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SCUTTLEBUTT 2504 – January 4, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, featuresand dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. BIG GOVERNMENT - BIG MESS For 34 years the U.S. federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted discharges from recreational boats from the Clean Water Act permit system. A recent court ruling cancelled this permit exemption. EPA is required by the court decision to develop and implement by September 30, 2008 a national permit system for ALL vessels in the United States for a variety of normal operational discharges like grey water, engine cooling water and deck runoff. BoatU.S. along with other industry groups has been working behind the scenes to come up with a legislative fix for this huge problem. If nothing is done to solve this issue, you will have to pay for a permit for each boat that you operate including your dinghy, Laser, or motorboat in each state! -- Scuttleblog, read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2008/01/big-government-big-mess.html SHOW STAYS IN OAKLAND FOR ANOTHER YEAR After nearly twelve months of researching a number of potential new show locations, it has been determined, that the boat show Strictly Sail Pacific will be back at Jack London Square, for 2008 from April 16-20th. Remaining in Oakland for one more year, offers exhibitors and attendees a familiar and successful venue. This will allow Sail America Staff and local show committee members more time to finalize plans for the new show location for 2009. Plans for the new location are well under way and we expect to make a formal announcement, in the next couple of months. The challenge for the show is a result of Jack London Square being in the throes of a large construction project. As a result, the floorplan of the show will be modified to work around the project, utilizing a slightly smaller land area than in past shows and will feature two large tents and a grouping of smaller tents for exhibitors. The in-water section of the show will not be affected by the expansion, and Strictly Sail Pacific will again feature its trademark fleet of sailboats—from small dinghies to large blue-water cruising and racing boats. -- http://www.strictlysail.com/shows/pacific.asp?show=pa GOSS PLANS HISTORIC AUSSIE VOYAGE London, England -- Pete Goss has announced a new epic project that is centuries apart from his previous voyages. The adventurer, who in 2000 launched the futuristic $8 million Team Philips catamaran in an unsuccessful bid to sail non-stop around the world, now hopes to replicate a boat and a journey undertaken 153 years ago. Goss said he aims to build a boat to follow in the wake of the Mystery, a 37-foot open Mounts Bay Lugger crewed by seven Cornishmen who left the small fishing port of Newlyn to sail to Australia for the Gold Rush in 1854. They covered about 11,800 nautical miles in 116 days before arriving in Melbourne on March 14, 1855. It is understood the only break in the voyage was a week in Cape Town for repairs and to take on supplies before heading into the Southern Ocean. Goss is building Spirit Of Mystery to celebrate their amazing achievement. The vessel will be as true to the original Mystery as possible and, although there will be concessions to safety, there will be no engine, toilet, or modern electrical and navigational systems. -- CNN, read on: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/sailing/12/30/sailing.goss NEW YEAR, OLD ULTIMATE SAILING CALENDAR? Order the 2008 Ultimate Sailing calendar now. Sharon Green’s annual portfolio of the compelling, exhilarating images of the world of competitive sailing. Each month features two exciting photographs from the world’s best yachting photographers. $18.95 each, $16.95 for two or more. Order now at http://www.ultimatesailing.com EARLY WORLDS FOR OLYMPIC CLASSES With the 2008 Olympic sailing events scheduled for this August, participating one design classes have needed to rearrange their typical summer world championship calendar, and all eleven events will crown a new king or queen within the next few months. Here is the 2008 Worlds schedule: 49er Worlds: January 4-9 - Melbourne, Australia http://www.sailmelbourne.com.au/event/49erworldchampionships2008 RS:X Men’s and Women’s Worlds: January 10-20 - Takapuna, New Zealand http://www.takapunaworlds.org/index.cfm?eid=990 Finn Worlds: January 23-29 - Victoria, Australia http://www.sailmelbourne.com.au/event/finngoldcup2008 470 Men’s and Women’s Worlds: January 24-30 - Melbourne, Australia http://www.470.org/champ08/world Laser Worlds: February 7-13 - Terrigal, Australia http://aus08.laserinternational.org Yngling Women’s Worlds: February 10-15 - Miami, Florida, USA http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/ynglingworlds/index.asp Tornado Worlds: February 22-March 1 - Takapuna, New Zealand http://www.takapunaworlds.org/index.cfm?eid=989 Laser Radial