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SCUTTLEBUTT 2656 - Friday, August 8, 2008
Scuttlebutt 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.
OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN: RACING BEGINS SATURDAY
* After several days of moderate breeze, it was a frustratingly calm day in
Qingdao on Thursday. With practice races planned for the Finn and Yngling
fleets, racing was finally abandoned after waiting for over an hour for the
wind to settle and fill under mostly sunny skies. --
http://www.sailing.org/olympics/24640.php
* For the American 'buttheads, check your local television schedule for the
airing times of the Today Show on Friday, which included U.S. Star sailors
John Dane and Austin Sperry as guests.
* Photos from U.S. 49er rep Tim Wadlow:
http://picasaweb.google.com/timwadlow/OlympicPictures2
* For one sailor, it shouldn't be too hard to satisfy his pre-race
superstitious ritual for the Olympics. The 31-year-old Finn World and Gold
Medalist Ben Ainslie always tucks into a Chinese meal on the eve of an
event. -- http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/display.var.2419259.0.0.php
* From Ben Barger, U.S. RS:X Men's rep: "For as long as I can remember there
has been the fire deep inside of me to compete at the Olympic Games. I have
had a long arduous journey there, one that is better to share and better to
learn from. There will be no what if's or maybe's in a few days, finally I
get to taste the competition at the world's biggest sporting event. Memories
flood my mind of all those days training like a fool, just going for it
mostly alone, with little knowledge of exactly where it would bring me. So
here I am at the Olympic Village, writing this on my Olympic Village bed,
contemplating the exact feeling that I'll be zoning in on for the first race
on August 11th. I could be the samurai, about to use my sword in the fight
of my life. I could be the bull fighter in the dust of the arena staring
down the bull that is charging with his horns down. I can literally taste
the intensity of the competition, and I will savor these moments for a
lifetime." -- Read on: http://bentobeijing.com/?p=152
* RACE SCHEDULE: Racing begins on Saturday, but the race schedule staggers
the 11 events through to the final day on August 21 (with the 22nd and 23rd
held as reserve days). The Finn and Yngling get started on Saturday and
Sunday. Joining these classes on Sunday will be the 49er. The bay will be
busier on Monday with the following classes racing: 470 Men and Women, RS:X
Men and Women, Finn, Yngling, and the 49er. Two races per day are scheduled
for each event, except for the 49er class, for which three races per day are
scheduled. The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each
day is 1300. Eleven races are scheduled for each event except for the 49er
class, for which 16 races are scheduled. Of the 11 (16) races, 10 (15) are
scheduled as opening races and one as a medal race. -- Notice of Race:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/olynor
* WEATHER FORECAST - Qingdao Olympic Venue: For Friday, August 8th, light
winds less than 10knots all day are predicted. Wind direction from SE with
no major trends in direction. Outlook for Saturday is similar.
Saturday/Sunday might see an increase to 12knots. View maps/graphs at
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/olyweather - to get the animated
hour by hour forecast map images, sign up for free worldwide forecasts at
www.predictwind.com
WATCHING THE OLYMPICS- BEHIND THE SCENES
Either online or on television, watching the Olympic sailing begins with the
production in Qingdao, and then the work they do is distributed to the
rightsholders in each country (NBC in the U.S. and CBC's digital channel
bold in Canada). For an overview of how the live production will be done on
the water, here is a report from Hans la Cour, live coverage principal
cameraman:
"There will be daily live race coverage from the A race course (one of five
courses), which is located just off the Olympic Marina Breakwater. There
will be three chaseboats and two helicopters with cameras, plus up to four
point-of-view remotely controlled on-board cameras. We also have a
land-based camera which can be used when racing happens close to shore.
Additionally there will be a camera on the Committee Boat.
"The helicopters will need to refuel, and when this is happening only one
aerial shot will be available. The helis are also depending on visibility.
If the fog comes rolling in like on Wednesday of this week, they won't be
allowed to fly, and we will have no aerials if racing still goes ahead.
