SCUTTLEBUTT #324 - May 17, 1999
LIPTON CUP
San Diego YC reclaimed the prized Lipton Cup by beating teams from a dozen
other Southern California yacht clubs. Reigning Melges 24 world champion
Vince Brun skippered the SDYC entry to an overwhelming 12 point victory.
The seven-race regatta was hosted by the defending champions, Coronado YC,
and sailed in Schock 35s.
Final results: 1. San Diego YC (Hot Spur) Vince Brun (14) 2. Coronado YC
(Wild Thing) Rick Harris (26) 3. California YC (Ricochet) Bob Little (33)
4. Balboa YC (Mischief) Dave Ullman (34) 5. Santa Barbara YC (Wings) Ken
Kieding (36) 6. Coronado Cays YC (Shillelagh) Andy Fulz (42) 7. Del Rey YC
(Whistler) Claudia Wainer (44) 8. Newport Harbor (Outlier) Scott Mason (51)
9. Alamitos Bay YC (Super Gnat) Peter Allen (66) 10. Channel Islands YC
(Trouble Maker) Todd Downey (71) 11. Santa Monica YC (White Fang) 12. CCrYC
(Piranha) Dave Voss (72) 13. Long Beach YC (Raz Ma Taz) Scott Dickson (76)
AMERICA'S CUP
In less than six months' time the challenger selection trials start in
Auckland for the 30th America's Cup. But in the race to be on the start
line, Britain is stuttering and spluttering. Without new support, the
British challenge is within a fortnight of foundering.
The British challenge has not been short of technological backing: from
British Aerospace, DERA (a commercial offshoot of the Ministry of Defence
carrying out evaluation and research), virtual reality computer specialists
and computerised engineering consultants. This support has taken a huge
slice off the L12-15 million budget. For nearly nine months, the British
challenge has been in a position to build a boat, largely thanks to
interests in Portland offering a free facility in the former Royal Navy
base while composite specialists SP Systems have offered to supply all the
carbon fibre and epoxy resins to make the hull and British Aerospace have
backed the construction of the rigs.
What has been absent in Britain however is the major cash sponsor to give
skipper Lawrie Smith the funds - up to L2.5 million is needed - to run the
boat. Three times Spirit have been close to landing the big one, with deals
taken to contract stage only to fail because of a late change of heart.
Spirit has stayed afloat since the autumn thanks to a handful of private
individuals, "a small number but sufficient for a good dinner party", is
how Spirit's managing director Angus Melrose describes them. "They are
businessmen first, some of them very prominent, who believe they have got
to do this for Britain." - Electronic Telegraph
For the full story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
49ER GRAND PRIX
Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italia -- Three of the scheduled four races were
completed on the final day of the Italian Round of the 49er Grand Prix. The
cloudy conditions and wind speeds varying from 6 to 14 knots created some
very close racing. Jonathon and Charlie McKee from USA maintained their
lead from yesterday and won the final race to take 1st place in this Leg.
World Champion Chris Nicholson closed the gap with the leaders, but still
finished second overall.
Final Results (24 Boats):
1st Jonathon McKee and Charlie McKee USA11 (McLUBE) 38pts
2nd Chris Nichlson / Danile Phillips AUS1 (BANDOL) 43pts
3rd Alister Richardson / Peter Greenhalgh GBR 38 (Helly Hansen) 68pts
4th Dimitri Deruelle / Philippe Gasparini (Products laitiers) FRA 18 70pts
5th Adam Beashel / Teaque Czislowski AUS2 (Renault) 72 pts
Event site: http://www.eventsbandol.com/49ergrandprix/index.html
LEUKEMIA CUP
VOLVO Cars of North America, sponsor of the 2001 Volvo Ocean Race, is
pleased to announce its title sponsorship of the 1999 Volvo Regatta events,
a series of 36 charity sailing events held throughout the United States
benefiting the Leukemia Society of America. Volvo is the first national
title sponsor of the Leukemia Cup regatta series, which was first
established in 1993 as a single, local fundraising event in Annapolis,
Maryland. The event was strong success, prompting founding committee member
and former Americas Cup captain Gary Jobson to establish a national series
of events at yacht clubs throughout the country. The series has grown every
year since its inception, and has raised more than $2 million for leukemia
research. Approximately 3,000 sailors will participate in Volvo Leukemia
Cup Regatta events this year.
The Volvo Leukemia Cup Regatta series is part of Volvo Cars' enhanced
commitment to sailing, which also includes Volvo's sponsorship of the Volvo
Ocean Race, formerly known as the Whitbread. According to Richard Martin,
Marketing Manager for Volvo Cars, "We are excited about the relationships
we have established between Volvo Cars and sailing, including the Volvo
Ocean Race and Leukemia Cup Regatta series. We will be using the Volvo
Ocean Race as the foundation of the relationship between Volvo and sailing,
and look forward to the Leukemia Cup Regatta series as a way to educate the
sailing community about our commitment to the sport."
