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SCUTTLEBUTT 3178 - Thursday, September 16, 2010
Scuttlebutt 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.
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POSITIVE SIGNS FOR SAN FRANCISCO TO HOST AMERICA'S CUP
By Michelle Slade, Marin Independent Journal
There was nothing but positive news Monday for America's Cup aficionados who
hope to see the sailing competition take place in the San Francisco Bay Area
in 2013. Possibly the most exciting aspect announced in Valencia, Spain,
during a press conference is that it will be raced in super-fast dynamic
72-foot multi hulls - the AC72 wingsail catamaran. That bodes well for the
possibility of the event coming to San Francisco, home of the defending
champion BMW Oracle Team and the Golden Gate Yacht Club.
"It's easier to run catamarans on San Francisco Bay because we have the
space and depth to moor the boats offshore without needing to dock them,"
said Belvedere resident Peter Stoneberg, who is a member of the San
Francisco America's Cup organizing committee. "There's plenty of room in the
South Bay to do that, as well space there for additional race courses close
to the city, something that Valencia does not have, for example."
The City has known for some time that a 2013 event could be a possibility,
and the government is positive that it can have the approvals done and
infrastructure built in time. There is plenty at stake for San Francisco,
with the Cup event potentially bringing in an estimated $1.4 billion in
revenue along with the creation of about 9,000 jobs, according to economic
impact studies. And, if BMW Oracle were to win again, the event could get to
stay, doubling the benefit.
"The actions and decisions we make today could have impact for decades,"
Stoneberg said. "It's a huge advantage if you win as you keep going. Newport
and the New York Yacht Club had a run of some 130 years defending the
America's Cup. This is something that the Olympics, the Super Bowl and World
Cup soccer don't have."
BMW Oracle Racing has said it will announce the venue sometime before the
end of the year. Other than Valencia, the third city rumored is Rome, home
port to the challenger of record team Mascalzone Latino. -- Read on:
http://www.marinij.com/sports/ci_16075343
BAY AREA BOOSTERS: Peter Stoneberg adds that it's vital right now to both
the San Francisco city government and BMW Oracle Racing to have a tangible
show of support to indicate that AC34 should be in San Francisco. To show
your support:
* Post Facebook message: http://tinyurl.com/FB-AC34
* Send email of support to the Mayor's office: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org
* Send email of support to BMW ORACLE Racing: media@bmworacleracing.com
* Post Twitter message: http://www.twitter.com/34thAC
MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE?
All the stars seemed to be getting lined up for the new reality of a
multihull America's Cup in 2013. The latest skyrocket comes from the Extreme
Sailing Series, which has announced that their European series of Extreme 40
catamaran events is potentially doubling its schedule in 2011 with events
now covering Europe, Middle East, Far East and the USA.
Now in its fourth year, this European circuit has focused on serving commercially
run teams since its inception, and while it does not award prize money,
organizer OC Group has sought to create spectator friendly events that
provide a return on investment for the team sponsors. In 2010, the circuit
visited Sete, France (May 27-30), Cowes, UK (July 31- Aug 5), Kiel, Germany
(Aug 26-29), Trapani, Italy (Sept 23-26), and Almeria, Spain (Oct 9-12),
with the race venue often held in challenging areas that focused more on
shore side spectating than traditional racing.
As the only circuit providing large sized multihull racing, the Extreme
Sailing Series gained notoriety in 2008 as America's Cup teams Alinghi and
BMW Oracle Racing used its racing to help prepare for the 33rd Match in
February 2010. The Extreme 40 was also used more recently by BMW Oracle
Racing as they developed their new vision for the 34th America's Cup.
