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SCUTTLEBUTT 3057 - Friday, March 26, 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: West Marine and Webb Institute. OLYMPIC TRAIL HEADS TO EUROPE The European season for athletes with Olympic aspirations begins this weekend at the Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia - MAPFRE, which is held in the renowned bay of Palma on the Spanish island of Majorca. It is the third of seven events in the 2009-10 ISAF Sailing World Cup series. This is the second year for the ISAF Sailing World Cup, which brings together the existing major events on the Olympic sailing circuit, starting in Australia, before moving to the USA and finishing in Europe. By scoring competitors across all events included in the season, the ISAF Sailing World Cup will offer a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world. All ten Olympic events are scheduled for the 650 entrants, while the Paralympic fleet will have 16 2.4mR sailors competing. Twenty-seven teams will represent North America, of which five of the teams are in the top two of the ISAF Sailing World Cup standings. Racing concludes on April 2nd. Event website: http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/ ISAF Sailing World Cup website: http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/home.php "CUP'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE IN 2014" Paul Cayard, America's Cup sailor and President of the World Sailing Team Association (WSTA), spoke to a standing-room-only crowd this week at Ullman Sails in Costa Mesa, CA, with this excerpt providing his vision of the possible future of the America's Cup: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We might race the Version Five boats (that were used for the last Cup) for a couple more years, say, through 2011. Then, in looking at bringing a new class of boat online, what could be clever is to design that rule this year and build four identical boats of the new rule and put them on the circuit, to allow the teams to experience these boats before they actually have to design their own, so that there's some background and some experience before we have to go out and spend, collectively, 50 or 100 million Euros on a fleet of boats. The idea would be that all the design information that goes into the research for the rule -- tank-testing, CFD, structural information on the rigs, on the hulls, on everything that goes into those four boats -- would be available to all the teams as sort of a starter kit. And, of course, all the data on those boats. Then we would race the 2012 season on those boats, shipping them around, then at the end of 2012 we would freeze the actual rule, from which the teams would build one new boat for the Cup. Those boats would be built in 2013 and come online at the end of 2013, probably for one of the Louis Vuitton events. For the first event of 2014, you bring your own boat and those start to really count for something. The Cup's probably going to be in 2014, that's my guess, just because, to do this all prudently, not in a rush and do it well, it's better to do it well than do it in a rush. That's my personal feeling but Larry (Ellison) and Russell (Coutts) will make the decisions. -- Diane Swintal for CupInfo, full report: http://tinyurl.com/yhvhw9g SPRING PREP MADE EASY AT WESTMARINE.COM Spring has finally arrived, and sailors everywhere are working on their boats. Whether you're shoveling snow in the Midwest, recovering from a real winter in Florida, or bailing out rainwater out Vancouver, West Marine is with you. As a company founded by sailors, we're committed to providing the products and advice you need to get your season off to a quick start. http://bit.ly/9r0OqE INTERNATIONAL ROLEX REGATTA St. Thomas, USVI (March 25, 2010) - The Caribbean winter racing circuit is in the U.S. Virgin Islands this week for the three-day International Rolex Regatta, making it the 37th time this annual classic has been hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Mike Williamson (London, UK/New Castle, NH) bought his Mills 40 White Heat last year and won his IRC division at last fall's 2009 IRC East Coast Championships and this winter's Key West Race Week before recruiting a half-and-half mixture of Brits and Americans for his crew here. "We're here more to have fun than to win," he said. And based on what he knows about his boat, he declared, "we'll be very competitive on the windward and leeward courses." For Steve Suddath (Jacksonville, Fla.), who will co-skipper in the CSA Spinnaker Racing 2 class with Marc Durlach (Charleston, S.C.) on the chartered Santa Cruz 37 Team Ondeck-Mt. Gay, St. Thomas was as good a place as any to re-unite a slew of sailing friends from different parts of the Continental U.S. "We used to sail one-designs against each other, and then when we got into bigger boats, we all started sailing together whenever we could," said Suddath, whose crew also includes three from Atlanta, Ga., who are brothers - Steve, Shawn and Andy Burke - as well as the event's co-chair John Sweeney for a bit of local knowledge. "These guys are as good as it gets," said Suddath, who clearly hopes to live by the Santa Cruz 37 class's motto "fast is fun." Racing begins Friday for the 69 teams competing in four divisions (IRC, CSA, One-Design IC 24s and Beach Cats). -- Complete report: http://www.rolexcupregatta.com/press/prread.php?prid=41 WAYS TO WATCH: Each day of the event, T2Productions is on the water filming in high definition, and each night by 9 p.m., the sailing-on-demand online network airs the race coverage at