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SCUTTLEBUTT 3608 - Friday, June 8, 2012

Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,
providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features
and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.

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Today's sponsors: JK3 Nautical Enterprises and Dieball Sailing.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: HALF TON, ALL RACE
By Hugh D. Whall, Sports Illustrated
(August 16, 1971) - This last weekend Milwaukee offered a revolutionary
sailboat competition. No handicaps, no adjusted finishes - Just fastest
boat wins. And forget it if you don't know what 'half ton' means. Nobody
does.

Until very recently, distance racing in sailboats was governed - to
everyone's everlasting boredom - by a handicap system. After measuring
various parts of the boat's anatomy, including hulls, sails and shoe sizes
of the crew, ratings were computed. These ratings were then applied as
handicaps, which usually led to the paradox of winning boats with large
handicaps crossing the finish line long after losing boats. It was a
strange way to run a race.

But last week, off Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, a revolutionary kind of
sailboat racing had its coming-out party. It is called "ton" racing, and,
curiously, it works this way: the fastest boat is the winner. "When you
finish first you know who won," said Sailmaker Fred Bremen, co-skipper of
Tiger Moth, the quarter-ton winner. What will they think of next?

The call for a real race, sponsored by the Milwaukee Yacht Club, One-Design
Offshore Yachtsman magazine, and the Midget Ocean Racing Club, brought
entries from all over the country to compete in the quarter-ton and
half-ton divisions. Quarter Ton? Half Ton? Most of the people hanging
around the yacht club dock had not the slightest idea what the figures
meant. The racing boats, which were being slaved over by crews armed with
drills, hacksaws and knives, obviously weighed far more than 500 or 1,000
pounds.

So what did it all mean? "Ah, forget it," an official advised. "Quarter Ton
and Half Ton doesn't mean a thing. Just remember that half-tonners may not
rate more than 21.7 feet and quarter-tonners more than 18 feet even."
Essentially, sailboat racing has always been a handicap event; now the
event is level, but the name becomes the handicap.

"This even racing is the only way to go," Foxy Lady's Skip Boston said
later. "Five years from now everyone is going to wonder why in hell we
didn't do this sort of thing before." -- Full story:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=13752

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hopefully you noticed this was written 40 years ago. What is
it about our sport that continually requires it to re-invent itself?

DOGS AND CHAINS
Weymouth and Portland, U.K. (June 7, 2012; Day 4) - There are just fifty
more days until the 2012 London Olympic Games opens, and the British
weather made the occasion a notable one. The weather poured onto the
Weymouth and Portland Bay's race courses causing cancellations,
postponements and some full on racing for those classes that did get out
there.

The racing schedule had already been moved forward to an early start to try
to beat the inbound gale - forecast to arrive in the afternoon. But the
weather system hit fast forward and by early morning it was already too
windy for any Paralympic racing. The rest of the schedule was rejigged and
in the end, all the Olympic classes except the Stars got at least one race
in.

American Zach Railey went into the lone Finn race in third place overall,
and was in the leading group at the leeward mark when he found himself in
the water. "There was a boat that came in and didn't have room.
Unfortunately, he tried to take room on a couple of us. There was a pretty
big collision; it threw me out of the boat." Railey filed for redress and
was awarded average points to maintain his third ranking.

The Star boys had a miserable day, no not on the race course, but in the
inordinate amount of time spent twiddling their thumbs on the shore.
Originally scheduled for a 1000 start, the fleet was ready to go, until a 2
hour postponement was scheduled, to wait for the wind to abate, yeah
right...its blowing 40 knots at 1600 and finally they are released for the
day, after getting to enjoy each other's company in the cafeteria or other
assorted locations throughout the day. The Canadian squad remains in the
thick of a monumental battle for the podium so.

The wind peaked at 52 knots today, and the forecast continues to look
daunting through about noon Friday when a projected velocity drop to
perhaps 20 knots should permit racing.

