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SCUTTLEBUTT 2913 - Friday, August 21, 2009Scuttlebutt 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. Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Today's sponsors are Team One Newport and Doyle Sails. HI TECH RACE MANAGEMENT How is the technology at the events you participate in? Here is how it is getting done at the RS:X World Windsurfing Championship to be held later this month at Weymouth, England: Each of the 4 marks on the course will have a Race Committee boat in attendance, where there will be a GPRS enabled mobile phone loaded with custom Java software. Each time a board passes their mark, they tap in the seeding number and 10 seconds later that rider’s name and sail number appear on the dedicated web page on the RS:X Worlds site. Results for each race come up in the same way. To follow a particular rider (or riders), you just go to the results page and sign up for an alert. You can choose whether to get the data sent to your mobile or your email address. In fact, all the athletes and coaches who have provided their mobile number will also get an SMS when an official notice is posted. The On Line notice board will mirror the information posted on the board at the venue for any changes to Sailing Instructions, the proposed racing schedule for the next day, etc. While the armchair spectator will be able to follow every twist and turn of the championship, how long will it be until this information is on the water with each competitor? Will we soon see the iPhone as required sailing equipment to provide tide, wind speed, and competitor placing? Yikes! -- Scuttleblog, http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/08/regatta-tech.html REMEMBERING TOM BLACKALLER Tom Blackaller, one of yacht racing's most colorful and outspoken helmsmen, who twice won the Star Class World Championship and competed in three America's Cup campaigns, died a young man at 49 years of age in 1989. The 20 year anniversary of his passing will be next month on September 7th, with Scuttlebutt Forum now seeking contributions from people fortunate enough to have experienced the color and character of Tom Blackaller. Here is a sample from journo Chris Caswell: Tom Blackaller was so much larger than life, from his passion for red sports cars to the weird espresso machines in his office to playing ice hockey on Wednesday nights, to saying what he believed without first stopping to think. When Dennis Conner said, in 1987 in Freemantle, that the only reason Michael Fay and Chris Dickson would build a fiberglass 12-meter was to cheat, that wasn't good. But it was Blackaller on the podium who set off 'glassgate' when he said loudly to the gathered press, "Uh-oh, he shouldn't have said that!" It was Blackaller who chose to spin a few donuts in his van on Dennis Conner's lawn in Newport (with a young Gary Jobson as shotgun..sorry, Gary), causing Conner to snap, "How can you run a Cup campaign with a 12-year-olds mind?" There was a memorable sail into the Sacramento Delta for the Tinsley Island Stag Cruise aboard a One-Tonner. Along with Tom, there was designer Gary Mull, another irrepressible personality who often acted as the flame to Tom's gasoline, and yachting historian John Rousmaniere (who may be trying to forget this particular piece of history...sorry, John). Let's just say that it was an increasingly drunken voyage highlighted by several end-for-end spinnaker jibes in narrow channels by persons barely capable of standing. And who can forget Blackaller and Bill Munster sailing their Star underwater on the San Francisco Olympic Circle. When I arrived on a chase boat, all that remained were the two sailors laughing like kids next to the still-floating transom with the words, 'Good Grief!' Tom once said to me, "Everyone chooses to be a color in life. I choose not to be gray". I miss you, Tommy boy. Please post your story here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8054 OFFICIAL GEAR FOR 6 METRE WORLDS & NYYC INVITATIONAL CUP Team One Newport is proud to be selected to produce the official merchandise for the 2009 6 Metre Worlds and NYYC Invitational Cup. You too can purchase the official gear for these events by visiting http://www.team1newport.com/departments.asp?dept=121. Team One Newport is the world renown retail store and mail order business based in Newport, RI that has been helping racing sailors get their gear for 25 years. You may also reach a Customer Service expert at 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327). Their selection is awesome! NOT GUILTY Lakeport, CA (August 20, 2009) - At 11:30 this morning, the Lake County jury came in with their verdict in the trial against Bismarck Dinius: Not guilty of felony Boating