in the Audi MedCup Circuit this season. As helmsman of the 2007 Judel/Vrolijk design Bribón (ESP), he knows he is giving away a bit of speed to the latest boats, particularly in the stronger winds that the fleet saw during the first day of Region of Murcia Trophy, the fifth stage of the six event 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit, held in the Spanish Mediterranean Navy Town of Carthagena. However, with tactician Ross MacDonald, the Bribón team was the best at handling the choppy, big, disorganised seas and the shifty winds, which ranged from 14-21 knots today, and now holds an early two point advantage over the ever consistent Audi MedCup Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA). For Bribón, she currently lies third in the circuit standings, with the position of the second place Artemis team (SWE) in jeopardy if the Barker- MacDonald squad can remain consistent through to the end of racing on Saturday, August 30th. -- Complete report: http://2008.medcup.org/news/?id=374 Standings after two races 1. Bribón ESP (1,3, 4) 2. Quantum Racing USA (5,1, 6) 3. Matador ARG (2,6, 8) 4. Mutua Madrileña ESP (6,5, 11) 5. Artemis SWE (3,9, 12) Full results: http://2008.medcup.org/results/venue.php?trophy=5 DOYLE DOMINATES YNGLING CLASS Congratulations to teams skippered by Sarah Ayton (GBR), Mandy Mulder (NED) and Sofia Bekatorou (GRE) for winning the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Yngling Class at the 2008 Olympics using Doyle sails. Team GBR's coach, Paul Brotherton, attributed the switch to a new Doyle mainsail designed by Jud Smith as key to Team GBR's Gold. When you want to put in a winning performance, contact your local Doyle loft at 800-94-DOYLE. For more details on all Doyle One Design Classes visit http://www.doylesails.com/onedesign.htm * Curmudgeon’s Comment: The Daily Sail subscription website has a great article about the British Yngling team, where they discuss all the ingredients of their Gold Medal program (most notable their use of the Doyle main). This team has been so dominant lately, but after reading the story, you will understand why. Behind the “three blondes in a boat” was a multi-layered professional program that has pushed the Olympic standard up again. Story link: http://tinyurl.com/SButt0826a VOLVO OCEAN RACE ENTRANTS HEADING TO SPAIN * (August 26, 2008) - PUMA Ocean Racing left Newport, Rhode Island today for their final warm-up before the start of the Volvo Ocean Race, beginning their transatlantic crossing from their training base at Newport Shipyard in Newport to Alicante, Spain. Skipper Ken Read and his crew have been preparing PUMA’s il mostro since its launch in late April, and is expected to arrive in Spain by the first week in September. Once in Alicante, the PUMA sailors will participate in required safety training, weather briefs, and il mostro will go through official measurement. The team will be based in Alicante for the remaining training period prior to October 4th start of the 37,000 mile, 11-stop, race around the world. -- http://www.pumaoceanracing.com * This past weekend the Green Dragon Racing Team closed its training base in Cork, and headed south to the Spanish port of Alicante for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09. For the last eight weeks the team has been training from Naval Base in Haulbowline, Co. Cork. In Dublin on Saturday (August 23rd), a flotilla of over 100 spectator boats came out to see the Green Dragon begin its delivery to Spain, the Volvo Open 70 is expected to arrive in Alicante at the end of August, and will resume training there until the race start on October 4th. -- http://www.greendragonracing.com TRIVIA QUESTION You are cruising 20 miles offshore. You observe a yellow flare off your starboard bow. What does this mean? (Answer below) CANADIAN OPTIMIST CHAMPIONSHIP The 2008 Canadian Optimist Championships, held at the Lunenburg Yacht Club in Nova Scotia, wrapped up on August 22nd. Ninety-three competitors from Canada, USA, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and France competed on one line in the Championship Fleet and 29 competitors gained experience in the Green Fleet. The racing was spectacular with 4 days of competition in winds ranging from 10 to 26 knots and under blue skies. A full schedule of 12 races was completed on the waters of Mahone Bay and Juanky Padermo (PUR )emerged as the overall winner, with Nova Scotian Julian Fougere crowned as Top Canadian in 4th spot. Final Results – Championship Fleet 1. PUR, Juanky Perdomo, 27 points 2. BER, Dimitri Stevens, 45 3. USA, 15579 Clay Danly, 77 4. CAN, Julien Fougere, 87 5. CAN, Austin Stein, 87 Complete results, Race Committee blog and many pictures from the course can be found at http://www.opti2008.ca SAILING SHORTS * Ridgeway, ONT (August 26, 2008) - Seventy-two