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SCUTTLEBUTT 1446 - October 29, 2003Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. BERMUDA Sailor Tim Patton might have ruffled a few feathers, but his point was valid. His argument that sailing is more worthy than either cricket or soccer to carry the banner of Bermuda's national sport is difficult to counter, taking into consideration the contrasting fortunes of all three. It was just a couple of years ago that Government declared what most observers already took for granted - that cricket and soccer be officially recognized as the Island's national sports. Given their respective popularity at opposite ends of the calendar, nobody had ever questioned their status. Yet times have changed. It's been some years now since either cricket or soccer have enjoyed any success on the international stage, and domestically both have floundered - the recent debacle involving the touring Barbadians perhaps indicative of how cricket, in particular, has fallen on hard times. * Conversely, sailing has gone from strength to strength. Because of our geographic location, it's hardly surprising that such a sport should prosper and through the years Bermuda has always maintained a reputation as something of a sailor's paradise. We've frequently produced international class sailors, never more so than in the last few years. As Patton pointed out, hardly a week went by this summer when a sailor from one class or another wasn't making headlines. The successes of Peter Bromby and Paula Lewin have been well documented. They became the first Bermudians to qualify for next year's Olympics and in all probability will remain our best hopes for a medal. Malcolm Smith snared a silver medal at the Pan-Am Games in the Dominican Republic last month and were the Sunfish considered an Olympic class, he too would be on his way to Athens. But it's not so much the established sailors, but the new kids on the block who have caught the eye in recent months. A carefully developed crop from Bermuda Sailing Association's youth programme suddenly produced a bumper harvest. Laser enthusiast Zander Kirkland has rapidly moved up the world rankings, his younger brother, Jesse, came away with a silver medal at the Optimist Worlds in Spain, and literally dozens of other youngsters have been competing - and competing successfully - all around the globe. * Given Bermuda's tiny population, those partaking in an individual sport are always going to have a better chance of succeeding internationally than those in a team sport where lack of depth puts a severe limitation on what can be achieved. And of all of the individual sports, sailing is undoubtedly leading the way. Whether Government agrees or not, its recent record makes it deserving of the title 'national sport.' - Adrian Robson, The Royal Gazette, Bermuda. To read all of Robson's comments: http://tinyurl.com/os8k EXPLORING NEW GROUND As one of the smallest Open class yachts in the world, the Transat 6.50 is a class that attracts pure enthusiasts who mostly race their boats on an amateur basis. Some have been fortunate enough to gain individual sponsorship, but most struggle to do the entire campaign on a shoe-string. Like all restricted classes, the Transat 6.50, particularly the Prototype class, is continually developing; it's the designers' playground. This is a class, like a development dinghy classes where high and low-tech bond together; carbonfibre/plywood, canting keels and daggerboards/fixed keels and waterballast. All the boats are different and every owner has his own ideas. Like all restricted classes, the Transat 6.50, particularly the Prototype class, is continually developing; it's the designers' playground. This is a class, like a development dinghy classes where high and low-tech bond together; carbonfibre/plywood, canting keels and daggerboards/fixed keels and waterballast. All the boats are different and every owner has his own ideas. - Excerpt from a story by Sue Pelling on the Tachting Wolrd website, full story: http://www.yachting-world.com/yw/home.htm 60 MILLION BIG ONES The next America's Cup will be a much bigger deal believes defending syndicate skipper Russell Coutts as "companies are starting to realize that it will be a completely different event and a new opportunity in Europe." He expects more interest from sponsors, but money alone doesn't win the America's Cup. "It is interesting to note that Alinghi had only the fourth largest budget [last time]", Coutts said. "You can go back to 1987 or even further, and all of the time, the team that spends the most does not win". "I think while you need a certain amount to get the campaign rolling, it is not all about money, a lot of it comes down to how you use your resource within the time frame. I think next time you probably need 60 million dollars to be competitive." - Cup in Europe website, http://www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/2007-Alinghi-EN3.htm SHARK ATTACK ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY Congratulations to Shark Kahn and crew of Team Pegasus for winning the Melges 24 World Championships. At J Fest, Ullman Sails customers continued their domination: J/105 class- 21 competitive teams and Ullman Sails customers sailed away with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th places finishes; J/120 class- 2nd, & 3rd; PHRF B- 1st and 2nd. At the Dana Point Harbor Championships: 1st overall- Henderson 30 "Power Point," powered by full inventory of Ullman Sails. If you and your crew are ready for the "Fastest Sails on the Planet" call your local Ullman Sails loft or visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com GOING TO THE WARM Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean - The thirteenth Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta will be the biggest ever. On Saturday October 4 2003, 49 catamarans were loaded in the harbours of Rotterdam and Felixstowe to be shipped to Aruba where 53 teams will compete from November 9 until 14 2003. With 49 European catamarans (27 from the Netherlands, 19 from England, 2 from Belgium and 1 from Austria) and four from Aruba, the fleet numbers twelve more than last year. After a successful Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2002, with lots of positive promotion and a good television report, the entries poured in and a waiting list was the result. Organizer Edwin Lodder commented "Of course, I hoped for a small increase, but I did not expect such a big interest in the event. I want to maintain the high level of quality; therefore I had to disappoint ten teams. Unfortunately for them, they are on the waiting list for Aruba." - http://www.arubaregatta.com/ YOUTH MULTIHULL TRIALS Quiberon, France - The boats at the Youth Multihull Trials were all weighed and measured before an informal free-sailing period Tuesday afternoon. With eight boats entered for the trials, the majority are modified designs/ rig configurations. The one entry which has been specifically designed to the ISAF criteria is the Hobie Concept, otherwise known as "The Max". The following boats have entered the trials: Dart 16 Sport; SL 15.5; SL 16; Hobie 16 Race / Spi; KL Booster; Nacra Blast; Hobie Concept; Loday / White Stream. - http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=5703 ERNESTO BERTARELLI On Wednesday, October 29 at the New York YC, Babson College will honor Ernesto Bertarelli, a member of the Babson Class of 1989, CEO of Serono (the third largest Biotech company in the world), and winner of the America's Cup. ". "He ran his America's Cup team like a small global company - getting the best sailors, the best materials, the best designers in the world and then energizing them with a common purpose," said Babson President Brian M. Barefoot. "He's a great role model for young people today of what entrepreneurial leadership is all about." MEMORABLE MOMENTS Make this year's Hot Rum Series in San Diego one to remember by chartering an IACC boat. Race dates are 11/9, 11/16 and 12/7. Reserve the entire boat for one race or the whole series by October 31st. Individual sales start November 1st on a first-come, first-serve basis. 800-644-3454 or http://www.nextlevelsailing.com TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE With the final withdrawal of Victorinox from the race, there are now a total of 76 skippers competing on 38 boats in this 6th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre. It really is the calm before the storm here in Le Havre as the sun shines down on the fleet moored in the Paul Vatine Basin, and the shore teams quietly go about their last minute preparations - a far cry from the conditions expected at the weekend. The weather forecast for the weekend starts is not looking promising: for a start, there will be a strong SW current during the first hours of racing. For the monohull start on Saturday 1st November at 1500hrs French time, a weak high pressure system will create winds from the South West over the English Channel. However, the force is between 15 - 20 knots on the start line, a better scenario than the prediction for Sunday's start. For the multihull's starting on Sunday 2nd November at 1500hrs French time, it is looking rather bleak: A south Westerly breeze will pick up to around 30 - 40 knots at the time of their start, and a choppy sea is expected with it, which will constrain maneouvrability not just for the multi's but also the mass of spectator boats. Good news, however, comes from the Race Organisers, of the prizes to be won during this event. No less than 150,000 euros will be distributed amongst the victors. The first three boats in the two 60ft classes will receive respectively 45,000, 15,000 & 10,000 euros. The Open 50 winner will receive 8,000 euros, and the second placed boat 2,000 euros. Baume & Mercier Trophy: Official Timer for the Transat Jacques Vabre, Baume & Mercier are giving two watches to each of the winning skippers in the 4 classes, and also a watch for the boat which establishes the best 24hr mileage (between 1200hrs one day and 1200 hrs the next), both for multi and monohulls. - Mary Ambler, www.jacques-vabre.com ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE n the stroke of noon on the third day of the Rolex Middle Sea Race Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo entered Marsaxmsett Harbour and crossed the Royal Malta Yacht Club's finish line in first place. Less than three hours later Charles Dunstone's Nokia sailed through the same stretch of water to collect provisional corrected time victory. With the fleet now spread out over half the 607-mile long course local weather conditions are dictating everybody's fate. Mike Slade's Leopard of London crossed the finish line third shortly after sunset this evening. Thirty five boats are still at sea. Crichton and his crew may have been bitterly disappointed to have lost another record opportunity due to light winds, but he can be happy with the fact that Alfa Romeo has now achieved the grand slam this year by collecting line honours in the entire Rolex season of races, which includes the Rolex Sydney to Hobart 2002, the Rolex Giraglia Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Maxi Cup and now the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Class B honours are still currently in the balance, with the Italian Benetau 40.7 Concetto Costa's Squalo Bianco leading a compact group of boats that includes the Maltese favourites and last year's winners Market Wizard owned and sailed by Ripard and Calascione. - Marcus Hutchinson, www.regattanews.com HOW'S TEAM ONE NEWPORT DOING? Fill out Team One Newport's survey and you could win a 4-day/3-night stay at the incredible Bitter End Yacht Club in the beautiful British Virgin Islands! Help us make sure that we are servicing you with the best products and best customer service. Check out our new items for the Holiday Season like the Myo Headlamps from Petzl!! And the great calendars including Onne van der Wal's Desk Calendar! Call 800-VIP-GEAR, email sean@team1newport.com for survey, or visit http://www.team1newport.