EUROPEAN TORNADO CHAMPIONSHIP
Final Results (66 boats): 1. Darren Bundock / J. Forbes, AUS, 18 points 2.
Roland Gaebler / R. Schwall, GER, 42 3. Mitch Booth / A. Landenberger, AUS,
46 4. Andreas Hagara / W. Moser, AUT, 57 5. Frederic Le Peutrec / O.
Douilla, FRA, 62 6. Fernando Leon / J. Ballester, ESP, 63 7. Helge Sach /
C. Sach, GER, 65 8. Johannes Polgar / C. Happel, GER, 67 9. Roman Hagara H.
Steinacher, AUT, 70 10. Pierre Pennec / Y. Guichard, FRA, 75
Event website: http://www.candoo.com/majorca/european.tornado99/index.htm
BIG BARGAIN?
Slow sails are never cheapno matter how little they cost. But you can
improve your boat's performance with quality racing sails at a price that
is truly affordable. Let the professionals at Ullman Sails help move your
program to the next level. You can get a price quote online right now:
http://www.ullmansails.com/
WEST MARINE PACIFIC CUP
The Pacific Cup Yacht Club announces that West Marine will once again
sponsor the 2000 edition of the "Fun Race to Hawaii". The 2000 race is
scheduled to begin July 10 - 14 in San Francisco Bay, and finish 2,070
miles away in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. It is the eleventh running of the
event that has been held in even numbered years since 1980. Since that
time, the West Marine Pacific Cup race has grown to be the largest
transpacific yacht race of its kind.
Every two years the Pacific Cup Yacht Club, along with its sponsor West
Marine, conducts this race for about 70 boats ranging in size from 24 to 80
plus feet in length. Many people have dreamt of sailing to Hawaii but have
never really pursued it. This way, for safety reasons, they can sail in the
company of other racers and pursue their dream. Some are high-tech racing
boats, some are low-key cruising boats. Sailors interested in entering the
2000 race should begin planning for it as early as possible, as entries
will be limited.
Official website: http://www.pacificcup.org
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
The curmudgeon reads all of your e-mail (except jokes) but simply can't
publish every letter. Those printed here are routinely edited for clarity,
space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks.
-- From Ken Brooke -- There are many other avenues for doing what Gary
Jobson and Scott Mcleod propose. The America's Cup is unique with it's
emphasis on technology and development. Eventually Gary and Scott will get
what they want as the tech gaps get smaller and smaller as is inevitable
while the class rule stays constant. Nor can I think of a better course
than W & L for allowing an attack by a trailing boat but maybe shorter legs
and more of 'em might reduce the finishing gap and provide more interest
for spectators and commentators. The 1992 Z leg was a disaster and cost the
syndicates and organisers lots of shekels. Management by an independent
body has much to recommend it but it is difficult to see how such a group
could be formed totally free from parochial interests.
-- From Nick Longhurst -- It is quite amazing to see the difference in
entries for Pacific Cup and for this year's Transpac, especially in the
50-60 foot range where, as shown in 'Butt #322, there were only four
entries. This is an unusual occurrence as in the light of past results that
there is always a strong possibility a boat in that size range can collect
corrected time honors. I wonder if any of this reluctance to compete is due
to a perceived imbalance in the PHRF ratings for those boats based in
Southern California. As recent results ( PV Race, Yachting Cup) show, a
couple of boats really dominate the fleet. No small wonder at the slow
growth rate of the 1D 35 and Farr 40 fleets in California.
-- From Gary Mitchell -- I agree with the now popular sentiment (amoung
'butt devotees) that America's Cup racing would only benefit from fleet
racing, the original race format, and the continuation of a developmental
rule. But what the pinnicle of our sport really needs is to step up and
become the peak of performance which is now dominated by 18, 16, 14 and 12
foot skiffs. We need danger, like the fourth corner at Indy. Why would the
average viewer or sailor watch or care when there is no chance for mishap.
How about the Lake Garda open forty footers where the only rule is
waterline and your boat must be self righting with the sails down? Let's
have athletes racing, not cruisers in logos.
AUCKLAND UPDATE
Kiwi Rod Davis, coach of the Italian Prada challengers, has left his
Remuera home to return to Italy to join the Prada team for the European
summer. Before Prada skipper Francesco de Angelers and tactician Torban
Grael left Auckland, after their long summer training session out on the
gulf, they were engaged in a public relations exercise at Okahu Bay,
teaching sailing to pupils from Remuera Primary school. Amongst those
involved was Davis' ten year old daughter, Caroline. -- Excerpt from
DEFENCE 2000, which is available from John@roake.gen.nz -- US $48 per year.
