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SCUTTLEBUTT 2690 - Friday, September 26, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. WHAT HAPPENED TO TOM SLINGSBY? Australia's Laser sailor Tom Slingsby was the gold medal favorite going into the 2008 Olympic regatta. He'd won the last two World Championships and was in winning form. But he had a shocker, finishing 22nd overall in Qingdao. Now Tom talks about what happened and the road ahead. “Since I have returned from the Olympic Games in Beijing I have been asked one question over and over - 'What happened?' The simple answer is 'I don’t know'. If I knew, I would have changed something during the event. I will give you a rundown of my view of the Olympics and what it was like from my perspective. “After arriving in China from our team camp in Hong Kong, we were straight into the Olympic Sailing Village. I began training on 29th July which gave me plenty of time to practice in my allocated boat before my event began on the 12th August. While I was training before the event started, I had already noticed I was struggling a little for boat speed in practice races. I was very surprised as in the lead-up events I had been very fast in light wind races and with my lighter weight (75-76 kg), why I was having problems? “Arthur and I began working on things to try to get my speed edge back but even now, a month later, I don’t know exactly what the problem was. So when day one of racing arrived, I knew deep down that I was going to have to sail the regatta of my life to keep up with the fast guys.“ -- The Sailing Scoop, read on: http://tinyurl.com/SButt0925a COMPETITORS RETURN FOR NEW RECORD ATTEMPTS With positive forecasts for Friday, competitors are returning to Luderitz in Namibia for the next set of record attempts, and to possibly exceed the new outright World Speed Sailing Record of 49.84 knots that American kitesurfer Rob Douglas set at the Luderitz speed strip on September 19th. Several of the top contenders returned to Cape Town to have repairs done to their boards and other equipment, and to stock up on the many items that you can't purchase in this remote town. As for the equipment used to verify the record attempts, the times for each run are measured by Markus Schwendtner from HighSpeed-Timing.com, veterans of the meticulous art of measuring the speeds of racing craft of all descriptions. A video camera monitors the start line, connected to the timing system by radio link. This is synchronized with a second video camera that monitors the finish line, and with the timer. The video camera method is not only extremely accurate, but it provides a way to go back and review events to be sure that everything is correct - both timing and the identity of the competitor. Initial measurements taken live by HighSpeed-Timing under observation by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) official, Michael Ellison, and are published immediately to “Live” as provisional times. We then update these posts with the reviewed times a few hours later, when the video records are rechecked frame by frame to give exact timings. The WSSRC official also may apply an adjustment correcting for currents, according to accurate measurements taken during the day's competition, particularly when someone does a record speed run. The verified speeds are still subject to final ratification by a sitting of the World Speed Sailing Records Council, but this is normally just to ensure correct procedures were followed in the records claim. -- http://www.luderitz-speed.com NAVY ACADEMY CUTS SAIL TRAINING The Navy has abruptly reefed one of its most popular sailing traditions–the use of sailboats to train Naval Academy midshipmen in navigation, seamanship and leadership. This summer, the Annapolis–based school sharply reduced the opportunities for students to go to sea on one of its Navy 44 offshore sloops. Instead of sending 837 mids on summer sail–training cruises, as it did in 2007, this year it is letting only 166 do so. The shift was partly a bow to modernization–and partly to the views of the Academy's new superintendent about the role the 163–year–old institution should play in the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler, a submarine officer who took the helm of the Academy in June 2007, decided that with the U.S. now at war, mids should be spending all of their summer training cruises on gray–hulls, the standard Navy warships on which they'll be serving later as ensigns. -- Mad Mariner, read on: http://tinyurl.com/SButt0925b => Curmudgeon’s Comment: This story first occurred in Scuttlebutt this past spring when the plan to limit training cruises was still in the discussion stage, and we were overwhelmed by the email in opposition to this initiative. Here is the story and some of the comments: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/navy LET THE JUNIORS DECIDE Junior Sailing Programs world-wide are discovering they need something modern to keep the YouTube Generation excited about sailing. Find the kids’ choice at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/08/0919 and see why fleets are popping up everywhere. The O’pen BIC uses new-age design and recyclable materials in a rocket-ship hull and contemporary rig. Just two minutes to rig, no maintenance, completely self-bailing, and less expensive. Tipping over is part of the fun! The bottom line? Kids love the O’pen BIC. BIC Sport offers special 2009 fleet packages if reserved by November 1, 2008. Don’t miss out! For more info contact mailto:info@BICSportNA.com or http://www.OpenBIC.com RICHARD’S ROLL CONTINUES AT TROIA PORTUGAL MATCH CUP Troia, Portugal (September 25, 2008) - After yet another picture-perfect day of match race sailing off the Troia resort venue, three French teams have emerged among the top four of the standings after 13 flights of racing at the seventh stage of the World Match RacingTour. ISAF number one-ranked Mathieu Richard (FRA) and his French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit continued their winning ways from yesterday, adding three more wins to his score card, and losing only once to team mate Damien Iehl (FRA), who lies in fourth. And another team mate, Sebastian Col (FRA) and his French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, has had an even better day, winning five matches to earn a 6-1 score to lie in third among the field of twelve teams at Troia Portugal Match Cup. A brief delay and course readjustment in the late afternoon allowed racing to continue in a new fresh westerly, with genoas traded for jibs in the last two flights. Match race action resumes Friday morning with the re-sail of the Paolo Cian (ITA) and Magnus Holmberg (SWE) match from Flight 9 before continuing into Flights 14-22 to complete the First Stage of the event. -- Complete report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6448 Current standings: Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit 7-1 Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Mirsky Racing Team 6-2 Sebastian Col (FRA), French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge 5-1 Damien Iehl (FRA), French Match Racing Team 4-4 Paolo Cian (ITA), Team Shosholoza 4-2 Ian Williams (GBR), Team Pindar 3-4 Bjorn Hansen (SWE), Alandia Sailing Team Team 2-4 Alvaro Marinho (POR), 2-3 Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Victory Challenge 2-3 Adam Minoprio (NZL), Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing 1-4 Manuel Weiller (ESP), 1-4 Nick Cherry (GBR), 1-6 THE MELGES 20: A FIRST LOOK TIMES TWO by Dave Reed and Stuart Streuli The Melges 20 is on the streets. It was only last year, this very weekend of the Newport International Boat Show where the Boys from Zenda discretely announced the imminent arrival of the Melges 24's mini-me. Whether they'll admit it or not, the popularity of the Laser SB3 in Europe and its arrival in the U.S., as well as the strengthening other 20-foot sportboat classes, played at least some part in finally getting the Melges 20 off the drawing board. It was at the Newport show last year where salesman Sam Rogers handed me a card-stock pamphlet with a sail plan and intentionally vague ad copy hyping the boat."Here you go," he said with a playful smile "Now you know as much as I do." Now, one year later, the first two Melges 20s have arrived from McConaghy Boats' China operation and the Melges factory team is piling on the mileage with demo rides in San Francisco, Zenda, and Newport. Annapolis is up next in October at the U.S. Sailboat Show, and the boat will be available for those of you looking to take a spin (if you're really keen, schedule yourself a time slot ahead of time). The various reviews from those who've sailed it have been all good, with most everyone taking an easy dig at the boat's $47,000 price tag. We'll get to that later. First let's get to the sailing. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/SButt0925c POST YOUR MORNING LIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS HERE In anticipation of the general release for the MORNING LIGHT movie on October 17th, the number of special showings and fundraising programs is growing… fast. To help keep track of these events, there is now a special Morning Light Forum on the Scuttlebutt website. This Forum can be used for all types of postings, from encouraging your local one design fleet to go on a certain night, to full on organized cocktail and pupu programs. To market these events, post them in the Forum, and Scuttlebutt will help promote them. Here is a list of the events currently posted: October 2 - Miami, FL October 3 - Newport, RI October 4 - Toronto, ONT October 7 - Premiere in Hollywood- by invitation only October 9 - Annapolis, MD October 10 - Baltimore, MD October 11 - Mill Valley, CA October 12 - Portland, OR October 13 - Seattle, WA October 14 - San Diego, CA October 15 - Newport Beach, CA October 16 - Honolulu, HI and Santa Cruz, CA November 7 - Sheboygan, WI Post events here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/Morning_Light_Movie_Announcements_C16 