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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 696 - November 24, 2000AMERICAS CUPNovember 24, 2000 - Chris Dickson learned a valuable lesson at sea when the keel fell off his America's Cup boat - but at a cost. The mishap to the pristine white boat will set American challenge Oracle Racing back at least a month in sailing time, and a chunk of cash. A new keel will cost the syndicate at least $500,000, now that 21 tonnes of lead and steel are resting on the Hauraki Gulf seabed. But yesterday, 24 hours after the keel dropped off and flipped USA61 on its side, skipper Dickson was not worried about the money. He was simply happy that his crew were all alive to tell the tale. "My first reaction was for the safety of the crew," said the New Zealander, who dived off the capsized yacht with his fellow sailors. "We did a head count immediately and, once everyone was accounted for, we swung into action to see if we could save the boat. "We wished it hadn't happened - but the team has made the best out of a bad situation." The crew were put to the test during the emergency on Wednesday afternoon and then for the next 12 hours in a cold and wet salvage operation. "We hope it doesn't happen to anyone else, but it's made us a lot stronger," Dickson said. Yesterday, the hull of the old AmericaOne racer was back in the shed at the Viaduct Basin, where an investigation began into how and why the keel broke off. "Right now we have no idea what happened," Dickson said. "The keel broke off at the bottom of the hull - that's it. "It's a setback - we're not going to be sailing two boats again this year. We won't sail the other boat until we know why this happened and we are confident that [USA49] doesn't have the same problem." Both boats were bought from Paul Cayard's AmericaOne syndicate and were to be used as trial horses until Oracle Racing built two yachts in 2002. "This is a second-hand boat. We bought it a few months ago as is. Our design team didn't design the keel," Dickson said. It is sitting 40m under the sea somewhere north of the Noises Islands. Dickson said every effort would be made to salvage the keel, even though it would not be used again. "It won't be going back in that boat, that's for sure. But we might use some of the lead in a new one." The operation to lift it will cost about $20,000. Oracle Racing do not have a replacement keel, so will have to build a new one. Although the team are headed by the world's second-richest man, software mogul Larry Ellison, Dickson said they could not delve into a bottomless money pit. "We have a budget to work to and we have to manage our time, money and effort. This will affect us." Suzanne McFadden Full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ac2000/ac2000fullstory.cfm?theClassification=specialReports&theStoryID=161729 * November 24, 2000 - Yesterday, Bertrand Pace, the world's No 1 matchracing skipper, walked into Team NZ's black shed for the first time and started his new job. "I've had to wait three months for this, but I am so happy now I'm here. I cannot wait to steer the black boat," the little French skipper said with a grin. Last time Pace was here, he was behind the wheel of the orange boat of Le Defi. His decision to leave the French challenge to become back-up helmsman for Dean Barker and coach for the Team NZ sailors prompted a mixed response in France. "I think 99 per cent of the people are very happy for me - they can understand what a big acknowledgement it is for a French sailor," he said. "Everyone except the French syndicate is happy. "When we finished the last America's Cup in February, there was a lot of criticism about everybody in Le Defi. "It was difficult to have a proper analysis. "Let's say I am happy to leave France." Pace will spend the next month in Auckland, getting introduced to his new crewmates, getting to know the two black boats and getting to grips with a new language. "In the beginning it will be difficult for me to explain exactly what I want to say," he said. "I don't have all the words yet. But a month alone with Anglo-Saxon people and my English will be better. I already have some Kiwi phrases, but I cannot repeat them to you." Pace has no preconceived ideas about whether he will sail on the Team NZ race boat alongside Barker, the world matchracing champion, in the 2003 America's Cup. "I did not come here to be either on or off the boat. I'm here to help Dean and the team to have a successful defence," he said. "My first job is to be an outside person coming in with a different perspective on things." Suzanne McFadden, NZ Herald, Full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ac2000/ac2000fullstory.cfm?theClassification=specialReports&theStoryID=161706 VENDEE GLOBE - By Philippe Jeantot The leading boats in the 4th edition of the Vendee Globe have finally escaped the Doldrums after a long, laborious and unpredictable progression from 9 to 3 North. They have had to sail through 6 in latitude, which is about 360 miles, before clearing this notoriously hazardous zone. Just before entering this pot of glue1 the leaders were 5 days up on the previous race in 196. However they have conceded some time here due to worse conditions in the Doldrums in comparison with 4 years ago, where the leaders hardly slowed below 6/7 knots in the same dreaded zone. This year the skippers have had the double agony of staring at each cloud formation, their shape, colour and movement, and bearing the horrendous swell, which is so damaging to