The 2011 Extreme Sailing Series schedule is not yet announced, but there
promises to be 8 to 10 events between March and December. And while Cup
teams are required to compete in the three event America's Cup World Series
schedule, which also are not yet announced (but will commence in June), it
would be "more than a coincidence" if both these circuits worked together to
allow full participation in both. -- Scuttleblog,
http://sailingscuttlebutt.blogspot.com/2010/09/coincidence.html
Extreme Sailing Series announcement: http://tinyurl.com/ESS-091510
SIDE NOTE: The events for the America's Cup World Series in 2011 will use a
new BMW Oracle Racing designed AC45 wing powered one design catamaran. Why
was the much more affordable Extreme 40 not chosen instead? Apparently, the
Extreme 40s were part of the early plan but it was found they could not
sufficiently handle the upper wind range (events are to be sailed in 3-33
knots), and could not support wings without extensive bow modifications.
Here is where the AC45s are being built: http://tinyurl.com/AC45-build
BIG FINISH FOR MELBOURNE'S WINTER SERIES
At the prestigious 2010 Melbourne Winter Series on Port Phillip Bay, Ullman
Sails customers listed multiple podium finishes, including 1st in the Sydney
38 class, IRC 1, AMS 1 and PHS 1 divisions. Congratulations to Paul Buchholz
and team on DK46 "eXtasea" who won both IRC 1 & PHS 1 divisions. Lou
Abrahams on Sydney 38 "Challenge" took first place in the one design class,
followed by Greg Clinnick's "Audacious." Rob Davis' X-35 "Nutcracker" sealed
the AMS Division 1. Hosted by Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, the seven-race
series saw up to 50 boats compete. Invest in your performance.
http://www.ullmansails.com
RULE CHANGES IN THE 34TH AMERICA'S CUP?
Do the match racing rules need to be changed for the 34th America's Cup?
International Umpire Jos M Spijkerman (FIN), who has experience with the
Extreme 40 events, offers this report:
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I've come up with the following analysis by looking first at this question:
What are the big(ger) differences between 'conventional' mono hulls and
these huge wingsail cats?
- Big acceleration
- Slow tacking - like any multi-hull
- Boats are very wide, with lots of water in between the hulls
- Overall speed
Big acceleration:
The acceleration issue comes into play, for instance, after a tack. One boat
tacking to starboard while a Port boat is keeping clear by passing in front.
But due to the acceleration of the Starboard boat, a few moments later Port
cannot pass in front any more. Starboard has not changed course after she
has completed her tack, so she does not have to give room under rule 16.1
(changing course). Only rule 15 (acquiring right of way) is applicable.
Starboard becomes right of way boat after her tack and initially has to give
the other boat room to keep clear. I do not think this warrants a rule
change, but falls within the definition of room.
The type of boat used and its characteristics are part of the circumstances
and therefore room under 15 must be more in these huge catamarans, then with
mono hulls. Sailors need to be aware of it. Umpires need to consider this
when asked to judge an issue where acceleration is a factor
Slow tacking:
Let me again illustrate with an example. A boat clear ahead rounds a leeward
mark leaving it to starboard and sails four, five lengths upwind before
tacking. While she's luffing the trailing boat arrives at the mark, rounds
it and heads up. She's changing course around the mark and is now heading
straight for the tacking boat. That boat - passed head to wind - is now the
keep clear boat under either rule 13 (tacking) or under rule 10 (Port
Starboard), but cannot do anything until she's gained speed. Meanwhile the
other (starboard) boat is sailing three, four lengths in a straight line
toward her. A clear port / starboard issue, you say? No, it is not, in my
opinion. -- Read on:
http://rrsstudy.blogspot.com/2010/09/rulechanges-in-34th-americas-cup.html
LASER MASTERS WORLDS
Hayling Island, England (September 15, 2010) - Strong winds and difficult
seas on the third day of the Laser Masters Worlds led the race committee to
postpone racing for the second day in a row. Winds were gusting to 28-29
knots at times and the prospect of bigger seas once the tide turned in the
afternoon meant that prudency was the order of the day. Racing is scheduled
to resume Thursday and will conclude Sunday, September 19 - here are results
from the first day of competition:
http://www.laserworlds2010.co.uk/laserworlds/masters/results.htm
Noted past Laser Class World Champion John Bertrand (USA), "Although not as
severe as yesterday's (Tuesday's) conditions, the race committee determined
after a two hour delay that it was too risky to send the fleet out in the
prevailing 20-25 knots breeze and massive waves. Certainly a big
consideration for them is the vast number of competitors (350) they have to
manage and the wide variation of ability and fitness of the Masters
competitors. While some outside the class may question why we didn't sail
today, you won't find many here who don't think it was the right decision."
-- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/JB-091510
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS . . .
"Despite the poor turnout - only 6 boats in our class and by the third race
we were down to four - we all had a great time. It was a really good day for
sailing, wind in the mid-teens and a nice chop but not too much to deal
with. And I said we had a great time even though we finished poorly. It was
all about sailing, and here is the lesson. Too many people drop out because
they race for the sake of racing and don't really enjoy sailing for
sailing's sake. We were a bit under-crewed, so everyone was busy. The boat
was going fast all the time. The conditions were excellent. The moral of the
story is that you can have a good day on the race course even if you don't
win, so long as you like to sail." - Don Finkle, RCR Yachts,
http://www.rcryachts.com/images/rcryachts/racersnews091510.pdf
WORLD'S BEST DESCEND UPON NEWPORT
In one week, the world's most talented women match racers will descend upon
Newport, Rhode Island and the New York Yacht Club's Harbour Court Clubhouse
for their world championship. And though the discipline of match racing is
relatively new in women's sailing, only selected as an Olympic sport in late
2008, this group that is loaded with Olympic medalists and world champions
is already bringing action-packed, top level racing to each event.
With different winners in each of this year's ISAF World Cup events, and all
those champions competing at next week's ISAF Women's Match Racing World
Championship, the sailors and coaches agree, it will be the most competitive
women's match racing event in memory, and first place is up for grabs.
"The level in women's match racing has dramatically improved," says Dave
Perry, the US Sailing Team's match racing coach. "There's no real
frontrunner." Perry adds that though the championship is not a scoring event
for the World Cup, there will be no better chance to compete against the
best sailors.
Run annually since 1999, this year's championship has attracted 20 teams
from 14 nations. Powerhouse nations include France, United States and
Denmark, but if a favorite had to be chosen, it would be Australia's Nicky
Souter, sailing with Nina Curtis, Olivia Price and Laura Baldwin. Souter is
the reigning world champion and also won back-to-back events recently
including last month's Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth, Great
Britain and last week's Buddy Melges Challenge at the US Sailing Center in
Sheboygan, Wisconsin. -- Read on: http://nyyc.org/ISAFWOMENS/article_892/
HARKEN 2011 NEW PRODUCTS ARE HERE!
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new Harken gear at http://www.harken.com/New/Harken_New_Products.php
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: MELGES 32 WORLDS
Sailing journalist Michelle Slade chatted to Stephen Pugh, current North
American fleet president of the Melges 32, and Don Jesberg, winner of the
2009 Melges 32 North American's held in San Francisco, about the upcoming
Melges 32 World Championship. Both Pugh and Jesberg call the Bay Area their
home, and are preparing to compete in the event which will be held September
20-25, on the Olympic Circle in San Francisco Bay, and hosted by the St
Francis Yacht Club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Rolex Big Boat Series (Sept. 16-19) is a pre-event to the Worlds.
That's a lot of racing over the next few weeks.
PUGH: We're going to be doing 20 races over the next few events which is a
lot of stress on the boat - 7 races during Big Boat, and then who knows for
the worlds - could have as many as three every day for 4 days. It really
depends on the wind conditions. Big Boat is good preparation for everyone,
particularly for those who are not accustomed to sailing on the Bay. Even
for those of us who are local, it's a chance to really do a shake-out of the
crew, learning more about the conditions overall, but really polishing their
game. Obviously the conditions may be such that they may cause a boat to
miss a race or two as the primary goal is to compete in the World
Championship, but it just depends on how it goes for everybody as far as
conditions. No-one wants to be in Big Boat and force their hand to end up
with crew injuries or a broken sailboat.
* Where do you expect the competition to come from?
PUGH: The competition is going to come from right here on the Bay, from all
across the country, and Europe, Quite honestly there's not a bad boat that
will be competing in this - everybody out there is good - you don't get to
this level of competition especially on these boats without a first class
program, best in crew - some of the tacticians coming to town and sailing on
these boats are truly the who is who of sailing. The likes of Russell
Coutts, John Kostecki, Gavin Brady - world champions in every class,
national and Olympic champions, right on down the list. On our boat we have
Mark Ivey who was 2009 US Sailing Coach of the Year. You have to come
prepared to absolutely have your boat in the best condition and to have your
crew rock solid. One mistake here or there and you'll find yourself at the
back of the pack where you don't want to be. It's going to be tough. As
North American Fleet President, I can tell you without a doubt it's
absolutely impossible to figure whose going to rise to the top in the Worlds
because it's going to be a marathon. It's going to be who can hold up the
best, it's like other sports, whoever makes the least mistakes get there
first.
Complete interview: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0915
ACUP VENUE: It should be noted that BMW Oracle Racing CEO Russell Coutts,
who has been carrying a significant work load these days in guiding his
vision for the next America's Cup, is taking time out of his busy schedule
to sail in a class event that he does not normally participate, at a venue
that is one of three under consideration for the 34th Match. Hmm...
SAILING SHORTS
* The 2010 Canadian Yachting Association Annual General Meeting Weekend will
take place in Vancouver, BC October 29-30. All meetings will be held at the
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Details: http://tinyurl.com/CYA-091510
* Over twenty J/105s are conducting their final preparations at the Chicago
Yacht Club for this year's J/105 North American Championship. Teams from
throughout the U.S. and Canada will compete Thursday through Sunday with
three races planned each day. -- Event forum:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=10527
* Detroit's Bayview Yacht Club is the host for this week's U.S. Match Racing
Championship, a US SAILING Adult National Championship. The U.S. Match
Racing Championship is an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 3
event. The highest placing eligible skipper in this event will qualify to
represent the U.S. in the 2011 ISAF Nations Cup. Ten teams will go
one-on-one for the Prince of Wales Bowl in Ultimate 20s on Detroit River.
The championship begins Thursday, September 16 and concludes on Sunday,
September 19. -- Read on:
http://media.ussailing.org/Latest_News/2010_USMRC_Preview.htm
* (September 15, 2010) - Edwin Blakesely, who owned and operated Yachts
Unlimited in Maryland, was yesterday sentenced to four years in prison for
stealing about US$320,000 from clients. Blakesley was also ordered to pay
back the money to the customers, and must also serve five years of
supervised probation upon his release. -- IBI Magazine, full story:
http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20100815130557ibinews.html
* The September 15, 2010 release of the ISAF Match Race Ranking finds that
Adam Minoprio (NZL) continues to hold the top position of the Open Rankings,
while Dutch skipper Renee Groeneveld continues her impressive climb to claim
the #1 spot in the Women's Rankings. Details:
http://www.sailing.org/news/34050.php
EIGHT BELLS
Dodge Morgan, the entrepeneur turned sailor who set a solo, non-stop world
rounding record in 1986, died over the weekend after falling ill at his home
on Snow Island Maine. In 1986, Morgan sailed his Hood-designed 60-foot
cutter, American Promise, past a line at St. David's Light in Bermuda from
which he had started 150-days earler. His time knocked weeks off the solo
world record as it stood. Morgan, a wonderful raconteur, wrote of his
adventures in American Promise Circles the World. Funeral details have not
been announced. -- Tony Chamberlain
DINGHY LOCKER FALL BOAT SWAP & TENT SALE - SEPT 18, 9-3
Dinghy Locker's Fall Boat Swap & Tent Sale! Used Optis, C420s, Pixels and
Lasers; 40% off Patagonia, Gill, Musto, Atlantis, Henri Lloyd. WIN BIG!