http://www.t2p.tv. Fans can also see live results at http://www.rolexcupregatta.com and keep up with the action on their mobile phones by bookmarking http://www.yachtscoring.com/mobile. LATEST MUST HAVE PHONE APP iPhone users still rule the waves when it comes to sailing applications, and the latest app comes from US SAILING. Here is a review by Scuttlebutt founder Tom Leweck now posted on the Forum: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Racing Rules of Sailing seems like a natural for an iPhone app, and IMHO - US SAILING got it right the first time. The app has everything that's in the rule book - the appendices, the code flags, definitions - and in many cases (but not all), navigation is much easier on the app than in the book. $5.99 seems a bit pricy for an iPhone app, but that's still just a fraction of the price of the rule book. For me, this app will supplement, not replace the rule book, but I'm sure many others will find it meets all of their needs. And one very nice thing about having this information on your phone, you always have it with you. - Tom Leweck, http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9378#9378 SAILING SHORTS * Long Beach, CA (March 25, 2010) - After 15 of 18 flights, the ten teams competing in the Congressional Cup Grade 1 Open match racing event have nearly completed their second round robin series. The top four will advance to the semi-finals, of which three are already confirmed. Defending champion Johnie Berntsson (SWE) and Gavin Brady (NZL) are atop the standings at 13-2, with Francesco Bruni (ITA) just behind at 11-4. These three will advance, with the fourth slot to be confirmed on Friday, with racing to conclude on Saturday. -- Event website: http://www.lbyc.org/html/content.cfm?CID=1170 * The St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, CA has chosen the J/22 as the club's new platform for match and team racing. A fleet of 10 new boats from USWatercraft will be delivered this year. The J/22 is already used for major match racing events in the U.S. such as the Santa Maria Cup, Ira Ross Match Race, and Richardson Cup. -- http://www.waterlinesystems.com/ * The International Lightning Class Association has announced the recipients of its fourth annual Lightning Boat Grant program. Seventeen teams from the US and Canada applied for grants, with three candidate teams being selected from Illinois, Michigan, and Maryland as recipients of ready-to-sail boats for the 2010 sailing season. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/yah6bc2 * (March 25, 2010) - Following the delays due to the loss and replacement of the rig on 'Team Finland' several weeks ago, and the subsequent loss of the 'California' rig on the current leg from Qingdao to San Francisco, the scheduled restart of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race following the finish may be delayed. The plan is very much dependent on Team Finland's progress across the Pacific, but may now be five days later on April 16th. Leader 'Cape Breton Island' has 1,147 nm remaining, while 'California' has 1,741 nm and last placed 'Team Finland' has 4,193 nm to go. -- Race website: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com EIGHT BELLS John M. McIntosh Sr. - businessman, civic leader, Olympic organizer and nationally known sailor - died Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was 86. A Savannah native, he grew up sailing with his brothers on Isle of Hope. McIntosh was instrumental in bringing the Olympics to Atlanta - and Olympic sailing to Savannah - in 1996, an accomplishment for which he was honored by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 in a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. But perhaps his most lasting legacy is the love for sailing that he instilled in hundreds of young people in the Savannah area and beyond. As a teacher, he helped organize and instruct the first active youth sailing program in the area. Among his early students was perhaps the country's best known sailor - Ted Turner, who skippered the Courageous to the America's Cup in 1977. He was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984 and later founded the Savannah Sailing Center, where he made sailing available to youngsters across every socio-economic spectrum. At regattas around the South, the competitive sailing group affectionately known as "Mr. Mac's Monsters" were a force to be reckoned with in the youth divisions, often bringing home all the hardware, said Grady Foster, a fellow sailor who helped McIntosh start the sailing center. "He was quite an influence on those kids," Foster said. "Not only did he teach them to be excellent competitors, he taught them to be young ladies and gentlemen." Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. -- Full report: http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-03-24/john-mcintosh-sr-dead-86 WEBB STUDENTS RETURN FROM INTERNSHIPS AROUND THE WORLD One of the best things about attending Webb Institute is the Winter Work term. Every January and February, students work in the marine industry and put to use the principles they have learned in the classroom. Freshmen build yachts and ships in shipyards, sophomores crew on oceangoing vessels, and juniors and seniors intern at design and engineering firms. Students this year worked across the USA and around the world including in China, The Netherlands and South Africa. If you or someone you know is interested in a top engineering college, where they can put theories into practice, look at http://www.webb-institute.edu/scuttlebutt PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include