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SCUTTLEBUTT 2171 - August 31, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.BRINGING HOME THE GOLD The US Sailing Team (USST) wrapped up a successful Olympic Test Event with two gold medals and one bronze medal at The Good Luck Beijing - 2006 Qingdao International Regatta. World number one Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) won the Laser Radial class, after gaining a substantial lead after the first 10 races. In the Star class, Andy Horton (Newport, R.I.) and Brad Nichol (Lake Sunapee, N.H.) won the gold medal, while George Szabo (San Diego, Calif.) and Eric Monroe (Corona del Mar, Calif.) followed with the bronze. Other USST members who achieved top-ten finishes are: Anna Tunnicliffe (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) finished fourth in the Laser Radial class; John Lovell (New Orleans, La.) and Charlie Ogletree (Kemah, Tex.) secured fourth in the Tornado; Dalton Bergan (Seattle, Wash.) and Zack Maxam (Coronado, Calif.) came in fifth in the 49er; Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) finished eighth in the Finn; Stuart McNay (Boston, Mass.) and Graham Biehl (San Diego, Calif.) finished eighth in the 470 Men; and the Yngling three-person teams of Sally Barkow (Chenequa, Wis.), Carrie Howe (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) and Deb Capozzi (Bayview, N.Y.) and Carol Cronin (Jamestown, R.I.), Kim Couranz (Annapolis, Md.), and Margaret Podlich (Annapolis, Md.) came in fifth and tenth, respectively. Looking ahead to the second Olympic Test Event in 2007 and the 2008 Olympic Games in Qingdao, China, Olympic Sailing Program Chairman Dean Brenner said the US Sailing Team is on the road to huge success. “This young, talented team is incredibly strong, and we have the opportunity to be medal contenders in several classes,” he said. Members of the USST agreed that being in Qingdao for the first of the two Olympic Test Events was crucial -- not just for training, but for daily life. “For us, it was really important to just be here, eating the food, living the culture and getting a cab,” said Horton. “Learning that stuff now is really valuable … without getting lost or catching a train to Beijing by accident.” -- Marni Lane US Sailing launched a web site dedicated to the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta, complete with daily results, photos, sailor profiles and behind-the-scenes journals and audio reports from USST members and staff. The personal, first-hand accounts provided insight into the conditions, competition and daily life in Qingdao, China: http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/qingdao.htm If there was a national winner at the Qingdao International Regatta, it would have to be Great Britain. They captured an impressive haul of eight medals, including four golds, two silvers and two bronze medals. Event website: http://www.2006qdregatta.com/ INDUSTRY NEWS West Marine will be laying off an undisclosed number of employees at its Watsonville support center and Hollister distribution center, according to a story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Besides the layoffs, open positions at those locations are not being filled. The news comes after the company reported second-quarter profits being down by 39 per cent compared to the same quarter a year ago. West Marine spokeswoman Laurie Fried told the paper that "a small percentage" of employees are affected by the layoffs, but would not give specific numbers. Last October, the company reported it had 5,143 employees, including 602 in Watsonville where corporate headquarters are located. "We are a seasonal business," Fried told the paper. "We staff up in summer, and we're not as heavy in fall and winter." But West Marine CEO Peter Harris said in an August 8th conference call discussing its second quarter results that the company would be closing 30 to 40 "underperforming" stores across the US by year's end, and that would involve staff layoffs. The West Marine chief executive did not go into detail about exact numbers. West Marine declined an interview request from IBI following that announcement. "We recognize that the company has been heavily and repeatedly impacted by uncontrollable events," said Harris, during the conference call, referring to last year's hurricanes in the Southern US, and rainy weather this year in the Midwest and Northeast. "But our costs are too high and so we are taking immediate and decisive action. We are implementing a new store base and overhead expense model on which new strategies can be implemented. In order to reduce embedded costs, we are taking a zero-based approach for operating efforts." -- IBI Magazine/ Michael Verdon, full story: http://tinyurl.com/fbzfg NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE EASY Adrian Flanagan, attempting to sail round the world via the polar route, is back in the water after for three weeks on the ‘hard’ in Nome, Alaska getting new cutless bearings and a bottom job. But the problems have not ended. His passport is about to expire and is having a major problem getting the Russian authorities to insert a visa. “The long and short of it is that if I do not have my passport back in my hand with a Russian visa stamped in it by Friday 1st September, then it will be too late to attempt a transit this year, despite the unusually favourable ice conditions,” Flannagan said. “So, I wait with increasing anxiety as with each hour a great opportunity becomes progressively shaved. I will make my decision on Friday.” --http://www.alphaglobalex.com ULLMAN SAILS POWER MUMM 30 REPEAT WINNER Congratulations to John Podmajersky and crew on “Illusion” who repeated as Mumm 30 Class winner at the 2006 Great Lakes Championship on Lake Erie, Aug 11-13. “Illusion” won with a full inventory of Ullman Sails in wind conditions that ranged from 25 knots to barely enough breeze to get around the course. Again, another champion chose Ullman when boat speed was a dominating factor in a highly competitive class…and we delivered! If you and your crew are ready for the “Fastest Sails on the Planet,” contact your nearest Ullman Sails loft and visit http://www.ullmansails.com RETURN ENGAGEMENT Professional match racing is returning to the San Francisco Bay. On October 24-29, the new Allianz Cup, the only U.S. event of the World Match Racing Tour, visits the St. Francis Yacht Club for Stage 5 of the 2006-’07 world championship season. The lineup features 16 teams, many representing Cup syndicates, and will be sailed in J/105 one-design yachts (35 feet long). Heading the lineup is New Zealander Chris Dickson, skipper and CEO of the San Francisco-based BMW Oracle Racing team, the Challenger of Record for next year’s 32nd America’s Cup. Dickson is ranked 3rd in the World Championship standings after winning in July his first stage of the World Tour, the season-opening Portugal Match Cup. Other confirmed entrants include Ed Baird and Peter Holmberg, two of the helmsmen for Alinghi, the defense syndicate for the America’s Cup. Baird, of the U.S., is tied for 5th in the world championship standings and Holmberg, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a past Tour champion (2001-’02). The current leader of the world championship, Frenchman Sébastian Col, is also entered. The helmsman for France’s Areva Challenge won Stage 2, the Danish Open, in August. -- Sean McNeill, http://www.WorldMatchRacingTour.com VIDEO OF THE WEEK This week’s video was contributed by Kieran Clancy, and while a video from Hobie Cat about their TriFoiler boat might be a bit commercial, we still thought it was great footage to share. Also, if you have a video you like, please send us your suggestions for next week’s Video of the Week. Click here for this week’s video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/06/0828 THE PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST HAVE LOVED IT Hyeres, France -- The overnight gales may have abated but there was no shortage of thrills and spills on day four of the Melges 24 World Championship in Hyeres as the 119 crews completed the final two of six round robin races to decide the gold and silver fleets. For the last of the round robin races the wind went north and was extremely shifty and variable ranging from 8 to 25 knots. Today it was course Alpha, set to the east of Hyeres, which had the stronger winds, in particular on the first run of race five when a squall of 25 knots hit just as the boats were approaching the leeward mark. A number of crews were caught unawares and there were several nasty broaches including one where a running boat broached into a beating boat, breaking their spinnaker pole and holing the other boat. Several boats broached so violently that their crews ended up in the water although fortunately none of them lost contact with their boats. At the other end of the spectrum the final lap of race six on course Bravo was a tricky light airs affair in an extremely shifty 8-12 knots. The overall standings are extremely close with just 11 points separating first to tenth places. At the top of the leader board Italy's Alina Helly Hansen, helmed by double Mumm 30 World Champion Luca Valerio and owned by Maurizio Abba, shares 15 points with the 2004 Melges 24 World Champion DRP Partner & Partners from Marseille, skippered by Philippe Ligot and now helmed by Francois Brenac. On count back DRP Partner & Partners/Brenac are in second. Two points behind is the reigning Melges 24 North American Champion Full Throttle, helmed by owner Brian Porter with 2002 Melges 24 World Champion Harry Melges calling tactics. The USA’s Dave Ullman is in 13th place. -- Fiona Brown, http://www.m24world2006.com PRO-PBO MAKES ITS DEBUT AT FARR 40 WORLDS. In their latest bid to position themselves as the product of choice for today’s most serious racing sailors, New England Ropes tackles the tough problem of stretch once and for all with the launch of PRO-PBO at the Farr 40 Worlds. PRO-PBO was designed and developed in collaboration with the world's leading riggers. For the Farr 40 class, NER designed a 9.1mm finished product to eliminate any stretch in carbon sails. For precise and exacting control of sail shape, trust PRO-PBO. Available only through distinguished authorized riggers. Others make line. We make line