Event website: http://www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk
Video highlights: http://youtu.be/wz_Kng6Bl_s
Photos: http://www.tmvphotography.co.uk/f64659137

Canadian team: http://tinyurl.com/CST-060712
USA team: http://tinyurl.com/USST-060712

BACKGROUND: Skandia Sail for Gold is being held on the same venue as will
be the sailing events for the 2012 Summer Olympics, which begin July 28th.
This is the sixth of seven 2011-2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas, which
are open to the sailing events chosen for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Sailing Competitions. -- http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/home.php

GEARING UP
Summer is here and JK3 is gearing up and expanding once again. We would
like to welcome a few newcomers; Jack Lennox joins us in our San Diego
office, Jack come to us from the east coast where he was active in dinghy
and "A-Cat" sailing. Our Alameda office welcomes Art Ball back to the yacht
sales business after a sabbatical - he couldn't stay away and is ready to
apply his 15+ years of quality sailing experience. We will also soon be
adding consultants to our Newport Beach office! Our inventory is running
low and we are looking for quality listings for all offices, please contact
JK3 today if you are interested in a comprehensive approach to selling your
boat! http://www.jk3yachts.com

KNOCK, KNOCK
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has many responsibilities as
the governing authority for sailing worldwide. A significant role of ISAF
is the management of the sailing at the Olympic Games, so it is not a
stretch to say they are duly responsible for the road toward the Olympics
that athletes travel on.

When the International Olympic Committee launched the inaugural Youth
Olympic Games (in 2010), ISAF was charged with organizing the sailing
events. While it is not clear how prominent a role the Youth Games would
fit on the "the road toward the Olympics", it is hard to escape the
branding commonality between the two events.

So how can ISAF decide in May to replace windsurfing with kiteboarding as
an event at the 2016 Olympics, and then decide in June that windsurfing
will be an event at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games? Is this ISAF's way of
saying "sorry" to all the young windsurfers for dismissing their Olympic
dream? Is there a better explanation, or simply a lack of foresight?

The 2014 Youth Olympic Games will take place from August 16-24, 2014 in
Nanjing, China with the sailing taking place in the northern outskirts of
the city at Nanjing Jinniu Lake. The Techno 293 windsurfer and the Byte CII
dinghy have been chosen as equipment for the boy's and girl's events.

"The Byte CII and the Techno 293 are fantastic choices for the YOG," said
Alastair Fox, ISAF Head of Competitions. "The equipment is modern, visually
exciting and extremely well suited for the 15-16 (years) age category for
the sailing events."

Interestingly, the ISAF regulations (23.1.8) require the events and
equipment choices for the ISAF Youth World Championships, and for the Youth
Olympic Games, be reviewed following any change of Olympic Events or
Equipment, to ensure that there remains a clear, pathway from youth sailing
to the Olympics.

Maybe ISAF still thinks that windsurfing and kiteboarding are the same
event. Knock, knock... they are not. -- Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt

COLLEGE SPRING NATIONALS
Austin, Texas. (June 7, 2012) - The second day of the ICSA/Gill Coed Dinghy
National Championship had a slow start, due to thunderstorm threats and not
enough wind to go sailing. The eighteen college sailing teams are gathered
on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas after qualifying in a semi-final
championship held at the U.S. Naval Academy in May to compete in this final
high-caliber event.

The racing was postponed in the morning until about 11:30 a.m and wrapped
up around 7:15 p.m. Georgetown University managed to hold onto their lead
all day. They finished Wednesday's racing 19 points ahead of second place
and today they are 30 points ahead of Yale University who is in second
place. Georgetown was ranked number one coming into the ICSA National
Championships.

Sailing for Georgetown is Chris Barnard '13 (Newport Beach, Calif.) and
Hilary Kenyon '13 (Wayzata, Minn.) in A-division and Evan Aras '12
(Annapolis, Md.) and Katherine Canty '12 (Vero Beach, Fla.) in B-division.

Friday will be the last day of racing for the ICSA/Gill Coed National
Championship. Competitors report at 9 a.m. and racing will begin around 10
a.m. There is a 5 p.m. deadline for racing; no race can be started after 5
p.m.

Day Two Standings - Top 5 of 18
1. Georgetown University, 104
2. Yale University, 134
3. Roger Williams University, 142
4. College of Charleston, 153
5. Harvard University, 155

Full report:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=13957#13957

AN APPEAL TO AMERICAN SAILORS
In 1995 Hampton University became the first and is still the only
Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to field a competitive
sailing team. The 144 year-old institution sits on the shores of Hampton,
Virginia; providing a perfect venue for college sailing. The team was in
large part the brain child of world renowned sailor and current President
of US Sailing, Mr. Gary Jobson. Jobson recruited HU's first sailing coach,
Gary Bodie, who after 3 years at the University, went on to coach the US
Olympic Team in Australia, Greece and China.

