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SCUTTLEBUTT 3004 - Monday, January 11, 2010Scuttlebutt 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. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today’s sponsors are Doyle Sailmakers, West Marine, and US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. NO REGRETS The America's Cup has only ever really been about the man at the top. Here are some excerpts from an interview in the February 2010 issue of Seahorse conducted with Ernesto Bertarelli: Seahorse: When you committed to building Alinghi 5, did you expect then - at the drawing board stage - quite the machine that you have now? Ernesto Bertarelli: When we decided to build Alinghi 5 it was as a result of not being able to move forward with our vision of a multi-challenger America's Cup event with a new exciting class of 90ft monohulls. As you will remember we were forced into a Deed of Gift Match in multihulls by Oracle and have had to adapt to that. Having said that, the multihull challenge has given us the opportunity to draw from our experience on Lake Geneva. In my wildest dreams I never expected we would build such a boat and when we sailed Alinghi 5 on the lake for the first time there was a sense of incredible accomplishment. SH: Looking ahead to the 34th America's Cup if Alinghi win again, how interested are you in a multihull America's Cup? EB: If Alinghi win again and if we are unfettered by pending BMW Oracle lawsuits, then we would like to see a multinational, multi-challenger America's Cup in boats that are at the very cutting edge of technology... SH: Would you have done anything differently (to defend the 33rd America’s Cup)? EB: While we have ended up with the most amazing sailing boats ever built, I would like to remind people that, despite what the BOR (BMW Oracle Racing) propaganda says, this Deed of Gift Match is the result of their pursuit of the Cup through the U.S. legal system. We gave them plenty of opportunity to join the other teams. From 2003 to 2007 we organised one of the most successful America's Cup events of all time; right across Europe. We even helped our eventual challenger, Team New Zealand, financially to have more competition on the water in Valencia. It was my desire for the 33rd Cup to achieve something similar, but even better: multi-national, multi-challenger, open and even more accessible to the wider public, sponsors and media. It was not to be this time. We have now learnt not to rush things... And if we win, then we will work on creating a 34th America's Cup every bit as great as the 32nd. Complete interview: http://seahorsemagazine.com/2010-February/alinghi.php CUP RULES BECOME CLEARER The Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the 33rd America's Cup defending yacht club, published last Friday a draft of the amended 33rd America's Cup Notice of Race incorporating the New York Supreme Court's recent decisions and following discussions with Golden Gate Yacht Club/BMW Oracle Racing representatives in Sydney on December 15, 2009. Also published was a draft version of the Sailing Instructions for the 33rd America's Cup Deed of Gift Match. Regarding the documents, the challenger noted, “Golden Gate Yacht Club is hopeful that the remaining issues will be solved satisfactorily in talks with SNG to be held Tuesday (January 12th) in Singapore. These talks will be in the presence of the Chairman of the International Jury, David Tillett and, International Sailing Federation representative, David Kellett.” Some of the points to note in the documents are: * Only three races to be held on February 8, 10, and 12. * Boats will be required to enter the start line box between 3 to 5 minutes prior to start. * It is anticipated that races shall be sailed in winds having a windspeed of not more than 15 knots measured at 60 metres, and in waves of not more than 1 metre in height. * Broadcast and telemetry equipment may be required to be installed on each boat by the Host Broadcaster. Notice of Race: http://tinyurl.com/ydu8xuk Sailing Instructions: http://tinyurl.com/y95e3v7 => Curmudgeon’s Comment: As stated, the wind speed measurement is essentially taken from the top of their masts where the wind is stronger than at sea level. If this wind condition requirement remains unchanged, look for a light air event. As for broadcasting the event, no plans have been revealed other than ISAF having licensed all such media rights to the defender. WHAT DO MALTESE FALCON AND STAR SAILS HAVE IN COMMON? Complex sail design resulting in Stronger, Faster Sails. Integrating High Performance Parallel Computing with state-of-the art Computational Fluid Dynamics and Structural Mechanics, Doyle Sailmakers has recently begun utilizing a high resolution, fully coupled computational simulation environment designed specifically to answer real world sailing challenges. As Jud Smith says: “I love the flow graphics, I don’t understand the process, but the results in improved sail performance are undeniable.” For Better Engineered Sails contact your local Doyle loft or visit http://www.doylesails.com/news for information on Doyle's recent work using this system to develop world class winning Star Sails. OPEN LETTER TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) in partnership with the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) and twelve other trade groups representing 90% of retail gasoline providers, almost all automobile manufacturers and a large majority of motorcycle and non-road equipment manufacturers sent a letter last Wednesday to the EPA, Department of Energy (DOE) and The White House concerning the EPA's pending decision on the use of E15 and DOE's Ethanol Research Program. Here is the letter: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- As a diverse group of stakeholders who want biofuels to succeed in the U.S. and who remain committed to finding the right market solutions for sustainable biofuel use, we are writing to express our concern that EPA may decide to allow E15 based on limited or inadequate data, as implied in its November 30 letter to Growth Energy. We urge EPA to base its decision on a complete and sound scientific record, and we urge DOE to help provide this science by spending all the $15 million targeted for expanding and accelerating mid-level ethanol blends research in the 2010 appropriations bill, as directed by Congress and signed by the President on October 28, 2009. Moreover, EPA should reopen the E15 waiver comment period to allow public review of new test data prior to making a final decision on the waiver request. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/ya7eupf TOP TEAM By Anna Tunnicliffe-Funk Ft. Lauderdale, FL (January 10, 2010) - After three postponements this morning, racing was finally cancelled at 11:30am on Day Three of the United States Sailing Team Alphgraphics qualifier owing to the wind chill lingering in the low 20’s. After lengthy deliberations, the organizing authority didn’t think it would be safe for competitors, umpires and themselves to be on the water getting wet and cold, given that the temperatures were so cold and the winds were in the low 20’s. That being said, it meant that the results from the double round robin series were the final results, which meant that we won the event. As a team we were thrilled. We would have loved to have raced today, but we were also very pleased that we didn’t have to go out on the water and freeze. There was quite a bit of pressure on us going into this event, as it was a qualifier for many international events. Firstly, in order for us to be allowed to sail in the upcoming Rolex Miami OCR Regatta, we had to finish top three. After that, this qualifier determined who got to sail which ISAF World Cup events through the end of June. With this win, we get first priority on all events; we are happy that we can now plan the World Cup events into our schedule. -- Complete story: http://www.annatunnicliffe.com/content/view/331/1/ => Curmudgeon’s Comment: The other two skippers to qualify for RMOCR are Sally Barkow and Genny Tulloch, with Genny’s team claiming the only win over Anna during the double round robin series. BONE CHILLING WEATHER Miami, FL (January 10, 2010) - Ice boating conditions was what the 53-boat fleet was saying after day one of racing at the Sid Doren Memorial, the second event the typically balmy Etchells Jaguar Series. Bill Hardesty, sailing 3-up, won the day with a 5-1-5 and would have been very happy not to sail in the record low temps (39F with gusts to 25) on Sunday morning. In fact, 20 racers decided just that and packed it up on Sunday morning. However on Sunday, bone chilling weather notwithstanding, the signal boat left the dock at 9am and the racers knew they had to go out and do it again for two more races. Since the series of five races includes a drop, the racing got tight after race four, when top three teams (Hardesty, Siegal, Razmilovic) were within three points of each other, with Hardesty lying in third. Hardesty sealed the weekend with a bullet in race five, playing the left side of the course in shifty conditions. Following the racing, New Englander Moose McClintock summed up the weather, “It was a new definition of cold.” The other news of the day was a collision near the windward mark in the first race of the day on Sunday, causing one of the largest holes for Long Island’s Jay Mills that even some of the old salts have ever seen in an Etchells. -- Paige Brooks, Etchells NA Correspondent 1. Bill Hardesty, Quinten Strauss, Jack Jennings, 12 pts 2. Jeff Siegal, Jeff Madrigali, Willem Van Waay, J. Delashmutt, 17 pts 3. Marvin Beckman, Curt Oetking, Bruce Nelson, 17 pts 4. Ante Razmilovic, Chris Larson, Stuart Flinn, 18 pts 5. Tom Lihan, Dirk Kneulman, Moose McClintock, 23 pts Complete report: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/jaguar/#2 John Payne photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0110a/ 72-HOUR TECH APPAREL SALE AT WESTMARINE.COM! Take 25%-50% off select foul weather gear from Gill & Henri Lloyd! Plus 25% off select boots, hats & gloves. Three days only, Tuesday, January 12th through Thursday the 14th! Founded and run by sailors, West Marine is your one-stop sailing source for those who share our passion. http://www.westmarine.com/redirects/SB011210.html FIRST TIME EVER Sydney, Australia (January 10, 2010) - British sailor Archie Massey and his crew Dan Wilsdon won the CST Composites International 14 World Championship today with a race to spare on Sydney Harbour. Massey is the first sailor to win the I-14 world title back to back. “Winning the worlds a second time … yeah I am happy with that, it is the first time it has been done,” said a laconic Massey. “Dan (Wilsdon his crew) was exceptional this week but it was about three weeks ago that we just clicked. “We have been sailing for three months here out in the waves and finally our coach one day said: your gybing is good, your upwind speed is good but your tacking is midfleet. So we went out and just tacked, tacked and tacked.” There was little argument that Massey and Wilsdon had outstanding teamwork but it was their speed downwind that seemed to stand out. “We foil hard and point the bow lower than most,” he said. “14s pay off if you sail them dead flat.” He also felt the modified bow of his Bieker 5 hull gave him an advantage. The modification has resulted in a straighter and lower bow in the final metre of his boat. Full story: http://tinyurl.com/ye9oc46 Final results: http://tinyurl.com/ychr6gn Christophe Favreau photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0104b SAILING SHORTS * Freeport, Grand Bahama (January 9, 2010) - Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez of Spain have won their third 49er World Championship (’02, ’04, ’10) adding to their Olympic Gold medal from Athens in 2004 and Silver medal from Beijing in 2008. Two-time defending champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS) finished second. In the 29er Worlds, French sailors Kevin Fisher and Glenn Gouron consolidated and won the Worlds by 28 points. Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug (DEN) won the highest placing youth team award, while the top placing women’s team was Ida Marie Baad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen (DEN). -- Complete report and photos: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8867#8867 * A bill passed in late December by the Arizona legislature could ultimately lead to the closure of all state parks, according to the Arizona State Parks Foundation, including those along the Colorado River such as Buckskin Mountain, River Island, Cattail Cove and Windsor Beach. The bill cuts more than $9 million of Parks funds, leaving the agency with less than 30 percent of their normal funding and not enough to continue park operations beyond this fiscal year. -- http://arizonastateparksfoundation.org/ * The International Yacht Restoration School, with campuses in Newport and Bristol, will launch a full-time Composites Technology Program in 2010. IYRS' new program is the first of its kind in the rapidly growing composites field - due to its length, in-depth curriculum, and emphasis on teaching both hands-on practical skills and the theory behind the processes and applications of this fast-evolving technology. The program is targeted to meet the needs of the marine industry, but graduates will have skills now in demand by many industries, including wind energy, aerospace, and transportation. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/y8bmmj7 ALPHAGRAPHICS SALUTES TUNNICLIFFE FOR BACK-TO-BACK WINS AlphaGraphics, title sponsor of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, congratulates Anna Tunnicliffe for winning US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Award for the second consecutive year - the first time in 27 years that a woman has accomplished this feat. Our network of business owners is so proud to support a team that shares our commitment to excellence, our work ethic and our desire to be “best in class”. For your next printing or marketing project please remember that US SAILING members get 15% off. Find a location nearby at http://www.alphagraphics.com LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). 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 Richard Goldsmith: Does anyone know who currently has the actual sterling silver Sir Thomas Lipton Cup? The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron should have the Cup but I can’t get them to say they have it or they haven’t. Its importance faded under the Louis Vuitton Series years. Goggle didn’t help. It lives in a brilliant white box with screwed lid measuring - 24 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep. Just fits in a 747 luggage locker and weighs about 10 kilos. I last actually saw it in Perth in 1987, when Royal Perth Yacht Club presented it to San Diego Yacht Club as the successful Challenger. I’d like to know it safe and secure in the hands of the correct club; RNZYS. * From Pat Broderick: The "Shamrocks" certainly boosted Lipton's visibility, but perhaps even more was his habit of sprinkling "Lipton Cups" around the country. I wonder how many "Lipton Cups" there really are. And did he fill the "Cups" with tea before deeding them? * From Kett Cummins: This is a shout-out to the Lipton Tea Co., who, despite being owned by a mega-conglomerate, generously honored their founder’s love for sailing in 2008 by replacing a significant trophy destroyed by Hurricane Katrina with an exact replica, built from the original plans and by the original silversmith in London! The original trophy was one of several donated to Southern Yacht Club by Sir Thomas, all of which were lost in 2005. This particular cup was specifically deeded, in 1919, to foster an inter-club competition amongst the then-fledgling archipelago of yacht clubs along the Gulf Coast. Today, this series still bears Sir Tom’s name and is the most hotly-contested event on the Gulf Yachting Association’s calendar. The GYA owes its very existence, in part, to Sir Thomas Lipton, a true friend to all American sailors! * From Chris Caswell: (re, Eight Bells: Arnie Schmeling) I don't know how this could happen, because I always thought Arnie was immortal. He was really big, he was immensely tough, and he had the gentlest smile. I'd known Arnie around the docks but, in the '70s, we found ourselves facing each other across the coffee grinder handles on Windward Passage in the Big Boat Series on San Francisco Bay. I was young and I was fit from racing dinghies. And Arnie damn near tore my arms off my shoulders. Arnie grinned that smile at me, "C'mon, kid, catch up!" Even worse, he was ancient, too - maybe all of 45. Just remembering those tacks up the City Front brings sweat to my brow and tears to my eyes. There were more than a few crewmembers during the Freedom/Enterprise America's Cup campaign in 1980 who also thought they were fit, only to meet Arnie, who was their weight and conditioning trainer. He literally ran them ragged, first on the lawns of Newport mansions and then on the streets around Newport. Grinning all the way and getting an immense kick out of it. I lived in Long Beach and often saw Arnie at work. One day he gave me some advice that I've never forgotten. I had been mugged - car run off the road and attacked by some armed thugs. I asked him what I should do to protect myself. "Buy a shotgun for your home - nothing stops a burglary faster than the 'ka-chunk' of a shotgun being cocked." And he advised me to buy a pistol and keep it handy: "Remember...it's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six." I don't know if Arnie was carried by six but, if so, they had to be strong to carry someone with the big heart and gentle soul of Arnie Schmeling. Post additional comments here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8839#8839 * From Phil Roberts, San Pedro, CA: Let's see how the race shakes out. I remember Connor bringing the cup back home when tricks Vol. 1 shook out. Now we are in tricks Vol.2 with our Swiss adversary. Please remember when this Cup, that we started, the founders were indeed very keen on rules. The DOG has withstood many assaults and we need to applaud those of wisdom and foresight for setting the rules so well when unimaginanable technologies such as onboard engines, hydraulics and computers have come to task. We'll get the CUP back in February - on the water, not in a New York court. * From Christian Février (re, Tim Patterson's letter in Scuttlebutt 3003) The 1905 Atlantic record was bettered by the French monohull KRITER VIII in July 1981. The Michel Malinovski boat was racing in a fleet race like Atlantic. His time was 12 d 3 h 41 m 33 s, 19 minutes and 46 seconds less than Atlantic. The start in New York was checked by Jean-Louis Fabry, member of the WSSRC. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Special thanks to Doyle Sailmakers, West Marine, and US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
