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SCUTTLEBUTT 2306 – March 22, 2007
Scuttlebutt 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).
GUEST COMMENTARY: CONCERN FOR CLUBS
I was fortunate to grow up at the Youngstown Yacht Club so that I had an
early appreciation for the values of club life. There were always friends
and families that I knew and who shared the same interests, especially
sailing. It was also readily apparent that the club operated by members
taking turns running events, taking responsibility for projects such as
improving the docks, and coming together to make the social activities more
fun. I can recall waiting lists for moorings. Most other clubs worked like
we did, and new members had to make an effort to join.
It is remarkable just how much time has changed the landscape, or in this
case the waterfront. Most clubs, including ours, have suffered loss of
membership and loss of boats in our harbors. Clubs now have to advertise for
new members, work displays at boat shows, and run special incentives like
reduced initiation fees or free first-year dockage. It is sad that while we
have so much to offer we have to work so hard to entice others to give us a
try.
Some of this is due to the local economy and the exodus of people to other
areas of the country, but surprisingly clubs just about everywhere are
having similar problems. One of the causes is the change in the way younger
generations think. While the Boomers like club life and what it offers, the
20 and 30-somethings don't see the same need or benefit. They are suffering
from an overload of choices and seem to want to take it all in. They have so
many opportunities before them. Unfortunately if they don't hop on the wagon
there may not be a club for them to enjoy as they get older. -- Don Finkle,
http://www.rcryachts.com
IN THE SCUTTLEBUTT SALOON
(March 21, 2007 - There is no shortage of British sailing news, and the rise
of Ian Williams continues this trend. Rather than running from this UK
stampede, Scuttlebutt invited him to the saloon, where we poured him a
virtual pint and checked in.)
SBUTT: At Acura Miami Grand Prix, you were the tactician on the winning Farr
40 ‘Warpath’ - a team you had not sailed with before. After ‘Warpath’ had a
rough go at Key West Race Week (14 out of 17), how many minutes do you
figure you had to gain their confidence?
Williams: I was quite apprehensive going into it, as I had not sailed with
any of the guys onboard before, and I hadn’t sailed a Farr 40 since 2001.
But it was a great team already with brilliant leaders like Dave Armitage
already onboard. So I just tried to fit into the team and do a good job of
the tactics. Due to various twists of fete, we did not get any meaningful
race practice before the regatta and that made for a fairly tough first day
(finishes were 4-10-13). When I cocked up I took responsibility for those
cock-ups, and I think the guys appreciated that. They continued to back me
(and in the case of John Glueck, help out with some of the calls) and I’d
like to think I repaid that faith with some good, bold calls in the last 3
days (finishes were 1-3-4-1-2-5).
Some people’s leadership style is to force others to perform through fear/
aggression. Some leaders take on a more positive motivational style in order
to dominate a team. My style, whether it is match racing or sailing on a
Farr 40, is to create an atmosphere that empowers individuals to step up
themselves. On 'Warpath' in Miami, there were a number of guys on the boat
who really stood up to be counted.
SBUTT: You are the most prominent guy on the world match racing tour who is
not affiliated with an America's Cup team. Do you ever wish you had their
schwag?
Williams: In the past it has been hard to compete with their resources,
particularly in terms of getting together a consistent, strong team. Also,
they have always had a jump on getting invites for high profile events. Now
with Pindar and Capita Symonds as sponsors, I have a committed and
consistent team so I do not feel at any disadvantage. As leader of the world
match race tour and soon to be top of the ISAF rankings, invites are also
not such a problem now! -- Much more at
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/iw
* France stays on top in the latest release of the ISAF World Match Race
Rankings on 21 March, with both Sébastien Col (FRA) and Claire Leroy (FRA)
holding on to their world #1 spots. However, Col is coming under increasing
pressure from Ian Williams (GBR), who is aiming to become the first ever
British world #1 on the Open Rankings. -- Full report:
http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j6fFnAz`B&format=popup
NEW FACILITY, NEW LOOK
Goetz Custom Boats has chosen Fleming & Company of Newport, RI to develop
their new brand identity in conjunction with the creation of their new
facility. “Working for a globally recognized company that has built some of
the finest racing boats is a real thrill for us,” said Paul Fleming,
president of Fleming & Company. Sara Watson McKay of GCB indicates that “the
opportunities that our new facility will afford us demand a new approach.
Fleming & Company, with their extensive experience and marine industry
clients, was the marketing and creative firm best suited to help us in this
endeavour.”
GRAND PRIX RULE
(The Daily Sail subscription website has posted Part 2 of their discussion
with Technical Director Mike Urwin of RORC's Rating Office, where in this
edition he airs his views on the need for a Grand Prix rule. Here are a
couple excerpts.)