Here is the list of theatres where the movie will be opening on October 17th: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/0912c PARALOC’S REVOLUTIONARY RUNNING RIGGING WINS IN NEWPORT Paraloc’s patented parallel braiding process which interlocks the lines cover and core fibers was selected as the best new boating product at this year’s Newport International Boat Show. Developed by the Swiss rope company mamutec AG, Paraloc’s braiding process creates a free running line that won’t kink, has better holding power in clutches and increased abrasion and tear resistance. Whether you’re a racer or cruiser, in need of Vectran, Dyneema or Polyester, Paraloc has a line for you. For information on how to join the running rigging revolution call or visit R&W Rope Warehouse at http://www.rwrope.com SAILING SHORTS * Fuzzy Wuzzy skippered by Bengt Johannson won the 2008 J/30 North American Championship. Additionally Bengt captured the honors for the best overall "all amateur crew" finish. Bristol Yacht Club hosted the regatta on Narragansett Bay with a great venue for sailing and celebrating. Competitors represented boats from districts across North America including California, Nova Scotia, Northern New England, Southern New England, Chesapeake, Eastern Great Lakes, and Long Island Sound. -- Event website: http://j30.us/na2008 * The WSSR Council has announced the ratification of a new Transatlantic Singlehanded world record by Thomas Coville (FRA) and his 105 foot Trimaran "Sodebo". The new record for the 2925 nm crossing was completed on July 15th, 2008, and is 5 days 19 hours 30 minutes 40 seconds with an average speed of 20.97 kts. The delay in confirming this ratification was due to fact that the Council had to carefully confirm the finish that was in thick fog. The previous record of 6d 4h 1m 37s was held by "Idec" and Francis Joyon (FRA). -- http://www.sailspeedrecords.com * A number of Canada’s best sailors will be at the 2008 National Qualifier Regatta (NQR) for Laser & Laser Radial Classes. This NQR is taking place at St. Margaret Bay Sailing Club in Nova Scotia October 3-5, 2008. The Laser/Radial NQR is one selection event for the Canadian Sailing Team, and a qualifier for national carding as outlined in the CYA’s Canadian National Team Carding Criteria 2008-2009. In addition – for athletes born in or after 1991 – the Laser/Radial NQR will select the single-handed entries to qualify to the 2009 Youth World Sailing Team, as per CYA’s 2009 Youth World Sailing Team Selection criteria. -- Details: http://www.sailing.ca/feature/2008/09/NQR.html * (September 25, 2008) - Louis Vuitton confirmed today an overwhelming response to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series to be sailed in Auckland, New Zealand, in February next year with 23 teams spontaneously expressing interest and seven teams who have already registered and paid the entry fee. With eight berths available in the regatta, the entries are almost closed only one week after announcing the new event. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6440 * Willii Gohl, IJ (GER) has posted online a synopsis of the changes in the Racing Rules of Sailing for 2009-2012 in a format that compares the latest rule book with the 2005-2008 edition. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/RRS0912 * (September 25, 2008) - It was at 0522’06’’ UT today when the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group slipped past the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the entrance to the River Thames. Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew have thus erased the reference time, held by Philippe Monnet since 1990, to become the new holders of the Tea Route record with a time of 41 days 21 hours 26 minutes 34 seconds. Leaving Hong Kong on 14th August 2008, the sailors of Gitana Team covered the 15,312 miles at an average speed of 15.23 knots. -- http://www.gitana-team.com/en/gitana/index.asp * Donald Wilson and team, sailing his Chicago-based Farr 40 Convexity, won 3-0 in the final round against Bob Hughes’ Heartbreaker (Holland, Mich.) to win the second annual Windy City Match Race. In the petite finals, two Chicago boats went head to head with co-skippers Helmut and Evan Jahn on Flash Gordon defeating Richard West’s Gravitas. The three-day event took place Sept. 19-21, 2008, at Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station. -- Complete report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6447 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include the U.S. arrival of the Maltese Falcon, Laser SB3 Worlds in Ireland, the first Weta racing in North America, PUMA City in Spain, end of the Alerion season on Nantucket Harbor, big build in Rhode Island, high elevation Star racing in Colorado, and New England dignitary Harry Sherman after a day of sanding the bottom of his classic Knud Reimers double-ended cutter "Hawk". If you have images you would like to share, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor. Here are this week’s photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0926 * The next best thing to sailing TP52’s in the Med must be photographing them, as both Amory Ross and Ian Roman have done well to capture the brilliant colors of the boats, the waters, and the landscape. With Ian in a heli and Amory on the water, this Scuttlebutt gallery of the final Audi MedCup event in Portimão, Portugal will have the cubicle work force submitting their resignation letters and heading for the docks. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/0925/ * Between the national news coverage of the U.S. Presidential election and the economy, the damage from Hurricane Ike in south Texas has not been afforded the same exposure as Hurricane Katrina received, yet the damage is extremely extensive. If you don’t feel sufficiently aware of the hardships that are occurring now in the storms aftermath, these 71 photos will fix that. Unbelievable! - http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/08/ike * A slide show with mostly TP52 images is mixed with an audio interview by American Terry Hutchinson, where he covers the details of his successful Audi MedCup circuit win along with his thoughts on the America’s Cup situation. -- http://tinyurl.com/SButt0925d LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). You only get one letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Jim Champ: (re, Brad Butterworth interview in #2689) BB: “The sport is not run by the sportsmen, but by Committees.” Can you spot any non-sailors on those committees, BB? Because I can't. They all look like sportsmen to me... * From Jennifer Langille: While I cannot disagree with Mr. Butterworth that sailing is a complicated sport, I would argue that there exist venues which break sailing down to its rawest of levels and extremely easy for a non-sailor or novice to follow. Since I write this from Alicante and the start of Volvo 2008-9, I cannot think of a better event to hook people into the sport and passion of what sailing is to most of us who do sail. If we only focus on how hard sailing is, putting the emphasis on such and the events/organizations which make it harder, the opportunity to keep it simple and easy to explain slips under the radar. It pains me of all the coverage on a current non-event (i.e. AC) while eight teams of incredibly talented sailors are about to take on one of the greatest sailing venues in about two weeks. An event that will have something to entertain and teach all a little more about sailing everyday for about 9 months and the rules are technically quite simple: survival of the fittest and be the first around the world. Just my 2 cents. * From David Hughes: (re, their omission from the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards list) Wilmot and Page won the 2008 Delta Lloyd Regatta, 2008 470 Europeans, and 2008 Olympic Gold with the Medal Race to spare. In doing so, the duo has now won everything there is to win in the 470. Not putting them on the ISAF World-Sailors-of-the-Year short list is a gross oversight. They are sailing legends by any measure. * From Rob Mundle: On September 26, 2008, it will be 25 years to the day since Australia II won the America's Cup (when it was a real event). For those of us who were there, let's raise a glass on the day to some wonderful memories, special friends, a history making regatta and a spectacular achievement. And let's not forget two very special people - Ben Lexcen and Warren Jones. Here's to Australia II! * From Zvi Ziblat, Israel: In response to the "sailing elitist sport" story in Issue 2686, may I suggest a different view. What is wrong for a new comer to our wonderful sport of sailing, and in a new comer may I include those "new emerging nations", if the entry level racing dinghy is a second hand one which can be purchased for as low as 25% of a new one. We all know that to learn to race all one needs is a fleet of similar performance boats and these are available in any one design fleet, and the older these are the more similar they become. And please don't confuse us with only 15 Ynglings in the Olympics - nothing to do with price, only IOC restrictions on number of sailors. * From Bill Canfield, St. Thomas: It has gotten to the point that a one-time avid fan simply skips over the America's Cup articles / news in Scuttlebutt and right now I really can't tell the difference between Oracle and Alinghi. It has gotten to the point I almost can't remember who I once rooted for. The big question to me is why has ISAF not involved themselves in this mess as a mediator, arbitator, direction giver, or just an interested party with opinions. I believe the event is sanctioned by ISAF. I thought they had something to do with administering to the world's sailing. Undoubtable the "B" boys put themselves above ISAF so it is probably a moot point. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION My mother taught me GENETICS: "You're just like your father." Special thanks to O’pen BIC and R&W Rope. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