Under the Influence (BUI) resulting in death. Not guilty of BUI. And 11-1 for acquittal of operating with a BAC over .08. That charge was later dismissed by District Attorney Jon E. Hopkins, who finally saw the writing on the wall and then quickly fled the courtroom. For those not familiar with the case, on the night of April 29, 2006, Bismarck Dinius was invited to go for a quick sail on Clear Lake aboard Mark Weber's O'Day 27 Beats Workin' II. Both had raced on other boats earlier in the day in the Konocti Cup, both had enjoyed the post-race party, and both thought a leisurely night sail would top off a great day. Several other people went along for the ride, including Weber's 51-year-old fiancée, Lynn Thornton. Toward the end of the short voyage, those onboard heard a speedboat approaching - fast. In a matter of seconds, off-duty Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Russell Perdock's 385-hp Baja Outlaw had plowed into the starboard aft quarter of the sailboat, launched itself over the top of the cabin and landed on the other side, taking the mast and the life of Lynn Thornton with it. -- Latitude 38, read on: http://tinyurl.com/nurkd2 ZACH RAILEY: TRAINING SECRETS Less than a year after Zach Railey won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in China, the Finn sailor is already setting his sights on 2012. First up: Zach structured an on- and off-the-water training plan to ensure he peaks, performance-wise, at key events throughout the year. Here in the first issue of The Medalist, the new newsletter from the US Olympic Sailing Program and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics (USSTAG), Zach shares his elite training plan and provides advice for every sailor about how to stay physically and mentally sharp: * How does a fitness plan give you an edge over other sailors? ZACH RAILEY: “You have to have endurance because sailing is all about repetitive motions over and over again. Time on the water is the number one way to get fit. But once you get to a certain point, you have to look for other avenues and the gym is the only way. All the top sailors in the world are doing this - so if you don't do it, you will lose the edge. Even if you're not at an Olympic level of sailing, you should get on a physical fitness and nutrition program. You must be physically ready to excel on the water. It will make a big difference.” * How much time do you train on and off the water? ZACH RAILEY: “When I am training full time, I probably spend five days a week on the water for an average of four hours a day. I do four days a week of cardio: I do an hour to an hour-and-a-half of running, biking or swimming. And then I do another hour-and-a-half of weight lifting four days a week, so that's another six hours.” Complete interview: http://cms.messagesherpa.com/newsletters/NL_template_2/51/456 TP52 AUDI MEDCUP CIRCUIT Portimao, Portugal (August 20, 2009; Day 2) - Challenging and, at times, humbling. That was the assessment of Emirates Team New Zealand's navigator Kevin Hall (USA) after the Kiwi team posted a third and a first today to lead the Portugal Trophy after five races have been sailed. This is the fourth stop of the five event 2009 TP52 Audi MedCup Circuit. The gusty, puffy breeze was, once more, rich with both pitfalls and opportunities. Even when the north westerly had kicked in and the wind topped 20-21 knots there were lines of lighter breeze to avoid. Big gusts, especially on the downwind legs, were not only a big payout for those who struck it rich from the weather mark, but offered the viewing spectators great action as the TP52’s surfed at speed. Emirates Team New Zealand promoted themselves from fifth after the first day to lead in to the coastal race, even on points with 2007 champion Artemis, helmed by owner Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) and assisted in this event by tactician Paul Cayard (USA), and two points clear of the Terry Hutchinson (USA) helmed Quantum Racing. -- Full story: http://2009.medcup.org/news/index.php?id=1190 FATHER AND SON WIN IN THE STAR Tomas Hornos with his dad, Luis, crewing won the Star Junior Western Hemisphere Regatta, while Mike Nichol and Arthur Anosov placed 3rd. The Star wins continued with Tom Londrigan and Stuart Hall winning the 4th Districts. In the Rhodes 19 class, Doyle sails finished top 3 at the Cape Ann Championship, 1st at the Marblehead NOOD, and 1st at Buzzards Bay Regatta. Recent Etchells wins include the New Englands, Marblehead NOOD, Verve One Design, and Long Island Sound Championship. When the one designs come down to one, it's Doyle. The big difference in one design. http://www.doylesails.com/onedesign LASER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Nova Scotia, Canada (August 20, 2009; Day 1) - The World Laser Senior Championship began their qualifying series for the 167 competitors, which have been divided into three fleets for the first four days, then divided in the Gold, Silver, and Bronze fleets depending on results in these qualifying series. While the form guides had highlighted 2008 Olympic gold medalist Paul Goodison from Great Britain, and the 2007 and 2008 World champion Tom Slingsby from Australia, it is Croatian Tonci Stipanovic, Brit Nick Thompson, and American Clayton Johnson that fill the top three places. Comments Johnson, “We had two long races in anywhere from 10-16 knots. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my first day. I had a 2-3 and am certainly in the mix. The regatta is only just starting, so with 12 more races it's going to be important to just keep the consistency up. Friday we're scheduled to have three races. The RC moved the start time up one hour and will try to bang off an extra race in anticipation of Hurricane Bill hitting Nova Scotia this weekend. It could be a smart call.” Event website: http://can09.laserinternational.org Clayton Johnson full report: http://www.claysails.com/node/120 505 NORTH AMERICANS San Francisco, CA (August 20, 2009) - As the precursor for the 505 World Championship, the three day North Americans provided the leaders with the tune-up they needed, and opened the eyes a bit wider for what lay ahead when the Worlds begin this Sunday. Combine winds in the 20’s with short chop, cold water, mile and a half weather legs, and an across the bay sail between the course on Berkeley Circle and the host site of St Francis Yacht Club, the point is driven home that the Worlds won’t be for the meek. Mike Martin and Jeff Nelson (USA) and Mike Holt and Carl Smit (USA) had built a big enough points lead to where they sat out the second race today and still preserved their final first and second place positions. By winning the final race, Howie Hamlin Ian Mitchell (USA) climbed up to third overall. For the Worlds, Hamlin will be joined by Paul Cayard, who is competing this week at a TP52 event in Portugal. -- Results: http://tinyurl.com/luk7en COURSE SHORTENED FOR IDA LEWIS DISTANCE RACE Newport, RI (August 20, 2009) – The fifth running of the Ida Lewis Distance Race, which will host a fleet more than double the size of previous years, begins at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon off Newport, R.I., where host Ida Lewis Yacht Club makes its home. For the 40 boats entered - the largest being George David’s (Hartford, Conn.) 90-foot Rambler and the smallest being Doug Mitchell’s (Boston, Mass.) 30-foot The Cone of Silence - Race Organizers announced a shortening of the two courses due to the pending approach of Hurricane Bill, the first major Atlantic storm of the season, which is making its way northward. “The idea is to have everyone back safe in the harbor and secure by midnight on Saturday, when we expect some form of weather disturbance,” said Race Chairman Peter Gerard. -- Event website: http://www.ildistancerace.org/2009/ AMERICA’S CUP LEGAL MOVEMENT Further (America’s Cup) legal action in the next few days would seem to be likely with today's announcement that David Boies, has joined the Golden Gate YC legal team. Boies was previously retained by Team New Zealand in their case against Alinghi and owner Ernesto Bertarelli to pursue claims that the Swiss team had reneged on contractual undertakings to stage the 33rd America's Cup in 2009. Likely targets for the GGYC legal team are believed to relate to the venue announced for the Defence; the measurement rules also recently announced for the Match; and general fairness of the competition. Also likely to come into play is the hitherto confidential agreement signed between the International Sailing Federation, and the Defender and Event Organiser Societe Nautique de Geneve. -- Sail-World, complete story: http://tinyurl.com/m6kfpr DALTON LOOKING TO EXPAND PACIFIC SERIES Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton is hopeful America's Cup-class yacht racing will make a return to New Zealand this summer. Team NZ were one of the movers behind the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland in January and February, when they went on to win the final against archrivals Alinghi. Ten teams competed in the inaugural Pacific Series in a two-week match-racing regatta run like a shortened version of the America's Cup. That series was organised in response to the lack of America's Cup action because of the ongoing court wrangle between American syndicate Oracle and cup holders Alinghi. Dalton said today that the feedback from the Pacific Series had been such that there were plans for a repeat. But rather than being a stand-alone event, it would be part of a new circuit that would include three other stops around the world. -- NZ Herald, full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10592063 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include launching a large catamaran and spying (allegedly) on a large catamaran, some dinghy sailing in Massachusetts and Oregon, some vintage sailing in Ontario and Rhode Island, a really random photo from Turkey and a mildly inappropriate photo from Narragansett Bay. 