Women’s Worlds: March 13-20 - Takapuna, New Zealand http://www.takapunaworlds.org/index.cfm?eid=991 Star Worlds: April 11-18 - Miami, Florida, USA http://www.starworlds2008.com * Top Laser sailors are training in Australia this winter, with the Australian Laser Nationals this week in Victoria providing a glimpse of things to come for the Worlds in February. Leading the 64-boat fleet is current World Champion Thomas Slingsby (AUS), while Michael Leigh in 5th leads the Canadian contingent that holds 4 of the top eleven spots. The lone American, Andrew Campbell, sits in 16th place. Racing concludes January 4th. -- Results: http://www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/event/13897/default.html * Per the schedule above, the International 49er class is the first to launch the World championship season this weekend with a fleet of eighty teams from 29 nations. This is the final opportunity to gain qualifying points for the 2008 Olympic Games, and with eight nations vying for the five remaining spaces, there is more than just the World Championship title at stake. The worlds also launch the class Grand Prix, which constitutes the six most prestigious events in the 49er regatta calendar. At each event, the top 10 boats score points with the ‘2008 49er Grand Prix Champion’ announced at the end of the year. * US Sailing's Rolex Miami OCR, scheduled for January 27 to February 2, 2008, is shaping up nicely as an international primer for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Qingdao, China this August. Over 100 teams have signed up, and many of the 25 represented nations either have sent their final teams or will be selecting who moves on to the Olympic or Paralympic Games based on results at this popular International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade One ranking event. Due to Olympic-year scheduling conflicts with World Championships held overseas, racing in seven of 11 Olympic classes had to be eliminated. However, the remaining four Olympic classes (Laser, Laser Radial, Star, Yngling) will be joining a full run-up of Paralympic classes (2.4mR, SKUD-18, Sonar). -- Complete report: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/rmocr_preview1.asp US SAILORS OF THE YEAR After one day of polling, the ‘buttheads have given the nod to some annual favorites in the vote for the Scuttlebutt US Sailors of the Year. Having taken suggestions from the short list of 2007 US Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year nominees, Scuttlebutt has challenged the readership to select the American sailors that best embody the sport as it pertains to them. Early leaders include the Silver Panda Team Racing members, Greg Fisher, Andrew Campbell, and Anna Tunnicliffe (and many comments wondering why Terry Hutchinson isn’t on the list). Comparing the accomplishments from the varied sailing disciplines is no easy task. We suggest your criteria gauge the sailor's sportsmanship, varied accomplishments, and value to their team (if applicable). Voting closes Friday at midnight PT. For additional background information on the nominees, and to place your vote and comments, go to http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/polls/08/0102 * Curmudgeon’s Comment: Since the conditions for the US Rolex award is to recognize individual achievement, it is unlikely that a member of the Silver Panda team member will walk away with a watch. Regardless, their inclusion on the nominee list speaks volumes for how Team Racing has grown in respect, with comments on the polling site heavily behind this group. Here is a sample: “Successful team racing requires not just a great grasp of boat speed, boat handling, tactics, and strategy, but unselfishness rare in our sport. What this team has accomplished is amazing. If you've never watched team racing at the top level, you are really missing something special.” BANNER YEAR IN TAMPA BAY The Tampa Bay area in Florida flexed its proverbial sailing muscle in 2007 as the locals had a banner year. Here is a partial list of some of their achievements: * Ed Baird was the helm for the winning America's Cup team. * Jeff Linton won the Lightning Class Worlds and Midwinters, Flying Scot North Americans and Midwinters, and the Moth Nationals and Midwinters. * Ethan Bixby won the 505 North Americans and Midwinters, and the Windmill Nationals and Midwinters. * Lin Robson won the Flying Dutchman Nationals, North Americans, and Midwinters and the top American finisher at the Worlds. * Zach Railey won the US Olympic Finn class trials. * Ben Barger won the Olympic Trials in the Windsurfer. * Fred Strammer won the Flying Scott Midwinters and won the Lightning Junior Championship. -- St. Petersburg Times, complete story: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/26/Northpinellas/Many_sailors_enjoy_ba.shtml SAIL1DESIGN SYNERGIZES ISSA & ICSA Sail1Design is pleased to announce our sponsorship of the Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA). ISSA has a long tradition of dedication to youth sailing, and S1D is proud to support their efforts. S1D is also committed to youth sailing & development, so this sponsorship makes sense. Additionally, Sail1Design will now manage ISSA’s classified ads, including boats, sailing gear, want ads, and Job Bank postings. S1D already manages these classified functions for the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), and putting them together will allow sailors of all ages to take advantage of one, integrated website dedicated to active sailing classified ads. http://www.sail1design.com BARCELONA WORLD RACE Open 60 doublehanded round the world race (started Nov 11; 25,000-miles) (Day 54 – January 3, 2008) With third place Temenos II and fourth place Mutua Madrileña pushing the pause button and stopping in Wellington (NZL) to address maintenance issues, leader Paprec-Virbac 2 and Hugo Boss had an easy time adding to their margin as they streaked toward Cape Horn. Race regulations penalize teams that seek assistance with a compulsory minimum stop of 48 hours, but it appears that neither will be hindered in their plan to rejoin the race once the time has expired. As for icebergs at the front of the fleet, now roughly at the half way point along the South Pacific Ocean route, it appears that the warmer waters they now find themselves have diminished that concern. -- http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com Positions at 18:00 GMT - Distance to leader (+gain/-loss since previous day) 1-Paprec-Virbac 2, Jean-Pierre Dick/ Damian Foxall, 8,887 nm DTF (+247) 2-Hugo Boss, Alex Thomson/ Andrew Cape, 816 nm DTL (+20) 3-Temenos II, Dominique Wavre/ Michéle Paret, 2,458 (-247) 4-Mutua Madrilena, Javier Sanso Windmann/ Pachi Rivero, 2,458 (-124) 5-Educación sin Fronteras, Servane Escoffier/ Albert Bargues, 2,878 (+43) Retired - PRB, Vincent Riou / Sébastien Josse (broken mast) Retired -Delta Dore, Jérémie Beyou/ Sidney Gavignet (broken mast) Retired - Estrella Damm, Guillermo Altadill/ Jonathan McKee, (rudder damage) Retired - Veolia Environnement, Roland Jourdain/ Jean-Luc Nélias (broken mast) * (Day 41 – January 3, 2008 - 16:46 UTC) Experiencing his slowest day since the start of his solo round the world record attempt, Francis Joyon and his maxi-trimaran IDEC posted a 24 hour speed average of only 9.7 knots while collecting just 231.7 nm. Working his way up the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Horn, his position at the 36-degree South latitude found him becalmed for 12 hours before picking up winds that should take him up to the equator. With 5,295 nm remaining toward the finish at Brest, France, Joyon maintains a 3,215 nm advance over the record set by Ellen MacArthur in 2005. -- http://www.trimaran-idec.com * (Day 17 – January 3, 2008 – 21:30 UTC) Thomas Coville and the maxi-trimaran Sodeb'O awoke this morning quite unexpectedly in a field of icebergs at 48-degree South latitude. Sailing in a fairly strong wave in winds of around 30 knots and an average water temperature of 6 degrees C, Coville’s solo round the world record attempt had seen his 24 hour speed average climb to 23.85 knots while covering 572.4nm, and now maintains an advance over Ellen MacArthur’s 2005 record of 640.3 nm. -- http://www.sodebo-voile.com/actu/news-eng.html STORM BREWED COFFEE RUN Somewhere out in the Gulf of Mexico, 200 miles off Galveston, TX, the 42-foot sailboat Red Cloud is drifting unmanned with 10,000 pounds of vacuum-packed coffee on board. Owner Joe Butcher, his brother, wife and dog were plucked out of storm-tossed seas New Year's Day by a Coast Guard helicopter, but Butcher's ready to go back for his boat and the coffee the crew was importing from Belize. The Texas-size coffee run began in early December and started to go sour when they were forced to divert into Mexican waters to avoid Tropical Storm Olga by midmonth. Things got even worse when a cold front sent waves streaming over the boat and exhausted crew Monday evening. There was nothing to do but call the Coast Guard for rescue. The Butchers sailed to San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, in Belize where they loaded 10,000 pounds of the roasted blend before returning home. Their plan is to sell the coffee through their El Lago Coffee Co. -- Houston Chronicle, complete story: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5422694.html SAILING SHORTS * The Quantum Sail Design Group has announced the appointment of Skip Dieball as their One Design Coordinator, focusing on their North American One Design operations. Dieball currently operates lofts in Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio. Additionally, Quantum is in the midst of establishing a new loft in Chicago, IL that should be up and running by February 2008. -- http://www.QuantumSails.com * (Manhasset, NY) Manhasset Bay YC hosted the 77th annual New Years regatta on Sunday December 30th and Wednesday