HU's team has overcome the challenge of building a team out a student body
comprised of few individuals that had ever set foot on a sailboat before
coming to college. Through dedication and hard work, the HU team has
qualified for nearly every conference championship since 1996. HU's sailors
have also found success after graduation. For example, Devin Walker, the
team's first captain went on to be the first African American to earn a
Ph.D. in physics from Harvard, and who is now a professor at Stanford.

Hampton University has joined with perennial sailing power and close
neighbor, Old Dominion University, to host the 2013 ICSA National
Championship Semifinals, next spring. In order to host this event, HU is
responsible for purchasing 18 of the 36 new FJ boats needed for this
competition. HU and its partner, ODU, will host the top 36 teams from
around the country and is in the process of trying to raise $50,000.00
dollars to put toward the purchase of these boats.

Read on and donate here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/12/0601/

DIEBALL SAILING - ONE DESIGN PASSION
The Bayview One Design Regatta in Detroit was the scene this past weekend
with nearly 200 boats competing on 4 racing circles. The event was a
tremendous success and DIEBALL SAILING customers enjoyed the breezy
conditions on Lake St. Clair. In the Thistle, Lightning, S2 9.1 and T10
classes, our customers were seen throwing high-fives as they collected
their prizes. We work every day to help sailors get around the course
faster. We are passionate about One Design and work every day to deliver
quality sails and sound advice. http://www.dieballsailing.com/scuttlebutt
and info@dieballsailing.com

SAILING SHORTS
* Lisbon, Portugal (June 7, 2012) - The 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race will hold
their Oeiras In-Port Race in Lisbon this Saturday, and begin the 1940nm Leg
8 from Lisbon to Lorient, France on Sunday. Both events will start at 0800
EDT and can be viewed live here: http://new.livestream.com/volvooceanrace

* (June 7, 2012) - Roman Hagara and his Austrian Red Bull Sailing Team
continued the impressive form they showed at Act 2 Qingdao on the opening
day of the Extreme Sailing Series in Istanbul today, finishing the day in
pole position. The iconic Turkish city kept offered winds from 2 knots to
13 knots as the eight strong fleet began Act 3. -- Full story:
http://tinyurl.com/ESS-060712

* After a successful stopover in New York with lots of sponsorship
activity, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet is currently heading
towards the start line of Race 12 to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Subject to
weather conditions, the ten 68-foot internationally sponsored yachts will
have a 'Le Mans' style start at 0130 GMT (Friday), out of the Hudson to the
site of the Ambrose Lighthouse. The Clipper Race fleet is expected to
arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 11-12 June and will be berthed at
the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. -- Full story:
http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/index.php/race-news?item=680

* CORRECTION: In Scuttlebutt 3607, the dates for the New York Yacht Club
(NYYC) 158th Annual Regatta presented by Rolex were... wrong. The weekend
racing is scheduled for June 9 and 10, and the 19-mile Around the
(Conanicut) Island Race is on Friday, June 8. -- Full report:
http://nyyc.org/archives_public/article_1198/

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt
include birds, current, disaster, completion, victory, huge, casual, and
memorable. Here are this week's photos:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/12/0608/

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS: If you have images to share for the Photos of the
Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor:
mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Sam Greenfield provides this week's video from onboard the 86-foot training
ship Spirit of Bermuda with a group of 13 youth ambassadors.

"The Spirit of Bermuda is not your average tall ship. From quality of
craftsmanship (bermudian cedar in the head and a viking range in the
galley) to its operating mission the boat is unique. During the school year
it acts as a middle school rite of passage, takes Bermudian youth on
weeklong expeditions around the island. During the summer it embarks on
longer voyages. The mission is based around experiential education and most
importantly, character building.

"These kids are bright, each and every one, but for a handful that feel
uncomfortable walking in a neighborhood that isn't their own, this program
is the beginning of their realization that there is a way off the island
and a means of accomplishing their dreams and aspirations. There's nothing
cooler than watching one of these kids at the helm of a multimillion dollar
yacht."