the hull structure & rig with no wind to stabilise the movement. Despite pouring over weather charts, recalling treasured advice or secrets of their own, a unanimous voice concludes that: In this corner of the world, the weather doesnt obey any rule, its impossible to understand. When you are in it you are obsessed with going South, the quickest exit. You end up dealing with whatever comes your way in terms of weather and making the most out of it - which means constant manoeuvres on deck and helming a lot by hand. In a fax sent directly from Eric Dumont (Euroka - Un Univers De Services) to the Vendee Globe Race HQ in Paris, after 15 days racing at sea, the French skipper officially announced his decision to abandon the 4th edition of the Vendee Globe. He becomes the third skipper to withdraw from the race since it's start on the 9th November, 2000. Main extracts from the fax: "So here is my decision: after a whole night hunting for a solution, the system (of attaching a third rudder) is in my opinion only good enough as an emergency - 2 or 3000 miles at the most - and this would oblige me to make a stop over (to install the third rudder system)... My motivation has taken a blow as well. Doing the race outside the rankings doesn't interest me at all, because I know what the Southern Ocean is like. The damage could get worse down there... Moreover, my gyro compass is fixed really near the engine and every time I turn the generator on it sends the compass crazy, which means my autopilot doesn't hold it's course. So I have decided to head to the Antilles... STANDINGS (On Nov, 23 at 11:01 UT): 1. Aquitaine Innovations (Parlier) 2. PRB (Desjoyeaux) +41 miles, 3. SILL Matines La Potagere (Jourdain) +110 miles, 4. Kingfisher (MacArthur) +116 miles, 5. Solidaires (Dubois) +120 miles. Website: http://www.vendeeglobe.com SAVE YOURSELF THE TRIP Traditionally, this is one of the biggest shopping weekends as people flood the malls to start their Christmas shopping. You don't have to do that - just pick up the phone. Frank Whitton at Pacific Yacht Embroidery can help you say thank you to the loyal crew who have sailed with you all season long. Frank has the best looking custom crew attire, and its all very affordable. Call Frank for quotes. 619-226-8033/pacyacht@aol.com. VOLVO OCEAN RACE Tyco, diversified manufacturing and service company headquartered in Bermuda, has confirmed its entry in the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race starting from Southampton on September 23rd 2001. Michael Castania from Tyco will head the syndicate, while New Zealander Kevin Shoebridge, will be the skipper of the boat. Shoebridge has competed in the last four Whitbread Round the World races with both Sir Peter Blake (Lion New Zealand and Steinlager 2) and Grant Dalton (New Zealand Endeavour and Merit Cup). He has also been a member of Team New Zealand and competed in the last four America's Cups. The sailing and shore teams are almost complete with 18 appointments made to date. Shoebridge has drawn heavily on past Whitbread experience with a mix of young talent to make up the sailing team, whilst the shore team will be led by Mick Harvey, who brings a wealth of experience to this side of the operation. The V.O. 60, Merit Cup, was purchased in April this year, and the team has spent the last four and a half months sailing out of Newport, Rhode Island. This time has been used to build and assemble the team as well as test sails and evaluate the new carbon fibre mast. Farr Yacht Design Ltd from Annapolis has designed Tyco's new V.O.60 race boat for the Volvo Ocean Race and construction has been under way for the past two months at Goetz Custom Yachts in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA. Ian Stewart and Mick Harvey are overseeing the construction. Tyco's training boat is currently in transit heading towards Sydney where the team will compete in this year's Telstra Sydney to Hobart classic. Tyco and at least three other Volvo Ocean Race competitors will then race on to Auckland and recreate Leg 3 of next year's Volvo race. Team Tyco will launch their race boat in early March 2001 and embark on a five-month, two boat testing and racing programme on the East Coast of the USA before heading to the UK for the start of the race on September 23rd 2001. Team Tyco's line up: Kevin Shoebridge - Skipper, Steve Hayles - Navigator, Brad Jackson Ian Stewart Tim Powell Jonathan Swain Gerry Mitchell Jan Dekker Simon Fry David Endean Guy Salter, Mike Castania-Team Manager, Mick Harvey - Shore Support Manager, Grant Spanhake-Sail Programme, Tim Hackett - Boat Builder, Richard Searle-Rigs, Simon Paul - Sail maker, Cole Sheehan - Food/Entertainment. Event website: www.VolvoOceanRace.org 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. -- From Roy Williams - Guy Gurney referred to the 24-hour race in the UK - still the most enjoyable sailing event I've ever attended, and still going strong. Details at: http://www.wlyc.org.uk/ -- From Andy Roy - In reference to Guy Gurney's story in Butt 695 about the Southport 24 Hour Race: A pommie who participated in the Southport event must have brought the idea to Canada back in the 70's, as I have fond memories of a very similar 24-hour race held in Cornwall, Ontario (near Montreal). Teams of eight competed in a variety of 2-person boats under a handicap system (we sailed a 420). One of the best parts of the race was the process of changing crews every few hours along a long dock in front of the club. This was not unlike an F-1 pit stop, with