entries representing 12 countries have completed the first two days of the 38th Sunfish World Championship, hosted by Buffalo Canoe Club. After six races, the preliminary results show two Texans at the top, with Paul Foerster holding a 19 point edge on second place Greg Gust. Racing continues through August 28th. -- Event website: http://www.sunfishclass.org/~worlds * Boston, MA - The 2008 International 210 National Championship wrapped up last week after three days and seven races, with Russell Robinson, Bill Donald and Al Baker winning the event by one point over David Robinson, Lynn Conway and Tim Broome amid the competitive 20 boat fleet. -- Complete report and results: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6297 * The fifth and penultimate event of the international Quebramar GP42 Cup will take place in Cascais, Portugal August 28-30, with eight GP42 boats participating in the Trofeu Quebramar Chrysler. Desafío, helmed by Laureano Wizner, currently holds a seven point advantage over second place Near Miss, the Swiss boat owned by Frank Nöel and helmed by Bertrand Pacé. The grand finale of the Quebramar GP42 Cup 2008 will take place in Puerto Calero, in the Spanish island of Lanzarote, where the GP42 fleet will race in the Trofeo César Manrique from October 16-18. -- http://www.GP42.net * Frederikshavn, Denmark - A line up with more than half the field in the top 10 of the ISAF World Ranking will be competing in the 5th event on the World Match Racing Tour 2008 - Danish Open on August 27-31. Hosted by the Royal Danish Yacht Club, Royal Match Race Centre and Frederikshavn Sejlklub, and sailed in the DS37, a $100,000purse prize will be on the line for the 12 teams attending, among which are 6 of the top 8 from the current Tour leader board, the current World Tour leader, the current ISAF No 1 ranked skipper and four teams representing America’s Cup syndicates. -- http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com/da/10973 * South Dartmouth, MA - The Rhodes 19 Class had its National Championship August 20-22 with 24 boats attending the regatta hosted by the New Bedford Yacht Club. The eight race regatta held on Buzzard’s Bay was won by Marblehead’s Charlie Pendleton and Jim Raisides with 19.75 points, 4 points better than last year’s champion, New Orlean’s Peter Sladovich and 7.75 points in front of third place finisher Kim Pandapas. -- Results: http://www.nbyc.com/regattas/html/results.html A FIRST… M36 TO SHOW AT UK’S SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW Morris Yachts will show the M36 for the first time at the UK’s Southampton Boat Show, Sept. 12-21 in Berth 273. Not new to the European boat show circuit, Morris has shown in Düsseldorf for the past two years and showed in HISWA last fall. Members of the Morris sales team will fly to Brittany, France to sail M36 Philovent around the coast of France and across the Channel to Southampton. The rest of the Morris Sales and Service Team will head to Rhode Island for the Newport International Boat Show, Sept. 11-14th. For more information: http://www.morrisyachts.com/The-Morris-M36 TRIVIA ANSWER If you observe a yellow flare offshore, this indicates that the submarine is about to come to periscope depth. Now for a joke : Sherlock Holmes and Matthew Watson were on a sailing trip. They had gone night sailing and were lying on the deck looking up at the sky. Holmes said, “Watson, look up. What do you see? “Well, I see thousands of stars.” “And what does that mean to you?” “Well, I guess it means we will have another nice day tomorrow. What does it mean to you, Holmes?” “Well, to me, it means someone has stolen our bimini top! -- http://www.mesmerenterprizes.com/wordpress/?p=117 A PLACE TO PUT STUFF There is a lot of information that gets sent to Scuttlebutt World Headquarters, and the Scuttlebutt Forum is proving to be a great place for some of this “stuff” to get stored for viewing and comments. Most recently, Charley Cook, PRO for the sailing events at the 2008 Olympic Games, provided Scuttlebutt with his accounting from the contentious 49er Medal Race, and now the thread (posted in the DOCK TALK section) includes some great comments, a video of the race, and an easy to read report from the jury decision. Consider the Forum to post your event reports, product announcements, classified ads, or just a place to put your stuff. Log on here: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). You only get one letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From: Richard Goldsmith: (re, NYYC event announcement in ‘butt 2668) Forget the Club Nautico Español de Vela (CNEV), The Royal Perth Yacht Club didn't get an invite. Nightmares live long in the darkened Halls of No. 37 West 44th Street even though it's 25 years next month since they lost the Cup. The Corinthian