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SCUTTLEBUTT 3079 - Tuesday, April 27, 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. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today’s sponsors: Morris Yachts, North Sails, and Landfall. MIRACLE RESCUE IN MEXICO By John Bertrand, (April 25, 2010) - David Wright, a top Canadian Laser sailor, who is training at the International Sailing Academy in La Cruz, Mexico, rescued a downed kiteboarder at 2:30 am today (Sunday) after a three and a half hour water search in Academy's coach boat. The kiteboarder had been in the water for seven hours when David found him. Like all of us, David is only here in Mexico this week because the of the air travel shambles resulting from Iceland’s runaway Eyjafjallajokull volcano. He’s part of a group of top North American competitors who couldn't get flights to the French Olympic Regatta in Hyeres. Those of us who know David know he is one of the most determined and focused individuals you will ever meet. He just never gives up. Whether it's during an upwind heavy air grind and he is tight on your hip, or if it is a sail back to the harbor after a long day on the water, he will always be sailing his hardest. After training with him on and off for the last five months, I found out he purposely puts himself in the most disadvantage position in our speed tests and drills just to test his abilities to their fullest. It's that tenacity and his Merchant Marine training that combined to save a life last night. At 10:30 pm yesterday (Saturday), David along with Rob Crane and Clay Johnson, were awakened by frantic knocking on the door of their villa. A man wearing a kiteboarding harness, board shorts and a rash guard excitedly told David that his friend was lost out in the bay. He knew there was a powerboat at the villa. Could they help go search for him. The man had been kiteboarding with his friend after the wind died in Banderas Bay. He lost sight of his friend and decided to swim for shore. The guys jumped to action. While David tried to ascertain exactly what the situation was, Rob immediately went to the other villa to get the keys to the coach boat. Within minutes David and the kiteboarder were headed out in the 25-hp 14' RIB to search for the lost sailor. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/26nhfs5 SEMAINE OLYMPIQUE FRANCAISE Hyeres, France (April 26, 2010) - Waiting for wind was the theme of the day today at Semaine Olympique Francaise, but finally, all the classes were able to get in at least one race in light but consistent breeze (6-8 knots). Top performances included Zach Railey (USA) winning the Finns’ only race today among a 49-boat fleet. “The key was really just trying to stay in the pressure as much as you could,” said Railey. “The wind was very up and down and very shifty, so you just had to really play what you had around your part of the race course.” Also, leading the Women’s Match Racing field is Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi (USA), who was the only undefeated team to complete their qualifying round and advance to the quarterfinals. After enduring frustrating travel sagas to even get to France, sailors are now anxious to get on the water and have some consistent races. Railey has a realistic perspective, however: “Postponements and waiting is part of the sport. Sometimes the wind just isn’t going to work in your favor. I just try to relax and wait for the Race Committee to make a decision on when to race and then go out and try to perform.” Light winds are forecasted for Tuesday, with racing to conclude on Friday, April 30th. Event website: http://sof.ffvoile.net U.S. team event website: http://tinyurl.com/US-SOF-2010 BACKGROUND: Semaine Olympique Francaise is one of the major regattas in the international Olympic sailing circuit and the fourth of seven events in the 2009-10 ISAF Sailing World Cup series. ENTER TO WIN: What were you doing in 1984? For the members of the 1984 US Olympic Sailing Team, they were busy medaling in all seven events of the Los Angeles Olympics. Do you remember who was on that team? Check out the team photo and enter to win the Atlantis WeatherGear Microburst Jacket that will be raffled on May 3rd. -- Link: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum/10/awg MORRIS SERVICE INVITES YOU TO AN OPEN HOUSE Come to Bass Harbor, Maine on Wednesday, May 19th for a behind the scenes look at the operations of one of New England’s premier yards. Special focus will be given to several complete refits and the ongoing process of wet core removal and replacement. There is no charge to attend but reservations are required. Please call 1-207-244-5511 or email mailto:service@morrisyachts.com to reserve your place. For more information and a schedule of the day’s activities go to: http://www.morrisyachts.com/Morris-Service-Open-House See you in May! PARTIES TO A REDRESS HEARING With effect from 1 January 2010, ISAF amended the definition of party, as shown: Party - A party to a hearing: a protestor; a protestee; a boat requesting redress or for which redress is requested by the race committee or considered by the protest committee under rule 60.3(b); a race committee acting under rule 60.2(b); a boat or competitor that may be penalized under rule 69.1; a race committee or an organizing authority in a hearing under rule 62.1(a). As previously drafted, the definition of party, had the effect that boats that were considered for redress, but which had not, themselves, requested it (that is where redress was initiated by the race committee or protest committee under rules 60.2(b) or 60.3 (b)) had no right to: - be present at the hearing under rule 63.3; - to request the reopening of a hearing under rule 66; or - to appeal any decision of a hearing under rule 70.1. This had the incongruous result that although a protest committee, in considering redress under rule 64.2 was required to 'make as fair an arrangement as possible for all boats affected, whether or not they asked for redress', those boats, unless they themselves had formally requested redress, were not entitled to be heard by the protest committee as to what a fair arrangement might be. It might be supposed that the rule was devised with the pragmatic intention of preventing every boat in a fleet demanding a right to be heard when one boat was being considered for redress, when it was assumed that the protest committee would deal fairly with all boats without the necessity of hearing from each of them. The changed definition of party improves fairness at the expense of possibly making redress hearings longer and more unwieldy. -- RRS - Look to Windward blog, read on: http://rrsstudy.blogspot.com/2010/04/parties-to-redress-hearing.html#more LESSONS LEARNED - REBOUNDING FROM KATRINA The Southern Yacht Club (SYC) is the United States’ second oldest yacht club. Founded in 1849 in Pass Christian, Miss., the club relocated to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, La. in 1878. The clubhouse has been rebuilt five times since making the move. The most recent reconstruction was the most challenging and emotional transition the club has ever faced in its long, storied history. This August will mark the fifth anniversary of one of the most devastating natural disasters to ever strike U.S. soil. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina left a trail of destruction in its path throughout the Gulf Coast. The SYC suffered the same fate as many other establishments in New Orleans, especially those who reside close to Lake Pontchartrain. High winds and heavy flooding, including four feet of water greatly damaged the SYC. In the hours following the storm, a fire broke out and completely decimated the club. Countless trophies and priceless, historical artifacts were destroyed. The fallout from this catastrophe sent reverberations throughout the club’s membership base, staff, and local sailing community. Before the storm hit, the SYC had a staff of 75 employees. The club did their best to retain the core of their staff. Commodores Ewell “Corky” Potts and Hjalmer Breit, general manager Tim Fitzpatrick and others were left with an enormous task of communicating with members, assessing the damage, taking inventory, and developing short term and long term plans for a new facility. -- Read on: http://media.ussailing.org/US_SAILING_Media_Home/Latest_News/SYC_Feature.htm MAINTAIN YOUR LANE By Scott Young, 6-time winner, US Men’s Sailing Championship As we enter into the Spring and Summer months, many of you will be competing in regattas that will draw big fleets. As the number of boats on the race course increases, the ability to create and maintain a lane of clear air and water while sailing upwind is hugely important. In fact, I think this topic is probably one of the least discussed but most important concepts related to big fleet racing. In large fleets, obtaining and then maintaining a clear lane is such a difficult thing to do. So many variables can affect whether you "live or die". Seemingly, so much appears to be in the hands of fate as to whether that crosser elects to tack directly in your face or lets you live to fight another day. In reality, so much is really in your hands and there are many subtle tactics and maneuvers that you can employee to maximize the clear lane that you have worked so hard to create. Here are a few concepts to consider. The first thing I always do is constantly try to assess if I am on the favored tack and sailing in the direction that strategically makes sense. Once I have established that I am on the favored tack, in phase with the winds shifts and am headed the direction that I want to go, then the focus shifts to what I have to do to maintain this position and clear air as long as possible. -- Read on: http://scottyoungsailing.blogspot.com/2010/04/maintain-your-lane.html NORTH-POWERED BOATS FINISH 1,2 AT ROLEX FARR 40 WORLDS ‘Nerone’ and ‘Transfusion’-- both powered by 100% North Class Sail Development (CSD) inventories -- finished 1, 2 at the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds held in the Dominican Republic from April 21-24, 2010. With just a two point difference between