The Spirit of Bermuda will be competing in the 2012 Newport to Bermuda
Race. Click here for this week's video:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/12/0608/

Bonus Videos:
* This week on America's Cup Uncovered Episode 42, we hear from the
athletes regarding the physical demands of the AC45s. Team Korea's skipper
Nathan Outteridge accounts his success in the AC45 to cross training in
other boats, including 49er sailing in preparation for this summer's
Olympics. ORACLE TEAM USA's Jimmy Spithill took a trip to the Hangar-7
Aircraft Museum at the Salzburg Airport in Austria and nets a flight with
aviation enthusiasts "Flying Bulls" Tune in on Saturday June 9 at approx
0800 PDT 1600 BST: http://www.youtube.com/americascup

* Featuring in this week's (June 8) "World on Water" the fabulous IMOCA
60's Europa Warm'Up Leg 2 Finish, a Swede wins the RC44's Austria Cup,
Ran's navigator doing a full 360 with pike courtesy of a flying mainsheet,
another Swede wins the Alpari WMRT Korea Cup, a big expensive crash in the
final American Express Bosphorus Cup and at last Ian Walker of Abu Dhabi
Racing wins a leg in the Volvo. See it on http://www.boatson.tv 1000BST,
0500SEST, 1900AET or download our free "boatsontv" app and download it to
watch anywhere anytime on your smart phone or tablet.

SEND US YOUR VIDEOS: If you have clips to share for the Video of the Week,
send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com

GUEST COMMENTARY
Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community.
Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted
comments chosen to be published in the newsletter may be limited to 250
words. Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should
save their bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.

Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum

* From Andy Kostanecki:
Nice comments about Pusan and the '88 Games (in Scuttlebutt 3607). But you
missed a chance to remind your readers that Team USA won five medals out of
a possible seven. It was the strongest record of any country. And had Mark
Reynolds and Hal Haenel not broken their mast their silver would have been
gold. And had John Kostecki, Will Bayliss and Bob Billingham not nearly
sunk on their last beat to the finish, they, too, would have had gold.

So it was up to the USA team of Lynne Jewell and Allison Jolly to win the
first gold medal awarded in the women's doublehanded event in the Sailing
Olympics, and even they had their problems in the last race when their main
halyard broke at the mast lock and had to tip the 470 over and tie it in
place. It was a time for heroics.

* From Morgan Reeser:
I am truly amazed how many inaccuracies there were in ISAF "Retracing Roots
- Seoul 1988 Olympic Sailing Competition" sailing article (in Scuttlebutt
3607). Besides the error with the Stars which you pointed out, there were
also:

- Jose Luis Doreste did not sail a 470 in 1984 and definitely did not win
an '84 Gold Medal. The 1984 470 Gold Medalist was his younger brother Luis
Doreste.

- "France had won one medal since 1932 - Serge Maury's Finn gold in 1972 -
until Thierry Peponnet burst onto the scene" - not true. The very Pajot
brothers also won a Medal for France in 1972 (Silver in FD).

- Larry Lemieux was not on his way to a Finn Silver Medal when he stopped
to rescue the Singaporean 470 sailors. He did not sacrifice his Medal hopes
with the rescue. He was in fact given points even to second place for the
rescue - his best result of the Games. He finished the Games in 11th
overall.

The writer amazingly DID get the number of events correct for the 1992
Barcelona Olympics - 10 events. I can proudly say that the USA medaled in 9
of the 10 events (1 Gold, 6 Silver and 2 Bronze!). Hopefully the writer can
check their facts a bit better the next time, or list the article under
ISAF sailing fiction.

COMMENT: I am embarrassed to have not caught more of the errors, but am
thankful that Morgan - who won a silver medal at the 1992 Games in the 470
with Kevin Burnham - has stepped up to set the record straight. - Craig
Leweck, Scuttlebutt

* From Rob McNeal:
For me, the most disappointing part of the elimination of various classes
from Olympic sailing is the historical aspect. I have no issue with adding
new classes that provide variety and excitement, but when they eliminate a
class - especially one with a long and storied history - they disrespect
every Olympic sailor who ever competed in that class. What? Now suddenly
they aren't worthy?

To me the competition is far more meaningful with the knowledge and history
of all the world class sailors who once competed - in the OLYMPICS - in the
very same one design class. Simply dumping all that history is without
class.


CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
Everyone hits a brick wall now and then; the trick is not to do it with
your head.

SPONSORS THIS WEEK
Kaenon Polarized - KO Sailing - Doyle Sailmakers
Atlantis WeatherGear - J Boats - Point Loma Outfitting
North Sails - Allen Insurance and Financial - Ullman Sails
JK3 Nautical Enterprises - Dieball Sailing

Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers