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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 533 - March 23, 2000GUEST COMMENTARY -- Peter JohnstoneIf the America's Cup does have appeal these days, it's a detached gruesome spectacle of human behavior. Where else can you watch otherwise successful, smart adults blow a half billion dollars in the quest to gratify megalomania, all the while behaving like bullies during kindergarten recess? The racing, despite excellent packaging and commentating by ESPN, is boring. Worthy, maybe, of watching the start and five minutes thereafter. It is not sailing. It is not sport. It is a soap opera that interests viewers in the same way that a horrible accident might cause rubber necking of passersby. For a few mil (a better value), why not get a bi-coastal 'super team' together to produce sailing's version of the soap opera 'Sopranos'. Call it 'Cuppies & Panties'. Instead of actors parading as mobsters, feature a bunch of cream-puff day-racers powdered up and saying nasty things about each other. Throw in some mad scientists, weeping wives, scandalous patriarchs, and dark underlying intrigue. The only thing stranger than fiction..... The America's Cup is sailing's gruesome accident. Let's keep the lanes moving, and don't look. Keep the eyes on the road ahead. The Volvo and The Race are the best pinnacle properties for our sport. Real sailor heros, exciting & diverse footage, pure drama of man vs nature, man vs machine, and man vs competition, and months of gripping and healthy entertainment/promotion for sailing. Wouldn't it be great to see The Volvo or The Race put the squeeze on the America's Cup by running concurrently some day? Force the issue, move the sport forward. LASER WORLDS CANCUN, MEXICO, Final Day -- Cancun saved the beat for last with a steady, solid fifteen knots of wind, beautiful sunshine, clear blue seas and superb surfing waves to close what has been a vintage championships. In perfect harmony with the venue and the weather, a superb displayed of controlled sailing saw Robert Scheidt winning the Laser World Championships for an unprecedented fourth time without so much as having to sail the final race. Scheidt had led from the very start of the regatta and quite simply appeared to be in a different class form his nearest rivals. By winning this week, Scheidt has achieved what no man has ever done before, taking the Laser world Championships for an unparalleled fourth time. "It was a title that I was chasing for two years and it finally came," said Scheidt as he stepped ashore. "It was a tough week as I was leading from the first day on and that puts a lot of pressure on you because you are just trying to protect your lead. I think everything went my way this week, I had a good performance in light and strong winds and that was the way to win the regatta." Scheidt attributes his success to "A bit of talent, hard work and being supported by great supporters like my coach. I had a really big rival in Brazil, Peter Tanshceidt , and that really helped me to get the first of my two world titles. From then on I was a professional sailor and I did it full time." With the Olympics coming up in Sydney in just six months time, Scheidt was delighted to be crowned world champion again."I think winning a regatta right now gives me great confidence" he said. "It is going to be interesting because Sydney is a shifty place but I think the guys who are on top here are going to be on top in Sydney." Countries qualifying for the 2000 Olympics at the Laser World Championships in Cancun were: South Africa, Malaysia, Hungary, China, Turkey, Chile, Seychelles, Japan. Racing continues next week with the Laser Masters World Championships. 146 competitors from 20 countries will be competing starting on the Sunday 26th March. -- Peter Bentley Final standings (14 races, 2 discards): 1. BRA - Robert Scheidt (30 points) 2. AUS - Michael Blackburn (53) 3. GBR - Ben Ainslie (64) 4. SWE - Karl Suneson (73) 5. NED - Serge Kats (74) 9. USA - Mark Mendelblatt (109) 12. USA - John Torgerson (125) 17. USA - Bill Hardesty (153). Event website: http://www.laserinternational.org/wor2000.htm PROFESSIONAL SAILING (On the NBC Olympic website, Gary Jobson has done an interesting analysis of Olympic medalists who have sailed for and won the America's Cup. Following are some excerpts from that story,) Since the America's Cup races were first sailed in 1851, and the modern Olympics started in 1896, 11 sailors have won both Olympic medals and the America's Cup. I estimate that over 500 sailors have raced on winning Cup teams. There are many sailors who have competed in both events, but only a select few have won both. In 10 of the 11 cases, an Olympic medal was won prior to an America's Cup. The credibility earned was helpful in each case. A larger trend is that small- boat sailors make excellent big-boat competitors. It is rare that a good big-boat sailor will excel in smaller boats. The experience of Olympic competition has proven to be beneficial. The duel winners are: Carl Buchan, Dennis Conner, Russell Coutts, Conn Findlay, John Marshall, Buddy Melges, Craig Monk, George O'Day and Randy Smyth. During America's Cup 2000, a number of former Olympic medalists competed in the trials: John Bertrand, Jim Brady, John Cutler, Rod Davis, Luis Doreste, Leslie Egnot, Steve Erickson, Torben Grael, Peter Holmberg, John Kolius, John Kostecki, Marc Pajot, Thierry Peponnet and Jochen Schumann. For more details and the full story: http://www.nbcolympics.com/ ISAF EVALUATION TRIALS QUIBERON, France- The second day of the ISAF Evaluation Event brought weak sun, a subtle warming trend, and, unfortunately, a wind that faded from a pleasant 12 knots to virtually zero. Most boats made it on to the water, with the national authority-nominated testers under instructions to get rides on as many as possible. No specific rotation schedule was set. This kept the sailors and the factory people hopping on the beach. The Tornados, absent from the water yesterday, made it out today. One French boat sailed with the experimental carbon mast and a spinnaker rig. As with Monday's sailing, there were no side-by-side comparisons of boats. But there were hints to be gleaned from the action on the beach as which boats are earning some points. The Inters in all sizes were kept busy. They were especially popular with the monohull sailors. The Inter 17, the A Cat, and the Marstrom 18, as single-handers, are being tested with the other single-handed boats, rather than being included with the other cats. Since ISAF is not releasing any of the comments, and there will be no winners, the beach gossip is important to the builders to evaluate how their boats might be doing. Late in the afternoon, there was a race, but the wind fizzled and most opted to drift to the harbor rather than the finish line. With the fading wind, strong current, and a clear wind line on the land side, there wasn't much chance for any boat-to-boat comparisons. It is hoped that conditions will be better Wednesday, but as this is being written the clouds are darkening, indicating that the bad weather forecasted for Thursday may be closer than expected. Boat Profiles: The Hobie Tiger and Hobie Fox - The Tiger is best described as Hobie Europe's improved version of the Hobie 18. Its 18 feet long and 8' 6" wide, has a 29' 6" mast, and carries 226 square feet of sail, all on a platform weighing 397 pounds. The Fox is a newer boat. A somewhat radical hull shape makes it stand out among the other cats here. The Fox has very straight lines along both the keel and deck, but a longer deck than keel, making it look upside down to most observers. The hull design is by A Class champion Nils Bunkenberg. The rest of the boat, however, isn't so radical, virtually everything except the hull is copied directly off of the Tiger. The numbers are a little different. The Fox has 20-foot hulls and the total weight is 22 pounds more than the Tiger. It also has a slightly smaller main but a bigger spinnaker. - Jim Young, Sailing World website Full story: http://www.sailingworld.com/ LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks. But only one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if people disagree. -- From J. Joseph Bainton (Reply to Mark Chisnell) -- In the early 1970's the National Football League enacted a Rule that prohibited owners of NFL teams from having any interest in National Soccer League Teams -- a rule legally indistinguishable from that of Appendix K3.1(c), which is the basis for Mark's observation that ISAF might try to ban any sailor who competed in an AC that had not been sanctioned by ISAF. The United States Supreme Court quickly characterized the NFL rule as a "classic group boycott" violative of the antitrust laws. Were ISAF ever to attempt to enforce its rule, I have little doubt that the result would be the same and that the damages awarded against not only ISAF, but the individuals personally responsible for enforcing the boycott would likely bankrupt them. If TNZ is serious about a non-sanctioned AC, out of consideration for the sailors, who can ill afford to be unemployed for the years litigation consumes, TNZ should promptly go to a United States District Court and obtain a declaratory judgment that Appendix K3.1 (c) is unenforceable. By way of anticipatory rejoinder to those 'Buttheads who will inevitably disagree with these views, I observe that the only opinion that matters at the end of the day is the opinion of the last court to rule on the matter. -- From Erc Steinberg -- I believe Bill Menninger's assessment is correct re Doug Petersons comments. At the time Doug was making his comments, the talk on the dock was that TNZ was quite nervous about their design (did they get it right or???). On the other hand, the TNZ dock talk could have been TNZ doing their own psychological warfare to the challengers. -- Helen Johnstone Falk -- In regards to Bill Koch's Scuttlebutt, I understand his point, but, at the same time, it is inexcusable to indirectly accuse the Kiwis of "mis-using funds". I happen to respect the kiwis very much, especially after having the honor and learning experience of working under the "major afterguard" in New Zealand in 1985, at North Sails New Zealand. It is my humble opinion that the New Zealander's are going to have the "New Zealand Cup" for a long time to come, and it is very evident that the Americans are on the defensive, based on articles published by Paul Cayard, Bill Koch's Scuttlebutt and the list goes on. It is time for the United States to accept their defeat with grace and class and LET GO of THE PAST and MOVE ON... How about maintaining a low profile, like the New Zealander's do, and come up with a "Unexpected Super Boat and Crew" and blow the kiwis out of the water in the next America's Cup? Let's learn to look ahead and stop making excuses for the past - it is very embarrassing and degrading to our country as a whole. -- From Paul Grimes -- Bill Koch's essay asked some very basic questions that the Kiwi's should have answered long ago - especially if public funds were used to support the campaign. The personal attacks on him are unwarranted. His questions are valid. -- From Charlie Shumway -- I have enjoyed all the various discussions regarding the AC, both from the technical and the other various aspects and intrigues the AC. However, I would still prefer a great Team Race any day, where there are all the aspects of sailing, but many more tactics and changes occur in every race. This is where the amateurs are moving today, especially at the NYYC. As a loyal member for over 25 years, I know from what I have heard about the NYYC Challenge, I have given my last cent to NYYC AC Challenge. But to create a new fleet of Team Racing Boats for Newport, count me in. -- From Bob Kiernan -- All things considered. It was said, back in September the finals would be between AmericaOne and Prada. This because they were the best organized teams. The TNZ effort showed overpowering leadership in the organization in the races, the team cohesiveness and the politics of the entire affair. Not unlike pro baseball teams who have tryouts, farm teams (AA & single A), scouts looking for players knowing what crew needs are. We need leagues (NSL), organized sailing entities to farm our upcoming team members so we have in place an organization built to grow into a team with backup personal training to be the "Big Show players replacing "HighPoint" members moving on. It is understood we need thinkers like Bill Koch (in the background), drivers like Paul Cayard (in the foreground) and well-known figures like Dennis Conner (all around) too. We also need spin doctors controlling fodder from making to the public. People like The Yankees' George Steinbriner need to be in on this. Hey, he also owns a ship building company! For container & boat movement this guy would be a great participant. We also need designers, boat builders, graphics artists, webmasters like me working on a system promoted by journalists and PR staffs to build the interest throughout the world. Team New Zealand has this type of organization in place and we got to watch the process in practice. In leadership they showed it works and that's why we are all heading back to New Zealand. -- From Richard Hazelton, Editor - 48 North Sailing Magazine -- I just spent a very pleasant morning with Laurie Davidson in Seattle and one of the subjects that came up was the combining of the American syndicates into one "national" challenge. His comment was that, "It's always really been a club race." And, when you think about it, it always has been. The biggest difference now as opposed to when it started is where the money is coming from. If it's not an individual then you need to broaden your involvement outside the club to get funding. And how do you do that - by making it an "American" challenge instead of a club challenge. But it's still basically a club challenge with outside funding. -- From Mike Wathen -- It might interest Mr. Lambert and other readers to know that Brad Wheeler has a very long history of sailing with, for, and against many of the "PRO-SAILORS". Furthermore this has taken place in the Southern California waters you mention. He is a very accomplished sailor that has beaten most of these individuals on many occasions. He simply choose a different career income path or I'm certain he would be one of these PRO's. Many in the racing establishment don't want to see a PRO circuit mix in with the existing forums. It would be like having the NBA participating in March madness. Would the boys from Podunk U. benefit by having the Lakers beat the snot out of them? I encourage the professional circuit to develop their own thing and not "crash" the other parties. Let them see if they can organize a complete cradle to grave event with everyone involved getting a few of the bucks that are supposed to be there. How much of the publicity, hospitality, race management cost, trophies, etc. would the NSL fund? -- From Ali Meller -- Can we end the whining about millionaire/billionaire comments, whining about about losing the AC thread? As alternatives, the Laser World Championship, 49er World Championship, Fireball World Championship, ISAF Trials to select a high performance singlehander and a new catamaran, midwinter regattas and frostbiting are all going on right now (probably lots more too). Maybe some of the whiners should put their keyboards aside for an afternoon and go sailing. Curmudgeon's comments: Although whining is probably as much a part of our sport as is foul weather gear, I can't help thinking about how much shorter 'Butt would be each day without it. SWEDISH MATCH TOUR AUCKLAND, New Zealand - It turned into a day of frustration afloat as the fickle wind made it nearly impossible to set a course in the afternoon session, followed by a long wait for a jury decision in the evening. The morning races went smoothly, with Group B completing the second round robin, and Barker emerging as the clear leader, with twelve wins from fourteen races, to claim his semi-finals place. Sharing second place, with a 10 win - 4 loss score, were Frenchman Bertrand Pace and Kiwi veteran Chris Dickson, and on initial reading of the tie-breaker process, it appeared that Pace would make the cut on a countback. However the eloquent Dickson is not that easily discarded, and he argued that the wording of the clause was ambiguous. The jury eventually agreed with Dickson, and ordered a one race sail off on Friday morning for the other semi-finals place from this group. The afternoon proved incredibly frustrating for both the race organisers and the sailors, as the wind constantly shifted in direction and varied in strength. Eventually the sun set with only six of the scheduled sixteen matches completed. This leaves three skippers fighting for two semi-finals places, when sailing resumes on Friday - Team AmericaOne's Gavin Brady, Team New Zealand's Cameron Appleton, and Andy Green's Colorcraft team. - John Roberson GROUP B SCORES (Round robins 1 & 2): Dean Barker, 12-2; Chris Dickson, 10-4; Bertrand Pace, 10-4; Peter Holmberg, 8-6; Jes Gram-Hansen, 6-8; Bjorn Hansen, 5-9; Phil Douglas, 3-11; Luc Pillot, 2-12. GROUP A SCORES (Round robin 1, plus six races of round robin 2): Cameron Appleton, 9-2; Andy Green, 8-3; Gavin Brady, 9-3; Magnus Holmberg, 5-6; Marcus Weiser, 4-8; Peter Gilmour, 5-7; Lars Nordbjerg, 3-9; James Spithill, 3-8. TREASURE ISLAND SAILING CENTER It was just last April that San Francisco's Treasure Island Sailing Center was christened and later that month the Star Class Olympic Pre-Trials were held at the site, followed in June by the Soling Class Olympic Pre-Trials. During the summer of 1999 TISC negotiated an agreement with the local Vanguard 15 Fleet, to become the home base for their Northern California sailing activities. This year the Olympic Team Selection Trials for the Star and Soling class, Vanguard 15 North American Championship, Optimist Dinghy Pacific Coast Championship and Star Western Hemisphere Championship are all schedule at the facility. Discussions are underway with US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Committee for TISC to become a permanent US Sailing/OSC Training Site. TheTISC initial fundraising effort in 1999 generated donations of almost $90,000 in cash and securities to our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the Treasure Island Sailing Center Foundation. As you can see from the accompanying Financial Review, we've spent all of that - and a lot more. Where has this gotten us? In the past year TISC has: -- Rebuilt and installed two hoists, piers and piles, and 250' of floating dock. -- Executed a two year lease with TIDA and developed a strong option position. -- Hosted Olympic class events here on the Bay, to the benefit of Bay Area sailors. -- Established sailing programs for inner city youth, which are growing exponentially. -- Procured a fleet of International Optimist Dinghy youth training boats. -- Provided a base for high school, collegiate and one-design racing fleets. Amazingly, we have accomplished almost everything we have set out to do in our 1999 mission - except be better fundraisers. We desperately need help to continue with the next leg of our race. We have an immediate need for $70,000 for our capital improvement/rent offset, as identified above. We have identified another $50,000 in improvements that need to be made in the next 12 months. Our goal is to raise $125,000 in the next 30 days. -- Matt Ciesicki, ciesicki@msn.com TISC website: http://www.TISailing.org 49ER WORLDS With each of the 25 Nations anticipating the first race of the 2000 49er Worlds, as expected, in came the famous North-Wester. The top 25 teams in the world left the beach to sail out to the North course for Race #1 of the Gold Fleet finals. With 16 Nations in the top 25 there is a balanced worldwide participation. -- Morgan Larson Standings (eight races, one discard): 1. ESP - SANTIAGO LOPEZ-VAZQUEZ / J.DE LA PLAZA (33 points) 2. DEN - MICHAEL HESTBAEK / J.PERSSON (40) 3. AUS - CHRIS NICHOLSON / D.PHILLIPS (46) 4. GER - MARCUS BAUR / P.BARTH (47) 5. NOR - CHRISTOFFER SUNDBY / V.ARNHOFF (49) 7. USA - JONATHAN MCKEE / C.MCKEE (52) 12. USA - ANDY MACK / A.LOWRY (96) 19. CAN - BETTINA BAYLIS / T.BAYLIS (119) Complete Standing: http://www.49erworlds2000.org/press/index.html OFFSHORE During last night, deep in the desolate wastes of the Southern Ocean, Ellen MacArthur and her Open 60 'Kingfisher' made a dramatic rendez-vous with a lone adventurer. Frenchman Jo Le Guen, attempting to row solo across the Pacific Ocean has been victim of the failure of the Iridium satellite system which is about to cease operating. With it, his only means of communication with the outside world will be lost. 'Kingfisher' has just crossed in to what is commonly known as the Screaming 50s, just over 3000 miles to go to Cape Horn, on her long voyage back to Europe. Ellen made the decision to divert 36 hours ago to attempt to pass Jo a backup system when it became clear that he could spend the next 3 months totally cut-off. Ellen and her team arrived on the scene with just over 2 hours remaining of daylight, and in very difficult conditions. Icy and squally 30 knot winds, and a confused sea state, made the transfer of Kingfisher's handheld Magellan email unit extremely hazardous. After 9 failed attempts to pass the unit via a buoyant sealed bag, they were forced to give up. Anyway, Jo remains in good spirits, and I think he was still glad to see us. As many Explorers and Adventurers employ satellite systems such as Iridium, the potential loss of all communication comes as a stark reminder of our increasing dependence on these new technologies. Another victim of the failure of Iridium, French solo skipper Philippe Monnet, could still be cut off from all contact for many days to come - a tough prospect as he battles through the same treacherous Southern Ocean in his attempt to beat the west about solo record of Brit Mike Golding. He is currently passing the bottom of New Zealand, half way in his round the world race against the clock. He has already lost his main communication systems after breaking his computer screens in an earlier storm. -- Mary Ambler, http://www.kingfisherchallenges.com THE CURMUDGEON'S QUOTATIONS "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with." -- Mark Twain |
