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SCUTTLEBUTT 1420 - September 23, 2003
Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is a
digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock
talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press
releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always
welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
AMERICA'S CUP HAPPENINGS
* (Alinghi's Ernesto) Bertarelli is adamant that not only is it right to
wait until December to choose the venue, but also to wait four years before
running America's Cup XXXII. "Realistically, I don't think we would have
been in a position to offer a proper venue in less time," Bertarelli said.
"There is no place naturally fitted for the cup's needs today. There are a
lot of logistics involved in making a place more viewer-friendly."
A field of six to 10 teams seems realistic, given that the cup is now a
professional contest beyond the reach of most individuals. Chris Dickson,
the chief executive of Larry Ellison's Oracle BMW Racing team, has already
said that $100 million (£61 million) is a "realistic" budget for 2007.
"People are waiting to see where the cup is going to be, and in what sort
of boats," said Bertarelli, giving a clear hint that Alinghi are
considering turbocharging the America's Cup class boats, in step with the
latest monohull design trends. - Tim Jeffery, The Daily Telegraph, full
story: http://tinyurl.com/oaml
* The next 'Moët Cup' type event is almost certain to be in Newport next
spring. Ernesto Bertarelli and Alinghi are to be the hosts, and the Oracle
BMW team is sure to be there. There is hope that Team New Zealand, the
fledgling K-Yachting team, and perhaps another European team will join the
party as well.
Will it be called the Moët Cup? That probably depends on the title sponsor
of the 2007 America's Cup. For over 20-years, Louis Vuitton has been a big
supporter of America's Cup racing, pouring money into sponsorship of the
Challenger series (the Louis Vuitton Cup) as well as being the organising
body behind the media centre, and the host of some extraordinary parties.
The America's Cup itself was a completely separate event to the LV Cup,
with a completely different organisation behind it (hence the different
Race Committees, two websites, different TV deals, etc.)
But Ernesto Bertarelli, quite rightly, is trying to put a stop to all of
the needless duplication that this arrangement ensures. A new company has
been created, called America's Cup Management (ACM). It is charged with
running all aspects of the 2007 event, from selecting the next venue,
marketing and sponsorship, to television and media, and running things on
the water as well. - Peter Rusch, The Daily Sail website, full story:
http://thedailysail.com/
* Louis Vuitton, a division of LVMH Group, wants to return for the
seventh time as co-producers of the Challenger Selection Series. And
Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, gives full authority to Yves Carcelle and
Bruno Troublé to convince AC Management. But unfortunately things are not
so simple and rumors coming from Geneva that Rolex could be the next
Challenger Selection Series partner. - Cup in Europe website,
http://www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/Orga4.htm
MATCH RACING
Organizers of the Investors Guaranty™ Presentation of the King Edward VII
Gold Cup have announced the unseeded skippers who will compete in a
three-day round robin qualifier from October 18-20. The unique format of
the King Edward VII Gold Cup, sailed in International One Design sloops,
includes this Grade 3 qualifying event where the top six skippers advance
to round one of the Tournament of the Investors Guaranty™ Presentation of
the King Edward VII Gold Cup and face the eight seeded skippers along with
the winner and runner-up of the Bermuda International Women's Match Race
Championship.
Competition in the qualifying event will be fierce with two of the skippers
ranked in the top 10 on the Swedish Match Tour, including No 1 Magnus
Holmberg of Sweden, who sailed with Victory Challenge, the Swedish
America's Cup team and No. 5 Kelvin Harrap of Ireland, who sailed with
OneWorld Challenge. They will be joined by America's Cup winner and world
match racing champion Ed Baird of the U.S.; Olympic Soling bronze medallist
Paolo Cian of Italy and 1999 Gold Cup champion Andy Green of the U.K. Other
2003 America's Cup sailors participating are Team New Zealand's Cameron
Appleton and Oracle BMW Racing's Cameron Dunn. Rounding out the roster is
Scott Dickson of the U.S.; Mattias Rahm of Sweden; Staffan Lindberg of
Finland, Bill Hardesty of the U.S., Maxim Taranov of Russia, Matthew
Gregory of the U.S. and Bermuda's Peter Bromby. - www.swedishmatchtour.com
SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!
Any time you start getting your gear together to go to a regatta, the first
thing on you mind will be your Camet padded sailing shorts. You may already
own some, but now is the time to get on the Camet web page and look at the
different models and colors they have. The Bermuda, Aruba, 3000, Cargo, and
Women's Ocean shorts, are all made out of the fast drying, breathable
Supplex,(UV 40+) and with the Cordura seat patch to hold the foam pad that
will help you get through those long hours on the rail. Check them out at
http://www.camet.com
ETCHELLS WORLDS
Greenwich, Connecticut, USA - An overcast day left the beach at Greenwich
Point mostly deserted and the sailors in the MasterCard Etchells Worlds
Regatta in a breeze that averaged 12 knots all day. And get this, the wind
even did what is was supposed to do, which was start north of east, and
slowly clock into the south as the day progressed. According to Commanders'
Weather service the more the sun comes out the faster the breeze will clock
into the south. The sun must have peaked out, because man, did that breeze
move right on race one. Race two got off about 1530 in a solid southerly,
after one false start. Standings after three races on the Long Island Sound:
1. K. Read, K. Anderson & S. Norris. USA, 4
2. D. Conner, P. Burton & T. Ray, USA, 24
3. J. Smith, H. Frazer & A. Wills, USA, 38
4. C. Miles, P. Smidmore & J. Mayjor, AUS, 42
5. B. Fortenberry, P. Murphy & N. Frizzell, USA, 45
6. M. Thornburrow, T. Parsons & A. Webster, Hong Kong, 46
7. H. Fogh, R. Cheer & T. Fogh, CAN, 48
8. B. Lynn, T. Erskine & D. Sabin, USA, 50
9. B. Hovey, G. Schimenti & K. Klinger, USA, 53
10. M. Beckmann, L. Horvat & M. Rogers, USA, 55
Event website: http://www.etchellsworlds2003.org/index.html
ISAF WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cadiz, Spain - Following days of Levante, a strong, colder, westerly sea
breeze, the Poniente, filled in which steadily built as the day progressed,
allowing great racing across all the remaining classes. Standings:
Finn (10 races; 82 entrants): 1. GBR, Ben Ainslie, 41; 2. ESP, Rafael
Trujillo, 46; DEN, Jonas Hoegh-christensen, 15 pts; 3. GBR, Andrew Simpson,
51; 20. CAN Richard Clarke, 174; 30. USA, Kevin Hall, 257.
Tornado (8 races; 72 entrants): 1. GBR, McMillan/ Bulkeley, 26; 2. AUS,
Bundock / Forbes, 32; 3. ARG, Lange / Espinola 43; 10. USA, Lovell/
Ogletree, 82; 21. CAN, Johansson / Curtis 162.
470-Men (8 races; 98 entrants): 1. ITA, Zandona / Trani, 22; 2 ESP,
Martinez Doreste / Wood 31; 3. POR, Marinho / Nunes 32; 23. USA, Foerster /
Burnham, 75; 63.. CAN, Russell / Macdonald, 144.
470-Women (8 races; 55 entrants): 1. GRE, Bekatorou/ Tsoulfa, 9; 2. NED,
Westerhof/ Matthijsse, 31; 3. Armstrong/ Stowell 31; 29. USA, Mcdowell/
Kinsolving, 77; 30. CAN, Provan / Girke, 82.
Laser (8 races; 174 entrants): 1. POR, Gustavo Lima, 10; 2. BRA, Robert
Scheidt, 16; 3 AUS, Michael Blackburn 25; 4. USA, Mark Mendelblatt, 31; 30.
CAN, Bernard Luttmer, 85; 124. BER, Alexander Kirkland, 197; 140. MEX,
Julian Fernandez, 192.
49er (11 races; 89 entrants): 1. GBR, Draper/ Hiscocks, 21; 2. NOR, Sundby/
Bovim 45; 3. GER, Baur/ Groy, 47; 6. USA, Wadlow / Spaulding, 53; 66. MEX,
Goeters / Goeters, 191; 72. CAN, Mccorquodale / Lowden, 206.
Full story: ISAF website, http://www.sailing.org
Complete results: Event website, http://www.cadizworlds2003.com
NEWS BRIEFS
* Only one point separated to the top three boats in the Vanguard 15
Nationals, and it took the second level of tie-breakers to determine who
had won the national championship regatta held at the Cedar Point YC in
Westport, CT. Final results: 1. Mike Funsch/ Terence McAndrews, 16; 2.
Anthony Kotoun/ Rich Bell, 16; 3. Chris Ashley/ Alison Berenback, 17; 4.
Colin Merrick/ Amanda Callahan, 38; 5. Pedro Lorson/ Mimi Berry, 40. Funsch
now joins his brother Kevin (a two time National Champion) at the top of
the V15 heap. Full results:
http://www.cedarpointyc.org/uploads/V15_Nationals.htm
* Organizers of the New York/New Jersey Sail Expo watched closely last
week as Hurricane Isabel threatened the East Coast. But this weather system
turned into a non-event for this first-time sailboat show. The show site
did not suffer any damage from the storm, and sun emerged as tents were
erected and the move-in phase began. NY/NJ Sail Expo will run from
Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28 at the Liberty Landing
Marina at Jersey City's Liberty State Park. Advance ticket sales have
already surpassed the 2003 average for pre-show ticket sales at all Sail
America shows. www.nysailexpo.com
* Not even Hurricane Isabelle could stop the Mercedes-Benz J24 Canadian
Championship at the Port Credit Yacht Club. Final results: 1 Mike Ingham,
Brain Cramp, USA, 14; 2. Scott Collinson, 46; 3. Thomas Barbeau, Navtec, ,
56; 4. Jeremy Lucas, It's A Rental, 59; 5. Todd Irving, Narcoleptic 59.
http://www.j24can.com/canadians/results.asp
CLIPPER 2002
Liverpool Clipper, skippered by Adam Kyffin, won Race 15 of the Clipper
2002 Round the World Yacht Race; crossing the finish line at 16:26 GMT.
With a North Westerly wind blowing 30 - 40 knots, the 60-footer had
screamed into Channel Island waters but these conditions also prevented the
massive spectator fleet from witnessing the Liverpudlians claim their first
victory of the series, which began in Liverpool some eleven months ago.
Richard Butler and his crew on Bristol Clipper crossed the finishing line
at 17:12 GMT (18:12 local time) to clinch second place ahead of the Jersey
crew, led by Simon Rowell, who finished at 17:55 GMT to take the final
podium place for this tough transatlantic race from Halifax, Nova Scotia. -
www.clipper-ventures.com
GILL AND CAMET SAILING GEAR AT UP TO 40% OFF
It's the time of year when we are clearing out what's left of the 2003 gear
and making way for the 2004 products. The gear is all brand new and still
in the packages but we simply have to make room for our upcoming boat show
in October. While the supply lasts Gill and Camet closeout items are up to
40% off. No sales tax outside California and we'll even pay for ground
freight for orders over $250! Prices will never be lower! The call is even
toll free, what more could you ask for! 1-800-354-7245 or
http://www.sailingproshop.com/scuttlebutt2.htm
CANADA'S CUP
Bob Hughes' Heartbreaker Canada's Cup Team has launched the website in
order to allow sailing fans the opportunity to follow the action. The
website is being run by sailhead.com and it includes team bios, the history
of the Cup and the progress both teams have been making leading up to the
Canada's Cup which will begin September 27th at the Royal Canadian Yacht
Club in Toronto, Canada. The website will also have live updates from the
water as the teams are racing which will allow armchair sailors and fans
the ability to stay up to date on the action on the water.
The Outdoor Life Network which has filmed both Heartbreaker's and Defiant's
practice sessions will be filming the Canada's Cup and will air the footage
at a later date. The Heartbreaker website will have the OLN schedule when
it is received. http://www.Canadascup.org
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS
Events listed at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com)
(Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be
edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. This is not a chat room nor a
bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best
shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* From Mark Powell: Bruce Kendall was on the mark with his comments on
Olympic sailing classes and the International Mistral Olympic Class (IMCO)
one design in general. I too believe that the IMCO is pretty close to the
ideal for sailing in the Olympics and that Olympic windsurfing has to be
one design.
There is much push from industry to promote expensive Formula boards that
have trouble performing in light winds and if you take a look at the
invitation for the future ISAF windsurfing class evaluation events, they
look like a prescription for the end of one design sailing in the olympics.
Up to 12.5 m^2 sails? Sharp fins 2 ft long? Who will sail these things? If
the wind suddenly picks up to 30 kts you'll be stuck out there. A campaign
on a Formula class board will cost upwards of $7k for equipment compared to
about $2 k for the IMCO...but you'll have to pay that each year to stay
competitive in Formula! Please ISAF, keep the the one design concept and
select something that both women and men of normal stature can sail in all
conditions. Replace the women's windsurfing event with the Laser radial?
* From Eric Wallischeck, Sailing Master, USMMA: In reference to Adam
Loory's letter, I agree with Adam Loory's comments. Sailing in heavy air
makes one a better seaman. A well found boat, properly maintained and
equipped, is just as safe in 5 knots as in 35 knots. Clearly, there is a
responsibility on the skipper to ensure his crew has the training and
experience, and perhaps there is a hesitance to put the crew at risk
gaining that experience.
For LI sailors, there is plenty of opportunity to practice in big breeze.
(In fact, it's blowing 20 knots now, gusting to 30; thank you, Isabel!) I
remember one fall afternoon 20 years ago, when I was a mid at USMMA, two
grads came to visit, Scott King and Pete Staulkus. They took us out to
practice broach recovery; we set a chute in 18 kts and spent a half-hour
getting knocked down again and again! As I gained more experience as a
sailor, I developed pride in my ability to manage a boat in breeze, and
appreciated the chance to put a boat and crew to the test. And, the skills
of foresight, preparation, forehandedness and situational awareness easily
translate to light air sailing.
Maybe it's a matter of our increasingly cautious and litigious society -
and by extension our sailing community - which leads to restraint on the
part of RC personnel to start a race in big breeze. While I can't fault
them entirely, I know that I miss the old days.
* From Bernie Armstrong: I was on Race Committee for the Greenwich Cup on
Long Island Sound on Sept 13th and take exception to the comments made by
Adam Loory. It was not the + 20 knot winds that were the issue. True, that
was part of the decision but it was more the large wave build up that
occurs in Western Long Island Sound in Easterlies like was experienced that
Saturday. We were reading 20+ knots but also 6-8 waves very tight together.
Dangerous conditions for small boats. The safety of the many people in the
smaller support boats is always a critical factor. A person's head in the
water in 6-8 foot seas is almost impossible to see. We can't take those
kinds of chances. Mike Levesgue's comments were right on the mark. The race
program was cancelled for very good reasons that day...safety for everyone
even the racing crews that may not be properly prepared for the challenges
and dangers of such conditions
* From Rick Nelson: Boy am I glad I scheduled some vacation days to go
see the Moet Cup. If you didn't go you really, and I mean really missed the
best week of racing ever. The bay was great, mid 80's temps, clear skies,
views of the GG and great racing.
As stated the fireworks display was phenomenal to put it lightly. I have
never witnessed anything like it, thanks Larry. It was especially great to
hear Gary Jobson's voice on the speakers as we walked out to the bleachers
on Wednesday. Good to hear you back Gary.
Having set my TV to record the racing it was disappointing to keep hearing
comments about how many people were watching from the shore but they never
showed the crowds. If everyone is spending millions of dollars to get
attention for our sport, show how much attention this type of racing
generates with crowd shots. Don't get me wrong, OLN with Gary, Dawn and
Peter did a fantastic job and with Dawn's sport talk and Gary's quick
interpretations it all made for an enjoyable show, (my wife even watched it
after spending three days being there). Great job all and let's go get that
cup Oracle.
* From Sandy Purdon: I hate to be picky and I am sure the fireworks show
was spectacular, but the Super Bowl Fireworks show in San Diego this past
January was a 6 barge, $250,000 event on San Diego Bay that was also
spectacular. So your comment that Ellison's fireworks "far surpassed
anything previously attempted on the West Coast of America" is not accurate.
Congratulations to all in San Francisco for a great event with the AC
boats, crews and support people. Nice work GGYC and Oracle BMW! I only wish
we could have the OLN coverage live and complete. But at least we had
something to watch on TV for those of us that could not make it north.
* From Ryan Hamm: I don't know about the rest of you but I am tired of
how much effort we put into getting publicity about sailing. I have helped
put on many events and have come to the conclusion that Scuttlebutt, our
sailing magazines, and the local club are where we learn what is going on
in sailing. Not enough non-sailing people care to have any newspaper except
in a town like Annapolis to believe that we will ever be taken seriously by
local news. Stop worrying about it. Send your articles to Scuttlebutt and
other places where we all look for what's going on.
With all the time you put towards publicity concentrate on sailing better
and getting involved in Junior programs and getting them interested that
way. Let's be serious. I never got into sailing because I read something
about it. I took sailing lessons and had adults foster my love for the
sport. Bring a Junior sailing.
CURMUDGEON'S CONUNDRUM
Do illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?
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