the pair, ‘Nerone’ scored a 1-2 in the final two races to secure the win. Nine of the ten boats racing at the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds were powered by North Sails. When performance counts, the choice is clear: http://www.northsails.com SAILING SHORTS * Golden Gate Yacht Club & Club Nautico di Roma will be holding a joint press conference announcing details of the 34th America’s Cup in Rome on Thursday May 6, 2010. A live webcast will be streamed; additional details forthcoming. -- http://bmworacleracing.com/en * Corpus Christi, TX (April 25, 2010) - For the 38 competitors that competed at the 2010 International Kiteboard Association Course Racing World Championship, it was a story of overcoming Mother Nature. First it was Icelandic volcano ash that presented obstacles for travel to the event, and then it was the inconsistent weather conditions at the event. Winds up to 30 knots on the first day decreased to more moderate conditions on the second day, but light and unstable winds cancelled racing on the final two days. Adam Koch (USA) and Kari Schibevaag (NOR) won the mens and womens divisions, respectively. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/2c9wpks * The Southern California coastline last weekend saw two races originating from Newport Beach, sending racers south to either San Diego or Ensenada, Mexico. The Border Run had 116 of its 182 entrants complete the race in San Diego, while the Newport to Ensenada race fared better with 193 of its 217 entrants reaching the finish line. Light to moderate winds characterized both races. -- Event websites: http://www.theborderrun.org and http://nosa.org * (April 26, 2010) - Bermuda’s five-time World Champion Eugene “Penny” Simmons took it to the IOD fleet again at the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, making the best of the strong winds to lead the fleet from start to finish in the only race of the day. High winds are expected on Tuesday, with forecasters predicting gusts of 35-40kts. Racing concludes April 30th. -- Event website: http://www.biirw.bm/ * (April 26, 2010; Day 7) - With the Scoring Gate behind them the next phase of the leg from San Francisco to Panama in the Clipper 09-10 Round The World Yacht Race is well underway and the teams are now focussing on the finish line at Panama. The winds, although reduced in strength, are still blowing from the northwest providing some fabulous downwind conditions as the teams pass Puerto Vallarta along mainland Mexico. Spirit of Australia continues to maintain her lead, with 1847 nm to the finish. -- Event website: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/ EIGHT BELLS Mickey Spilane, sailor, died near his winter home in Brazil. Apparently Mickey was hang gliding about an hour north of Rio with friends. As he was taking off from the ramp built at the edge of the cliff, a gust of wind turned his glider sideways and he plummeted to the bottom of the canyon. He inspired and taught hundreds of sailors of all ages and skills. He captained some of the most successful race boats of the era. In 1971, Mickey was running Yankee Girl and took her across for the Admiral’s Cup. In 1972, Mickey came aboard Charisma. He delivered the boat to Brazil for the first Rio Circuit where he met his future wife Alice. They both describe it as “lightning from across the room”. She, a non-sailor, sailed back from Brazil with him. He was captain on Ted Turner’s American Eagle and was involved with Turner’s successful America’s Cup effort. In an effort to spend more time at his home in Newport, which he made a welcome center for sailors from around the world, he became a foremost delivery skipper with a reputation for doing long, safe deliveries and bringing the boat home in better shape than when it left. What inspired so many was the way he shared his contagious, overwhelming sense of confidence. Anything could be done and everything was easy. A hurricane at sea? – we’ll just sail around it. A woman’s ear torn by the mainsheet in a jibe? He just stitched it up. Build a house, disassemble a 120 foot tree, branch by branch? Just get a ladder, climb up and do it. No problem! -- Eric Camiel, Scuttlebutt Forum, read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9689 ANY RACING, ANY WHERE - LANDFALL WILL OUTFIT YOU! Whether around the cans, the Bay or the Sound, visit the outfitting experts for your spring and summer race lineup! Landfall is the industry leader in marine safety, navigation, reference and wear. The new Spinlock Hydrostatic inflatable vest, gear from Patagonia, Musto, Gill and more in stock! http://www.Landfallnav.com, (800) 941-2219, Stamford, CT (I-95 Ex 6). LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Bob Johnstone, Commodore, The Northeast Harbor Fleet: Congrats on Nick Hayes's, 'What's Really Wrong with Yacht Clubs' in Scuttlebutt 3078. Yacht club membership trends are influenced by two factors: (1) Demographic Trends: A successful YC will have programs and boats that address what the 77 million baby boomers (now age 55 to 65) are now doing in boating. It explains