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SCUTTLEBUTT 2081 - April 26, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.SHAKEN AND STIRRED To the surprise of absolutely no one, the underachieving Ericsson Racing Team has once again shaken up the crew of their Volvo Ocean Race program for the coming legs. After just one leg with John Kostecki as Ericsson's skipper, Neal McDonald (GBR) returns as skipper for the remainder of the Volvo Ocean Race. Navigator Steve Hayles makes his long expected departure, resigning from the team for ‘personal reasons’ and opening up a vacancy for 1998 winning navigator Mark Rudiger who will sail for the team on the next two legs. Barney Walker, who sailed the first two legs of the race for Brunel, becomes watch captain and American Ken Read takes Ross Halcrow’s place, as the Kiwi, like Kostecki, has other commitments. Mark Rudiger brings great offshore sailing and navigation experience to the team, having won the race in 1997-98 onboard EF Language and finished second on Assa Abloy four years later under Neal McDonald's leadership. "It has been a hard race," explains Steve Hayles. "I have given a huge amount of energy to get the boat going better, but at this stage the best thing for me is to make a change." Multiple world champion and helmsman of Stars & Stripes during the past two America's Cups, Read will bring his local knowledge and sailing expertise to the team, whilst Walker adds Volvo / Whitbread experience, having sailed two previous campaigns. "I have sailed on a lot of high performance boats during the last few years, so I am familiar with them," says Read. "I will have to rely on the team to get my learning curve up as quickly as possible.” -- http://www.ericssonracingteam.com * Curmudgeon’s Comment: Back in Issue 2054, Scuttlebutt respected the wishes of the Ericsson Racing Team when they asked us to disregard an article that reported of the pending departure of their navigator Steve Hayles, due to a misunderstanding between Hayles and the journalist. Now that Hayles has left the team, it appears that we got caught in a smoke screen, for which we apologize. As for Mark Rudiger now assuming the navigation duties, Rudiger was only able to commit at this time to Legs 6 and 7. As for the final two legs of the VOR, Legs 8 and 9, the Ericsson Racing Team currently does not have a confirmed navigator. BUYING AN EDGE . . . US Sailing has launched a new Race Optimization Package making it easier for owners and designers of offshore race boats to find the optimal boat configuration for any particular race. The new service, which uses the velocity prediction program of the Offshore Racing Rule, allows an owner to run "virtual" races with a fleet consisting of the owner's boat, experimental variations of it, as well as competitors' boats. Racing the fleet through a variety of wind conditions enables the owner to find which boat fares best against the handicaps for any weather pattern. Top offshore programs have long been able to get experimental ratings and employ a team of designers, sail-makers and meteorologists to answer the same question. "We decided to create the Race Optimization Package to make this type of information and analysis available to everyone, to help level the playing field," says Jim Teeters, a naval architect who is US Sailing’s Associate Offshore Director. "Everyone wants to know, for example, whether to leave the big genoa behind or what size spinnaker to carry. Of course, it all depends on the wind conditions and this new program takes this into account." The package is tailored to specific events, such as the Newport-Bermuda Race or the Chicago-Mac. The biggest variable in the equation is the weather data, so in addition to the standard combinations of wind speed and direction, US Sailing has partnered with Commanders' Weather to provide race-specific forecasts. Months before the start of any race, predictions will be based on historical data. But as the start grows closer, Commanders' Weather can start constructing wind models based on current weather patterns. The base price of the offshore Race Optimization Package is $500, which allows an owner to plug in four boat configurations. Additional competitor boats and the Commander's forecast can be purchased for an additional fee. -- Marlieke de Lange Eaton, http://www.ussailing.org/offshore COLLIGATE SAILING As we have finished the intercollegiate women's district championships, it has come to my attention that the nationals berth allotment is not being divided based on performance or attendance at qualifiers. I hardly think that finishing over 30 to 40 points behind the winning team in a 11 boat fleet over 11 races is a performance worthy of qualifying for nationals. Certain coaches in the MAISA and NEISA districts have been exploiting the system to gain these berths by slapping together teams that normally don't compete for meaningless events in order to make ICSA think there are actually more teams competing in their districts (when I was in school I witnessed this). I would love to see a list of some of these