"There will be microphones on the race boats with on-board cameras as well
as on the Committee Boat. The chase boats also carry directional microphones
to pick up sound from the boats.
"Apart from this, there will be RIBs with handheld cameras on all the other
courses. They will record the racing there, and as in previous Olympics, a
highlights programme will be put together each evening and made available
for all television rightsholders."
* U.S viewing schedule: http://xrl.us/nbcsked
* Canadian viewing schedule: http://xrl.us/canadiansked
* With Course A being the primary site for filming, the classes scheduled
for that course are Yngling/Finn (Saturday), 49er (Sunday), and RS:X
(Monday).
THANK YOU SAILING INSTRUCTORS!!
If you or your child had an awesome experience in their Sailing Program this
summer and you want to say "THANKS", then think about giving an embroidered
jacket or backpack to your favorite instructor. Team One Newport can do all
of this for you and its easy. They have jackets from Musto, Henri-Lloyd,
Gill, Patagonia, Slam, Atlantis, Puma, and more. They also have backpacks
from Harken, Gill, Patagonia, Puma and more. They have been embroidering
crew uniforms for 15 years and their expertise and experience shines
through. Visit http://www.team1newport.com or call Peggy, Maura or Sue at
800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327).
=> Curmudgeon's Comment: Congrats to group at Team One Newport, who have now
opened a second store in Newport, RI called Patagonia On Thames, which will
specialize in providing the Patagonia active wear and sportswear line that
they have been working with now for 21 years. --
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6148
VOLVO OCEAN RACE PARTICIPATING IN WATER STUDY PROJECT
The Volvo Ocean Race is taking part in a pioneering project aimed at finding
out how the oceans have been affected by ships' exchanging of billions of
tonnes of ballast water. Each boat in the race will be involved in the
programme which was initiated by the Official Logistics Partner, Wallenius
Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL).
The dedicated media crew member on board each racing yacht will be
responsible for taking regular water samples using a sophisticated testing
process based on bioluminescence using a measuring instrument called a
luminometer. The research at sea involves recording the mass of species in
the sample and reporting the results. A scientific report of the findings
will be published post-race.
The race route provides scientists with a rare opportunity to analyse the
biomass of the water in open seas not on the regular shipping routes. WWL,
an environmental leader in logistics and ocean transportation, is very
enthusiastic about the project. It provides an opportunity to advance
scientific research as to how foreign invaders found in ballast water are
upsetting the eco-systems in the world's great oceans. -- Read on:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6214
COMMUNITY SAILING PROGRAMS: GOOD AND BAD NEWS
* GOOD NEWS: Bloomfield, ONT - The West Lake Catamaran Sailing School can
now train young sailors on a proper racing boat after receiving a $12,000
grant from the Ontario government's Communities in Action Fund. MPP Leona
Dombrowsky presented officials from the school with a cheque Tuesday
afternoon at West Lake to cover the cost of an SL 16 catamaran, a
multi-hulled vessel standardized by the International Sailing Federation for
youth racing competitions.
"This is great because we are only in our second year here but we are
already seeing some of the kids rise to higher levels of (Canadian Yachting
Association) certification," said Saskia Koning, one of the operators of the
school. "This boat is the standardized boat now for youth racing and it will
give the students a tremendous opportunity to learn." After presenting
school officials with the funding for the boat, Dombrowsky helped break in
the new vessel, settling in for a 45-minute cruise with head instructor
Chris MacLean and student Erik Koning. "This is our government's small
contribution to help people in the community get active," she said. "They
have something very special here and we are pleased we are able to support
them." -- Read on: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1145956
* BAD NEWS: Stamford, CT - Southfield Park is not the park neighbors want it
to be, and they have a list of reasons. But along with drinking, drug use,
loud music and sex, they list one unexpected activity - a sailing school for
low-income children. "We like the program, but it's not working for the
neighborhood," said Ben Velishka, chairman of the Waterside Coalition, a
residents' group in the city's southwestern corner.
