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SCUTTLEBUTT 3213 - Thursday, November 4, 2010Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: Ullman Sails and Summit Yachts. COMING TO THE RESCUE When the Mumm 30 emerged in the mid-nineties, it was quickly embraced. The boat was sweet to sail, and an international one design class soon grew. However, the next decade was not as kind. The class lost its Mumm branding, renaming it the Farr 30 after its designer Bruce Farr. But more importantly, the class lost its one-design mojo. The nail in the coffin was when the 2009 World Championship was cancelled. But with approximately 200 boats worldwide, class loyalists were not going without a fight. Led by new class president Deneen Demourkas (USA), an owners group took over the class management in December 1, 2009, and took on the task of bringing it back to life. Why bother, you ask? Demourkas explains: “The boat is a classic, period. Exceptional performance and durability at an affordable price (if you can find one!), easy to trailer, rig and launch with an annual sail limitation to help keep costs down. Oh, and the adrenalin rush of sailing downwind in 30+ knots and pulling off a jibe! It's hard to compete with.” Demourkas has just returned from the 2010 Farr 30 World Championship held in Hyeres, France last week, and reflects on the past year. “This Class was left with nothing and we are operating on a shoestring yet, have achieved more in twelve months than the previous management accomplished over the last five years. “Within the first month we established our banking and business relationships, transferred all accounts and insurance. We updated our website, calendars, documents, contacts, forms and submissions. We added website features to conveniently serve our current owners and prospective class members. We held a World Council meeting and another meeting with the North American Fleet Captains. Within two months we had reached an agreement to host our 2010 World Championship (there was no World Championship in 2009). “Year to date, all the Farr 30 Owners participating in Farr 30 One Design events in North America and Australia are paid members of the International Class, with membership up more than 70% from 2009 thanks to the hard work of our Regional Fleet Captains. We hosted a North American Championship in September that went from 6 boats in 2008/09 to 16 boats this year (would have been 17 had one owner not totaled his tow vehicle the week before). There was a Canadian Nationals in Vancouver at the end of September that had not been held in several years with 8 boats participating, and all but one owner were new members of the Class. “Growth among regional fleets across North America, Europe and Australia is happening again. We have reached an agreement for our European Championship to be held during Kieler Woche in 2011. A never before seen Swedish fleet has sprung to life. The long alienated French Class has agreed to come back into the fold of the International Class. We advertise! And the list goes on. All of this work, with the exception of one part time employee, was being done by the Owners for the Owners. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/1103/ UNDER ONE ROOF The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and Union Nationale pour La Course au Large (UNCL), joint owners of the IRC rating rule, have been in discussion with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) about the possibility of creating a unified organisation to govern yacht ratings worldwide. This initiative to bring the world offshore rating systems together was endorsed by ISAF following its AGM in 2009 in Korea. The intention is for RORC/UNCL and ORC to create a joint venture company which would run the existing rules, IRC and ORC and then in time, using the combined knowledge and resources, evolve new rating systems that combine the benefits of IRC and ORC to create fast, fun and seaworthy boats for unified competition all over the world. Bruno Finzi, Chairman of ORC, working alongside Vice-Chairman Wolfgang Schaefer, are enthusiastic and confident about working with the RORC. “We appreciate the work and friendship with RORC and we believe it is finally time to get back to the IOR era and to the ORC founding spirit, when only one single rule was recognised as ‘the international’ rule in offshore sailing.” Chris Little, Admiral of the RORC, working with Commodore Andrew McIrvine agree that it is time to bring the development of rating systems under one umbrella. “We have received strong support from a number of countries and potential owners to develop a rule that will allow us to recreate the international yacht racing circuit and we shall continue to work towards this goal.” -- Offshore Racing Congress, http://www.orc.org CLITHEROE HOISTS 102ND GASCOIGNE CUP Paul Clitheroe and his long-standing amateur crew on Beneteau 45 “Balance” earned themselves the prestigious Gascoigne Cup in Sydney, Australia last Saturday. The team hoisted the trophy after a highly competitive windward/leeward ocean race that hosted 33 boats. Powered by Ullman Sails, “Balance” took first place on corrected time under PHS Handicap. The team now stands among some of the great Australian yachts who have won the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s historic Gascoigne Cup since its inaugural race in 1886. No matter what sailing you love - inshore, offshore, racing, cruising - invest in your performance. http://www.ullmansails.com CASHING IN ON THE EXCITEMENT The San Francisco Giants aren’t the only ones celebrating their World Series success -- San Francisco got an economic boost as baseball fans filled hotel rooms, restaurants and bars, and snapped up team merchandise. The Giants beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 this week to claim their sixth World Series title and first