schools that supposedly compete in those districts. This system surely is hurting participation in women's sailing across the country (at least outside of the two districts above named). It is very discouraging for a team to finish third place by only a few points in their qualifier after 15 races, and see teams with mediocre performances qualify instead. Some of the other districts are getting only one berth. It seems to me that the nationals this year will resemble the ACCs more than a true national regatta. Our district's performance at Nationals each year clearly shows that more berths are deserved. We either need a system that allows this to happen, or there should be less total berths. Either way mediocrity should not be rewarded. I am not trying to weasel my team into nationals this year. The current system is obviously flawed and as an association we need to create an equitable system for future years. -- Ty Reed, UCSB Coach VOLVO OCEAN RACE PIT STOP IN NYC Be sure to visit the Volvo Racing Boats when they are in NYC May 8-11. Also visit Team One Newport at the Musto Official Merchandise Tent, where they will be selling the Official T-shirts, hats, jackets, polos, and luggage (or get it now online or by calling). If you're going on the Bermuda Race, start prepping your duffle bag now with all the great layers and foul weather gear from Team One. Pack the bag with Patagonia underwear, Wigwam Ingenius socks, Slam Boots, Railrider's Hydro Zip-T, Henri-Lloyd Shadow Jacket and Salopettes, and Gill Helmsman Gloves. Contact at 800-VIP-GEAR, http://www.team1newport.com MORE GOOD RACING Medium easterly breeze and choppy waves in Hyères provided more good racing at the Semaine Olympique Française regatta. With six single digit finishes in the Yngling class the American team of Sally Barkow/Carrie Howe and Debbie Capozzi holds a single point lead over their British rivals. Sarah Ayton, Emma Rawlinson and Sarah Webb. Sophie de Turkheim (FRA) and Page Railey (USA) have finally discarded their 1st race disqualification to lead the 80 boats Laser radial fleet in first and second place respectively. Lijia Xu with 15 points is only three points from the lead in third place, she is showing the greater consistency with scores within the top six. Despite loosing two places in the overall results, she was by far the best performer in the women single handed dinghy fleet on Tuesday after winning the first race and placing second in the next. American Anna Tunnicliffe is in fourth with 20 points and Lisa Ross (CAN) in seventh with 31 points. Americans Mikee Anderson-Mitterling and David Hughes continue their assent in the 470 Men's fleet. With two single digit finishes they’ve moved into 12th place. In the 470 Women’s class, Amanda Clark/ Sarah Mergenthaler have some solid finishes but the burden of a DSQ plus a Black Flag Disqualification has the team mired in 14th place. -- Complete results: http://sof.ffvoile.net/ - An exciting selection of images from photographer Gilles Martin-Raget are now posted on the Scuttlebutt website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/hyeres - Scuttlebutt has posted event reports from the top ranked US 470 sailors from Barcelona and Palma, Spain, and now from the Semaine Olympique Francaise in Hyeres, France: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/us470reports US DISABLED SAILING TEAM US Sailing announced the members of the 2006 US Disabled Sailing Team in two classes, the singlehanded 2.4mR and the triplehanded Sonar. Created in 1998 to develop and prepare the Team representing the U.S. at the Paralympic Games, the US Disabled Sailing Team annually recognizes the top three competitors in the classes selected for the Paralympic Games. For the 2008 Paralympic Games, three classes have been selected: 2.4 Metre (Open Singlehanded), SKUD-18 (Open Doublehanded), and Sonar (Open Triplehanded). The qualifying event for the SKUD-18 class will be held in August, 2006, and qualified athletes will be named to the Team upon completion of that event. The members of the 2006 US Disabled Sailing Team are: 2.4 Metre: 1. Nick Scandone (Fountain Valley, Calif.) 2. Mark Bryant (Fort Myers, Fla.) 3. Roger Cleworth (Lithia, Fla.) Sonar: 1. Rick Doerr (Clifton, N.J.)/Jim Leatherman (Baltimore, Md.)/Tim Angle (Marblehead, Mass.) 2. David Schroeder (Miami, Fla.)/Keith Burhans (Rochester, N.Y.)/Kevin Wixom (San Diego, Calif.) 3. Jen French (Tampa, Fla.)/Richard Hughes (Tampa, Fla.)