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SCUTTLEBUTT 1525 - February 24, 2004Powered 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. BEN AINSLIE, 3-TIME FINN GOLD CUP CHAMPION (After winning the Laser World Championship twice, plus silver and gold medals in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, 27-year old Ben Ainslie from Lymington, England has become the dominant force in the Finn class, winning the Gold Cup three consecutive times. Scuttlebutt spoke with Ainslie about his recent accomplishment, and why UK sailing has lately been so in phase. Here are a couple of excerpts from this story now posted on our website.) Arriving to the site of the 2004 Finn Gold in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil a month in advance gave Ainslie the chance to participate in the Brazilian Nationals and the South American Championships. Assisting in the build-up was the UK's team approach. "There were four of us in the British squad for the Worlds. For the first two weeks Paul Hobson from North UK coached and also worked a little bit on the sail development," Ainslie revealed. "For the World Championships David Howlett was out as coach, which was great for me as I seem to work very well with 'Sid' at the big events. Like most of the other teams we were receiving daily weather reports and we also put some time into trying to work out the currents, although that did seem to be quite futile at times." * A comprehensive, calculated event circuit schedule requires certain financial pieces of the puzzle to be in place. "I have been fortunate that my past results have enabled me to secure sponsorship with 'Volvo' as a title sponsor," Ainslie remarks, but "contrary to popular opinion we (UK) don't run half million dollar budgets and funding is actually very tight for the whole squad. Most top sailors in the UK have personal sponsorship in one form or another!" A look at the 2004 UK Olympic Team, where every member is either a past medalist, a current or previous world champion or at worst, a top ten world's finisher, Ainslie appears to be in good company during the final stretch toward the Olympics. "We have been very fortunate in the UK. After a dismal 1996 Olympics the government finally decided to give Olympic sports some financial assistance and British sailing gained from this by having an extremely well run National governing body (RYA). The last decade has also seen a new generation of sailors come through who seem to be pushing harder and getting better results." As the UK continues to gain momentum, Ainslie notes the advantages his country has provided him over the Americans. "US sailing from the outside seems to be well organized but perhaps struggles for resources, which is strange for such a huge nation. The fact that the US is so big also makes it hard to run national training clinics or regattas with all the top talent. In England we don't have those sorts of issues." Ainslie also wonders if the US sailors will need to start campaigning earlier, rather than completing college prior to making their Olympic commitment. "I think the college sailing in the US turns out some very tactically sharp sailors, but it's very different to Olympic sailing. The choice talented young sailors have to make is whether to go to college and try for the Olympic after you graduate or to save the studying for retirement. It's a very hard decision but increasingly sailors worldwide are taking the latter option and gaining the experience early or at least studying part-time whilst on the circuit." - There is much more to this exclusive Scuttlebutt interview: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/04/0223ainslie/ CAMET ARUBA SHORTS The new design of Camet Shorts are a plain front style, made out of fast drying Supplex® nylon, with a reinforced Cordura® seat patch for an optional foam pad, roomy right side cargo pocket with Velcro® closure flap and an internal phone pocket. Two deep side pockets, as well as Velcro® waist adjustment straps. Gusset design for full range of motion. Fabric has a UV rating of 40, blocks 97.5 % of UV rays, and provides excellent skin protection. Check out the Camet shorts, in the different styles and colors and the Coolmax shirts on their web page. http://www.camet.com FOR THE RECORD * After a day of extraordinary tension and teamwork, Cheyenne skipper Steve Fossett reported late this afternoon that the giant catamaran's wayward forestay, displaced during the previous night, had finally been reconnected - and Cheyenne and her team of 13 were once again sailing at speed and on course in their attempt at Bruno Peyron's 2 year old Round the World Sailing Record of 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes. The bars of Cape Town can now stand down. At 1710 GMT Monday evening Cheyenne and crew were traveling E/SE at 21.8 kts in a 23 kt westerly breeze. Before this morning's drama, Cheyenne was over 500 nautical miles ahead of the 2002 record track of Orange. Even during the 16+ hour repair process, excellent downwind progress along the course was made, the big cat covering 196 nm over the past 12 hours, and 446 