the crew diving out of the boat, and two fresh, but perhaps somewhat intoxicated, sailors jumping in. The rules allowed crews to pull the boat along the dock in whatever manner, and as fast as possible, to propel it back on the course with minimum time lost. When more than one boat approached at about the same time, chaos would ensue. Concurring with Guy, the best part of the event was undoubtedly the all-night party. This, however, would often present a problem. The two people (usually the youngest members of the team) stuck out on the course during the optimum party hours would sail up to the dock hoping for a crew change, only to find the dock devoid of their team-mates. This would force them, without fresh provisions, back out and around the course again, and again... -- From Steve Hastings - My partner and I have campaigned a Santa Cruz 50 for the past four years. Out of fourteen to fifteen crew members the makeup is generally about 40% female. We have found that women can easily handle halyards, runners, sail trim (not grinding), packing spinnakers and even foredeck. There are a few jobs on a big boat that some women are not strong enough for but not that many. When people (men and women) learn how to position themselves to do a job much of the strength requirement is reduced to a manageable level. I have also observed our women get very perturbed when a well-meaning male jumps in to handle something for them. I concur with Caitlin's suggestions to teach them how and then turn them loose to do it. Key West has instituted a crew weight alternative for the crew limit number this year. Boats are on the honor system and there will be no weigh in. In the past boats were usually better off to have the extra poundage of a big guy that counted the same as a smaller women. This crew weight alternative should help to open the door to more female or young sailor participation both of which are keys to growing our sport. -- From Kris Olszewski (edited to 250 words) - I'm sorry but I just had to write in. There is nothing that irritates me more than affirmative action. I want to race on a boat because I do my job well. Yes, I have been denied rides because I am a woman but I have also won rides because of my weight to strength ratio. 50/50 crew ratios...give me a break! Where do you see anything like that in any other sport or even in business? If you are not on the boats going to Key West on the other big regattas then it is because you are not good enough or you have not marketed yourself well. Yes, there are a lot of "buddies" sailing who know little about racing and primarily go to drink but those that are on the competitive boats have worked hard or marketed well. Finding a good ride does not start a month or two before the regatta. It starts maybe a year or two before by finding a crew that you meld with AND an owner with the wherewithal to go. I could go on and on about women versus men's crews and who I would rather sail with but that is not what this thread is about is it? I guess I would say no one worries about equal participation in other sports, why sailing. Frankly, I want to sail with people who are good, regardless of gender. -- From Joanie Garrett, owner Vanguard 15 and J/130 (edited drastically to the 250 words) Caitlin hit it on the head. I call the "no chicks" syndrome invocation of "Rule 96" - Gross Conduct. That's when men don't invite totally capable women to crew since it might limit their ability to get gross. Pound for pound, women are a great choice for crew, especially on One Designs. 120lb women who are in shape can put out about the same strength and effort as a 160lb. male counterpart. They also tend to be faster and consume less food and beer. SMART skippers would make sure they have lots of these little powerhouses around. When I am at races I am always stunned to see some 260 lb. guy who can barely clear the lifelines stumble off the boat he is crewing on. Boat owners need to ask themselves what's more important, winning? or invoking Rule 96? Ponying up the dough to compete at Key West is a very deep dig into one's pocket, and it would just seem to make sense that the memory - which is the only residual from the race - is richer when it includes a trophy. As One Design platforms get more high tech. and lighter, the owners/skippers will increasingly go to dinghy racers as a source of supply of crew. The dinghy circuit has a much higher female component than today's "keelboat" circuit - they get strength/weight ratios... Ultimately the keelboat fellas will get around to putting chicks on board. -- From Jonathan Gravit, New Zealand (edited a bunch to get to our 250-word limit) - Caitlin makes some good points but they are certainly not all women specific. There are any number of good crew who would like to and are available for the big regattas. I accept that it can be harder for women - although it shouldn't. If the boat you regularly sail on is not going and the regatta website isn't working for you, try the old fashioned way - schmooze. Within any club there are always a couple of hot boats that travel or a group of well connected crew that always have the good rides. Ask around early, and maybe sail a few races on likely prospects. The owner of your regular boat may be able to put in a good word too. How many women you have in your crew is as variable as the weather. As an owner I prefer mixed crews. I believe it creates a better balance but that is only my perception. I am sure other owners think differently. On my 26 footer I normally had 1 or 2 women sailing with me (20-40%). The loads were such that physical strength wasn't an issue, competency and keenness was. Now I have down graded to a 40 footer I have to be more careful about allocating positions - strength is an issue. Currently we seem to be running around one third women crew for no other reason than that is the way it has fallen. Owners are constantly on the lookout for good crew. -- From John Odenbach - Please end your discussion regarding Caitlin, you are letting out our secret weapon. We actively race around the Great Lakes (mostly Toronto) and almost 50% of are crew is female. Our "Nieces" are absolutely great crew. I can't believe what good sailors they are and were available on the dock. They can do any job on the boat and they smell better than my crew. My only instruction to them on the first day is if you want a job just grab it. Fortunately they are willing to try anything except steering for now. Myself and formerly young male crew are more than happy to turn over our jobs, sit on the rail and have a beer. We are having a great time. CURMUDGEONS COMMENT: The promised week has ended. So in spite of the fact that we are still getting a ton of mail on this subject, this thread is once again declared officially dead. -- From Keith Mackeown, Co.Cork, Ireland - Mr Laurence Mead appears to have become 'Scuttlebut's man in Asia'. Subscribers who have never met him (and also those that have) might enjoy(?) the photograph of him at www.iol.ie/~bendy/laurmark.html. Certainly wouldn't want to fall out of the boat in those waters looking like that !!! THE RACE * November 23, 2000 - Team Philips left Dart Marina at approximately 1030 this morning for further sea trials from Dartmouth. She will head West once out of the Harbour entrance. The forecast today is for winds of 15 - 20 knots, occasionally gusting 25 knots from W-NW. The crew will practise sailing under varying sail configurations including the light winds headsail. They will continue to check all ropes for chafe. She is due to return before dark this evening. This sail follows the successful and productive sail on Monday 20th November. The crew were able to calibrate all of the strain gauges and load cells, practise sailing under differing sail configurations and looking at ways of minimizing chafe to the miles of rope on board. - Team Philip website (There are also some great Rick Tomlinson photos posted on the website) - http://www.teamphilips.com/index.cfm?ArticleID=3121 * Steve Fossett's (now stretched to 125'/38m) maxi catamaran PlayStation will be relaunched on Monday 27th November from Green Marine Boatyard, Spitfire Quay, Southampton, UK following 9 weeks of intensive rebuild. Her newly lengthened bows and transoms will emerge from the shed early (approx. 8 a.m.) on Monday morning before she is carefully craned into the water. She will then motor across to Empress Dock (access via Dock Gate 4) where, weather permitting, the crew will begin the process of stepping the mast. Tuesday will be spent rigging PlayStation, and on Wednesday the new Cuben Fibre sails will be fitted and final preparations made before, weather permitting again, her first sail on Thursday 30th November. PlayStation and crew, including skipper Steve Fossett, will spend a few days testing around the Solent before they head to the prologue of The RACE in Monaco on 3rd or 4th December. TRENDS When you attend a big regatta like the Etchells World championship, you quickly find out what's hot, and what's not. And this past week in San Diego it was instantly obvious that the curmudgeon's glowing descriptions of Camet sailing shorts have not fallen on deaf ears. Camet shorts were everywhere. And although everyone loves the advantages of the drying Supplex, and the reinforced Cordura seat patch, I think what's pushed them over the top is the fact that they look so bitchin'. See for yourself, and while you're at it don't forget to get one of the great mylar bags. http://www.camet.com SWAN MID AUSTRALIAN MATCH RACING Royal Perth Yacht Club - The final, in a best of five series, saw American Morgan Larson take a commanding lead from Wittey with a 2 nil lead in the first 2 flights. The American seemed to sail his own course not getting involved in tacking duels, simply chasing his preferred side of the course. Wittey fought agressively in the prestarts with a penalty awarded against Larson in the first flight for a port and starboard infringement. Larson held the turn until just after commencing his second downwind leg in which time Wittey closed the gap. However, Larson held the lead until the race end. Overall Results: 1 Morgan Larson, 2 Neville Wittey, 3 Gordon Lucas, 4 Chris Hosking, 5 Simon Sutherland, 6 Mal Parker, 7 Kane Williamson, 8 Graeme Hun. 505 WORLDS Four time 505 world champion, Krister Bergstrom, racing with Thomas Moss led both races from start to finish, winning both, and taking the overall lead in the 2000 World Championship with one race to go. The Bergstrom/Moss team had good gate starts, went the right way, and had very impressive speed. Wind was in the 18-23 knot range, with large swells and waves; incredible surfing conditions downwind. 1. SWE, Krister Bergstrom / Thomas Moss (6.00 points) 2. USA, Mike Martin / Steve Bourdow (13.70) 3. USA, Howard Hamlin / Peter Alarie (21.70) 4. GBR, Ian Barker / Daniel Cripps (23.40) 5. GBR, Ian Pinnell / Nick Powell (34.40) Event web site: http://www.mscworlds2000.co.za/ THE CURMUDGEON'S QUOTATIONS If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." - Derek Bok |