/Brad Kendell (Clearwater, Fla.) Website: http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/paralympic SHORE TEAMS TAKE OVER During a Baltimore break from the Volvo competition, nautical 'doctors' patch craft damaged by Mother Nature. The boats rest in cradles while men wearing white protective jumpsuits, masks and latex gloves repair and polish the hulls. Scraps of epoxy, sailcloth and cardboard litter the ground like used bandages and surgical gowns discarded in an operating room. The working language at Port Covington Marine Center is English, but is flavored with Australian, New Zealand, British and Italian accents. Boatyard banter is accompanied by the beeping of machines in reverse and buzzing of crew members' saws and sanding. Rod Jabin, who owns an Annapolis boatyard that specializes in sailboat racing, said most yards couldn't fix boats this cutting-edge. "The normal rigging guy has probably never even seen the kind of rigging that these guys have," he said. Before any work can start, every piece of equipment is removed from the boats and inspected. The sails go to mini-sail lofts in white tents near the boats, masts are propped on dollies and the hull is examined for delamination and cracks. The boats "basically turn into big shells," said Walker, of the ABN Amro team. Temporary boat trauma centers - like the one in Baltimore - have been constructed in the four other cities where the race stopped for extended periods. Unlike at those other ports, no boats have undergone major surgery here because nothing went significantly wrong on the last leg. Few spectators came to view the boats in dry dock over the weekend. Perhaps that is because the dock is hard to find - two U-turns are necessary for those coming from Baltimore. But those adventurous - and curious - enough to make the trip seemed pleased. "They are incredible," said Andrew Cole, an Annapolis small-boat sailor. "They are like huge dinghies. You can tell they are meant to be sailed like giant dinghies." -- Excerpts from a story by Annie Lindsay in the Baltimore Sun, complete story: http://tinyurl.com/huvdn UNSTABLE WEATHER Becalmed 1000 miles from their destination, the weather is trying the patience of Geronimo's crew. After more than 12 days at sea, the Capgemini and Schneider Electric trimaran is pressing on with her difficult passage to Yokohama, having covered 4,700 nautical miles since beginning her record attempt in San Francisco on April 12. This laborious sailing should come to an end within the next 12 hours or so when the wind returns. What remains is another 1,000 nautical miles to cover before Geronimo reaches Yokohama. “It could be 700 miles of flat calm, followed by 500 miles of beating against a 9 to 12 knot wind on our nose. And if the simulation is right, 45 knots in the last few hours along the coast, with a risk of thick fog. Right now, we daren't allow ourselves to believe it!” explains skipper Olivier de Kersauson. http://www.cimdev.com.au/superyachting/site/index.php UK-HALSEY TRUMPS MUMM 30 FLEET The Mumm 30 “Region-Ile-de-France” was fast in Monaco last February, very fast in Marseille last month, and simply the fastest during the 8-race Spi Ouest Regatta, winning the peak event of the season in Western France. Congratulations to Jimmy Pahum and crew for 2-firsts, 2-seconds in this highly competitive event. In 30 knots of wind, his was the only boat that could keep its mainsail full (Cuben carbon), and his UK-Halsey genoas were clearly fastest in the 26-boat Mumm 30 fleet. Become newsworthy yourself this summer: get UK-Halsey in your corner. For nearest loft, call 800-253-2002 or go to http://www.ukhalsey.com SAILING SHORTS * Changing Times: The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), located on San Francisco Bay has created a new membership class for the Club, the Velocity Membership. It is offered exclusively for kite surfers, sail boarders, and other single-handed speed sail devises and designed to encourage and promote this level of high speed and high adrenaline activity. Velocity Membership has been set up to be its own club within a club. GGYC hopes to attract a dynamic group of individuals, men and women, young and old, who will help foster a broader understanding of the sport they love to participate in. * The Victory Challenge America’s Cup syndicate has strengthened its team with an additional five sailors -- Mal Parker, 30, Australia, and David “Freddie” Carr, 24, Great Britain, took part in the last America’s Cup with GBR Challenge. Thomas Hallberg, 34, Finland, and Morten Halkier, 33, Denmark, sailed with Victory Challenge in Auckland. Niklas Carlzon, 25, Sweden, is an experienced match racing sailor. Skipper and helmsman Magnus Holmberg expressed his pleasure with the benefits the syndicate will get from the added experience and the youth, “for building up the team in the long term.” * EchoStar Communications Corporation and its Dish Network and OLN announced a multi-year agreement which restores the channel to Dish Network customers. OLN returns to channel 151 in America's Top 180, DishHD Gold or any higher programming package. -- http://finanzen.net/news/news_detail.asp?NewsNr=391691 * The World Sailing Speed Record Council has ratified as a new world record the 597.81nm run done by Yves Parlier and his crew of five on Mediatis-Region Aquitane on April 9-10 -- ‘Greatest distance sailed in 24 hours - up to 60 foot’ (Average speed: 24.91 kts). Previous record: 1994 "Primagaz" 60ft Tri, Laurent Bourgnon, FRA, 540nm. 22.5kts. This remains as the singlehanded, up to 60 foot 24 hour record. * Brunel skipper Grant Wharington was reunited with his Volvo Open 70 and believes his improved yacht, bolstered by four fresh crewmembers, will make an impact on Saturday’s In Port race. The boat, which underwent 12 days of modifications after the Melbourne In Port race in February, will return to action with a twin set of daggerboards, replacing its canard, a narrower shroud base, new sails from North and the keel which got stuck in Australia before leg one. They must now clear customs and meet the measurement requirements in order to race around the cans in Chesapeake Bay. -- http://tinyurl.com/grzba * Entry forms are now posted on the New York YC website for the 152nd Annual Regatta to be held June 9-11, 2006 in Newport, RI . Racing starts on Friday, June 9 with the Around Conanicut Island Race, and is followed by a separate two-day around the buoy series. This two-day series also serves as the first leg of the Onion Patch Series, with the Bermuda Race Centennial and RBYC Anniversary Regatta to follow. The Farr 40s, TP52s (North Americans) and J/100s (East Coast Championship) will race on all three days. -- www.nyyc.org * The Open 60' trimaran "Gitana 11", skippered by Fred le Peutrec, was out training in La Trinite sur Mer, France to prepare for the Multi Cup 2006, a six-event crewed series for the 60’ Orma trimarans in Europe from May through September. Frequent Scuttlebutt contributing photographer Thierry Martinez hopped in a helicopter to provide the Scuttlebutt website a look: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/gitana * Baltimore’s Inner Harbour will host to the third Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series. From April 28 to May 3 the five Volvo Extreme 40 catamarans, representing Holland, Great Britain and America, will provide an exciting spectacle for the public. The Volvo Extreme 40’s will compete in up to four races a day with the series pausing on Saturday, April 29 for the Volvo Open 70’s to participate in the in-port race. The series will culminate in a final showdown on the May 3rd. LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. For those that prefer a Forum, you can post your thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Dennis Palmer: It is interesting to see the change in the stories and letters regarding the Volvo Ocean Race. During the first couple of legs, the boats seemed to be so much on the bleeding edge that major structural failures were common, and letters to the editor called for cancelling the race before somebody got hurt or killed. For the last couple of legs, structural damage has been minimal. Maintenance being done to the boats on the hard in Baltimore is nothing more than routine. It may go down in sailing history that this was the race in which canting keels were finally perfected. * From Mike Walbolt: Reading about Dee Caffari's emotions today brings back Bernard Moitessier in "The Long Way". He crossed his track around the world and just kept going. Didn't want to go back to 'civilization', get off his boat. He gave up the first solo, non-stop round the world title and a fortune. * From Jordan J. Dobrikin: We have discussed SailRacing on Broadcast TV/Cable before. However there is a market for it albeit less than the mainline sports but it can hold a place with the scads and scads of 2nd & 3rd class made for TV/Cable that is being foist upon us. I find it difficult to fathom the, " to expensive to cover, for to small a market", junk, the bigwigs are trying to promote. Where is/are the Sailing/Boating Industry; as well as major image/corparate advertisers. They can pay for the advertising quite easilly and very likely get a very good return on those advertising dollars from a gratefull and appreciative viewing audience, both active boaters andentertainment seeking couch potatoes/spoets fans. Why is it that all those Race Sponsors and Local Supporters can not spend some money on/for a National & International (Canada) Audience; and get some good footage/production on the airwaves?? * From Richard Clark: The Big Dig story is ‘Butt stated, ‘Edward Hersey, a father of two who has lived in Battery Park City for 12 years, said he would rather see the authority spend its money on parks than yachts. "There needs to be more open, public green spaces," he said.’ I got engaged whilst running in Battery Park 18 years ago, I loved the Big Boat Basin, I loved running along the Hudson, I especially loved seeing Shamrock and other J Class yachts moored there. To create more "public green spaces" the apartments would have to go, not a bad idea, then the Hudson would need to be filled in, it's already a cesspit, so not at all a bad idea. NYYC should bow its collective blue blooded head in shame for not taking over the Basin and keeping it pristine, but then again, this is Batman's hometown and he would soon hone in on all the blued blooded or is that blue collared crime! Mind you when I moved my yacht to Marina Del Rey it wasn't much better, the liveaboards were a little down market from the Big Apple though. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION “The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.” -- Helen Hayes (at 73) Special thanks to Team One Newport and UK-Halsey Sailmakers. |