January 1st. Coming off their Interclub National Championship victory the husband and wife team of Molly and John Baxter bested Olympic silver medalist Steve Benjamin and Charlie McHugh. Third in the Interclubs was past Lightning NA champion Bill Healy and Meredith Killion followed by past Sunfish World Champion Paul-Jon Patin with Felicity Ryan. Paul-Jon and Felicity won the Past Commodore's Race. Meanwhile Bob Kirtland and Alan Thomson won the Ideal 18 fleet over John and Laura Browning. For complete results and photos: http://www.manhassetbayyc.org PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include Miami’s 37th Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, San Francisco Fleet Week, storms in the Pacific Northwest, 49er sailing in Australia, and an example of creative boat naming. If you have images you would like to share, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor. Here are this week’s photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0104 EIGHT BELLS Alan Newhouse, a lifelong sailor and co-founder of Nantucket Community Sailing (MA), died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Vero Beach, Fla. Newhouse, who Community Sailing president Alan Worden said "has done more for recreational sailing on Nantucket than anyone" upon the dedication of a boathouse in his honor in 2005, also worked tirelessly over the past two decades to restore the island's Rainbow Fleet and Indian-class sailboats and revitalize interest in their use for both recreation and racing. Newhouse’s lifelong passion for sailing began shortly after his first visit to the island with his parents in 1927. He returned every summer since then. Funeral services are currently being planned for Monday or Tuesday in Florida, and a memorial service will be held on Nantucket this summer. More definitive information will be posted when available at http://www.ack.net/Newhouse010308.html VIDEO OF THE WEEK Winning IRC Division A at the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race was Quantum Racing, Ray Roberts’ Farr Cookson 50. Lucky for the ‘buttheads that the crew smuggled onboard a video camera, and now provide us with 1:04 minutes of a serious sleigh ride down the Tassie coast. While it is not sunny, and the team looks to be wearing their full kit, the wind angle appears perfect for ideal surfing conditions. 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/media/07/1231 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (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, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Robin Wallace: Interesting to note that the US Coast Guard PSA which has been airing recently on television appears to show a group of Coasties lined up forward on the deck of a CG boat underway but nobody appears to be wearing Coast Guard approved PFD! I suppose they could be wearing a fanny-pack but it does not send a very good message about wearing your PFD while underway. * From John Harwood-Bee: (edited to the 250-word limit) The latest actions by Société Nautique Genève, incomprehensible to those with even a modicum of legal training, seem to finally scupper any hope of a rapid resolution to the conflict. It is now my contention that whatever the courts ruling later this month, there is an element in the Deed of Gift that should preclude any competition between Alinghi and BMWO and I quote: "This Cup is donated upon the condition that it shall be preserved as a perpetual Challenge Cup for friendly competition between foreign countries.” I hardly think that the animosity between them could possibly qualify either team to compete as 'friendly competitors'. That the marketable image of the AC has been badly tarnished is beyond dispute. What foresight by Chief Judge Wachtler in 1990 when ruling on the San Diego V Mercury Bay appeal: "This case has little or no significance for the law, but it has caught the public eye like few cases in this court's history. Much of the reason for this attention, apparently, is the supposition that here at stake are grand principles—sportsmanship and tradition—pitted against the greed, commercialism, and zealotry that threaten to vulgarize sport. In the end, however, the outcome of the case is dictated by elemental legal principles." But in the end will it matter that a once respected event is reduced to the level of a cheap gladiatorial television show. Perhaps it is time to make it more interesting still and fit the vessels with live cannon and let them fight to the death. It would certainly be a fitting end to this saga. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION A scientific study on why modern women have found it difficult to find men who are sensitive, caring and good- looking has concluded that all the qualifying male prospects already have boyfriends. Special thanks to Ultimate Sailing and Sail1Design. A complete list of Scuttlebutt’s preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
