SCUTTLEBUTT No. 780 - March 26, 2001

Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome.

SUN MICROSYSTEMS AUSTRALIA CUP
Peter Gilmour and his Pizza La Team, representing the OneWorld America's Cup challenge, has won the Sun Microsystems Australia Cup for a record fifth time. The Perth born and bred skipper made it look easy, as he demolished Gavin Brady sailing for Italy's Prada Challenge, in two straight races. He has produced the most dominant performance by any skipper in the eighteen year history of the event, winning 25 races from 26 starts, over the five days. This is the second time in two weeks that Brady has lost a final, going down to Frenchman Bertrand Pace in Auckland's Steinlager Line 7 regatta just a week ago.

Ken Read, from Team Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes challenge, sailing his first grade one event, took third place after a shoot out with Magnus Holmberg, who finishes fourth for the second week in a row. However, Magnus Holmberg can take consolation from the fact that he still heads the leaderboard in the Swedish Match Grand Prix sailing tour, with three events left to sail. - John Roberson

RESULTS: 1. Peter Gilmour (USA) 2. Gavin Brady (ITA) 3. Ken Read (USA) 4. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) 5. Luc Pillot (FRA) 6. Chris Dickson (USA) 7. Jes-Gram Hansen (DEN) 8. Neville Wittey (AUS) 9. Jesper Radich (DEN) 10. James Spithill (USA) 11. Andy Beadsworth (GBR) 12. Nicola Celon (ITA)

Swedish Match Grand Prix sailing tour scores after five events: 1. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) 80; 2. Bertrand Pace (NZL) 49; 3. Peter Gilmour (USA) 45; 4. Gavin Brady (ITA) 40; 5. Ed Baird (USA) 36; 6. Chris Dickson (USA) 34; 7. Sten Mohr (DEN) 32; 8. Peter Holmberg (USA) 27.

Event website: www.rpyc.com.au
Swedish Match Tour website: www.swedishmatchgp.com

THE RACE
On Saturday at 10 h, 21 m and 2 s precisely, Team Adventure crossed the finishing line of The Race to take third place in the event. Around 100 boats were out to welcome the American giant, in beautiful sunshine and a rather fickle wind. A crowd of supporters were massed at the Pharo, along the jetties and then in front of the town hall where the ceremony for the presenting of the The Race shield took place. Marseilles once again reserved a huge welcome for the sailors of The Race.

It took Cam Lewis and his crew a little over 82 days and 20 hours to complete this circumnavigation marked by two halts, first of all in Cape Town and then in Wellington to twice repair the main beam fairing that delaminated during powerful impacts in the waves. Starting out with a crew of 14, they finished with 9, after leaving Rob Miles (USA), Mikael Lundh (Swe), Jeffrey Wargo (USA), Rick Deppe (USA) behind in Cape Town because of injuries sustained when "going down the mine" in the waves. Then it was Yann Elies (F) who was forced to leave the boat during the stopover in Wellington because of a slipped disk.

"The boat made it safely back to port and yet not many people were betting on such an eventuality before the start. Apart from the delamination problems with the main beam fairing we didn't break anything and the sails are in excellent shape, even though we were attempting a first by taking sails in cuben fibre around the world", declared Jacques Vincent and Philippe PechŽ when they were questioned on the boat. "What is remarkable and totally different from other boats that we know, is that it needs at least half to three quarters of an hour to carry out the slightest manÏuvre," explained Jean-Yves Bernot. "Secondly it is the speed of the boat allowing one to play with the weather systems, going in and then out and even coming back in again on demand."

The Race in figures for Team Adventure:
á 82 days 20 hours 21 minutes and 2 seconds
á 29,773 miles covered 14.97 knots average speed

For the two other competitors, the race goes on. It is obvious that these two boats will be finishing the race out of time (deadline 30 days after the finish of the first, or April 2nd 2001), this rule having been defined by the challengers themselves. However the organisers have decided to leave the line open to allow the boats to finish in Marseilles, come what may, even if it is quite clear that the challengers will be continuing to race under their own responsibilities as from April 2nd.