TELEVISION
The BOAT/U.S. Santa Maria Cup, Jobson Sailing, Inc. and BOAT/U.S. have put
in place an agreement that will guarantee the production and airing of a
one-half hour show on the Santa Maria Cup. The show will be aired on July
3, 1999 at 3:30PM on ESPN2.
The Eastport Yacht Club web site has more details, and will post results:
http://www.eastportyc.org
COFFS HARBOUR TO FIJI RACE
Scott Jackson and his crew aboard the 15 metre ketch Trew Blew were
watching their lead being eroded in the cruising division of the 1800-mile
Coffs Harbour to Fiji race tonight as they battled to repair a broken
steering cable. Trew Blew, representing the Coffs Coast, was then 60 miles
north of Middleton Reef, about one-third of the way between the Australian
coast and New Caledonia. The crew was expected to have the problem repaired
in a matter of hours.
The impressive new sloop Southern X, sailed by Gunther Schmidt-Lindner, was
looming as the strongest threat to Trew Blue's position as the handicap
leader in the division. With placings calculated on a corrected speed for
the course, Trew Blew was then averaging only .06 of a knot more than
Southern X.
Strong southeasterly winds throughout the day continued to push the Elliott
56 Fudge on a direct reaching course towards the finish in Suva at an
average speed above 10 knots. Fudge was about 250 miles north east of
Middleton Reef and 56 miles ahead of Alstar, skippered by 83-year-old Alby
Burgin. Fudge was 1000 miles from the finish.
It was obvious that Burgin's tactic was to sail well to the south of the
rhumb line in a bid to extract a benefit from the change in wind direction
to the east expected within the next 24 hours. Alstar was then third on
corrected time in the racing division behind Drina (Michael Thurston) and
Ellene (Tony Levett).
Web Page: http://www.sailing-online.com.au/fiji/
EXPERTS
You don't have to be an expert. All you need to know is one number -- (800)
532-3831. That phone call will connect you to a knowledgeable and helpful
expert at Sailing Supply who enjoys solving rigging problems for people
just like you. And while it's nice to know they carry all of the major
brands, it's their friendly attitude that brings back customers over and
over again. Give them a call and find out how comforting it can be to talk
with someone who cares. Sailing Supply will ship your order the same day.
http://www.sailingsupply.com/
BUD GARDNER BOWL
Defending Cal 20 national champion Doug McLean coasted to victory in the
Bud Gardner bowl, after winning three of the first four races. However 1996
and 1997 national champion Mark Folkman was always close -- never finishing
worse than second place in the five-race regatta. An elderly curmudgeon on
social security took a distant third place in this major Cal 20
intersectional regatta that attracted 18 boats to King Harbor YC
Final standings 1. Rigormortis, Doug McLean (7 ?) 2. Station Wagon, Mark
Folkman (8 ?) 3. Kaleidoscope, Tom Leweck (17) 4. Lickety Split, Ron Wood &
and Vann Wilson (19 ?) 5. Mark Folkman (21)
WORRELL 1000
Chick's Beach extended its lead slightly, winning a hard, upwind tacking
duel to Myrtle Beach. Rudee's Rest. was second by about 6 minutes. Both
crews left their boats immediately and headed for their rooms. Neither had
the energy for conversation on the beach.
Pomodoro came in third after loosing a tacking duel (by 88 seconds) to
Rudee's Rest. that lasted for 40 miles. When she landed the crew discovered
a 5-inch gash in the starboard hull from a collision with Worrell Bros.
spinnaker pole at the start. Hans Meijer came down after a shower to
inspect the damage. "We didn't think much about the hulls at all because we
figured we wouldn't be able to hang with these guys if there was water in
the hull." In fact they had shipped several gallons. Does a few gallons
equal 88 seconds? In the spirit of the Worrell 1000, Tyler Smith of Chick's
Beach was wielding a grinder and fiberglass, helping to patch the Pomodoro
hull.
About the race, Hans said, "It was a beautiful sail today: Upwind, good
breeze, double trapped, occasional big seas, and a lot of tacking. I lost
count after 40 tacks." The trick today seemed to be to stay near the beach
in the north west wind. The seas built up off shore, and there may have
been a little bit of a lift by the land. Tybee Island, who came in second
yesterday, was seen taking long tacks off shore and lost the fleet.
Worrell Bros. came in fourth. They also tried to stay in shore. They were
followed by Tybee Island, Lions International, Big Bros./Big Sisters. As of
this writing Turtle, Outer Banks and Team Extreme were still out.
Standings: 1. Chick's Beach (Randy L. Smith / Keith I Notary ) 2. Rudee's
Rest. (Brett A. Dryland / Rod J. Waterhouse) 00:08:24 3. Pomodoro (Hans H.
Meijer / Brian J. Lambert) 02:59:56 4. Tybee Island 03:32:08 5. Worrell
Bros. Rest. 06:02:30
Event website: http://www.worrell1000.com
THE CURMUDGEON'S CONUNDRUM
Is there another word for synonym?
|
