|
SCUTTLEBUTT 3729 - Friday, November 30, 2012Scuttlebutt 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. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: Samson Rope and Team One Newport. SEEKING THE RIGHT BALANCE For some people, winter means the sailing season has ended while for others, it has just begun. But whether your preference is soft or hard water, the humble origins of our sport ultimately succumb to the pursuit of excellence. The history of an iceboating club in Maine presents a familiar trend. Years ago club members left their boats at the lake all season, ready for when the conditions were right. Nowadays members bring their boats home and travel to wherever the best ice is. But as the bar rises, fewer people are willing to play the game. How do you maintain interest and activity at the same time? More effort ultimately shrinks the field, while keeping it too simple can lead to boredom and frustration. Here is the iceboating club's story: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Maine has icy winters and ice breeds iceboaters. Iceboating in Maine dates back at least 100 years. The fishermen on the island of Vinalhaven took the small gaff rigs off their lobster "pinkies" and put them on runners for sport sailing on a tidal pond, and larger "stern steerers" were seen on many of Maine's lakes. A small remnant of the Vinalhaven fleet still sails there. The Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club was started in the early '70's by Warner St. Clair, a retired seaman and several of his seafaring friends who had plenty of time in winter. Lake Chickawaukee in Rockport (ME) was chosen because of its proximity to the ocean and corresponding lighter snow, more rain, and better ice than the inland lakes. Chicky also benefits from sea breezes when there is no wind inland. Chickawaukee was THE ice and we all left our boats on the ice for the winter tied down to ropes frozen into the ice. But in the 80's we began to be more mobile as the construction methods reduced the weight of the hull from 75-80 Lbs. to a more manageable 45 Lbs. We ventured off to the New England Championships in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont as well as occasional forays to National and World contests and the sometimes incredible Winnie Spring Frolic (200 ice boats in a good year) on Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire. As we enter the millenium the club has grown to 50-60 members from all over New England. We are completely mobile, no one leaves their boats on the same ice all winter; we keep them at home, ready to roll to wherever the ice is. We sail on the best available ice, sometimes Chickawaukee, otherwise anywhere from Eagle Lake on Mt. Desert to Sebago Lake, and inland to Belgrade Lakes and even Moosehead Lake. We have a series of 5 DN regattas during the season and informal racing and touring any time. Currently, we are now some 100 members and sail less, partly due to less and later ice as a result of global warming over the last 20 years and partly due to less enthusiasm for regattas every sailable weekend. There is some sign of renewed enthusiasm for racing, at least informally, as a way to learn how to sail the sometimes puzzling ice boat. -- Full report: http://iceboat.me/2012/11/08/local-iceboating-history/ CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY Just before the 34th America's Cup gets underway, the focus will be on the Red Bull Youth America's Cup (Sept. 1-4, 2013), a fleet racing event for competitors 19-24 years of age. Following a recent training program organized by Oracle Team USA (Nov. 12-20) which assessed six U.S. teams, two of the teams were selected to compete in the September event on San Francisco Bay. Team America Racing was selected to represent the U.S. and American Youth Sailing Force was selected to represent the City of San Francisco. Here are their rosters (subject to change): Team America Racing Charlie Buckingham, 23, Newport Beach, CA Jacob La Dow, 19, San Diego, CA Graham Landy, 19, Virginia Beach, VA Jake Reynolds, 19, San Diego, CA Nevin Snow, 19, San Diego, CA John Wallace, 20, St. Petersburg, FL Matthew Whitehead, 19, Tampa, FL American Youth Sailing Force Ian Andrewes, 22, Seattle, WA David Liebenberg, 21, San Francisco, CA Michael Menninger, 23, Newport Beach, CA Tomas Pastalka, 22, Tiburon, CA Matt Pistay, 22, Zenda, WI. Michael Radziejowski, 21, Alameda, CA Evan Sjostedt, 19, Long Beach, CA It is not known at this time if any of the four remaining U.S. teams have been invited to the Selection Series Trials (Feb. 9-24, 2013), where an as of yet undetermined number of teams will also advance to the finals in September. Here are the current selection guidelines: 1.1. Teams may apply for entry to America's Cup Race Management (ACRM), from July 15, 2012 until September 20, 2012. 