The boats will be declared finished, fourth and fifth, out of the time limits. Warta-Polpharma left Portaleza Saturday at 1530. Unfortunately, two members of crew have had to leave the boat for medical reasons. - www.therace.org

Positions on March 25 @ 050 GMT: Team Legato, 3193.0nm to finish, Warta-Polpharma, 3334.8nm

DOUBLE VENDEE VICTORY
With Patrice Carpentier in VM Materiaux winning the Open 50 Class and Michel Desjoyeaux first overall in PRB, its a Vendee Globe double victory for Bainbridge International's SCL laminates. These fabrics have an unrivalled track record in this type of event, also winning the last Vendee on board Geodis with Christophe Augain and the Around Alone on Fila with Giovanni Soldini. SCL laminates are tough, durable and low-stretch making them not only suitable for round the world racing, but also for performance and offshore cruising. Ask your sailmaker for more details of Bainbridge SCL laminates or go to www.sailcloth.com

MELGES 24 NATIONALS
Melges 24 2001 US National Champion Argyle Campbell showed that he enjoys the ocean better than south bay, turning in a 5-3 on the final day of racing. While the remainder of yesterday's leaders all having to use their throw-out in the last race getting caught on the right, while the boats on the left came in with more pressure and a 15 degree lift. The 2nd place tie-breaker went to Brian Porter on Full Throttle, and 3rd to Mark Golison. The top three trophy positions all went to Amateur-Owner-Drivers (AOD). - Craig Alan Levin

FINAL RESULTS: 1. Rock n' Roll, (AOD) Argyle Campbell, (33 points) 2. Full Throttle, (AOD) Brian Porter, (37 pts) 3. In the Fridge, (AOD) Mark Golison (37 pts) 4. Not the Family Buick, Charlie Ogletree / Stone (42) 5. Dave Ullman (44) 6. Kilroy, Harry Melges / Jeff Jones (46) 7. Flipper, Vince Brun (56) 8. USA-248, Jay Mosher / Maseda/Rajewski (57.5) 9. Trailblazer, Don Jesberg / Zarko Draganic (62) 10. Monsoon, (AOD) Bruce Ayres (67).

Full results & photos: http://www.sdsailing.com/

LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON leweck@earthlink.net
(Letters selected to be printed may be edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a bulletin board or a chat room - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. We don't publish anonymous letters, but will withhold your e-mail address on request.)

* From: Jamie McWilliam mcwilj@tdhk.com.hk
Cory Friedman asked, "When was the last time that anyone attended a regatta in which the organizers solicited feedback in order to improve the next event?" Ford Cork Week has for many years been sending out detailed questionnaires to all competitors after the regatta and changing components of the event to maintain its phenomenal popularity. This year, even after some major problems with results that would have had most people burying their heads and hoping it would all blow away, we instead received well-thought out, reasonable and dare I say it classy responses to our (somewhat critical) feedback from Donal McClement and the team at the Royal Cork YC. THIS is the sort of thing that makes people mark Cork Week in their diary two years in advance.

* From: Rich Roberts richroberts@compuserve.com
In today's 'Butt Cory Friedman asked "When was the last time that anyone attended a regatta in which the organizers solicited feedback in order to improve the next event?" Offhand, from personal involvement, I know of two: the Golisons' North Sails Race Week and Peter Craig's Key West Race Week. Both continue to grow and prosper.

* From: Jeff Eberle (In response to Cory Friedman's question) My answer: June of 2000. The sailing world should take note of the CCA and RBYC's Newport to Bermuda Race. After every race there is a detailed multi-page survey of the race issued to every skipper. As a result of the surveys and observations by the combined Race Committee, changes to the race have been incorporated into the next race. This has been an ongoing process of evolution for the entire history of the race. The race administration continues to lead the sailing world in the field of safety at sea and preparedness for blue water racing. Additionally, the race is one of the most successful in the world combining state of the art racing yachts and older well prepared racer cruisers as well as professionals and amateurs.

There is also the Onion Patch series that includes the race combining four inshore races, two in Newport and two in Bermuda that adds to the fun and opportunity test one's boat and crew. The shore side activities on both ends are outstanding and well managed. At least as of the moment, there is one event that is listening and delivering what its participants want.

CURMUDGEON'S COMMENT: Do you suppose it's just a coincidence that these VERY successful events all ask for feedback from the participants?

OLYMPICS
(The Soling Class organization has not given up the fight for a spot at the 2004 Games in Athens. Peter Bentley reviews the situation and calls for a complete rethink on how the Olympic classes are selected. Here are two brief excerpts from his thoughtful summary on the madforsailing website.)

So you thought it was all over? Not if the Soling class has its way. No less than 14 submissions aimed at overturning the decisions made at last November's ISAF general meeting have been received for the mid-year meetings. Though each is worded differently all are aiming either at restoring the Soling to Olympic status, bringing match racing back to the Games for Athens, or both.

