|
SCUTTLEBUTT No. 890 - August 29, 2001Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
FINAL THOUGHTS The collection of people and boats that came to Cowes was, as New York Yacht Club Commodore Charlie Dana pointed out at the opening ceremonies, "a testament to human effort." The perfectly kept vintage yachts, the massive schooners and the sleek modern rockets were works of art as much as they were objects of beauty. And to get them here was indeed a feat, as the 201 vessels came from different corners of the world and their crews were coordinated through thousands of hours of work. As one boat captain, who almost stayed home, stated, "If I hadn't have come I would have kicked myself. Who knew it would turn out this way, that I would be finishing my 60 footer on the same line with the America's Cup boats." Who knew that this would be the greatest regatta of all time, and that even the most veteran sailors, who have seen it all, would get chills up their spines at the sound of the starting cannon for the around the island race. In the recreation of the original 1851 competition that started it all was the realization that the oldest sporting trophy in the world does not belong to New Zealand. It belongs to all of us. And it represents what each of us has gained from this sport. - Barby MacGowan, Scuttlebutt's official Jubilee correspondent in Cowes.
MAKO ETCHELLS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SERIES STANDINGS:
UBIQUITOUS
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON * From John Riise (Regarding Dan Dickison's comments on the America's Cup Jubilee): I'm kind of wondering why there needs to be 'meaning behind the grandeur' of an event for it to add value to our jaded lives? I wasn't there either, but to me the whole point of the Jubilee was the grandeur of bringing 150 years of sailing history into a single venue. For once, I was happy to hear that the racing took a back seat to the spectacle of the thing. I'd even venture a guess that some of us Joe Winchgrinders welcomed the Jubilee as a brief respite from all the politicking over the latest incomprehensible rule interpretation. To suggest that the Jubilee's purpose should have been to solve the 'myriad problems of sailing' is like suggesting that copyright infringement issues be resolved at Woodstock. In my opinion, it misses the point entirely. * From Hugh Welbourn (RE Dan Dickison's story): If he wasn't at the Jubilee, then I suggest he stops writing about it until such time as he is. This was a great time for all and sundry to meet and talk without any great official meeting pressures. Elitist? Maybe, but a great spectacle and atmosphere enjoyed by all. He should have seen the spectators lined up on every corner of the Isle of Wight for the Round the Island race. Or as I did, perched on the wall over the Green for the closing fireworks talking with a delightful old lady who had moved to Cowes before the war and remembered the J's from when they were new. Envious? Not in the slightest - loved it all. Why is the yachting media these days so negative? PS - All the crews thought it was great too. * From Nick Brown: As someone who was there, I must say that Dan Dickison misses the point of the America's Cup Jubilee affair. Yes, we need to grow the sport through community sailing programs, mentoring, Olympic class coaching, etc. Yes, the many problems debated in the letters section of 'Butt need to be addressed. But this was not a USSA or an ISAF meeting. This was principally about history. That so many came from so far to sail boats which (in numerous cases) were not regularly raced is what made the Jubilee unique. Joe Winchgrinder (I was one!) had never rounded a mark in 2 kts. of tide and then had to worry about who had rights on a MARIETTE or MARI CHA thundering at us. All my life I have used a "Dorade" ventilator. What an emotion to see DORADE in the flesh, or to meet Olin Stephens poking around a handsomely kept STORMY WEATHER. Journalists did indeed focus on the largest, glitziest yachts; that makes news and pictures. But as Princess Anne said so well at the Prize Giving, the event also honored those who just came to compete and to be part of an experience which will not be repeated in our lifetime. * From Jack Spangler: Nicely said, Barbie. As for Mr Dickinson, OK, be analytical, but I don't want to read on. We may have "too much media" all trying to say something significant when nothing is necessary. Even preferable. As for me, and I hope you whoever, will just wait for our friends lucky enough to be on hand in Cowes, to return and report personally on their observations, activity, fun, and sharing from their point-of-view. That will be just right in regard to this event. * From Dave Rosekrans, President, US Sailing: Chris Ericksen's proposal as to how US Sailing should operate the Olympic Sailing describes almost exactly how we do operate. The Olympic Sailing effort reports to the Olympic Sailing Committee both functionally and financially and operates separately from the rest of US Sailing. All of the Olympic Sailing funding comes from Olympic sources, none comes from your US Sailing dues or programs. There is no distraction to the rest of the US Sailing organization by the Olympic Sailing effort. They are operated by separate people under separate budgets. As Chris suggests, this is a cooperative, not a we/ they, relationship. For example, the Olympic side lends their coaches to run clinics at the US Sailing Youth Championships. We need to get good minds like Chris involved in US Sailing. Please email me at president@ussailing.org. * From Mike Moore (In response to Chris Ericksen in 'Butt 889 and edited to our 250-word limit): I too was happy to read that US Sailing is looking into ways to increase it's Olympic funding. What I don't see the sense in is splitting things up. I don't see how the needs of the Olympic sailor are fundamentally different from those of the "rank-and-file", at least those that race. What I do see is a lack of input to US Sailing from all levels of racing sailors. There is a dedicated core of volunteers making decisions for all sailors with apparently little input from "the rest of us". This