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SCUTTLEBUTT 1969 -- November 17, 2005Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.OLYMPIC SCORING PERSPECTIVE -- Mark Reynolds (Scuttlebutt asked Mark Reynolds to share his thoughts on the newly confirmed plan for how the 2008 Olympics will be scored. After having been to four Olympics, bringing home two gold medals and one silver for the USA in the Star Class, here is what Mark had to say) I realize that ISAF is desperate to make sailing more appealing to the public (TV) or risk having the sport dropped from the Olympics (and lose the majority of our income). I've heard this before; this is why they tried match racing in front of the Opera House. This is why they shortened the races and went to the trapezoid with a little reach to the finish (and in the process lost the real reaches). There have been a few small positive changes like large country codes and flags, and onboard GPS position transmitters and cameras have been slowing coming along. However, what they have just done for the final "medal race" makes no sense to me, certainly as an athlete and, from what little I know, about making sailing interesting to the public either. Sailing is a sport that has constantly changing conditions. This is not the 100-meter dash or speed skating. Our sport is really unique because of the huge affect that the weather has on the results. We have evolved to having more races over multiple days to determine the champion. Trying to weight one race on one day goes against all that. In our sport there are very often days we can't even race! Plenty of other sports determine their winner not by who wins the last race, hole, event, routine or leg but by who has the best cumulative score. I'm pretty sure that this is not our problem so why screw it up for the athletes? I've won the Olympics twice under very different circumstances. In 1992 I won by a large margin where I didn't have to sail the last race, and then in 2000 I had to come from behind to win. I even lost the gold in the 1988 Olympics when there was an "Olympic" scoring system that rewarded inconsistency. That scoring system also made it harder for everyone to figure out what was going on like this last race weighting will do. If we had this new system in 1992 and we had finished last in the final "medal race," Hal and I still would have won the Gold. Now how would Gary Jobson explain that one to those thousands watching it on TV? -- This is a portion of report by Mark Reynolds. For Mark's complete report and to add your comments: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/05/mr_olyscoring TECHNOLOGY Ericsson has redefined "armchair sailor" for those who would rather not endure months at sea braving raging storms, fighting treacherous seas, dodging icebergs and pushing equipment to the breaking point, Anyone with an Internet-capable wireless mobile device can follow, and interact with, the Volvo Ocean Race with quick access by phone to http://wap.volvooceanrace.org. The information at this site, which is WAP-based (meaning it uses a Wireless Application Protocol developed specifically for viewing text and graphics on mobile phone screens) will go well beyond who is winning. Each Volvo Ocean Race boat has ten cameras on board, with required daily video/audio feeds for the public, so there will be plenty of input from the crews. The mobile portal will also allow users to sign up for a series of arcade-style games, which will come on-stream during the event, and interact with quizzes and blogs to find out more about the race, FEMALE SELF-REALIZATION Loaded with a five-month supply of canned food, a 28-foot Southern Cross sailboat has departed from Rhode Island on a non-stop journey to New Zealand via South Africa. Forty-four year old skipper Donna Lange, a grand mother, has full confidence in her ability to complete the trip. "This boat and I have already sailed 12,000 miles together," she says, referring to her recent trip sailing solo around the Atlantic Ocean. Experienced sailors shake their heads at Donna Lange's audacity. She does not seek to create new records, nor does she have wealthy sponsors trying to publicize sailing gear. So, why does Donna Lange want to sail around the world? The answer, best expressed on her web site, has several facets. First, it has been a long-held dream. Secondly, she loves the challenge of solo sailing. But also, she wants her voice heard. Donna Lange is passionate about female self-realization. She believes females should define their own existences and pursue their dreams by being more "willing to be educated." Through this extraordinary journey, Donna Lange hopes to reach more women through her writings. She plans publishing her ideas and adventures in magazine throughout the world. -- www.donnalange.com "STAGHOUND" PHRF