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Peter Gombosi: I believe that Slocum's homeport was Fairhaven, but perhaps I am wrong. That is where he ended his circumnavigation, and where he found Spray. Fairhaven/ New Bedford might be even better than Boston for ending a race. Boston is a terrible place to sail to (not from), unless one likes expensive, commercial locales. * From Michael W. Fortenbaugh (edited to our 250-word limit): Today, the organizers of the renamed "Transat" announced the finish would go to Boston. In New York City, we had also been working hard to bring the finish here, first past the Statue of Liberty and then to dock in Lower Manhattan. This is part of our effort at revitalization. While we are disappointed not to have been selected, we recognize how exciting this will be for sailing fans in Boston. New York City is still in the early stages of its recreational renaissance. We wish to bring major events to this city and know that we need to build awareness in what our city can offer. Last year, thanks to an historic gesture by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Around Alone was the first round-the-world race ever to start from New York City. We hope it will lead to more events. New York City is the media capital of our country. It is also the financial and business capital. For races and sailors looking to maximize value for their sponsors, accessing the NYC market could create significant returns on investment. A trans-Atlantic race finishing at the Statue of Liberty would be inspiring to all sailors. And since the Statue was a gift from France, maybe the race should start from there. * From Matt Magolan: I find the OCE (Offshore Challenges Events) comments about keeping the spirit of the OSTAR event alive somewhat humorous given the fact that the original race was sailed by five boats that ranged from 21 to 39 feet. Hmmm, all boats are now required to be over 40 and the little guy is out on his ear. So now the only option for a sailor to do "The Transat" is to be a professional with a pretty large bank account or sponsorship. If you can't afford a 50 footer you could sail the mini transat, well I'd have to say that many of the sailors who have traditionally taken part in the OSTAR, NEWMAN1STAR, etc. in the shorter boats were not necessarily the same people who wanted to do a Mini Transat. I think that for the sake of simplifying the format for the Professionals, OCE has hurt the spirit of the Corinthian classes. Hasler sailed Jester, a modified Folkboat(!), across in that first race, why can't we see that it is not necessarily progress to close an event to smaller boats. I believe that Class III, IV, and V should still be included in The Transat, because they are still at the heart of the event. * From J. Joseph Bainton (re Cadiz ISAF World Championship): Paul Cayard's article in this month's Seahorse describing the recent ISAF World Championship Regatta is at odds with the glowing reports of Paul Henderson. I have heard stories about one hoist, very inadequate toilet facilities and unfair starting line practices. All of the stories praising or criticizing the event are anecdotal, although it cannot be fairly said that Paul Cayard lacks relevant experience upon which to base the opinions he expresses in his article. I suggest that ISAF consider hiring an experienced polling firm and find out from those competitors who (a) sailed in Cadiz and (b) had previously sailed in at least one world championship of the class in which they competed in Cadiz how the Cadiz event compared to prior world championships and, more importantly, if they would like the Cadiz format repeated either annually or quadrennially. In order to elicit complete candor from the athletes, the responses of each individual should be kept confidential. * From Doran Cushing (edited to focus on the boating issues): The Commerce Department is now advising all boaters who intend to go to Cuba that they will be required to apply for and get an export license for their boat, regardless of any other Treasury Dept. licenses or exceptions to the Treasury embargo regulations. Failure to do so could result in seizure of the vessel and fines. Participants in the annual race from Key West to Cuba in May of 2003 learned of this new enforcement as their boats were searched and possessions confiscated upon returning to Key West in early morning hours after a week or so in Cuba. To date, none of those personal possessions (which included cameras, film, laptops, notes, logs, etc.) have been returned. As a journalist who has visited Cuba nine times in the past 10 years, I was also advised of the new enforcement upon returning from Havana in mid-May. I was required to sign forms acknowledging my knowledge of the Commerce law but no further actions were taken by the government. I subsequently applied for and received an export license for my F-27 trimaran Triple Trouble ... the license is free and good for up to three visits to Cuba. I don't know if the license would have been issued had I not been applying as a journalist. * From Frederick Stelle: So how much would the sea drop if all the salt was removed? My guess is somewhere between 330 and 500 feet. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end. |
