|
SCUTTLEBUTT No. 733 - January 19, 2001Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome. TEAM ADVENTURE* The 110-foot maxi catamaran Team Adventure diverted to Cape Town South Africa today with structural problems. While sailing off a large wave about 1,100 miles southwest of Cape Town, Team Adventure suffered structural damage as the fairing at the forward starboard side of the main beam delaminated. The area also suffered some outer skin and core damage. Considering the sailing conditions in the Southern Ocean, skipper Cam Lewis deemed it prudent to proceed to Cape Town. The team plans to arrive there within three days and effect the necessary repairs to the boat. "We are concerned by this setback," said Lewis, "but we are determined to press on and get back in The Race. We have been in contact with our designer Gilles Ollier and our builder, Multiplast," said co-navigator Larry Rosenfeld. "They feel that we can repair the damage and continue in The Race." Team Adventure is proceeding the 1,100 miles to Cape Town on a bearing of 070 sailing at 15 knots under reduced sail. Two crewmembers were injured. Mikael Lundh was injured in a fall crossing the trampoline. He suffered a sprained neck and he is resting in his bunk. Jeffrey Wargo suffered a bruised pelvis, when he was thrown forward in the galley. He is also resting in his bunk. - Keith Taylor * The Race organizers confirmed to NOW (Sports) that, at 22:30GMT on Thursday, they received official notice from Team Adventure confirming the yacht was heading towards Cape Town. Race HQ also confirmed that experts from Multiplast, the boat's builders, were on their way to Cape Town to meet up with the boat and make a full inspection of the damage. Until then no exact timeframe can be put on how long the boat will stay in dock. It was also too soon after the accident for Race officials to be able to confirm whether Team Adventure would suffer a stopover penalty, as had been incurred by both PlayStation and Team Legato in Gibraltar soon after the Race began. With regard to the injured crewmen, Inga Lundh spoke to NOW immediately after she heard the news of the accident to her husband. She confirmed that she had spoken to Mickael and that he was not in any serious pain or discomfort. Understandably upset at the news, Inga also told NOW that she will be flying to Cape Town to meet the boat when it arrives on Sunday. The mood on the boat is expectedly somber, as Lewis and his crew had been in a very challenging second-place - behind Club Med - when the accident happened. - Colin M Jarman, NOW sports website. Full story: http://www.now.com/feature.now?cid=997704&fid=1184698 PEGASUS TOPS KEY WEST CHAOS KEY WEST, Fla. - Russell Coutts, New Zealand's America's Cup winner, was asked how the Farr 40 competition at Yachting Key West Race Week 2001 would be if all those world-class sailors were driving the boats instead of calling tactics for the wealthy owner-drivers. "Not that different," Coutts said, thoughtfully caressing a post-race brew. "It might be worse." Hard to imagine. After a day when 17 of the 37 boats were called for starting early in the first of two races, the class had its fourth leader in four days: Philippe Kahn's Pegasus from Santa Cruz, Calif. But Kahn and his tactician - two-time Olympic and world Star class champion and Sperry world sailor of the year Mark Reynolds - had to win battles on the water as well as in the jury tent. Pegasus was one of those charged with jumping the gun. "No way we were over," Kahn said. "We were late. We have witnesses from other boats." The race committee started calling the bow numbers of OCS (on course side) boats two minutes after the gun. Pegasus didn't hear its number 23 because the radio had been turned off. "We knew we were late so we turned it off," Kahn said. "We were startled to arrive back at the dock and learn we were OCS." They appealed for redress and won. Pegasus won the second race. George Andreadis' defending champion Atalanti XII from Greece, with Robbie Haines as tactician, was second. Entering today's final race, Pegasus has 60 points; Atalanti XII is tied with Brack Duker's Revolution, Marina del Rey, Calif. (Peter Isler) six points behind. Life was simple in the 1D35 fleet. "It's come down to a two-boat race tomorrow," said Farley Fontenot, sailmaker and main sail trimmer for Owen Kratz's Joss from Houston, Tex., which has a four-point lead on W.S. Shellhorse's Avalanche, Lake Wesley, Va., after a modest 3-6 in the tough 20-boat fleet Thursday. Kara Zylstra's Wild Thing, San Diego, is 10 points back. Harry Melges, who runs the Melges 24 factory in Zenda, Wis., seized control of that 59-boat class by winning both races Thursday and leads Neil Sullivan's M-Fatic from Annapolis, with '92 Olympic silver medalist Morgan Reeser driving and Dave Chapin on tactics, 11 points behind. The IMS big boats are in a virtual three-way deadlock. Bache Renshaw's N/M 49 Virago, Portsmouth, R.I., shares first place with George David's N/M 50 Idler, New York, N.Y., with Makoto Uematsu's Farr 50 Esmeralda, with Ken Read driving, one point behind. Read said, "Idler and Virago have been good light-air boats and they're being sailed very well. We're just hoping for a lot of wind Friday." He may get it. The forecast for the final race is for south-southeast winds to 18 knots with gusts to 22. If that develops, it would be the windiest day of the week. NOTES: Italy's three designated boats lead the 14-team International Team competition, with USA Great Lakes and USA East Coast within striking distance. Boat of the Day Wednesday was W.S. Shellhorse's 1D35 Avalanche, which leads the class. - Rich Roberts, www.Premiere-Racing.com PROVEN SUCCESS. Farr 40 Worlds - 2nd; Etchells Worlds - 3rd; SF NOOD - 1st and 2nd; IMS Worlds - 3rd; Kenwood Cup Farr 40 - 1st and 2nd .PROTECTOR BOATS! Take your program to the next level (and have fun at the same time) with a new tender from ProtectorUSA. Find out why the top teams all over the world are using Protectors at www.protectorusa.com or contact us toll free 1877.664.BOAT (2628). THE PREZ SAYS - Paul Henderson, ISAF President I must come clean after reading Scuttlebutt today. There is a conspiracy by we of the Great White North to turn the US of A into the 1tth Province of Canada. This has been a secret policy originally started so Buddy Melges could go duck hunting in the Delta Marsh without fear of the "Mounties" stopping him. With regard to posting the Racing Rules on the web, they have been there and constantly updated on the ISAF website www.sailing.org for six years now. They are there to be downloaded free of charge and if you cannot find them look under "Racing Rules of Sailing". If you are having trouble turn on your computer first. I totally agree with the comment that anybody who protests under the eligibility rule in a fun "Odds and Sods" race should be banned or better still stopped from going to the Happy Hour at the ScuttleButt YC Cyber Bar. Seriously, to run a race there must be some association which gets together to set the marks and run the race. This association says who sails or who does not. Many such associations traditionally called "clubs" have rules on who can sail or crew. ISAF or USSA or any other MNA has no desire to influence that in any way except to provide services so they enjoy racing. As the entry level sailors become addicted to sailing then the rules and regulations become more intense so as to ensure "Fair Sailing" and keep the integrity of the sport. It is similar to golf where my favorite stroke "mulligan" is forbidden at the "Masters". I can hardly wait to enter the Scuttlebutt Y.C. Annual Regatta with no entry fee and free beer all paid for by the Curmudgeon. Hopefully the races will be sailed under the new SYC Racing Rules where Port will have right-of-way over Starboard which will immediately be blamed on Bermuda who drive on the "Left Side of the Road Man". It will be considered another conspiracy when really all Bermuda wants is to save cloth and get all to wear shorter pants. LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) (Letters selected to be printed may be edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a bulletin board or a chat room - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. We don't publish anonymous letters, but will withhold your e-mail address on request.) From: Patrick Broderick <pbroderi@floyd.santarosa.edu> I couldn't agree more with Tom Whidden's comment that ". . .the 12-Meters were wonderful." Compared with the current AC boats they looked like "boats" when they were sailing. The Perth competition provided the most exciting sailng TV footage ever. Sure they dug a hole in the water and were not the fastest boats around, but they really "looked" like they were sailing and the crews looked like it they were "sailing", too. Compare a 747 with a medium-size plane. The 747 is flying faster, but appears to be lumbering through the air while the smaller plane appears to be really "flying". AC boats appear on the TV screen much like the 747; it's as if they aren't moving. The driver almost casually strolls from one side of a wide platform to the other when switching wheels. The rest of the crew are ant-like against the hull and rig. On the other hand, Grand Prix racers (which have never caught on in the U.S.) compared with NASCAR racers demonstrate that American viewers are not interested in gnat-like bugs darting around. 