Spirit is great providing, those who've previously raided "the big silver thing" in the model room don't get an invite! Give us a break guys - we'd love to leave the winter and sail again in the summer off Newport. Promise we won't bring a Winged Keel, but might bring a 470 Gold Medalist or two though. We'll done Elise and Tessa!!! * From Ray Wulff, Annapolis, Maryland: I am shocked that Annapolis Yacht Club was not on the initial invite list for this event. I guess if we added Royal Annapolis Yacht Club (RAYC), it would have been considered. * From Steph Helms, Freeport, ME: Nor, somehow, did the San Diego Yacht Club, the last successful American defender of the America’s Cup (get invited to the NYYC event). => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Any other clubs missing? Here is the link: http://www.nyyc.org/worldinvitationalcup * From Ryan Hamm Charleston, SC: (re, letter in ‘butt 2668 about Danish and Croatian 49er team) Wow, I am sure you are getting a lot of this but to not call that sportsmanship is unbelievable. To try to define sportsmanship is hard but I am pretty sure that 95% of your readers would disagree with Mr. Brodsky. Could it have been more sportsmanlike? Maybe, but it was a great story, a great gesture, and a great example of what sportsmanship I love to see in our sport. Congrats to the Danes and way to go Croatia. * From Michael Lenkeit: (re, commentary in #2668 about Olympic 49er medal race) "Better to win an honest Bronze than a dirty Silver." Hat's off to the German team for taking that position. Rules are meant to keep sailors from cheating or gaining an unfair advantage. Sailing a boat in a Gold medal race that you haven't sailed, didn't rig/tune, and didn't practice in, can hardly be considered an unfair advantage. If the roles were reversed, I'm sure that the Italian and Spanish team would have taken any boat available to them. Congratulations to the Danish team regardless of the outcome. I hope they keep the Gold. * From Jonty Sherwill, UK: Reading the Principal Race Officer Charley Cook's account (Scuttlebutt 2668) of the 49er Medal Race and hearings, I was hoping to see all my questions answered, but not all were. Having watched the race live on TV, I was incredulous that this pinnacle of sailing could be reduced to a demolition derby, and that the whole spectacle, viewed by sailor or newcomer, lacked the sophistication worthy of the event. The notion that the Danish crew having wrecked their own boat could then sail another nation's boat with incorrect national letters to ultimate victory seemed laughable, but was upheld. How wrong I was. The jury’s decision, twice considered, and endorsed by a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport has met with general approval. But the dismissal of the request for redress from the Italian and Spanish teams did not clarify what allowed the Race Committee to override the requirements of the Notice of Race. Might the outcome have been different in a conventional sailing championship? A full account of how the Racing Rules of Sailing, as well as the Olympian spirit of fair play, were equally served in this case, if indeed that is possible, would help me, and perhaps some others, lay this matter finally to rest. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: We had avoided analyzing the jury decisions too closely, as it required referencing multiple rules from multiple sources that were used by the jury in their decisions. However, Jonty (and others) have motivated us to pull it apart. Assuming that people with more interest than us found the most applicable rules in this case, we looked only at the jury decision and the rules referenced. You know what we found? We found that it all seemed to make sense. To close this thread, we encourage people dissatisfied with this decision to look at our report. We copied the jury decision and all the applicable rules, brought them together for easy reading, and posted this page on the Scuttlebutt website. Read it here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/0826 Further discussion can be posted here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6288 * From Chris Boome, San Francisco: (re, ISAF ranking system) If there was ever a useless ranking tool, this is it. * From Adrian Morgan, UK: In several places in Scuttlebutt 2668 I smell the unpleasant odour of sour grapes surrounding the Olympic regatta. America, you have your chance to get even on the (even) waters of Weymouth Bay in four years. Summon up the spirit of Los Angeles 1984. Can't wait... CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Courage is the ability to overcome the fear of something you think might happen. - Stirling Moss Special thanks to Doyle Sails and Morris Yachts. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