The program in question is run by the Stamford Sailing Foundation for city
children from late elementary through middle school. It is housed primarily
in two trailers wrapped in chain-link fence atop an elevated grassy area.
Some neighbors see an eyesore, a waste of space and a violation of the lease
with the city. Some are unhappy because they say the program is not serving
neighborhood children. All of these allegations frustrate Henry Marx, the
foundation's chairman. "We are trying to be good neighbors, and we are
trying to help these kids," he said. -- Read on:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_10123198?source=most_viewed
SAILING SHORTS
*San Diego, CA (August 7, 2008) Judge Ryan of San Diego, CA blitzed the
35-boat gold fleet in the Naples Sabot National Championship, never
finishing worse than second to win by 16 points over Esteban Forrer of
Coronado, CA. One hundred and forty-one boats competed in the four day event
held on Mission Bay, CA, with other fleet winners being Katie Everett
(Silver), Brian MacLean (Bronze), and Clare Dahl (Iron). -- Final results:
http://www.sdyc.org/sabot/sabotNatsFinal_res.htm
* Pensacola, FL (August 7, 2008) - There is only one race remaining on
Friday for the 59 boat fleet at the Thistle Nationals, and it will be all on
as top two teams remain tied with an 11 point gap on third in the no throw
out series. Currently at top of the rankings is Mike Ingham/ David Hanson/
Delia Ingham, who has bulleted five races in a row after starting with a
15th, and Greg Fisher/ Jeff Eiber/ Jo Ann Fisher, who have finished all
their races in the top five. -- Results:
http://www.thistleclass.com/events/nationals2008.shtml
* Twenty years and $800,000 later, the non-profit BoatU.S. Foundation for
Boating Safety and Clean Water has set aside another $50,000 for its Boating
Safety Grant program that helps neighborhood groups develop innovative
projects that promote safe boating on local waterways. Grants of up to
$4,000 to local community organizations and non-profit groups for boating
safety projects are available and applications are due November 1. Grants
will be awarded in late January 2009. Interested non-profit groups such as
boat and yacht clubs, flotillas and squadrons can download an application
and get more information at http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation or call
703-461-2878, ext. 8354.
PROFESSIONAL WIND FORECASTS: FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS!
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http://www.PredictWind.com
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt
include several snaps from the Olympic sailing scene in Qingdao, China, an
Open40 that went from high and dry to podium finish in the Quebec to Saint
Malo Transat 2008, a 1D35 getting slapped in San Francisco, plus a glorious
sequence of an Extreme 40 catamaran dipping bows and living to talk about
it. 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/08/0808
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 Peter Grimm Jr.: (re, US SAILING's event announcement for the George
O'day Trophy, "butt 2654/2655) Maybe I'm too old. How about Robbie Doyle,
Gordy Bowers, and Shawn Kempton? All two time winners and all are still
sailing actively. These guys lead by example. Their kids do too!
* From Chris Boome, San Francisco: (re, story in '2655) Can't you guys give
up on continuing to try to humiliate Brodie (Cobb)? He is a great guy and I
would be proud to have him sail with me or me with him, anytime, anywhere as
soon as he is let out of sailing jail.
* From Bob Tormey: With all due respect to Captain Sarno of Team Shosholoza,
but I can't believe he said what he said in 'butt 2655. His quote was
unbelievable: "As everybody knows the 33rd first protocol had to be
considered a draft as I did." A draft? That's like getting married to
someone you think you will like, knowing that you should be able to change a
few things about them. How naive! The Protocol was only revised because of
the inordinate pressure by a couple teams, most notably BMW Oracle Racing.
This guy is not only drinking the Alinghi Kool-Aid, he is now trying to
serve it to others.