miles over the past 24 hrs - at an avg speed of 18.6 kts. Not bad for 'running repairs'. "The repair process was accomplished using hand tools - where this type of work is usually done in a rigging shop with specialized heavy equipment," explained Skipper Steve Fossett. "This is defining of the most professional distance sailors. They can fix things at sea where normally we would have to retire to the nearest port. Despite meticulous preparation, these high performance multihulls cannot be expected to make it Round the World without mandatory repairs at sea." - www.fossettchallenge.com * After a weekend's hard work by the sailmakers, Olivier de Kersauson's maxi trimaran, the Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric sponsored Geronimo, is now ready to leave for a Jules Verne attempt and it looks as though there may be favourable conditions for a fast ride to the Equator by mid-week. - Yachting World, www.yachting-world.com * On Thursday 19 February at 11.00 GMT, the maxi catamaran Orange II announced the damage to its starboard bow - the crash box having disappeared during the night. At the speed that these boats go, the crash-box on the front of the bows is absolutely indispensable. In the event of a collision with a floating object, it enables the frontal shock to be absorbed so as to avoid extensive structural damage. The one on the Orange II's starboard hull fulfilled its role perfectly with the crash box becoming detached cleanly. The structure is completely sound. As a result the boat can continue its course, which she did by returning under her own power. "The hulls are equipped with a double security system." Gilles Ollier expanded. "There are two successive crash boxes. The first is intended to take low impact; the second is for more intensive collisions. This device has a similar function to car bumpers. They mustn't be too solid in order to absorb the energy of the impacts, thus avoiding more extensive damage. As regards the cause of the damage, no explanation was really given, though the crew affirm that they didn't hit anything. With all the ambient noise on these boats when you hurtle along at 30 knots, not all collisions can be identified. Orange II's crew didn't notice the damage until during the morning's daylight inspection, though the crash box must have disappeared in the preceding hours. There was no indication or reduction in performance to warn them of any damage. A thorough inspection on shore has lead Gilles Ollier to believe that a collision could be the cause for this damage, as is suggested by the slight damage to the leading edge of the starboard daggerboard. - Multiplast & Gilles Ollier Design Team, www.multiplast-yachts.com IT'S TIME TO HEAD NORTH! Visit the North Sails Web site for a wide range of technical sailing gear and outerwear recommended by North employees and clients. Tell us you saw this ad in Scuttlebutt (use the comments box) to receive a free gift with your order! http://na.northsails.com/an/an_catalog.taf AMERICA'S CUP (The following items are reprinted from the Cup In Europe website - www.cupineurope.com) *The K-Challenge was the first French campaign launched for the America's Cup 2007 but, as the team can't find the money to start, the initial enthusiasm seems to have petered down. But Stéphane Kandler continues to believe and, even if he had to stop the team members contracts, he want to maintain the hope. "We are discussing with a foreign partner for 10 to 15 million euros", said the K-Challenge General Manager. "It is our last chance". * According to the French newspaper Libération, citing rumors circulating, Bertrand Pacé would be ready to jump off the Team France project and to sign with the new Bertelli's Luna Rossa Challenge. In spite of the hopes raised by the Loïck Peyron's notoriety, the Team France has already pushed back the deadline three times and doesn't have anything concrete to present yet. NEWS BRIEFS * The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia announced a slight increase in the IRC (International Rule Club) upper speed limit, from 1.61 to 1.615, and the continuation of the 30 metres overall length limit (LOA). The CYCA decision follows a process of consultation with a number of affected owners and a review of the impact on boats in last year's race following changes to the IRC. The decision means that a boat such as Skandia, which won line honours in 2003, will remain eligible to compete in 2004 despite its rating having increased. * Jean Luc van den Heede's 84-foot aluminum cutter Adrien is in the doldrums - hardly moving at all. And it looks like he has at least another day of this before getting to the Northeasterly trade winds. VDH covered just 56 miles in the last 24 hours and is now 3,481 miles from the finish, 24 days and 5 hours ahead of the 'westabout' singlehanded global record held by Philippe Monnet. - http://www.vdh.fr/gb/ * 45 boats competed in the J/24 Midwinters, held 2/18 - 21 at David Island YC on upper Tampa Bay, Florida. The international fleet, with competitors from Sweden, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US, saw conditions build from 8 - 12 Northerlies to 20+ shifty Northwesterlies on the first day, followed by 2 days of no wind. Geoff Moore survived two Z Flag penalties in Race 2 to win the high scoring regatta with 39 points. Bob Harden placed second with 48 points and Tim Healy took third with 53 points. - www.diyc.org/resultsdetail.asp?ResultID=249. * Lisa Pline and Kim Couranz have won the three race Women's Snipe Nationals and Snipe Women's Challenge at the San Diego YC, with 9 points. Two points back in second place were Carolyn Brown Krebs and Laurel O'Neill while Megan Magill and Anna Brun finished third in the 29-boat fleet. - http://sdyc.org/raceinfo/sniperesults.htm * The 2004 Laser Master's Midwinters East was sailed in Clearwater, Florida, and the fleet consisted of sixty four masters from Australia, Germany, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic in addition to those from the North American region. The list of participants read as a who's who of Laser Masters sailing with two current Master's World Champions and several past Masters' World Champions. Californian Chris Raab scored an impressive 15-point win over local sailor Kevin Kelly. Andre Martinie of the Dominican Republic won a tie-breaker with Mark Bear to take third in the six race, one discard series. - http://clwyc.org/LaserMasterMidwinters04/results.htm * The overall winner and first master at the 49-boat Zag Cup Masters Regatta (Star boats) was Joe Bainton, sailing with Peter Bromby. Second were Steve Gould/ Chris Gould and 3rd were Larry Whipple/ Mark Strube. In the Grand Masters Division (13 boats) the winning team was Steve Haarstick/ Todd Schmaker, followed by Guus Bierman/ Duncan Skinner and Steve Rubinkam/ Rohan Lord. The winners of the exalted grand masters division (7 boats) were Harry Walker/ Mark Reynolds, followed by Robert Van Wagnen/ Eric Beckwith and Jack Button/ John Button. - http://www.starclass.org/search.cgi?Action=view&Event_id=296 * The J World Match Race Regatta in San Diego, California introduced a new flavor for match racing. The competitors sailed Etchells, Tom 28's, and two sets of J80's using both symmetrical and asymmetrical spinnakers. Sailing in a spectator-friendly area, the teams changed boats after every race for the round robin which brought a new challenge to the teams of changing trim set up, and boat handling in three very different designs. Final Results: 1. Scott Dickson; 2. John Pinckney; 3. Bill Hardesty; 4. Jes Gram-Hansen; 5. Matt Reynolds; 6. Jeff Pape; 7. Liz Baylis; 8. John Ziskind. * Based on our web traffic report, the poor penguin in the game on the Scuttlebutt website really got smacked around last week. More than 6,000 people gave it a pounding. CONGRATULATIONS! Ben Ainslie and Richard Clarke, one-two at the Finn Gold Cup wearing Kaenon Polarized! Winning a round trip ticket to Athens are Kevin Hall, Johnny Lovell/ Charlie Ogletree, Tim Wadlow/ Pete Spaulding and Meg Gaillard. All wearing Kaenon Polarized. It's no coincidence Kaenon Polarized was on board the victorious America's Cup boat, Volvo Ocean Race winner illbruck, and is now the most prominent lens technology in Olympic sailing - Kaenon Polarized is winning equipment! Kaenon Polarized. Evolve Optically. Find an authorized dealer nearest you at http://www.kaenon.com 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 John Kehoe: I take great difference to Fred Applegate's comments re. the results of the Yngling Olympic Trials. The winning team, Team Atkins, consisting of Carol Cronin, Liz Filter and Nancy Haberland, sailed a terrific regatta that was the result of tremendous focus and hard work, learning from every practice session and every regatta, including the Yngling World Championships were other American teams faired better. Over the last two years, I have had the benefit of receiving many e-mails up-dates; the positive outlook, commitment and focus on improving make this result particularly impressive. Beyond the solid result in the recent Trials, with six months to go, I believe that Team Atkins' proven ability to learn and continually improve makes them a terrific team to represent the United States in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. * From Steve Podlich: Contrary to Mr. Applegate's comments in 1524 I'd like to extend hardy congratulations to Carol Cronin, Liz Merrifield Filter and Nancy Haberland, the 2004 US Olympic Yngling representatives. This is not an unknown team, who has never been heard of before the Olympic trials, which lucked into a win at the trials. They attended the Worlds and while they did not win, they did respectfully. And they have sailed in hundreds of other races in the past 24 months (I think they even won one). They sailed head to head against 2 former world champs and other fine sailors in a selection trial of 16 races. Tell me, what IS wrong with this picture? Not a thing. Team Atkins has been working consistently toward their goal and they PEAKED at the right time. Please join me when I say "Go get 'em in Athens". * From Russ Silvestri (To Martin Kiely on the Olympic trial turnout): It takes a lot of dedication and support to go to the Olympics let