Raffle, door prizes, burgers and dogs, and more! Visit: 151 Harvard Ave,
Stamford (I-95 Ex 6), call: 800-941-2219, or click for info:
http://bit.ly/bzM5p7
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:
Sept 17-19 - Melges 17 U.S. National Championship - Lake Okauchee, WI, USA
Sept 18-19 - J/ 22 East Coast Championship - Annapolis, MD, USA
Sept 18-19 - US-IRC Championship of Long Island Sound - Riverside, CT, USA
Sept 23-26 - Farr 30 Canadian National Championship - Vancouver, BC, CAN
View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
INDUSTRY NEWS
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:
* AWLGRIP introduces new finishes.
* SAIL Magazine Announces Best Boats Nominees for 2011.
* Mike Ingham joins NORTH SAILS One Design sales team.
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 your comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted
comments chosen to be published in the newsletter are limited to 250 words.
One published submission per subject, and save your bashing and personal
attacks for elsewhere.
Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum
* From Peter Wormwood:
I invite all of the critics of the decision to use a multihull in the
America's Cup to actually sail on a true high performance multihull before
rushing to judgment. It may save you the embarrassment of having to eat your
words.
* From Jim Fulton:
Although Russell Coutts says he wants to appeal to both the Facebook and the
Flintstone generations, I'm afraid that he will succeed with neither. While
it's good that the AC72 will be able to race in lighter and heavier air than
current designs, I don't believe that the boats will be fast enough to
appeal to non-sailors or maneuverable enough to appeal to knowledgeable
fans. Think NASCAR at 35 mph.
* From Mal Emerson:
While it is not good form to alienate anyone, particularly the "Flintstone"
generation, I suspect many if not most of the negative comments are coming
from those that have never even sailed a high performance multi much less
match raced one. While I don't like the emphasis on the financial; I realize
it's a necessary evil and think AC 34 is off to a good start. The multi
formula has the potential to keep the complexities of match racing and throw
in some of the excitement of motocross. I, for one, am for giving Russell
and company the benefit of the doubt and am certain that the America's cup
demise is being grossly exaggerated.
How many sailors does it take to change a light bulb? Three: one to change
the bulb and two to brag on how good the old one was.
* From Andrew Troup, New Zealand:
Now that the Little America's Cup is to be upsized to regular (and it's an
open question if it will make it substantially more popular than it was in
"Little" guise) maybe it's time for those who do not mistake change for
improvement to set up a 'Big America's Cup', ie business as usual. If this
doesn't happen, it seems entirely possible that the finals of the last
monohull competition may never be surpassed. Maybe Louis Vuitton will step
up once more?
* From John Strassman: (re, Mr. Knowles' report on limit marks in SBUTT
3177)
Here's my take on the subject: I interpret the last sentence of the
definition of a Mark, "An anchor line or an object attached temporarily or
accidently to a mark is not part of it" to mean that if some random flotsam
or jetsam hooks on to a mark, for example a large piece of kelp, it is not
part of the mark.
Further, in Appendix J, RRS J2.1 (5) states that the RC shall describe
marks, including the starting and finishing marks in the Sailing
Instructions.
OK, stay with me here, a mark could be described as an orange tetrahedron, a
government mark, an island or a Race Committee boat including a guard mark
and its tether line.
So IMHO, stating that a limit mark is part of the Signal Boat is all about
describing a mark and nothing to do with changing the definition of a mark.
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
"A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in
temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." -
Thomas Paine, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Special thanks to Ullman Sails, Harken, and Dinghy Locker.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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