since 1954, when they were based in New York. The opening two games of the best- of-seven series were played at AT&T Park in San Francisco and the Giants hosted five other postseason games this year. Without providing an estimate for the amount of money spent by visitors during the postseason, Kurt Fuchs, a senior economist for San Francisco’s Economic Analysis Office, said the eventual tally may help persuade organizers of other sporting events, such as sailing’s America’s Cup, to choose the city. “From a fiscal standpoint, it’s a shot in the arm,” said Fuchs. “It would be nice to use the experience of the World Series to extrapolate for the America’s Cup bid.” Larry Ellison, chief executive officer of Redwood City, California-based software maker Oracle Corp., won the right to choose the site for the 34th edition of the America’s Cup, which could last several weeks. Ellison’s BMW-Oracle Racing team has said San Francisco is its only U.S. choice for the regatta. Visitors were willing to pay premium hotel prices rather than shopping for a discount, said Matt Stiker, executive vice president of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. Stores and street vendors are still drawing lines for orange and black Giants T-shirts, caps and fake beards inspired by relief pitcher Brian Wilson. “That economic impact really spread to restaurants and bars, and then throughout the retail community,” Stiker said. “Walking around the city, I feel like if I had captured the orange market, I’d be sitting pretty right now.” -- Bloomberg, full story: http://tinyurl.com/Bloomberg-110310 => Curmudgeon’s Comment: It is interesting to note how the exceedingly popular yet slow paced game of baseball remains deeply rooted in history, while the America’s Cup organizers believe it necessary to dramatically revise their event to seek out similar appeal. SAILING FAMILY OF THE YEAR Sailing is not just a life sport, but also a sport that can be done by all forms of people. Big or small, old or young, man or woman. Even family members. To recognize those families that participate in the sport of sailing, Scuttlebutt has launched the “SAILING FAMILY OF THE YEAR” award. The rules on who qualifies are loose. Family members may participate together or separately. Family members might be into competing, cruising, or supporting the sport in some capacity. Maybe not all members of a family are into sailing, but some are. Bottom line: if there are family members that participate in the sport, than that family is a qualified entrant for the SFOTY award. Can families be nominated by others? Absolutely! In fact, this could prove to be vital as sailing families are often humble families. The winning family will be outfitted in team gear courtesy of Atlantis WeatherGear, Camet International, and Harken, along with receiving international recognition and commemorative trophies. Entry deadline is November 15, 2010. Enter here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/SFOTY/ YACHT CLUB HOUSE DRINKS Sailing has its traditions, and for better or worse, the adult beverages is one of them. At some yacht clubs, this tradition goes so far as a designated house drink. Scuttlebutt sought a list of what these house drinks were, and used the all powerful Facebook to do so. Here is what has been learned so far: Larchmont YC (Larchmont, NY) - Montesano Cooler Seawanhaka Corinthian YC (Oyster Bay, NY) - Southside Indian Harbor YC (Greenwich, CT) - Black Top Bay Head YC (Bay Head, NJ) - Steak Knife St. Francis YC (San Francisco, CA) - Sloe Gin Fizz Bayview YC (Detroit, MI) - Hummer Madison Beach Club (Madison, CT) - Lightning Monterey Peninsula YC (Monterey, CA) - MOP (Myers OJ and Pineapple) Southern YC (New Orleans, LA) - Red Drink (aka Planter’s Punch) Eastport YC (Annapolis, MD) - Juanita's Margarita American YC (Rye, NY) - Planter's Punch, Rochester YC (Rochester, NY) - Wedge Royal Burnham YC (Essex, UK) - Max's Special YC’s along the Gulf Coast - Bushwacker Any others? Please add your ‘knowledge’ at either Facebook or the Forum: Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/FB-House-Drinks Forum: http://tinyurl.com/SBF-House-Drinks SUMMIT 40 BLONDIE TOPS PODIUM AT CHINA COAST RACE When a great venue like Hong Kong decides to focus on a single boat type, fantastic sailing is sure to follow. In 2010, Hong Kong decided to get into 40 ft, IRC racing in a big way, with the biggest event being the RHKYC China Coast Regatta. Summit 40 “Blondie” took the top honors in IRC B with 5 firsts and a second, without having to sail the final race. Second and third were “Ambush” and “Mandrake”, both custom Mills designs. For the newest from Summit Yachts, and Mark Mills, go to http://www.summit-yachts.com SAILING SHORTS * (November 3, 2010; Day 18) - Velux 5 Oceans race leader Brad Van Liew (USA) has begun his left hand turn across the South Atlantic to Cape Town. The 42-year-old American solo sailor has been taking the classic route down the Brazilian coastline to avoid the pitfalls of the St. Helena High, and seeking out the Southern Ocean Westerlies to ride to the finish. Van Liew currently holds a margin of 152 nm over second place Zbigniew Gutkowski (POL) with 2806 nm to the finish. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/V5O-110210 * (November 3, 2010; Day 4) - It was another day of drama for the 85 solo skippers competing in the 3542 mile Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale when Oman Air Majan skipper Sidney Gavignet reported that the 32 m trimaran had substantial damage to the leeward front beam and had lost its mast. Conditions at the time were 20 knots of wind, upwind and not considered extreme. Gavignet has been picked up by a bulk carrier and is now en route to Turkey. Oman Air Majan is being tracked via its iridium-tracking device and a salvage operation is under way. -- Event website: http://www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com/en/s01_home/s01p01_home.php * Wichita, Kanas (AP) - Wichita police say thieves who broke into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame stole a replica of the America's Cup trophy. The hall's executive director, Ted Hayes, tells KFDI that the theft occurred sometime between 6:30 p.m. Sunday and 5:30 a.m. Monday. The America's Cup replica, which was donated by Wichita businessman Bill Koch, is worth an estimated $50,000. Other sports memorabilia, including two footballs signed by Kansas All-American and NFL great Gayle Sayers, were also stolen. The value of the thefts was estimated at $52,700. -- Full story: http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13437647 * Applications to enter this year’s 628 nm Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race have officially closed with 102 yachts nominated. Organising club, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, anticipates a final tally of 90-95 yachts will be on the dual Sydney Harbour start line at 1pm on December 26. Last year 116 yachts were nominated for entry with 100 on the starting line and 95 reaching the finish line off Hobart’s historic Battery Point. -- Full report: http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/news.asp?key=4992 * Seawind Catamarans, one of Australia's leading cruising catamaran builders, has acquired trailerable trimaran manufacturer Corsair Marine for an undisclosed sum. Corsair has built around 1,600 performance catamarans since it was first established in the US in 1984. The company was acquired by Australian Corsair dealer Paul Koch in 1994 and, although its facility remained in San Diego, California, the company eventually relocated its manufacturing plant to Vietnam in 2006. -- IBI Magazine, full report: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20101003144707ibinews.html CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Is your event listed on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar? This free, self-serve tool is the easiest way to communicate to both sailors and sailing media. These are some of the events listed on the calendar for this weekend: Nov. 6 - Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas Intl Yacht Race - Long Beach, CA, USA Nov. 8-12 - Snipe Women’s World Championships - St Petersburg, FL, USA Nov. 10-13 - Nassau Cup Ocean Race - Miami, FL, USA Nov. 11-14 - Heineken Regatta Curacao - Willemstad, Curacao View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATES The Industry News category of the Scuttlebutt Forum provides an opportunity for companies to announce new products and services. Here are some of recent postings: * McLaughlin Boat Works loads 23 Optis for SoCal * YachtCouncil.com Launching Mobile Web App for Major Boat Shows * Velocitek Releases ProStart * Cowes Online - business as usual * Ed Baird joins Quantum Racing team * SeaCart 26 set for take off * Motivex Sailing Gloves View and/or post Industry News updates here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/INDUSTRY_NEWS_C15/ GUEST COMMENTARY Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community. Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted comments chosen to be published in the newsletter maybe limited to 250 words. Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should save their bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Mario Sampaio, Cascais, Portugal: (re, changes to the America’s Cup) Flinstones or Facebook? Who cares! Let´s say I’m both. Or none! Monohull or multihull. Who cares! Give us sailing - namely match racing - and all that it encompasses, particularly pre-starts… do that well. Spending fortunes on high tech boats that won’t be able to get even close to each other (at the speeds they will go the reaction times will be mili-seconds) and you destroyed the magic of it. Plus who´s going to master the high speed rockets in a couple of years time? What about the learning curve time needed for new technology, with such a tight schedule? All this money spent on machines that nobody has experience driving? The issue here is sailing at its top level. People are forgetting how exciting our sport is. They are forgetting how easy (with technology) and how amazing filming sailing can be. They have forgotten the power of the images that a top crew, working together, can make. They have forgotten how easy it has become for non-sailors to grasp and enjoy how it works, with the use of 3D images and overlayed grids. They have also forgotten that the America’s Cup was born in a match race between two countries. They have made something for themselves, and have ignored the public at large, sailors and non-sailors. So it will be a total flop, once again. Does it really take a rocket scientist to redefine what sailing is all about? I don´t think so. It takes vision, experience and common sense… instead of imagining something that someone determined was really exciting, but nobody really knows what it will all be about (sounds like choosing a side, go to the lay-line and tack, to me). The time now is for running realistic campaigns and low technology and show what sailing is all about. Otherwise, let’s go back to the wooden boats of yesteryear and show the world how sailing works… it is that simple Additionally, a lot of people have made the parallel with F1. As a veteran F1 television watcher, my testimony is that F1 died in terms of its spectacularity when technology arrived. Only two or three teams had the budgets to go along. It has never recovered since, in over twenty five years. I watch F1 when I want to fall asleep these days. I will watch the new format AC when I want to explain to my children how sailing died. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot. Special thanks to Ullman Sails and Summit Yachts. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