perform. - http://www.neropes.com MARK REYNOLDS Mark Reynolds has not retired. At the age of 50, his sailing schedule is as busy as ever. But the only American to sail in four straight Olympic Games isn't banking on seeking a third gold medal in China in 2008. “I'm still sailing the Star,” Reynolds said yesterday. “I've got a new boat. But I'm not real serious. It's getting harder to compete against the younger guys in a breeze. “Plus, an Olympic campaign takes a lot of time and energy. It'd be fun to go again. I'm just not sure I want to campaign like you'd need to.” Reynolds has just returned to San Diego from a Transpac 52 regatta in South Africa. Later this week, he'll be off to Newport, R.I., and the Far 40 Worlds. His racing calendar is still full. But it's not all-consuming. However, don't write Reynolds off. He is still ranked third in the United States and fourth among the world's Star skippers. Later this year, Reynolds will sail with Hal Haenel in the Star Worlds in San Francisco. And Reynolds is still competitive as proven by his second-place finish in the Star Spring Championships. But is he committed to the point where he should be – which is the level required of an Olympic campaign? -- Bill Center, San Diego Union Tribune, full story: http://tinyurl.com/fa8xa SAILING SHORTS * US Sailing has announced that the National Sailing Programs Symposium (NSPS) and the One-Design Sailing Symposium (ODSS), will be held together in New Orleans, La., January 17-21, 2007. The National Sailing Programs Symposium, presented by Vanguard Sailboats and geared towards sailing program organizers, will kick off the events on Wednesday, January 17 and run through Sunday, January 21. The One-Design Symposium, created for one-design class organizers, will take place January 20-21 at the same hotel, the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center. The joint location enables participants to attend seminars from both Symposiums at a discounted rate. -- http://www.ussailing.org/news/2006/symposiums.htm * U.S. tycoon and adventurer Steve Fossett, already famous for sailboating and solo ballooning records, claims to have soared to new heights in an engineless glider over the Argentine Andes. The 62-year-old Chicago investment mogul said he and Norwegian co-pilot Einar Enevoldson, 74, rode powerful rising air currents above the remote Patagonia region on Tuesday, reaching a record 50,699 feet. Fossett's claim, which could not immediately be independently verified, will now be subject to scrutiny by the world aviation authority, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. -- AP, full story: http://tinyurl.com/nsyup * Captain Eric Shaw, Ph. D. USCG (Ret) has been named American Sail Training Association’s first education director. Dr. Shaw assumes his responsibilities after completing a twenty-six year career in the United States Coast Guard, leaving the Service at the rank of Captain and as commanding officer of Coast Guard Barque ‘Eagle,’ “America’s Tall Ship,” in August 2006. Dr. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Operations Research, a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and a Ph.D. in Humanities from Salve Regina University, Newport, RI. -- http://www.sailtraining.org MUMM 30 FOR SALE USA-15 has many recent upgrades, including new topside Awlgrip and complete deck job in '05, and a new bottom in '06. Boat is in race-ready condition and has a good trailer. Located in CT., boat is priced at $67,500, but will also consider chartering. For more information, please call 401-391-9249. LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) (Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name and may be edited for clarity or space - 250 words max. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. For those that prefer a Forum, you can post your thought at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From By Baldridge: In most bays and estuaries the tidal current is referred to as a "rotary current", where the direction moves in a predictable direction around the compass. Block Island Sound (Newport), The Solent (both ends), Tampa Bay, Savannah, Ambrose light, Hampton Roads, Halifax Harbor, Sydney, and Auckland are a few examples of this that are well documented on Admiralty Pilot Charts that were a crucial tool of the 19th and 20th century Navigator. Modern electronics have turned every yachtsman into a navigator, those of us who remember winning races with our ancient pilot charts and other voodoo have great memories. * From Brian Watkins: From Jon Alvord's recommendation to bring kids sailing is the best idea for growing our sport. The other night we were mixing it up with a boat that had a 10 year old veteran on the helm and on the next leg my 11 year old nephew took over our stick to sail the rest of the course. Go sailing, bring kids, let them do something. There'll be a few gummy bears wedged between your floorboards and there will also be more crew and boat owners in the future. * From Blake Middleton: Kudos regarding Fried Elliott's comments about adding proper support in sailing boots ('Butt 2170). I started using various models of Superfeet in my ski boots, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, skates and even my Sperry sailing shoes over eight years ago. Last year I finally put a pair of the Blues into my Gill trapeze boots and was impressed at how much better they felt. Here's a couple of tips: Good footbeds will actually give most people more room in the toes (both length and sides) since they support and stabilize your foot and keep it from splaying when you put weight on it. If your boots are already tight and the insoles take up too much volume (especially over the instep), look for the Superfeet Black model. It's even lower volume than the Blue. If your shoes or boots are too loose, try the Performance Green, which has even more support and slightly higher volume than the Blue. * From Wayne Boberg: Snow Skiers have known about arch supports for yonks ... and most serious skiers have them. In the skiing industry they are called 'footbeds' and they are custom made for YOUR feet. Down under they cost $150 NZ dollars (do the math), and a trip to your local ski shop will put an end to your aching feet. * From Scott Truesdell: I'm just a normal idiot who likes to follow the super-events like the Volvo Ocean Race. I used to track each leg avidly. This last VOR I followed less than half: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 -- the legs that roughly conform to the Whitbread format. All those other legs and inshore events were the same mediocre racing I can do myself. I just revisited the VOR site and I couldn't even find a course chart. And I had to dig for leg information. Here's the menu items I could find: Ports, Marketing Opportunities, Race Sponsors, Shop, Books & DVDs, Games & Downloads. I can't begin to express how disappointed I am that this is the direction the money people think sailing should be heading... * From John Harwood-Bee: Enough! Please! of the 'nursemaid' comments regarding the Volvo Ocean Race . Increasingly we live in a sterile, pampered society. Please do not let the yachting fraternity add to this. We should not lose sight of the fact that ocean-going mariners sail of their own accord, influenced by the adrenalin rush that is extreme sailing. Few, if any, of my acquaintance do it just for the money. These adults are well aware of potential dangers but still choose to sail. Fatalities are to be regretted but adopting the attitudes of some recent correspondents will only produce the sailing equivalent of an indemnity agreement. e.g. 'If I die, I wish you to continue racing'. I am in full support of safety at sea but without the pioneers who push back the frontiers in any sport, technology or business we shall stagnate. In sailing Volvo have been at the forefront and hopefully they will choose to remain there. Yes there were some technical issues this time. They were dealt with speedily and for the most part effectively. And we should not forget that the tragic loss of Hans Horrevoerts was not in the ominous Southern Ocean as a result of technical or gear failure but in one of the busiest stretches of water on the planet in a pure if tragic accident. * From Woody Glenn: I also applaud Rob Pinkel's suggestion. Over my half century tenure in ocean sailing, safety equipment has dramatically improved; when used. I would further add an alternate penalty [10%, 2 hr, etc.] when a crew member goes over board and is recovered. Peer pressure within the crew would assure 'those immortals' among us who do not need to take care will do so, as the whole team will loose if 'the immortal' is overly optimistic in is invulnerability. For some this would be a painful change in culture but it may save lives. * From Chris Stahl: whole-heartedly agree with Guy Brierre, and thank him for his statements in response to Mr. Pinkel. I believe I felt the same emotions when reading Mr. Pinkel’s letter and did not know how to respond with “any measure of reserve” so Mr. Brierre tackled a difficult task quite well. Then, to read the next letter from Mr. Cobb giving Pinkel kudos!? Of course he is right that loss of human life is tragic, but these men could not possibly have followed the race and the tone of the coverage if they think anyone felt it was acceptable. It certainly was not, and safety measures were being practiced. If they had followed the events more closely they’d recall that it was an extremely unfortunate matter of seconds before he was to get his safety gear in quickly changing weather. My heart again goes out to the ABN Amro teams and everyone involved in the Volvo Ocean Race. * From Rick Nelson (responding to Jamie Leopold's post - "The only boat that I know that has survived loosing Olympic status is the Star,"): The Tempest is still alive in North America with a fleet in Long Beach and some still sailing in PHRF. Strong fleets in Europe. Sailing my Tempest in San Francisco Bay conditions, I find it very competitive with the newest classes of sportboats and this boat was designed in 1964. A new larger class spinnaker was just adopted this year to add extra horsepower and it did. CURMUDGEON’S COUNSEL Practice safe eating - always use condiments. Today’s news presented by Ullman Sails, New England Ropes, and Tim Healy. |