49ers and other dinghies go fast, but it's difficult to follow their action on the TV screen. So Tom, while you were speaking as a sailor, I'm speaking as a consumer/viewer. Watching a 12-Meter plow its way through an ocean swell with the crew grunting and groaning and getting wet is for me. I think I'll get out those old videos; who can forget the idea of having a cameraman in the water at the windward rounding? * From Scott Ridgeway <yachtracer@lycos.com> As the commodore of the largest sailing organization on the planet, will the curmudgeon be attending the ISAF's Executive Committee meeting in Dublin next month to represent your multinational membership? * From: Philip Gage <philip@pgage.demon.co.uk> The full horrors of the eligibility code have yet to be revealed. One intent of the code is to have the power to ban from all sailing anybody who has the temerity to take part in a prohibited event. This draconian power is to prevent (say) a professional match racing circuit deciding to have nothing to do with ISAF and writing their own rules. So far so good, but in defining a prohibited event the eligibility code now include any event not conforming to rule 87. That is the event must be organised by an approved body, appoint a race committee and publish a notice of race that conforms to appendix M. The new code also contains the error of the old appendix by not defining an event as being a sailing event, so other sporting events may also be prohibited, such as World Series baseball. Good bye to all informal races (no notice of race), Sail and Power events (not under the RRS), charity races run by Pubs, Races in Town Carnivals. No longer will two gentlemen be able to wager a cup of 100 guineas for a race round the Isle of Wight. No longer would Yachting World be allowed to be the name sponsor of an event. My views are those of a sea lawyer, but the moment a professional sailor is suspended for taking part in a prohibited event the real lawyers will be at work. They would enjoy themselves in court. * From: Mike Wathen <mwathen@home.com> It is interesting to see yet another controversy coming from our sports governing bodies. I wonder how successful "wheel" racers would have been if they would have tried to have one rule-book for all the worldwide competition. Can you imagine dragsters, go-carts, formula cars, motocross, Indy cars, swamp buggies, and trucks all being governed by one entity? Then you add in various handicapping systems so these all can race "fairly" against one another. You also decide to have all forms of newer amateurs, experienced amateurs, semi-professional and full tilt professional individuals or teams compete "equally". To see all of these challenges come out okay, you then ask hundred of groups of volunteers to officiate and competently administer the racing. What's the problem, it works for me. I anxiously await my SSC membership card, and might I suggest the 1st edition of the "Butthead Racing Rules" to follow soon. * From: John B. Kelley <GandJKelley@webtv.net> I understand that since I'm a subscriber I'll be a charter member. Can I get a membership for my son, Kevin. He's the "hotshot sailor", who races (Lasers), pretty much on a year-'round basis, & nationally to a limited degree. I'm the "gunkholer" in the family! Not sure how this new elegibility rule will affect his status to race, but, to be on the safe side, can he join up, too? He enjoys reading your newsletter, with interesting comments. CURMUGEON'S COMMENT: No problem. The Scuttlebutt Sailing Club's Minister of (Dis)Information David McCreary tells me the mechanics will be worked out in short order. From: Larry Law <llaw@jrlcap.com> It is with great sadness that I read about the passing of Mr. Rodseth. I met and began sailing with Dick in the early 70's when "Vagary" was a Tartan 41 (11424) sailing out of Chicago, complete with whales on the spinnaker, blooper and the keel. He was an enthusiastic competitor who loved sailing and everything surrounding it. He relished tinkering with his boats. I remember long weekends in the fall, helping him re-do the bottom paint in the barn at the farm, and watching as Dick replaced every bulkhead and interior panel with 1/8" plywood to eliminate 273 lbs from the total weight of the old "Vagary" - of which he was very proud. Dick was a great guy with a wonderful family. We had some wonderful laughs and sails with he and Lillian. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lillian and his family. VENDEE GLOBE - By Philippe Jeantot For three days now the Saint Helen anticyclone has heightened the nervous tension lying under the skin of each of the seven Vendˇe Globe skippers now racing up the South Atlantic. Every skipper knows how complicated it is to navigate off the Argentinian and Brazilian coastline as they try to gain ground to the North. Leader Michel Desjoyeaux (PRB) is the furthest to the East and nearest to the centre of one system just ahead on the route. He has therefore slowed down for the longest period of time over the last three days. Meanwhile his comrades behind have taken advantage of this to close the gaps, however nothing seems to have disturbed Desjoyeaux's mentality: "Even if the distances have changed, the relative time differences have not really. As soon as I get through the positions will stretch out again." Even so, it must be unsettling to see that this system is travelling North - unwanted company for the race leader. "The others may catch up on me but they won't pass me," he added confidently. The pace for Ellen MacArthur (Kingfisher) has gradually slowed overnight to equal Desjoyeaux's, and yet she feels confident in her position still to the West. The worse of it for her is simply the "horrible lumpy sea and no wind. Bang bang as the boat slops around." The mist is like a moist veil for these skippers, unable to see the sun, and their boats are covered in a thin blanket of fog. - http://www.vendeeglobe.com STANDINGS: 1. PRB, Michel Desjoyeaux, 5406 miles from finish, 2. Kingfisher, Ellen MacArthur, 339 miles behind leader, 3. Active Wear, Marc Thiercelin, 543 mbl, 4. Sill Matines & La Potag¸re, Roland Jourdain, 713 mbl, 5. Sodebo Savourons la Vie, Thomas Coville, 868 mbl. TEAM PHILIPS In response to the signal given off by a beacon registered to Goss Challenges on Saturday, 0010hrs, Pete Goss and Logistics Manager, Nick Booth, carried out an extensive aerial search for Team Philips on Sunday, 14 January 2001. The team flew from Shannon, Ireland and covered an extensive area in the region where the signal was picked up by Falmouth Coastguard. Despite good visibility throughout the day, there were no sightings of the yacht. - http://www.teamphilips.com/index.cfm?ArticleID=3819 MEETINGS * January 26-27: 15th Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium, Annapolis Maryland. CSYS is a two-day international symposium for technical research concerning the design, construction, and operation of sailing yachts. Authors from Australia, Germany, England, New Zealand, Japan, The Netherlands as well as the USA. http://wseweb.ew.usna.edu/nahl/csys/ * February 10: IMS 40 Speed Day, North Sails East in Milford, CT. Presentations by Bill Tripp, Dan Nowlan, Jim Taylor, J.B Braun, Andreas Josenhans, Steve Benjamin, Jody Lutz and Tom McLaughlin. Due to space limitations, preference will be given to current IMS owners and afterguards, or potential IMS owners. http://www.ims.40.org * March 22: The New Racing Rules, presented by Dick Rose and Bill Bentsen of US Sailing Racing Rules Committee. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Adams Mark Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, NC. http://www.ussailing.org/rules/Seminar_2001.htm MORE AMERICA'S CUP One of the 'Buttheads did some research and found that Sports Illustrated carried a seven page (counting photos) article on AmericaOne by E. M. Swift on October. 18, 1999. It was really a Paul Cayard story, not a America's Cup article, and apparently that's the only coverage SI gave to AC 2000. BURGEE UPDATE The art department at Boats.com has been burning some midnight oil to develop an appropriate burgee for the Scuttlebutt Sailing Club. I've just seen the latest version . . . and it's smashing! This sucker will blow your socks off! Now that we have a burgee, we are focusing on some (to use an old California expression) bitchin' membership cards. You're going to like 'em . . . and it won't be long before you'll be able to slide one into your wallet. Free! Forget about the perils of Section 21 of the ISAF Eligibility Code. The SSC has solved that problem - permanently. THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION When you're one of those days when things aren't going well, remember that only the mediocre are always at their best. |