1.2. The ACRM Regatta Director will determine if teams are accepted or not. The ACRM Regatta Director will review candidate applications and will accept (at his sole discretion) those he is satisfied have a reasonable chance of winning the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. 1.3. Current America's Cup World Series teams supplying an AC45 yacht to the Red Bull Youth America's Cup have the first right to enter a team representing their country subject to clause 1.2 above. Up to two teams per country will be accepted except that the City of San Francisco, the Host City, may have one additional entry. The Host City entry requirement is for at least 50% of the Race Crew including the Skipper to have held residency in the San Francisco Bay Area for a total of at least two years prior to September 1, 2013. Please reference Appendix A for further information. 1.4. New teams may enter the Red Bull Youth America's Cup by purchasing or acquiring their own AC45 yacht, provided there are not two teams from their country already entered and subject to clause 1.2 above. These teams will have priority acceptance over teams entering without an AC45. 1.5. Teams without an AC45 may apply as an independent entry. ACRM will secure at least four boats for independent entries. Independent entries will be assessed and invited to participate in a training and selection series in February 2013 in San Francisco, CA, USA. Invites will be issued no later than December 2012. At the culmination of this selection series, no less than four successful teams will be accepted to participate in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. News report: http://oracle-team-usa.americascup.com/news/4117 Event notice: http://noticeboard.americascup.com/redbullyouthac/ DON'T JUST KEEP UP WITH THE CROWD...BLOW THEM AWAY Blow away the crowd with Samson's new and/or improved high performance running rigging. Control-DPX features Samson's patented DPX fiber technology creating a line that has excellent grip on cleats, stoppers and winches. Smooth Ice is the perfect complement to today's high-performance single braids. The cover only product protects the covered rope from abrasion, especially around jammers and stoppers. Take advantage of the enhanced creep performance, superior strength and ultra-light weight of AS-78, Samson's line made with 100% Dyneema SK 78; all at the same price as standard SK-75. Learn more at http://www.samsonrope.com WHEN IN DOUBT GO SOUTH (November 29, 2012; Day 20) - The descent of the South Atlantic for the Vendee Globe skippers has been exceedingly puzzling, with routing options creating significant lateral separation amongst the front runners. Longtime leader Armel Le Cleac'h (FRA) skirted the St Helena High, which has positioned him furthest to the east...and closest to the finish. But it also has him located about 300 nm further north than his rival Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA). If there is a rule to follow in the southern latitudes... "when in doubt go south". Today was moving day for Dick, who rose in the rankings from fifth to second, and he might not be done yet. Joined by Francois Gabart (FRA), the ultimate outcome of their bold choice could be decided Friday as the fleet must pass Gough Island (to the west of Africa at 40 degrees latitude) to starboard, but then these two skippers will likely dig deeper south for more treasure. "I feel like I am returning to my world," remarked Dick."I like to sail in the very wild, very beautiful Southern seas. I am wearing underlayers and soon, I will put on my boots." Tracking: http://tracking2012.vendeeglobe.org/en/ Top 5 of 20 - Rankings as of Thursday 29 November 2012, 20h00 (FR) 1. Armel Le Cleac'h (FRA), Banque Populaire: 19034.2 nm Distance to Finish 2. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA), Virbac Paprec 3: 119.0 nm Distance to Lead 3. Fran�ois Gabart (FRA), Macif: 130.8 nm DTL 4. Alex Thomson (GBR), Hugo Boss: 144.0 nm DTL 5. Bernard Stamm (SUI), Cheminees Poujoulat: 166.4 nm DTL Full rankings: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ranking.html BACKGROUND: Twenty skippers began the 7th edition of the Vendee Globe, a solo, non-stop around the world race in the IMOCA Open 60 class. Starting in Les Sables d'Olonne, France on November 10, the west to east course passes the three major capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn before returning to Les Sables d'Olonne. In the 2008-9 edition, Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA) set a new race record by completing the course in 84 days. -- http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ QUOTE/UNQUOTE "Hmm... I wouldn't be so silly to say never. You only have to look at how even the windsurfers are still evolving and making big speed gains. But I also know that it is more likely that our speed will be well over 70 knots by then. The equation has now been written and verified by which boats can go way quicker still. The thing to do now, however, is make it all practical." - Outright world speed record holder Paul Larsen (AUS) on whether kites will go faster than his record breaking Vestas SailRocket 2 SAILING SHORTS * Two-time Olympic medalist Charlie McKee (Coronado, CA.) has been appointed High Performance Director of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program. His responsibilities will include managing all on-the-water elements of the U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, including the coaching program, technical development and youth development with a goal of enabling U.S. sailors to reach the highest level of competition for the next Olympic and Paralympic quadrenniums. He will report to Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/MedalMaker-112912 * The Extreme Sailing Series will be holding its eighth and final event of the 2012 circuit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 6-9. The nine Extreme 40 teams will include local wildcard entry Team Brazil, led by renowned sailor and Brazil�s most successful Olympian Torben Grael. For the eight established teams, the stakes are high with four teams capable of lifting the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series overall trophy. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/ESS-112912 * The Marion Bermuda Race organization has recently adopted significant changes designed to make this biennial offshore yacht race more accessible than ever before. These new initiatives seek to broaden participation in the 2013 race. Highlights include vessel size limits increased from 80ft to 100ft, a new division with unrestricted sail inventory, symmetrical spinnakers and spinnaker poles permitted, and traditional sail training/classic yacht division added. -- Full report: http://www.marionbermuda.com/archive/2013/Changes.pdf * The production of the new one-design Volvo Ocean 65 to be used for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race remains on schedule. Lamination of the outer skin of the first hull being produced has now begun, while the first carbon layer for the first deck has been completed. The first deck should be completed by mid-February, with the first boat off the production line is expected during late June 2013. Eight boats are planned to be built. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=14854 * (November 29, 2012) - An area of Arctic sea ice bigger than the United States melted this year, according the U.N. weather agency, which said the dramatic decline illustrates that climate change is happening "before our eyes." In a report released at U.N. climate talks in the Qatari capital of Doha, the World Meteorological Organization concluded ice cover had reached "a new record low" in the area around the North Pole and that the loss from March to September was a staggering 4.57 million square miles - an area bigger than the United States. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/UT-112912 * CORRECTION: Chris Corlett raced the half tonner Animal Farm, not Animal House as was reported in Scuttlebutt 3728. PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include shredding kites, new age foils, December, reefing rules, twilight training, Alaskan ice, grandma's stew, hug it, and your classic death roll jibe sequence. Here are this week's photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/12/1130/ 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 GOPRO HERO2 CAMERAS & ACCESSORIES ON SALE Ho Ho Ho... Santa's shopping for all the people on his "Rowdy & Nice List" and so should you! Team One Newport has got the hottest selling action sports camera on sale. The GoPro Hero2 Series of cameras and accessories are on sale. Find the cameras at 15% OFF and qualifying accessories at 40% OFF. Shop for friends, family or even yourself while supplies last. Call 401.VIP.GEAR or see our website for details: http://tinyurl.com/goprosale VIDEO OF THE WEEK 2012 Course Racing World Champion Erika Heineken joined a crew of kiters who left their desks early on a Friday afternoon for a sunset session in November at Crissy Field on San Francisco Bay. "Here's the video I made from the session," shared Erika. "I wore the dorky red helmet with the GoPro, but it was worth looking like a kook for the shots!" We think you'll agree....click here for this week's video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/12/1130/ Bonus Videos: * This week on America's Cup Discovered we take an exclusive look into the year in the life of Luna Rossa Challenge. They may have joined the America's Cup World Series late, but they are not newcomers. It's unfinished business for the Italian team, and their fanatical fans. The Luna Rossa AC72 has left the competition to take a good look at themselves in the mirror. One skipper, three helmsmen. Who will be helming this super cat on the start line in 2013? Tune in on Saturday December 1 approx 0800 PST 1100 EST: http://www.youtube.com/americascup * Outside Television was the official media sponsor of the 26th Annual Pro Am Regatta, held Oct. 27-Nov. 3 at Bitter End Yacht Club in the BVIs. Watch as pros and novice sailors, who range in skill from novice to old salt, enjoy a week of racing and activities. -- http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=14856#14856 * Take a tour with Francois Gabart (FRA) and his Open 60 Macif before the start of the Vendee Globe race: http://youtu.be/8GOFMSIGz3Y 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 Jaren Leet: I met Chris Corlett (Eight Bells, Scuttlebutt 3728) in the early 70's and knew him well. In the early 80's, without his able help and energy, I would never have been able to purchase the 2-tonner that became Irrational, and without his guidance and introductions, the boat would never have turned out to be so special. Then again in 1997, when I knew I would be returning to San Francisco Bay, he located and helped me purchase the J/105 Irrational Again, allowing me to participate in the fantastic growth and fun of that fleet. He taught me how to set up and sail the J/105, getting me up the learning curve and into the fun zone very quickly. In between we sailed and lunched together all over the place, the most memorable as part of the USA Team that defeated Britain in the British-American Challenge Cup in 1986. Great guy. Great Sailor. An Honest Man. Chris will be missed! * From Richard Spindler, Latitude 38 publisher: Decades ago Chris Corlett and Tom Blackaller - who, prior to Paul Cayard, was the most famous sailor to come out of San Francisco - were involved in perhaps the most famous mano a mano sailing duel in Northern California. You have to understand that 35 years ago Mariner's Square in Alameda was in many respects the center of sailing in Northern California, and it's where young bucks such as the vociferous Corlett challenged only slightly older established bucks such as Blackaller - and often in front of half the sailing industry in Northern California. It happened so long ago that we're a little fuzzy on the details, but either Blackaller or Corlett had bested John Beery in a match race in Lasers from Mariner's Square to the mouth of the Estuary and back. This was a big deal in itself, because not only was Beery no shrinking violet, he was also the landlord for Blackaller's North Sails and the yacht dealership Corlett worked for. After Beery was bested, Corlett and Blackaller got into a public spat over who was the better sailor. Another race to the mouth of the Estuary and back was proposed, but this time in Santana 35s. It was a bad choice of boats for Blackaller, as Corlett sold the 35s and had raced them extensively, so he clobbered the then-king of San Francisco sailing in front of much of the sailing industry. There was more than a little gloating. Corlett's most recent racing was in this summer's Pacific Cup with his son Jesse aboard David Britt's Beneteau First 10R Split Water. "He told me it was his most gratifying sailing experience," longtime friend Allison Lehman told us. "He was so proud of his son; he called him a 'natural'." -- http://tinyurl.com/Lat38-112912 * From Talbot Wilson: What is there to say about Tuna Wullschleger (Eight Bells, Scuttlebutt 3726)? A special friend and a mentor in the way of rules? He made us all follow the gentleman's side of sailing and we will all miss his guidance of our sport. * From Peter W Grimm, Sr: I had the pleasure of working with Tuna for about 40 years - Block Island RW, Antigua Sailing Week for the 32 years I was PRO. Bermuda Race, Key West Race, America II AC, etc. Tuna and his wife Dianna (Stork) were loved and respected by all. He spoke fluent French and on one occasion when I was on a jury with him in Antigua, the "inmates" as he referred to all competitors were testifying in broken English but speaking to each other in French. As they were "prepping" their statements, Tuna suddenly rattled off some French ... CASE CLOSED! I could go on literally forever regaling Tuna stories and Tunaismd!! He was a "ONE OFF", and a close friend! He will be missed. LAST CALL While it's not exactly Last Call to reserve Scuttlebutt ad slots in 2013, priority is given to those requests received by November 30. Scuttlebutt provides a limited amount of text ad slots in each newsletter, and over 90% of the 2013 ad slots will be booked before the year begins. If you are interested in advertising, contact us for details: 619-299-5678 or advertising@sailingscuttlebutt.com CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION You know you've entered your twilight years when you and your teeth don't sleep together. SPONSORS THIS WEEK Kaenon Polarized - Ultimate Sailing - APS - Quantum Sails Mount Gay Rum - North Sails - Point Loma Outfitting - Soft Deck Ullman Sails - North U - Samson Rope - Team One Newport Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