* The ISAF Executive, backed by the secretary general Arve Sundheim, is keen to put a stop to the whole thing before it gains any momentum. In a letter addressed to all ISAF Council Members, dated 13 March, Sundheim notes that according to the ISAF constitution: "Only urgent submissions may be considered and such submissions shall be approved to be placed on the Agenda or otherwise by the Executive Committee." Sundheim goes on to say that The ISAF Executive have discussed the matter and: "It is their strong recommendation that the Council decisions on the events and equipment for 2004 not be further discussed, and the decisions made in November 2000 remain."

In order to avoid a repeat of the disorderly scenes in Edinburgh, ISAF have in an unprecedented move, called for a response from Council before the mid-year meeting. Though a substantial "No" vote before the meeting would make things harder for the pro-Soling lobby you can rest assured that that will not be quite the end of it. And if there is a vote to reopen discussions? It's quite simple; everything is up far grabs and anything could happen. All 11 classes will be up for discussion. Women's match racing will be back on the agenda. In short - chaos. - Peter Bentley, madforsailing website.

Full story:
http://www.madforsailing.com/SAIL/Articles.nsf/LookUp/E26B62A333EAB8E080256A18006B2D24?OpenDocument

AS SEEN FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE
Rod Davis also discussed the Soling issue in the April issue of Seahorse magazine: "An incorrect decision is not really a mistake until it goes uncorrected. If we made a mistake maybe we can fix it."

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ABYC OLYMPIC CLASSES REGATTA
LONG BEACH - Krysia Pohl of San Francisco dominated the Europe dinghy class by winning seven of 10 races and bolstered her No. 2 ranking on the U.S. Sailing Team, behind Meg Gaillard of New York. Andy Mack and crew Adam Lowry of Seattle in 49er and Pete Wells of Newport Beach in Mistral sailboard also were runaway winners. Mack and Lowry finished second in the first race and then won the next 14. Wells won the first nine Mistral sailboard races and sat out the 10th.

The wind Sunday was a light 5 knots building to 10 and swinging southwest by the end of racing, following windier days Friday and Saturday. Pohl, 26, was testing a new flatter sail, which seemed to work fine. Her problem is finding time to travel to events and train. She is a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard. "I need to give more time to a campaign than what they're willing to give me," she said.

There were 22 foreign entries, including 19 Canadians and Swedish Laser sailors Frederik Lassenius and Robert Kjellen, who finished one-two to wind up their winter campaign in Southern California before flying home to Stockholm. Lassenius was awarded the Bixby Trophy - a facsimile of the Olympic torch - for winning the most competitive class.

Only one 2000 Olympics competitor participated: San Francisco Finn sailor Russ Silvestri, who was sixth at Sydney and won handily this weekend, threatened only by longtime rival Darrell Peck of Gresham, Ore. - Rich Roberts, www.abyc.org

49ER (14 boats;) - 1. Andy Mack/Adam Lowry, Seattle, 13 points; 2. Tim Wadlow/Peter Spaulding, 39; 3. Dalton Bergan/Zack Maxam, 50, EUROPE (20) - 1. Krysia Pohl, 14; 2. Robert Dean, 25; 3. Christin Feldman, 35. FINN (14) - 1. Russ Silvestri, 14.5; 2. Darrell Peck, 19.5; 3. Mike Milner, 27. LASER (22) - 1. Frederik Lassenius, 17; 2. Robert Kjellen, 23; 3. Jon Benskin, 27. LIGHTNING (5) 1. Jim Sears, MISTRAL SAILBOARD (8) 1. Pete Wells, SOLING (5) 1. Ian Wareham, STAR (6) 1. John Virtue/Mark Strube, SNIPE (6) 1. Jim Grubbs/Ruth Pauling.

QUOTE / UNQUOTE - Gavin Brady
Francesco (di Angelis) is not the strongest match racer in the world right now in these little boats, but there are very few who could beat him in an IACC boat, so you have to beat him at the start. If he gets a decent start, he's going to beat you. He's sailed IACC boats for five years straight and is therefore hard to beat. So Rod Davis and I are working very hard to improve his match racing and if we do that, we could turn him into a bit of a monster. - From an interview with Bob Fisher in Grand Prix Sailor,
http://www.sailingworld.com/gps/index.html

THE CURMUDGEON'S COUNSEL When you don't know what to do, walk fast and look worried.