* From Stephen Roffey, Nyon, Switzerland: Why does Salvatore Sarno of
Shosholoza (Scuttlebutt 2655, August 7, "America's Cup: Point -
Counterpoint") read Cup events so differently from the rest of us? Why does
he read English so differently from the rest of us? Why did he like
Alinghi's Protocol so much, when the majority of the AC community described
it as the worst document in Cup history? Why won't he recognize that Alinghi
had a chance to accept a modified version agreed on by most other Teams, but
wouldn't? Why does he say Golden Gate YC have "never been genuine" and
should be "banned", when the consensus is rather that it is Alinghi's
machinations that have tainted the world's greatest sailing event? And why
does everyone call this guy "Captain" just because he is one?
Shosholoza sailed well last time but they are no threat to Alinghi. They
could therefore sign up without fear of ever falling prey to Alinghi's
intended Frankenstein Protocol. It's the Oracles and Team New Zealands that
would have that to fear. Hence Shosholoza's chumminess towards Alinghi - and
no doubt Alinghi's chumminess back. No threat and totally compliant -
Alinghi must love entrants like Shosholoza. They'd probably even lend the
South Africans a boat if they broke their own. At least.
* From Matthew Ross: (This is in response to the letter from Roger Marshall
in the 2654 Issue; his letter in regard to the story in Issue 2653) As Roger
Marshall points out in his letter regarding the Santa Barbra overboard
situation, downing while hanging over the side and recovery are big problems
with jacklines and tethers. The idea is to keep people on the deck. Many
boats have their jacklines along the rail. If you get knocked down, you may
go over the lifeline and be in that precarious position. I have moved my
jacklines inboard, over the cabin truck, along each side of the mast. If I
get knocked down, the tether will keep me on the boat, not over the
lifeline. When I move forward and I'm working on the starboard side, I will
clip on to the port jackline.
* From William Burtis: The Blue Jay Class management is responsible for the
demise of the class in Long Island Sound, where it previously flourished for
many years as the ideal trainer. When the boats were being built by Don
McNair back in the '70s they were well built using a 5lb/sq.ft. foam core.
The boats were structurally sound and a very good value for parents to buy
for their kids, with high resale values when the kids moved up to the next
level boat.
When Don shut down his building operation and started his charter business,
Saybrook Yacht Yard took over the building of the Blue Jay using McNair's
tooling. Soon after, they began using 2lb/sq.ft. foam for the core in the
hulls and decks (this is not a structural foam, it is commonly used as
floral foam). The boats immediately began falling apart in their first
season ( I actually watched a 80 lb girl just fall thru the foredeck on a
new boat!!). The boats were junk, had no resale value, and the Class
Association sat on their hands and did nothing. All they had to do was
instate a scantling regulation to require builders to use a minimum density
foam and glass composite, yet nothing was done.
If the Blue Jay Class association had prevented these sub-standard boats
from being built (for many years, by the way) there would have been no real
need to seek out another training boat. -- Read complete letter in the Forum
and post your own comments here:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6212
* From Jonathan M. Ahlbrand: Thought I would point you and others to a
project I recently completed that may be of interest to the Scuttlebutt
readers. As a tribute to a true sailing pioneer and icon, (and for my own
amusement), I have created a textually enabled 3-D adventure map of the
voyage of Spray and Capt. Joshua Slocum, the first man to circumnavigate the
world single-handed. This interactive adventure is divided into 8 segments
or "legs". This is not just a path to follow, rather, it is an opportunity
for the "adventurer" to explore the world through modern eyes from the
perspective of Capt. Slocum. There are over 100 waypoints. Each waypoint has
excerpts from Capt. Slocum's book Sailing Alone Around the World.
Here is a link to the Google Earth Forum where you can download the KMZ file
which will automatically open in Google Earth (assuming you have it). Google
Earth Forum Joshua Slocum Post/Files:
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1201250/an/0/page/0#1201250
Here is a link to my YouTube page where you can view a brief video on the
project as well as some other sailing clips. Osprey-Lightning YouTube
Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/OspreyLightning
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
You can hold your stomach in for just so many years.
Special thanks to Team One Newport and PredictWind.com.
A complete list of preferred suppliers is at
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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