situation will lead to feelings that the many are ignored by the few. Rather than split Olympic sailing off in some way, I would prefer to see US Sailing take pains to solicit more input. Rather than send me five to seven renewal offers in the late spring when I have already renewed my membership at the first part of the year through my Yacht Club, how about sending out a survey. Or how about sending an executive committee out on the road to address and listen to yacht club memberships. How about sending out an email notice about an on-line survey? I believe that better relations with and performance from US Sailing will come from more and better member input rather than splitting it into arbitrary subsections. Besides, if US Sailing is going to get better at fundraising wouldn't it be nice if everybody had a chance to benefit from it rather than just the Olympic sailor? * From Dawn Riley: I didn't see anything written re: Buddy Melges's induction into the Hereshoff America's Cup Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in the tent at the Royal Yacht Squadron during the Jubilee. The tough part of the evening was that the speeches didn't start until 10:30 pm and half of the audience was struggling to stay awake. Of course as soon as Buddy took the stage and began with a "WOW" (in strong contrast to the other very British exclamations of "Here Here") we all woke up :-) Buddy was probably the most over due of all inductees and we all just want to say congratulations! * From Ken Legler: Here is a partial solution to the propulsion issue. Practice to the letter of the rule. Coaches should demand this. Years ago I had the honor of coaching the US team at the Finn Gold Cup. Back then there was a rule about not moving the mast away from vertical more than once when tacking. The best of the Russian sailors made all his tacks perfect, with the mast rolling once, then returning to vertical. Other sailors looked around to see what they could get away with depending upon who was watching (judges or peers) or to see what others were getting away with. ("If everyone else is doing it, then...") Their tacks were different every time and while some were faster than others, none were "perfect." If coaches require their sailors to practice to the letter of the rule, through repetition, then perfection can be approached. These sailors become role models for others because of their reputation as winners with respect; as Paul Elvstrom suggests. * From Stephen Glassman (In response to Ken Redler's comments about cheating to win but losing the respect of your competitors): A popular sports talk radio host says: "If you're not cheating, you're not trying." It's a shame that the clash between Ken's, I think, ethical view of competition, and the sports mouth's "win at any cost" platitude, results in more of the latter and less of the former. We could get into the psychological or sociological analysis of why winning is so important that competitors will do anything to achieve that end but the issue, as I see it, is more in line with Ken's thinking. What good is winning if everyone knows you cheated to do it? Yeah, you took home the trophy but your bragging rights stop well before any claim that you earned it. In the spirit of simply wanting to race, protests of suspected or known cheaters never get filed, and the trend continues. If you want it to stop, either stop it yourself or if you're the victim, file the protest and get these people thrown out. Golf has been used in the 'Butt before when comparisons are made, so please permit me to use it once again. If you're caught cheating in a sanctioned golf tournament whether at the club level or the major championship level, you're banned from competing in that tournament ever again. Sounds like a reasonable solution to me. If you're caught cheating in a regatta, the race committee refuses to accept an entry from that person, or any boat on which that person sails, ever again. That stops it cold. * From Scott Duckworth: Roger Vaughan, really hit the nail on the head with his guest editorial. As I have matured I find myself trading in my Laser for a BeetleCat. Is the competition any less fierce or aggressive in this tubby 12 foot boat, Heck No! Is it a lot dryer and more comfortable for tired knees, a resounding Yes! Some years back, I often found myself wondering why anyone would sink a truckload of money into a classic vessel when they could buy a shiny new production boat with all the latest high-tech gear. Nostalgia, heritage and possibly poor judgment all came to mind. But never did I consider that these "lucky skippers" had found vessels that were not only beautiful to the eye, but to the mind, body and soul also. Can't we somehow find a happy medium between the Fightin' Forties and the new offshore sport boats. After all being able to compete in comfort and style should count for something. Weren't the older 12 metres required to be able to seat and dine all 12 crew?
BIG - REAL BIG * Southampton, UK - The world's largest sloop is under construction at the Vosper Thornycroft yard-which also cranks out military destroyers for the UK. The Ron Holland-designed vessel is so large that it's classified as a cruise ship. The Mirabella V will weigh in at some 700-tons, measure 250 feet, and have a mast 288 feet tall. Mirabella V is being built for American Joesph Vittoria, who once headed the Avis rental car company, and who, as the name suggests, has owned four yachts all named Mirabella. The contract is said to be worth around $43 million and will sustain around 100 jobs at the Southampton yard for the next two years. SailNet website - www.sailnet.com
RAYTHEON SUMMER SALE
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS * September, 6-9: Shields Nationals, Ida Lewis YC and Sail Newport, Newport, RI. www.sailnewport.org * September 11-14: Rhodes 19 Nationals, Hingham and Hull Yacht Clubs, Hingham Bay, MA. www2.hbphrf.org:8080/R19/r19_natl.html * September 13 -16: Finn Nationals, Sail Newport. www.sailnewport.org
INDUSTRY NEWS
MISTRAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS, 12 races, 2 discards:
WOMEN
STAR NAs
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS |
