|
SCUTTLEBUTT 2226 – November 17, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). FULFILLING A PROMISE Although the Star North Americans this week in Miami, Fl is heavily ladened with a talent-rich international field, and the smell of Olympic-level sailing is thick in the air, there does still remain room in the event for those members of the Star class family that enjoy sailing the boat… just for the boat. Tony Herrmann is one of those people, where this week represents not only a chance to compete against the best, but to also fulfill a promise. Beaming from ear to ear and sailing her first regatta on salt water was Becca Ruhm, 12, from Racine, Wisconsin. Herrmann is her grandfather, who had made a deal with her earlier this year - once she reached 100 pounds, they would sail Star boats together. Despite the 2.6-mile beats taking their toll on Becca, she’s having a blast. She’s amazed by all the Star power here, loves the warm weather, and can’t understand why more “girls don’t sail Stars. It’s fun.” Becca is a very special person - the youngest, lightest and least experienced of everyone here and one of less than a handful of females having a great time among this galaxy of talent. Home schooled and living with her grandparents, she is having one of the most memorable learning experiences of her life. -- Lynn Fitzpatrick * (Nov 16, 2006) The weather stole the show during the second race of the second day. The race was started in 9-10 knots at about 240 degrees. The sky was overcast and cumulus clouds with very dark bottoms marched their way from the Everglades to Biscayne Bay. The anvils grew higher as the fleet sailed back upwind in light chop toward a dirty grey wall that swallowed the shoreline behind it. Xavier Rohart and Pascal Rambeau rounded the weather mark first. They rounded the offset mark just as the first lightning bolt hit. Freddie Loof and Anders Ekstrom were a thunder clap behind them. The first 10 boats bore away and took off on a plane on the leading edge of the front. Those who followed had a hard time handling the 30-knot gust that came through. Clean up crews dodged lightning bolts as they followed the fleet toward the finish line and Coconut Grove. -- Lynn Fitzpatrick, Star Class website, full report: http://www.starclass.org/artman/publish/article_243.shtml Results (after 4 races; 79 boats) 1. Hamish Pepper/Carl Williams (NZL) 1-1-3-7, 12 pts 2. Xavier Rohart/Pascal Rambeau (FRA) 5- 3- 4-1, 13 3. Robert Scheidt/Bruno Prada (BRA) 7-6-5- 5, 23 4. Andy Horton/Brad Nichol (USA) 25- 2-2-13, 42 5. Marc Pickel/Ingo Borkowski (GER) 9-7-8-19, 43 6. George Szabo/Mark Strube (USA) 20-12-9-11, 52 REMAINING CALM (The following report comes from Tony Bullimore’s support team.) (Nov 16, 2006) While news of Tony Bullimore’s ‘local difficulty’ with the communications equipment on his 102ft catamaran Doha 2006 spread like wildfire around Australia and beyond yesterday, the crew by contrast have probably made very little progress towards port. Barry Pickthall, Team Bullimore’s co-ordinator added. “With the winds as they are, I don’t think we can expect Doha 2006 to reach land before the weekend or indeed until early next week. The problem Tony has is that without communications, he cannot pick up the weather forecasts so he can only work from their barometer reading and the feel of any seaweed they have onboard.” In the meantime, speculation on the crew’s whereabouts since they lost contact with the outside world on November 7 shortly after crossing the Equator bound for Hobart, Tasmania, led to more than 2 hours of television time on the major networks across Australia, Europe and the Middle East yesterday, news and phone-in discussions on more than 100 radio stations around the world, and stories in all the major newspapers. Team Bullimore’s own Mistral web site www.teambullimore.com was hit by more than 64,500 hits within 24 hours. The site normally receives around 5,000 hits a day. “For the present, we are not unduly worried about the situation which we believe to be a simple case of lack of power onboard the boat.” Barry Pickthall confirmed today. “We are keeping a listening watch and hope the crew will get fresher winds shortly to carry them towards port.” Tony Bullimore is sailing to Hobart to make a bid to break the 70 day barrier for sailing solo around the world. The current record, held by Dame Ellen MacArthur stands at 71days 14 hours. -- http://www.teambullimore.com WINDS OF CHANGE (Kuala Terengganu) Pulau Duyong has seen many changes since the first Monsoon Cup a year ago brought the world to its doorstep. The marina, managed by the Terengganu Heritage Bay Club, has been completed. It is a world-class facility, the likes of which the residents have only seen on television. The villagers have seen a parade of famous faces in the past year, such as Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong movie star and director, and Ferrari boss Jean Todt. And Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is expected at this year’s Monsoon Cup from Nov 29 to Dec 3. However, the biggest change is in the minds of the villagers. Initially put off by the exclusivity of the yacht race, talks by local leaders have shown the villagers the benefits it can bring to their fishing community. Now, they no longer shy away from visitors, especially foreigners. They welcome them warmly and are proud their island at the mouth of Sungai Terengganu is host to an event watched by a billion viewers on television. Datuk Nasir Ibrahim, deputy chairman of the state Industrial Development and Tourism Committee, said: "The first Monsoon Cup was a shock. No one knew how big and important the event was. Its prestige and sense of exclusivity made many people stand on the sidelines. -- New Straits Times, full story: http://tinyurl.com/yn9ke5 HERE, THERE, & EVERYWHERE Coast to coast, boarder to boarder, and around the world; whether patrolling our waters, officiating regattas, or coaching our children, Ribcraft RIBs prove themselves day in and day out. Whether you’re looking for a coach boat, a racing tender, or a boat to cruise around in when not sailing, now’s the time to see for yourself what safety professionals and yacht clubs already know. As you begin making plans for the 2007 sailing season, be sure to visit the Ribcraft website to see how a Ribcraft RIB will work for you. Taking orders today for spring delivery. http://www.ribcraftusa.com ALL ACADEMIC SAILING TEAM (Nov 16, 2006) For the first time in its nearly 80-year history, the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) has recognized outstanding scholar athletes with selection to its first-ever ICSA All Academic Sailing Team honoring men and women who have succeeded at the highest level – both on the water and in the classroom. Leading the inaugural team is Sloan Devlin (Mystic, Conn.), Harvard ’06, who achieved a 3.88 GPA in Organic Chemistry while also excelling on-the-water. Her outstanding performance in competition during the college sailing year (fall and spring seasons combined) earned her three-time ICSA All-American (’06, ’05, ’04) honors. The inaugural team recognizes nine All-Academic and ten Honorable Mention student-athletes, nominated by their respective schools for academic and athletic performance during the 2005-2006 school year. To be considered eligible for this distinction, the nominee must be a key starter or reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.00, and have reached junior standing at his or her institution of learning. Joining Devlin on the ICSA All Academic Sailing Team are Arlene Chung (Murrysville, Penn.) – Brown University ‘06, Jamie Kimbal (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – College of Charleston ‘06, Becca Levin (New Haven, Conn.) – Stanford University ‘07, Meghan Pearl (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) – Yale '07, Melissa Pumphrey (Annapolis, Md.) – St. Mary’s College '07, Kevin Reali (St. Petersburg, Fla.) – University of South Florida ‘06, Emily Simon (Oak Brook, Ill.) – Harvard University ‘07, and Jennifer Wilson (Fargo, North Dakota) – University of Minnesota ‘06. Receiving Honorable Mention were Derby Anderson (Annapolis, Md.) – Georgetown University ’06, John Appelbaum (Florissant, Mo.) – US Naval Academy ’06, Andrew Blom (Miami, Fla.) – University of South Florida ’06, Molly Lawson (Duxbury, Mass.) – Hobart/William Smith Colleges ’06, Whitney Loufek (Newport Beach, Calif.) – UC Irvine ’07, Hannah Oakland (Charlottesville, Va.) – Yale University ’07, Russell O’Reilly (Charleston, S.C.) – College of Charleston ’07, Ashley Reynolds (St. Petersburg, Fla.) – University of South Florida ’06, Frank Tybor (Coronado, Calif.) – UC/Irvine ’07, and Quynhanh Anna Vu (Houston), Stanford University ’06. -- Link: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/1116.htm SAILING SHORTS * The new members of the Sailor Athlete Council have been elected by sailor athletes from across the United States. The new Council members elected for a 4-year term are: Dave Perry (Southport, CT), Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, FL), Brian Ledbetter (Seattle, WA), Sally Barkow (Nashotah, WI), Jesse Falsone (Edgewater, MD), Ned Jones (Newport, RI), and Dobbs Davis (Annapolis, MD). In addition, 2 Council members were re-elected: Dean Brenner and Cory Sertl. These newly-elected members will join Bob Billingham (chair), Sandy Grosvenor (vice