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/09/0821/ VIDEO OF THE WEEK This week 11 teams from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Denmark, the US Virgin Islands and the USA will start three days of competition for the inaugural edition of the Chicago Match Cup, held over August 21-23. Organized by the Chicago Match Race Center (CMRC), this International Sailing Federation Grade 2 event will be the most international sailing event held this year in Lake Michigan. CMRC's floating base of operations will be on its 70-foot houseboat moored at the North end of Belmont Harbor, immediately adjacent to the Belmont Yacht Club. Racing will be conducted in the CMRC's dedicated fleet of eight equally-matched TOM 28 class yachts, each with a team of four crew. This video provides a glimpse of what is going on at CMRC: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/09/0821/ * If you have a video you like, please send your suggestion for next week’s Video of the Week to mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Please submit 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 Billingham, 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist: The rabbit start for the 505's is very cool. We used it in the Solings in the old days a couple of times after too many general recalls. I have never seen a cleaner line up of boats bow to bow on a perpendicular line to the stbd tack heading. A skipper still can decide if he wants to start on the pin or wait for the pathfinder to chug down the line and start later "close to the RC Boat end". Good or bad being the pathfinder and getting stuck on the far right end - great if there is a lift, terrible if the first shift is a header. I remember it was a draw for which boat was the path finder for the first race, and then it was the 10th place boat for all subsequent races. The 10th place boat is going to have reasonable boat speed. If they draw a dog slow boat for the first race, you want to start at the left end as you'll pop out faster and possibly be able to tack and cross if needed. Also best to approach start close-hauled slightly cracked for good speed, we tried reaching at the stern of the pathfinder but found heading up suddenly to close-hauled was bad for boat speed and it was better to come in a little fat but on the wind then gently hardening up (keelboat strategy, do not know about planning dinghies - too big to ever sail on one). * From Pat Healy I vote with Howard Bentley (Scuttlebutt 2912) that giving attention to attempts to be the youngest person to sail around the world is wrong. In April 1996, seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff was attempting to become the youngest person to pilot a plane across the United States. Accompanied by a flight instructor and her father, the plane crashed while attempting to take off in front of a thunderstorm at Cheyenne Wyoming. Let us the readers, and the media, ignore these misguided efforts to gain notice, let them wither while we focus on sailing stuff that are worth holding up as a challenge, worth an effort and worthy of the attention. * From Bill Reilly: My 2 year-old son is getting ready to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world... I am going to duct-tape him to a radio-controlled sailing yacht, and I will be monitoring his voyage via a satcom/GPS control system... all from the comfort of my living room... what do you think? Maybe Scuttlebutt (and all other sailing news services) should refuse to publish stories about the "youngest person to sail around the world"... without publicity these people have nothing to gain, so maybe these young girls will go back to doing what girls their age are supposed to do, selling Girl Scout cookies... * From Peter Dodds: After reading Eric Sorenson’s letter (in Scuttlebutt 2912) describing the problems the International Moth foils have with outboard motor exhaust bubbles, it occurred to me that one could take out the whole fleet with a case of Alka Seltzer. I suspect a pocket full of the fizzing pellets will become standard equipment in most skippers’ arsenals. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." - Tommy Lasorda Special thanks to Team One Newport and Doyle Sails. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