what's worked in boating over the past 45 years- starting with annual sales of 100,000 Sunfish, Hobies and Snarks in the early 1970's when they were in their 20's, then 500 J/24's/yr when in their 30's, etc. (2) Junior Boats: Yacht Club programs aimed at getting their top youth, aged 14 and over, at the helm of adult boats (instead of weight sensitive kiddie boats) will go a long way in solving the 'feeder' problem to becoming a YC member. Back in the 50's the junior boat I sailed at the Wadawanuck YC (Stonington CT) was the Lightning. We couldn't wait to take on the old guys on Saturdays, often skippering for a sponsoring owner. The Laser may offer "all age" competition, but the primary YC adult fleet(s) today are larger centerboarders and keelboats. * From The.Buckleys: Regarding Nicholas Hayes' rant (in Scuttlebutt 3078) about power boats in yacht clubs, I would be interested to see what type of vessels comprise his Club's Race Committee! * From Lee Smith: I hope this article generates as much heat as the America's Cup fiasco. It certainly affects far more of us than the trials and tribulations of billionaires who need a life. Haye's chart does indeed seem to wrap up the issue and tie it with a neat ribbon. What to do? The 2010 catch phrase is "target demographics". It didn't take long to figure out that our target is the young marrieds, who will bring the kids along with themselves. They are looking for the most bang for their discretionary dollar, so let's invent a Young Married Membership that's cheap, gets them out on the water, and gets them hooked by the beauty and challenge of sailing a sailboat well. Discuss among yourselves! * From Terry Bischoff, 55 year member of US SAILING: My (race committee) team was the first team ever to run a Medal Race. We did this continuously at the Miami OCR through this January. When interviewed early on, I expressed my doubts as to the real benefits of the race. Sell more boats, get more people to watch sailing on TV? How much of those goals has ISAF accomplished by sailing a silly little 25 minute race, at double points. Totally unfair when compared to our traditional Olympic racing techniques. Anyway, apparently many must feel this finale has great merit since it continues even with the latest negative procedure changes from ISAF. ISAF has a very hidden agenda: keep sailing in the Olympics or most of the staff will have to go to work in the real world. They will continue that goal no matter how they turn a great sport upside down. As I've said for years, the U.S. needs to resign from two obsolete and terribly anti-productive organizations: the UN and ISAF. * From Jeffrey Chen: (Eight Bells in Scuttlebutt 3078) The Caribbean has lost another of its pioneering sailors with the passing of Rudy Thompson from St Thomas. His passion for sailboat racing was evident in the chronological and geographical span of events that he participated in through the length and breadth of the Caribbean. I competed against Rudy in the mid eighties at Antigua Sail Week, a converging point for sailors from either end of the Caribbean, he was racing then a series of Pearson boats all named 'Cold Beer'. I ran into Rudy again in 2005 at the Rolex Regatta in St Thomas where he was racing on a boat with his son and grandson. His pride and enthusiasm at racing with three generations of Thompsons on their J/27 evident in his broad smile. Caribbean sailing has arrived at a point where many of our heroes, exemplars and friends are leaving their island homes for voyages in the blue beyond. Godspeed to you Rudy Thompson, Guy Eldridge, Andrew Burke and Dougie Meyers; all racing fiercely at the Regatta in the Sky. * From W. Bostwick: I first met Rudy Thompson as a teen-age dock rat in St. Thomas in the 70's. I thought I could learn a lot from him about sailing, but instead I learned a whole lot more about living. Thanks Rudy. -- Forum, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9692#9692 * From Manfred C. Schreiber: (re, letter in Scuttlebutt 3078) Howard D. Paul wrote about Jim Kilroy calling out: "Gentlemen Starboard". It immediately brought back the memory when the late Georg Nowka, GER (Bronze medal at the Helsinki Games in the Dragon class) gave me an example of the same attitude at 20sec to T in my first ever keelboat race: "Raum bitte". Which clearly meant "luff up" and made me overearly. I wasn´t used to this gentle tone in the dinghy class and it made me to react accordingly. It was the polite but determined tone which since then stuck in my ear. These are examples of how we should behave for a better sport and giving a good example to the youth sailors to take it into the next generation. Not always easy in the heat of the battle but please, gentlemen in the upper age league, help set the tone on the race course. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Shouldn't all married men forget their mistakes? After all, there's no sense in two people remembering the same things, right? Special thanks to Morris Yachts, North Sails, and Landfall. 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