chair), Kim Hapgood, John Lovell and Hannah Swett who all have two years remaining of their terms. -- http://www.ussailing.org/sac * Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team has announced the construction of the second of the two new boats built for the 32nd America’s Cup. The hull was built in Italy at Marine Composite in Andora (Savona), and has since been transferred to England where it will be fitted out. Mascalzone Latino ITA 99, like ITA 90, is the design of Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team’s design group led by Harry Dunning. -- http://www.mascalzonelatino.com * Earthrace, the 78 ft wave-piercing trimaran that has been constructed in order to promote the use of biodiesel, is currently on a worldwide publicity/ fundraising tour. Following the tour, Earthrace will try to set the Round the World Powerboat Record that is just over 74 days. Earthrace is docked this weekend at The North Cove marina in New York City (http://www.TheNorthCove.com) and will be open for public tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The crew will request a donation of $5 per person. -- http://www.earthrace.net * On Saturday November18, 2006, the Audi Etchells Worlds start in Fremantle, Western Australia. More than 70 Etchells, with a record 28-boat international fleet from Great Britain, Ireland, North America, New Zealand, Bermuda, Italy and Australia, will participate in the event. -- http://www.etchellsworlds2006.org CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar RACES IN PROGRESS * (The following commentary comes from the blog of Elaine Bunting, Yachting World's Features Editor) It looks painfully like the Velux 5 Oceans race is falling apart as a competitive event just weeks after the start. The event has had its problems, but this is cruel all round and is no-one's fault. Blame the weather. The front four skippers are a thousand miles apart and the rear contingent well over 2,000 miles behind. Bernard Stamm is a runaway leader. He should make 40°S and enter the Southern Ocean this weekend 800 or even 1,000 miles ahead of Mike Golding or Alex Thomson. That's 2-3 days in elapsed time, which is how this race is scored. It's true that can anything can happen, but the anything that might restore the 5 Oceans to a close race won't be a good thing. Only a problem or a breakage is going to bring the leaders back together and there's an equal chance that such a mishap would tear the fleet further apart. Even Bernard Stamm must have misgivings; this does not feel like a grand prix tussle. It's not good. -- http://tinyurl.com/yhalwn -- Velux 5 Oceans race website: http://www.velux5oceans.com * (Nov. 16, 2006) American sailor Kip Stone crossed the Route du Rhum finish line off Point à Pitre, Guadeloupe, to win the Class 2 monohull division at 10:38 GMT today (5:38 EDT). The 3,500-mile solo transatlantic race started October 29 in St. Malo, France. Stone also set a new class record of 17 days, 22 hours, and 36 minutes, beating Australian Nick Moloney’s 2002 record by approximately 18 hours. -- http://tinyurl.com/yjl78g FREE + SHIPPING = NORTH SAILS North Sails is offering free shipping* on Air Necessities purchases from November 17-23! Avoid the crowded malls and express mail costs by starting your holiday shopping now. New items include full-zip hooded sweatshirts, fleece vests for men and women and a great variety of new hats (including our fleece beanie for adults or children - perfect for winter!) Please write "scuttlebutt" in the comments box during check-out to redeem our free shipping offer. *Offer good for online orders over $60 (before tax & regular shipping costs), surface shipping only within the USA. http://na.northsails.com/an/AN_catalog.taf LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forums. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forums: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Keith Burhans: (edited to the 250 word limit) Here’s my "skuttle-rebuttle" also "tongue-in-cheek" (to the ‘Yawn Design’ Racing commentary in Issue 2225). As a double amputee, I loath the archaic word "handicap" and suggest that it be PC'd and stricken from usage in sailing. Lets substitute "Mongrel" for the "H" word. Next, cars are meant to be different. Racing boats are meant to be the same. In one-design racing, it’s the boat prep, the crew work, the equipment, the boat handling, and mastery of the start that collectively lead to success. You are rewarded for striving for excellence. If you’re not up to speed, you can improve your skills, upgrade your equipment, and even practice - all without being penalized. Success in one-design results in respect from your competitors and emulation. When you win in one-designs, it’s because you are doing things right. Sadly, mongrel racing is not the same. The basic premise of mongrel racing is to equalize dissimilar boats; a futile prospect. There’s always a dark cloud associated with mongrel racing. When a mongrel wins, it’s assumed to be due to a favorable rating, rather attributed to the talented crew, the great starts, being in phase, and the great boat handling in perfect conditions for that boat. There is always a tarnished asterisk next to a mongrel win. Eventually the boat and crew that has consistently done all the right things to prevail in mongrel racing will be penalized. Mongrel race management is all about maintaining mediocrity and it comes with a readily accepted excuse to lose. If you stink, you just blame the rating. * From Nelson Weiderman: Most of Bob Porter's "tongue-in-cheek" article about "yawn design" racing (in Issue 2225) is not worth the dignity of a response. But the part about handicap systems rating "one-design" boats differently is more a statement about how the IMS and IRC systems measure than it is about how fast the boats go. I guarantee that you can measure the same boat three times, using three different measurers, and in the measurement systems you can get three different numbers. The number has to do with the measurements that are taken, the conditions under which they are taken, and the skill of the measurers. And that's not "tongue-in-cheek." * From Lloyd Klee, New Zealand: Not again, many people who did not read his book after his last Australian rescue may not have realized that according to him, he never switched his 406MHz Beacon on. The Royal Australian Navy found him as a result of his Argos race Beacon, which of course does not have a homing signal. Despite never switching his beacon on, he then apparently rec'd sponsorship from an EPIRB manufacturer with an American Express card "never leave home without it" jingle. How would an accountant treat him in the balance sheet - an Asset or a Liability to yachting? In days gone by, there was a joke amongst airfreight exporters that PanAm was the most experienced airline in the Pacific, with the by-line being that "they had been in it more times than anyone else." Is there a parallel here with Tony Bullimore? * From Doran Cushing: The photos of the Padanaram, MA boats on the rocks following a predicted storm again would suggest the owners failed in their responsibility of "due diligence." I was told by a local resident that the boats broke loose from the moorings...the moorings did not fail or drag. When I wrecked my boat in a race, I admitted to my stupidity. I'd love to hear from absentee owners who never seem to fess up to their responsibility and just assume insurance will cover it. It does, and we all pay for it (my wreck included). If I don't trim a tree near my house, and it falls on the house in a typical NE storm, whose fault is that? (photo link: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/1028) * From W. J. McNaughton, Toronto: (edited to the 250 word limit): I observed the America's Cup boats in St. Maarten (referred to in Issue 2225) while bareboating last January and participated in while cruising on the QM II two weeks later. The number of boats in use on any given day depends on the number of "crew" bookings, which is usually related directly to the number of cruise ships in port. We did notice that if you arrived with a hat with a lanyard, sunglasses with ties, Topsiders on your feet, and sailing gloves in your pocket, you were more likely to be asked to do specific positions and not as likely to be relegated to grinding or rail riding. It is billed as an "Experience" and it is. Scuttlebutters will notice that when one boat gets ahead, the next tack becomes a bit slower with a more falling off than you saw from the onboard cameras in the last America's Cup, all to keep the next crossing and lead changes “close.” Considering that most of my fellow crew were "tourists covered in oil," and that these machines can do some serious damage to each other, the skipper was not always apt to follow strategic tactical advice that would ensure a narrow but decided edge. However, as we subsequently crossed the line in second place, the helmsman did turn to reply in a quiet voice: " Would you like to take her in?" CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance. This issue of Scuttlebutt provided by Ribcraft RIBS and Air Necessities. Welcome to JCD Custom Race Parts, who now has a banner ad on the Scuttlebutt website. Their website is full of custom equipment that either can’t be found elsewhere, or are refined solutions for readily needed gear. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