AREA "G" CHAMPS Congratulations to Alec Oberschmidt and the crew on his Reichel-Pugh 50 "Staghound" for winning Class 1A at the 2005 Area G PHRF Championship Regatta, and capturing Class 1A's Overall Championship Series for 2005. Throughout 2005, "Staghound" regularly increased its inventory of Ullman Sails, and realized a decided speed advantage. Equally important, they forged a close relationship with the Ullman Team to take advantage of the wide range of outstanding customer support. If you and your team are ready to improve your boat's performance with the "Fastest Sails on the Planet," contact your nearest Ullman Sails loft and visit http://www.ullmansails.com CAYARD FEARS FOR VOLVO 70 SAFETY As Paul Cayard's stricken Pirates of the Caribbean was craned out of the water yesterday, the question being posed by his crew and support team was: "Are these Volvo 70 yachts seaworthy?" Cayard insists that his boat was within an ace of sinking on Sunday because of keel problems. So concerned is he about the keel system that he has contacted those Volvo Ocean Race rivals who have similar Farr-designed boats with the full details. Pirates has retired from the 6,400-mile Vigo-Cape Town Leg One and Cayard has booked an airlift to Cape Town on Nov 25, where he intends to head out into the ocean to test the repairs. Pirates has similar shearing and breaking of her internal bulkhead and bracing struts as Bouwe Bekking's Movistar. Far more troubling is what might happen if the watertight integrity of the box over the canting keel mechanism was to be breached. This nearly happened to Pirates when sailing normally, and must be even more dangerous at speed. Cayard gives a chilling account of how Erle Williams checked around the inside of the boat before getting into his bunk and found that the box was about to burst. "It was like a pressure cooker. You could tell immediately that if that sucker blew off, we would sink in a matter of minutes for sure," Cayard explained. -- Excerpt from a story by Tim Jeffery in Cascais, Portugal for the Daily Telegraph. There is a lot more to the story: http://tinyurl.com/b3y28 SURPRISE When the damaged Spanish VO 70 Movistar was lifted from the water by a crane in the Portimao Marina, Portugal, the crew got a surprise -- they discovered that parts of the port rudder and leeboard were missing. There is also damage to the keel which was at the time canted to the starboard side of the yacht leading the team to the inevitable conclusion that they may have hit a container or something else 'pretty solid'. After considering all the options and getting information from the Farr representative, team manager Pedro Campos and skipper Bouwe Bekking decided that the boat should stay in Portimao to complete the repairs. Only after the repairs have been completed will the boat be shipped to Cape Town, either on a cargo ship or by plane. MEANWHILE -- OUT ON THE RACE COURSE … Wednesday night's Volvo Ocean Race report has seen ABN Amro One (Mike Sanderson), averaging 18.4 knots during the past six hour period - sweeping into an 11 nm lead over Brasil 1, who has topped the fleet since Monday. Ericsson is breathing down her neck, just a mile behind, while ABN Amro Two (Sebastien Josse) is sticking with her twin and sailing a westerly course. Wednesday, 2200 GMT Position Report: 1. ABN Amro One, 4904 miles to finish 2. Brasil 1, +11 miles 3. Ericsson Racing Team, +12 miles 4. ABN Amro Two, +23 miles 5. Sunergy and Friends, +525 miles 6. Movistar, +1253 miles 7. Pirates of the Caribbean, +1309 miles Event website: www.volvooceanrace.com QUOTE / UNQUOTE "I have just woken up from my first proper sleep since the start; up 'till now Neal and I have been snatching sleep on the wet sails next to the nav station. In the first four days we have been nearly shaken to pieces, I have watched people being smashed around the boat like rag dolls in huge seas and we have all suffered from a lack of sleep, food and water. The boat has been pushed hard as well and is showing the signs of the heavy conditions of the first 48 hours. I think it's all the little frustrations that could really get on top of you; we had a bad leak through a winch on deck which was perfectly placed to soak the nav station and ruin a few bits of electronics; none more annoying than our supposedly waterproof keyboards which mean that we have been doing everything right now by typing on the screen using the mouse which in big seas would prove a perfect test of anyone's ability to see the funny side of life," -- Steve Hayles, Ericsson Racing Team navigator TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE In the IMOCA and ORMA 60 fleets, there can only be two winners, but no predictions can yet be made as the top three boats in both classes are still vying for victory out on the race course under 100m and a few hours apart from each other after carving up over 3,000 miles of ocean already. On the right hand side of the track, three Open 60 trimarans are locked in a tacking battle towards the Ascension Islands, on the left hand side along the direct route the top 3 Open 60 Monohulls have just crossed the Equator and are now pointing their bows directly to Bahia, followed in hot pursuit by the next 3 boats within a 50 mile radius. Leaders: at 1844 GMT: Banque Populaire 1688 nm to finish DTF (IMOCA 60), Virbac-Paprec 751 nm (ORMA 60), Gryphon Solo 2007 nm (Open 50 Monohull), Crepes Whaou ! 