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SCUTTLEBUTT 2189 - September 27, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk, with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt isdistributed each weekday, with America's Cup coverage in Scuttlebutt brought to you by UBS (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). WHAT LIES AHEAD? (Following the conclusion of the TP52 MedCup series, the Daily Sail subscription website took a look at what's happening within the TP52 class and where the class is heading. Here are a few brief excerpts.) Despite its origins as a boat suitable for trucking downwind to Hawaii, the TP52 continues to soar to new heights as a Mediterranean inshore racer. The second season of the Mediterranean circuit's Breitling MedCup circuit saw 22 boats competing including 13 purpose-built brand new ones, (costing around 1.5 million Euros apiece -- US$1.9 million) sailed by a whole roster of top names from the Olympics, America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race. And for the 2007 season the upward trend looks set to continue with at least 10 more new boats planned and several new players set to get involved with the new game on the sailing circuit. The MedCup circuit is all fairly localized around the western Mediterranean (with the exception of this year's event in Athens) while racing for the TP52s in the US takes place all over the country While 22 boats, including two US teams, participated in this year's MedCup circuit there are only six actively sailed TP52s in the US and several of these have been taken out of class to race IRC. Fun indeed may be in short supply if one vision for the future of the class comes to pass. If the competition gets any higher then it is almost certain that America's Cup-style boat development techniques such as monotonous two boat speed testing may become the norm and increasing costs may price the class out of the market. Nacho Postigo reckons the class heading in this direction is inevitable. -- http://www.thedailysail.com LOOKING AHEAD At the 12 Meter North Americans last weekend in Newport, RI, it would be easy to wax nostalgic while watching these boats from a foregone era. However, for the skipper of the second place team of "Wright on White" (KZ-3, ex-New Zealand), Lars Grael, he was as much looking forward as dealing with the present. The two-time Olympic medallist, who had his leg amputated in 1998, is the skipper for the idea Argo America's Cup campaign, which is planning to be the first ever international team of disabled sailors to compete in the America's Cup, looking toward the 33rd running of the event following next summer's finals. The team, which is headquartered in Torino, Italy, was joined recently by Paolo Scutellaro, which was an important assistant of the Mascalzone Latino project, and has a preliminary partnership with former America's Cup skipper Marc Pajot. Additionally, the campaign has now bought former America's Cup 12 Meter "French Kiss" that last competed in the semifinals of the XXVI America's Cup in 1987. Although she is not a modern cup boat, the 12 Meter has not lost her panache, and this will provide the team in 2007 with the opportunity to compete in a series of races in Valencia (between Louis Vuitton Cup and the finals), Porto Cervo (YCCS), Cannes (Centennial Cup), and Voiles St. Tropez. Onboard during these events will be Grael, Scutellaro, Pajot along with Eduardo Penido (former 470 Olympic champion) and Lucas Brun (ABN Amro Two crew). - Team website: http://www.ideaargo.org VIDEO OF THE WEEK Sailing's long history is often associated with the most elite segments of American society. The growth of the sport has likely been held back because of this association, but perhaps this week's video can help sailing break the shackles of this prepster, old money alliance. Or at least allow us to laugh at it. Enjoy this music video by Prep-Unit. 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/news/#media THE WORD IS OUT - TRIMMERS LOVE NEWSWIFT At Hall Spars & Rigging we get a lot of fan mail for our products. "I got a chance to use Newswift at the 2006 J/24 Nationals," writes Will Welles. "I think it was perfect for the genoa sheets. It was soft to the hand, ran through the blocks very well and I was very happy with how it performed. This line is very cool!" Get rave reviews from your trimmer by switching to Maffioli's Newswift, a blend of Dyneema SK75 and polypro with an incredible Dyneema/ nonslip cover. http://www.hallspars.com WINTER STORAGE BoatU.S. has ten tips on the safest ways to store a boat over winter to prevent accidental boat damage: 1. The best way to store your boat is in a steel or wooden cradle specifically designed for your boat. Never use a cradle designed for another vessel because it may not support critical load points. 2. If you're using jack stands, there should be no less than three pairs of jack stands placed under boats larger than 26 feet, and additional support at long overhangs. 3. Jack stand pads should always be placed as far out from the keel as possible to provide the most stability. A boat that is resting on the ground or loose gravel should have plywood placed under the base of the stands. Without this, rain and frost could cause the stand to settle into the earth causing the boat to tip over. 4. When positioned correctly, jack stands should not depress the hull or "point load," where excessive weight at a single area can cause laminate failure. 5. Always use safety chains - never rope or wire - to tie pairs of jack stands together. Never tie a tarp to the stands as the tarp's rope can pull the stands out. 6. Keels must be supported by wide, thick timbers. Never use cinder blocks as they are prone to failure. Engines and outboards may require additional support. 7. Boat covers must be supported underneath to prevent water from pooling, which can add considerable weight and put additional pressure on keel supports. 8. Boats should be stored in the level position to allow scuppers and bilge drains to be effective. Drains should also be left open and kept clear of debris. 9. Fixed-keel sailboats, such as club racers stored on trailers, are prone to being knocked over when wind is on the beam. Use jack stands to provide additional support. 10. Check your boat on a regular basis as damage can be prevented by an occasional visit. -- http://www.BoatUS.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar PAUL CAYARD "We do not want to sit on an armchair reminiscing on the past," said the 47-year-old Paul Cayard, "and it is for this reason that the world race will be attempted again. A unique experience that must be relived. "In the meantime, the next race is always the best... one that is catching the attention of the world. I am looking forward to this new challenge in the Mediterranean." I have no doubt that Cayard is also working out his strategy of how to tackle the 608nm course record established in 2000 by Zephyrus IV in just 64 hours 49 minutes 57 seconds. Fresh from the Swan Worlds in Porto Cervo, Cayard was surrounded by more than 30 journalists in Rome when he announced his intentions to join the star line-up crew of New Zealand Maxi Yacht Thuraya Maximus for this year's Rolex Middle Sea Race (see picture). This will also include former Volvo Ocean race skipper Matt Humphries, with the impressive list of Stefano Rizzi, Lorenzo Bodini, Gaetano Granara, Andrea Scarpa, Stefano Raspatori and Francesco Mongelli. -- Teddie Borg, full story: http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=237977 THE NEW PATAGONIA CAPILENE 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HERE! And Team One Newport has it in stock! Patagonia has a new and improved capilene layering system. Silkweight is now Cap 1 and midweight is Cap 2 (displayed online on the New Products page). Be sure to stay warm with the new Patagonia layers and wear them under some new foul weather gear from Musto, Henri-Lloyd, Gill, Slam, or Gul. Or maybe a new Team One Newport Signature Dry Suit or Kokatat Dry suit! Be prepared for Fall and Winter sailing with the sailing clothing experts at Team One Newport. Call 800-VIP-GEAR for a catalog, or view online: http://www.team1newport.com SAILING SHORTS * Big changes for B1 after four days and 11 races at the IFDS Blind Sailing World Championships. Norway has taken the lead, New Zealand is second, one point behind, and USA Massachusetts, the leader since day 1, is now third. There is no change for B2: It remains New Zealand, Great Britain and USA Massachusetts. For B3, USA Florida maintains its grip on first; Great Britain is second, but New Zealand has passed USA Massachusetts to move into third. Tuesday's winds were about 10 knots from the west; the sky was pristine. Wednesday is the final day. http://nyyc.org/index.cfm?menu=12&openitem=12 * Members of the sailing industry will gather October. 6 to hear its top leaders address key marketing initiatives during the General Members Meeting for Sail America, the U.S. industry trade association. New Executive Director Jonathan Banks will lead the meeting held at the Phillips Annapolis Harbor Restaurant from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. during the 37th Annual United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis. The annual Sail America General Members meeting is open to its members and prospective members to learn more about Sail America's future plans and its marketing and boat show initiatives. * Due to light air, there were no races Tuesday at the Laser Master World Championship in Jeju, Korea. And Wednesday is a scheduled 'lay day.' -- http://www.laserworld2006.com/ * The conditions Tuesday in Palamos, Spain for the 67-boat Finn European Championship provided some great sailing. The Tramontana was blowing from 18 to 26 knots, small choppy waved combined with a forming swell made racing exciting. Ed Wright made the most of the day winning the first race and placing 3rd in the second. The Skandia team GBR sailor is now in the lead of the championship ahead of current World Champion Jonas Hoegh-Christensen (DEN) by 6 points. Canadian Chris Cook is in 19th place with Zack Railey (USA) in 25th. -- http://www.cvpalamos.org/finneuropean/ * An international fleet competed last week in the North American Formula 18 Championship on Lake Carlyle near St. Louis, MO. Forty teams from the US, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Australia completed 17 races in five days, with conditions ranging from the lake-like light and shifty breeze to boat-pounding, crew-punishing 25-30 knot winds. Two new boat designs debuted at the event and performed well in the Formula class. Results: 1.Mischa Heemskerk (NED)/ Carrie Howe (USA), 28 pts; 2. John Casey (USA)/ Kenny Peirce (USA), 70; 3. Greg Goodall (AUS)/ Andy Humphries (USA), 95. - Brian Karr, full results: http://tinyurl.com/jo7xt * Transas Telematics will be providing the internet based tracking system for the Velux 5 Oceans race management team to monitor competitor progress and most importantly their safety. Tracking support is being supplied by Livewire-Connections the maritime communications specialist who is providing the airtime and traffic management services. "The mix of Inmarsat C and Transas's Fleet View Online provides the reliability and flexibility we were looking for in an online tracking system," said David Walker, Sales Director for Livewire. -- http://www.velux5oceans.com * To get a glimpse of what it will be like at the Star Worlds in San Francisco, CA, which begins this week, the Scuttlebutt website now has images from the class' Pacific Coast Championship that was held at the Worlds site last weekend: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/0926 * Casper Bouman (NED) maintained his perfect start at the ISAF Grade W RS:X World Championships in Torbole, Italy, posting another two bullets in his favoured heavy air conditions. Tom Ashley (NZL) also had another two races wins and ties the Dutchman for the lead in the 163-board men's fleet, whilst Marina Alabau (ESP) tops the 80-board women's fleet. After Tuesday's lay day, the top 40 women and 41 men go through to compete for the medals in the gold fleet. Canada's Zac Plavsic in 27th place is the only North American who qualified for gold fleet racing. -- http://www.rsxclass.com/results.htm FREE GEAR FROM VANGUARD SAILBOATS Free gear is here! Purchase and take delivery of a Vanguard boat between September 1st and December 31st and receive your choice of a Seitech dolly, Storm covers, or a Magic Marine gear package with your new boat. For more details and to find your local dealer, visit http://www.teamvanguard.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or space (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, there are no word or frequency limits on comments sent to the Scuttlebutt Forums. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forums: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Tim Patterson: I remember the skipper having a mike thrust in his face at the finish of the (1983 America's Cup) race and being asked something like: "You have just ended 132 years of Cup history, how do you feel about that?" John Bertrand then answered in a manner that all who win could aspire to emulate: "If I could make my countrymen as proud of their flag as you in America are of yours, I shall have done a great thing." I have always thought that this was one of the finest examples of saying the right thing at the right time. [I am not sure that my syntax and wording is exactly Bertrand's , but the thought is correct.] * From Alessio Di Biaggio, Captain of Boats 2003 (edited to our 250-word limit): I was fortunate to have been a crew (foredeck) on Southern Cross, the first Alan Bond lead challenge for the America's Cup in 1974. Today I will be meeting at our annual 26 September get together at Royal Perth Yacht Club for a lunch with West Australian resident crew members from the four challenges mounted by Alan Bond including crewmembers of the 1983 victory on Australia II. As you may imagine there are lots of stories to be told and events to be relived but none more poignant than the moment of the final gun at Newport on that eventful day. They were great times and it is great to see that this remarkable sporting achievement is remembered and celebrated in your newsletter. Thank you. Recently a 17 year old schoolboy from a Perth school wrote the following words in connection with his rowing team, but I feel they are equally applicable to all sailing crews so thought they might be of interest to your readers. "For us there are no centuries, no goals or aces no individual distinctions ... we are crews, it is always the team ahead of individual desires and it's that unselfishness manifested on the river that will never be forgotten." * From Malcolm Green In issue 2188 the curmudgeon asked, "Do you think if they served alcohol at work it would reduce complaints about low pay?" It worked for the British Navy. For over 300 years (until 1970) the rum ration substituted for pay, and as the ration was reduced to reduce drunkenness, so pay had to be increased to compensate! Incidentally from 1740 the neat rum was diluted with water and kept in a Scuttled Butt (hence scuttlebutt). For more rum history, see: http://www.pussers.com/rum/history CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION By the time most people acquire a modicum of patience, they don't give a damn anymore. Special thanks to Hall Spars & Rigging, Team One Newport, and Vanguard. America's Cup coverage in Scuttlebutt is brought to you by UBS. |