One of the tasks the Rating Office has been involved with in recent years is
the development of an internationally acceptable Grand Prix Rule. The idea
behind this, as was the case with IOR back in 1970, was to promote
international competition but also to cater for an elite group of
custom-built racing boats that would otherwise race under IRC, where they
would be stretching what is effectively a cruiser-racer rule and ruining the
racing for the non-professionals.
Unfortunately development of a Grand Prix Rule has reached a stumbling block
with the three parties involved with its creation - RORC, the ORC and US
Sailing - going their separate ways. Since then it could be argued they have
been overtaken by events, particularly the advent of box rule classes such
as the TP52 and the ORC’s GP 42, along with successful one designs like the
Farr 40, Melges 24 and Mumm 30, and the need for such as rule is much
reduced.
“One can argue that there is a successful TP52 circuit, there is apparently
going to be a successful ORC GP 42 circuit, probably limited to the Med, and
that takes out maybe 40-50 of the world’s top owners, the serious keen
players,” argues the RORC Rating Office's Technical Manager, Mike Urwin.
"Given also that IRC seems to be increasingly accepted around the world as
the default rule of choice - do we then need to go any further? Well, I’m
not sure. There are those who are racing in IRC who perhaps should be
elsewhere. Is it right, for instance, to build one-off boats to race under
IRC? Arguably not.” -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/2pc3ag
TERRY’S WORLD: THE PARTY IS ON
(After his team began sailing in Valencia for the first time this year last
week, Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson spoke about the
upcoming season.)
* How does the format of the Louis Vuitton Cup this time prepare the
eventual challenger to take on Alinghi?
TH: “I think the format is pretty good. What you're going to see is that
some of the teams from last year, maybe the fourth, fifth, down to eighth or
ninth placed teams last year, the teams racing old boats last year but with
good sailing teams will all have raised their games a lot. That means across
the board, we'll all have to raise our games and the team that eventually
wins the Louis Vuitton Cup and goes on to challenge Alinghi will be better
prepared.”
* The schedule for the Louis Vuitton Cup is quite punishing, especially
early on with very little down time during the two Round Robins?
TH: “It's a very tight schedule for the regatta, which is probably good for
Alinghi. By the time the challenger gets to them, that challenger will be
fully flogged. I'm sure they're aware of that. But that's OK. Whoever
challenges will try and turn that into a strength.” -- Full interview:
http://tinyurl.com/2pfomc
REACHING OUT
(New Orleans, LA) After Southern Yacht Club was destroyed by water, wind,
and fire as a result of Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005, the club and
its members found support from many corners. One such hand that reached out
to them was Commodore George Hinman and the New York Yacht Club. The idea
was to bring US clubs to New Orleans to support the rebuild of SYC, and to
use team racing as the impetus. With the donation of a perpetual by NYYC,
the inaugural event - Southern Nichols Cup - was held last weekend. Weather
once again interceded, with the NYYC team grounded due to snowstorms in the
northeast, but in attendance were teams from Boston Yacht Club, New Orleans
Yacht Club, Bay Waveland Yacht Club, and Southern Yacht Club, with SYC
beating out BWYC on the tie-breaker. -- Results:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/0320
CAYARD’S CUP REPORT
One thing I think could throw a curve ball at some (America’s Cup) teams is
the weather in April. April is still definitely spring, and the previous
racing in Valencia has never started this early. February was 15-20 knots
75% of the time. Most teams have designed their boats for 9-14 knots which
is expected in June. But to get to June, you have to survive April and May.
The competition is going to be tough. I think there will be a number of
"upsets". All this will mix up the results a bit more than expected and
create some anxiety for the teams that are "supposed" to be there in May. It
will be fast and furious for seven teams; the regatta will be a three-week
event for them (as the field of eleven challengers is reduced to 4 when the
semi-finals begin 14 May). You only have to look at that reality to become
extremely motivated. -- Paul Cayard, complete report:
http://www.cayardsailing.com/cs_evntRpt.cfm?EvntRpt=564
ULLMAN SAILS AT THE 2007 SAN DIEGO NOOD
Congratulations to John Laun and his J/120 crew on “Caper”, and Gary Mozer
and his J/105 crew on “Current Obsession 2”, Tony Wetherbee and his J/109
crew on “Commotion”, each winning their class at the 2007 San Diego National
Offshore One Design Championship. All won with full Ullman Sails
inventories. In fact, Ullman customers swept the first three places in both
the J/120 and J/105 classes. Time and again, Ullman customers select the
“Fastest Sails on the Planet” for their competitive edge. For your next sail
or inventory, contact an Ullman Sails loft and visit
http://www.ullmansails.com
SAILING SHORTS
* (March 21, 2007) John Dane and Larry Lemieux traded 1sts and 2nds today at
the Trinity Yachts Finn North American Masters Championship to tie for the
lead after the first day. Hosted at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, LA,
sailors had a nice 15 knot breeze to get in the first 2 of 8 scheduled
races. Racing continues through Saturday. -- Full results at
http://tinyurl.com/3798ct
* Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK: After a 14-year tenure as title sponsor of Cowes
Week on the Isle of Wight, UK, long-term savings group, Skandia UK, has
announced it will not be renewing its sponsorship once the current contract
expires in August 2008. Cowes Week has grown considerably since Skandia took
on the title sponsorship in 1995 and the regatta now attracts over 1,000
boats, 8,500 sailors and around 50,000 visitors over the Week. --
http://www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk
* As a result of an impact with an unidentified object around 10:30 PM on
Tuesday night, Gitana 13's rudder blade has been seriously damaged, bringing
to an end the catamaran's attempt to beat Steve Fossett's Discovery Route
record. Although the rudder damage to Gitana 13 is not a serious as was
first thought, the maxi-catamaran is having to proceed slowly, in order to
avoid damage to the starboard hull being caused by the broken part. -- Sail
World, full report: http://www.sail-world.com/uk/index.cfm?nid=31877&rid=3
* (March 21, 2007) US Sailing has announced its 2007 schedule for Adult and
Youth National Championships. The 18 events, which begin in March and
continue through November, are sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A., Vanguard
Sailboats, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Nautica, and Dry Creek
Vineyard. Event details at
http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/champscal.htm
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine)
Here are a few of the events that are listed:
Mar 21-24 - Finn North American Masters Champs - New Orleans, LA, USA
Mar 23-25 - International Rolex Regatta - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USVI
Mar 24-25 - 21st Aaron Szambecki Team Race Intersctnl - Norfolk, VA, USA
Mar 24-25 - 78th Boston Dinghy Club Cup - Cambridge, MA, USA
Mar 24-25 - Leukemia Cup Regatta - Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Mar 24-25 - Wild Windy West Regatta - Cottonwood Cove, NV, USA
Complete list of events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
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 Forum.
-- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
-- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum
* From Edwin G. Fischer, MD, Fleet Surgeon, Cruising Club of America:
Staying on the boat is the key issue. Stan Honey’s article ‘On Winning the
VOR’ about the 2006 Volvo 70 Ocean Race (www.cruisingclub.org) puts a sharp
focus on harness philosophy. He describes a situation that despite maximum
preparation left ABN AMRO TWO at least 30 minutes from successfully
recovering a crewmember in the water who had sustained a head injury when
swept overboard. They turned around in 5 minutes. This would have been 2
miles from the drop point if they were going 25 knots. It would have taken
24 minutes to get back if they were able to power 5 knots into the wind and
sea. It took 15 minutes and 4 attempts to bring him aboard once he was found
several hundred yards from the GPS MOB position. Honey notes that some of
the crew preferred (and were more likely to wear) Spectra harnesses of their
own making rather than the bulky harnesses prescribed by ISAF. A number of
sailors went overboard and were recovered in the 2002 Newport Bermuda Race.
Event organizers, yacht captains, boat owners, and crew have the
responsibility of establishing an optimum safety environment for their
endeavors. The professionals in Stan Honey’s article are telling us
something we should already know: staying on the boat is the key issue.
Harnesses are needed that are easy to wear and that are worn all the time.
* From Edith Collins: (regarding sportsmanship story in Issue 2305) I would
like to point out that both J.D. Reddaway and Mike Funsch hail from Lake
Lanier Sailing Club in Flowery Branch, GA. We are blessed to have Mike on
our Board of Governors. Mike is not the type to "toot his own horn," so
thank you for pointing out his example of stellar sportsmanship. The story
did not surprise me in the least. We are very fortunate to have both Mike
and J.D. as part of our sailing community.
* From Ned Jones: The US Elite Youth Development Sailing Team is a great
step by the US Olympic effort, but squabbling about who did or did not get
on the team is not the issue. The current reality is if anyone needs to hang
their success or failure on what US Sailing does, they are doomed to be
disappointed. US Sailing exists to augment and support sailors’ efforts. If
you feel US Sailing should be doing something different, you must get
involved and become a part of that change. Throwing barbs from the sidelines
will get you a limited audience and not much else.
* From Steve Brown: Well it’s that time again to scramble to secure
insurance for the TransPac. After exhausting the local outfits, and quite a
few back East, I have started checking how other competitors have been able
to get insurance for TransPac or the Cabo race. Very surprising how many
went without. Our insurance for the last TP was thru US Sailing, but that
insurer has decided that every boat that races has paid crew. I guess buying
someone a sandwich is considered as compensation. After a lot of explaining
to them that not every boat is a professional-type program, they closed
ranks and said that's the way it is. We find ourselves now in the Catch 22
world of insurance; you can't get coverage unless you already have it.
CURMUDGEON’S CONUNDRUM
Why do women always ask questions that have no right answers?
Special thanks to Goetz Custom Boats and Ullman Sails.
Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender
of the 32nd America's Cup.
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