855 nm (Open 50 Multihull) -- http://www.jacques-vabre.com/pages_uk/accueil_uk2005.htm NEWS BRIEFS * Updated information from Geronimo has the maxi multihull yacht sailing in excess of 30 knots boat speed as they head for Honolulu, Hawaii. Over the last five hours the maxi trimaran of Capgemini and Schneider Electric has averaged 24.4 knots boat speed covering 128 miles and has averaged 23 knots boat speed for the last 26 hours giving them a 555 mile day. A 2225 mile passage from Los Angeles to Diamond Head in less than five days is a distinct possibility. -- http://www.superyachting.com/LA_Honolulu/indexla.html * While the bands from their respective universities revved up the spectators and the sailors on the waterfront deck of St. Francis Yacht Club, three generations of Stanford Sailors defeated two generations of sailors from the University of California - Berkley in borrowed J/105s on San Francisco Bay in the annual Big Sail. Stanford University's final score: Varsity Team 3-0, Masters 1-0, Young Alums 0-1. Skippers for the winners were - Undergrads: Brian Haines '07; Young Alums: Rolf Kaiser '95; Masters: Dick Enersen '64. -- www.stfyc.org * An institution in ocean racing, Tasmanian yachtsman John Bennetto has hung up his sea-boots after competing in 44 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, a record for Australia's ocean classic and probably unequalled anywhere in the world. Whilst he has not sailed in every race since 1947, John has competed in each of the past 21 races, 17 on them with his Frers 47 Mirrabooka II without a single retirement. Skippering Quest last year, he was forced to retire with steering problems - only his second retirement from the Rolex Sydney Hobart with a boat he has owned. www.rolexsydneyhobart.com * At 0136 hours GMT Wednesday, Westernaustralia.com sailed in to the Bay of Natal to clinch Race Three, Leg Two of the Clipper 05-06 Round-the-World Yacht Race from Salvador (Brazil) to Durban (South Africa). This is the second first place in a row for Westernaustralia.com, putting them at the top of the leader board. New York crossed the finish at 1345 hrs GMTto take second place on this leg. Cardiff Clipper held off Qingdao to take the third podium position. -- http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/n05_06/homepage.php GILL HOLIDAY PROMOTION Tired of sailing in the wet and the cold? Buy your Gill gear now and get a discount toward an escape from winter! Simply put, purchase $150.00 value of any Gill gear between Nov. 23, 2005 and Dec. 24, 2005, and receive a Sunsail vacation voucher for $100.00! For promotion details and to locate a participating 4 or 5 Star dealer near you, visit the Gill website at gillna.com or click on the link below. Gill is the official Technical Clothing Supplier to the US Sailing Team, ICSA and Junior Olympic Events. Get promotion details here: http://209.61.234.225/Promotions/05_winter/index_wntr_promo_05.php LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. For those that prefer a Forum, you can post your thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Dave Thomas: According to the item in 'Butt 1968 about the Rolex Yachties of the Year, "Only one male and one female can prevail…" That really sucks! There seems little question that Sally Barkow will be the Yachtswomen of the Year, but for Rolex to ignore the contributions of her crew, Debbie Capozzi and Carrie Howe, is both shortsighted and totally inappropriate. * From Russell Coutts, 1984 Finn Gold Medalist: How many races do we need to decide the Olympic champion? 10,000, 1000, 100, 10, 3, or 1? In the past, I've seen sailors completely dominate classes for the three years prior to the games and then not win a medal. The same thing happens in other sports. Yet most other sports have a format where there is an Olympic final and sailing was under pressure to create something similar. The new format is a move towards an "Olympic final" but it does not go all the way. I support the move. Future champions will still earn their medals by sailing better. I just wish we could find a way to make campaigning for the Olympics more affordable for our younger sailors! * From Nelson Weiderman: Charlie Cook is just deluding himself and others if he believes that the Olympic scoring changes "don't change the game." They change the game bit time and for reasons that have nothing to do with the athletes or the sport. Shame on you and the IOC! * From Peter Huston: Certainly the recent changes in the Olympic scoring format are a departure from the past. This might actually be a good thing for the US team. Brilliance now will be rewarded more than consistency was. The winner is going to have to be very good in small fleets - which becomes a de facto strength for us, because for the most part, in the US we have small fleets. The dynamic of winning a medal is probably radically changed - what does this mean for training? Four or more years traveling the world, or maybe just a couple of weeks a year in big events, and the rest of the time stateside sailing in small fleets? Other than qualifying the country for the Games, is there any real value in racing in fleets larger than 30 boats given that this is about the size of fleets in the Games? In the final medal race, with only a 10 boat fleet, raw boat speed will be at a greater premium than ever before. Training, and funding for that training, will have to consider these factors. We might benefit by staying close to home and doing "speed camps", saving time/money. People who think that this new format is somehow going to cause the end of sailing as we know it have forgotten how we adapted to past changes to the sport - the format changed, now the only thing to do is figure out how to make it work for us. * From Paco Calvet: I am sure that Mr. Cook, the ISAF, the IOC and all stakeholders are 100% right on the new Olympic format. And the TV coverage will be great and everybody will be happy. But as racing sailor for 57 years I know that racing is a lot of fun, and that watching a sailboat race is really boring. * From Ken Quant: I find it ironic that a car company that has built it's reputation on safety and reliability is sponsoring a yacht race of marginally constructed, high performance boats that are now garnering high profile media crash coverage. Although it would be a huge loss to our community, you have to wonder how long a sponsorship like that can continue and why this format made sense for Volvo in the first place? * From Scott Truesdell: I have to disagree that race boats and designers have reckless disregard for anything, especially the lives of the crew. These Volvo 70s are the first generation of a brand new design rule, tossed into the crucible of competition, and operated by motivated and competitive people. Add to that the extreme weather of the first 24 hours in an area of the planet strewn with the shipwrecks of a 1000 years of storms. So we broke a couple of parts and some of the players had to make a pit stop. I hear one of the crew skinned a knuckle. Hardly a disaster given the conditions. And the super-maxis are breaking completely new ground in structural engineering. How do you engineer the Empire State Building to be picked up like a baseball bat and whacked on the ground? They'll get it. It's called development and setbacks happen. They'll work it out. * From Brett Phillips (re Volvo and Transat races): Winning races is Strategy. One strategy is to survive. When the heaviest, slowest, safest, most conservatively sailed program wins the race we will know the best strategy. Until then, things are definitely out of hand! * From Victoria Scott: The two main threads of recent 'Butt editions seem to be heated debates about the general popularity and comprehension of sailing among the Joe Bloggs and the rate of boat casualties in the Volvo Ocean Race. Most people actively involved in the sport appreciate that the Volvo 70s are cutting edge sailing boats being pushed to the limit things are going to break. However your average Joe does not. He sees a five minute slot on Sky Sports, witnesses 5 boats having major technical problems forcing them to pull into port and will rightly think "surely these boats shouldn't break & fall apart as soon as they reach heavy weather they are designed to withstand these conditions…. Aren't they?" In his eyes he will see an ill-prepared race with over 40% of the competition quitting after a few days. Whether Joe is right or wrong, this is what your non-sailing public will probably think. And its not going to make him tune in & watch sailing on TV, that's for sure. Whilst I avidly follow the race & am very distracted at work by the excellent website, my friend Joe just does not share this enthusiasm one bit. Would you continue to follow coverage of a sport you knew little about with such a high percentage drop-out rate of competitors? Poor Joe didn't even bother to start to understand the scoring. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "When I make a joke, it's a joke, but when Congress makes a joke, it's a law." -- Will Rodgers |