alone win the Olympics, it is not the easy thing to do, so American kids don't do it. The bar has been raised very high by our foreign competitors who have the support side better figured out than we do. * From Roger Hall: If Martin Keily wants to know why there was such a dismal showing at the Olympic Trials he need only talk to team fundraisers like me. I have been calling on US corporations large and small for two years asking for help for a 49er team, and have received only the most pathetic excuses why these companies could not possibly find a few thousand dollars to help my 49er teammates. Furthermore, there were four athletes here in Miami from Portland, Oregon competing in the trials, and despite many hours of advance information sent to the Portland Oregon news media, not a word was published about the sacrifices of these dedicated sailors. So why should private donors get on board, if the news media refuse to recognize the athletes very existence. * From Janet C. Baxter, US Sailing President: I disagree with Mr. Huston, who says that US Sailing should not be in the selling business. The Zodiac boats are being offered to help our member organizations get critical tools they need to support their sailing programs (helping kids learn how to sail, providing safety, setting marks and running races), at prices they cannot get anywhere else. Zodiac is also providing boats for the US Sailing Team for the next three years at no cost to the sailors or to US Sailing. That frees up money to be used for travel, shipping and training. The press release is part of our support of that agreement. Our other sponsorships are similar, supporting our corporate partners and supporting our members. Every dollar that comes in is one less to be raised by dues or higher prices on our merchandise and services. We have not raised basic dues in many years. As Dave Sprague points out about ISAF, governing bodies are only as good as the volunteers that run them. We do make mistakes, and I'm sorry that our website had results but no story on Thursday. * From George Fredrickson: Not only do I agree with Mr. Huston ('Butt 1524), I have decided to not renew my membership in U.S. Sailing but instead will use the funds to buy a direct subscription to Sailing World and Cruising World. The balance I will give to my local Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program were it will be put to good use. I think there are now other means to stay informed and support this wonderful sport more directly without empowering some guys in Rhode Island that seem to have lost touch. For the time being I may join the U. S. Power Squadron (for free) I would get a 10% West Marine coupon (as opposed to $20 on a purchase over $75 w/USSA). * From Jerry Bidjiewicz: Paul Henderson is right in that cheating has no place in the Olympics. But his latest ("charged with responsibility," "have signed a contract!" "should not apply for Olympic for status!" "ISAF must ensure!" "ISAF is insisting!" "what ISAF must do!") - with the kicker that "If a class does not accept this... and wants to 'be above' these obligations... they have the right to [forfeit] Olympic status," makes me look forward to the coming change of command at ISAF. As often is the case, the announcements have a top down, no room for negotiation posture, with the caveat that if the dues-paying sailor doesn't like it, he/she can have it his/her way, so long as he/she gives up the Olympic dream. * From Kenny Robertson: In his letter on Olympic measurement and policing the weight distribution fore and aft in a boat, Paul Henderson said, "ISAF has produced a very sophisticated measurement device to ensure that this is not allowed" - namely a swing test. Interesting, but my understanding is that a lone Frenchman - supposedly one Gilbert Lamboley - working largely alone and with few resources back in the 70's produced this elegant test to measure the fore and aft weight distribution in Finns. Oh and how silly all those Finn sailors look now after years fretting about their radius of gyration! Poor men must have been delirious as they could not possibly have known about this - as ISAF had not yet invented it! * From Robert T. King: I regret to inform you that sailing's esteemed photographer Kelly O'Neil has been seriously injured in an automobile accident. Kelly has touched many of us: she brought smiles to our faces, music and laughter into our hearts, and Hershey's kisses to our boats. Kelly preserved our memories in living colour; I ask that the sailing community remember Kelly and her family in our prayers, and send strength, hope, and love. * From Benjamin Richardson: I would issue a correction immediately letting the sailing world that Andy Lovell was second in the 1996 Olympic Laser Trials, not Kevin Hall. Curmudgeon's Comment: You are absolutely correct. Hall competed in 1992 in the Finn, finishing eighth; in 1996 he finished fifth (not second) in the Laser; and in 2000, he and skipper Morgan Larson placed second in the 49er class. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS Marriage changes passion. Suddenly you're in bed with a relative. |