O'pen Bics in New Zealand, Open 60s in New York, Swans in the BVI, Heineken in Puerto Rico, celebration in France, snow in Pennsylvania, Bacardi in Miami, and Interclub racing in the winter. Here are this week's photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0326/ 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 The Lenny Kravitz song 'Fly Away' might be somewhat of an ambitious song selection for Penguin sailing last weekend in Bristol, RI, but no one should fault Christopher J. Museler for his excitement. Here it is mid-March in the northeast, and it is warm enough for short sleeves and pants. If you have never gone Penguin sailing, or have not seen the waterproof video camera capability (or just want to get jacked up by the LK tune), click here for this week's video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/10/0326/ The 83rd running of the renowned Bacardi Cup in 2010 became part of Miami Sailing Week as the Stars, Melges 20s, Vipers, Melges 24s and J-24's competed on Biscayne Bay from the Coral Reef Yacht Club March 8-13. Here is a highlight video courtesy of T2P.tv: http://www.t2p.tv/guide/freeviewers/msw10b.php 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 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 Pat Werner, Boston, MA: (re, EPRIB use in 09-10 Clipper Race) It's easy to sit warm and dry and second guess others facing challenges at sea, so I am a bit hesitant to comment, however . The Race: Ten months, 35,000 miles of ocean racing. . stripped down racing yachts designed to stand up to everything nature can throw at them. Each crew needs to be a self-sufficient unit capable of taking care of every situation - no matter what the conditions. There is no Yellow Pages in the middle of the ocean. If something needs doing, you do it. [Verbiage from the Clipper Round the World web site (http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/)] It would appear prudent that the boats would have an emergency antenna (as required by ISAF Offshore Special Regulations) and a satellite telephone (as the Newport-Bermuda Racer requires) to assure communications with shore based race officials for just such situations. * From Jan Maynard: SO glad I didn't send my reaction to the letters in Issue 3055 regarding the dismasting of "Clipper California" immediately. I would not have been as succinct (or polite) as Mr. Hummel who did a very good job at keeping his emotions in check but at the same time made how he feels VERY clear. Well done Mr. Hummel - hopefully your letter will have the desired effect. I for one send my support and best wishes to Captain Pete Rollason and his crew. * From the Forum: (re, the motives of BMW Oracle Racing) I don't believe for an instant that the current defender of the Cup will forego his huge advantage that he has currently got and surrender this advantage to promote the goals that you present, quote "insuring that the event has a lot of challenging teams." Surely this would only play into the challenger`s hands and I'm sure that the current defender will act truly in the spirit of the Deed and not allow his odds of keeping the AC, which by the way, he invested how much of both his money and time, slip into another challenger's grip! The current defender will do what it takes to keep the Cup, and has already proven that the defender`s concern as to the audience has already been shown. Cup comes first! Your goals, as you put them, have already been wrong! AC33 proved this. Why would the current defender about face and give it all away just to appease you and your fellow believers after spending millions? I guess we will have to wait and see but at this point I can't see the AC being developed into yet another Louis Vuitton style event as you are aware that is not what the AC race is about! It has been steadily developing as a technology race and will continue to do so. -- http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9501#9501 * From John Rumsey: (re, America's Cup boat type) Unfortunately I don't think speed is the factor that makes spectators enjoy a match race. It is the ability of the boats and crews to out maneuver one other in tight situations no matter what their size. Also the ability of TV and commentators to follow the tactics is what will keep interest up in the match for the spectators. Sailing a fast boat is exhilarating experience for the crew but as we saw in the match of the (multihull) monsters at 25 knots and no maneuvers, there was not much excitement.The two boats were just sailing along beautifully with the only excitement in the first race learning the big wing was faster than the soft sail. In my opinion displacement boats make a more interesting match. * From Thomas Burke: The level of effort, and degree of success Mr. Easom has had in preparing and campaigning of the King 40 Soozal on behalf of Mr. Woolery is undeniable. He and that entire team deserves congratulations for amping up that Mark Mills design and winning all over the map under IRC. However, the innovative winch package has a direct impact on the boat's performance. This was discussed in the Sailing World article about that system. The crew can trim the boat while fully hiked, using pushbuttons to ease or trim lines. On other IRC competitors, indeed on other King 40's, crew need to come off the rail to sail the boat. It's hard to understand how IRC could not address the impact of a line handling system that departs pretty fundamentally from the way 40' boats are sailed. Congratulations again to Messrs Woolery and Easom and Haines and all the guys who make Soozal go fast. * From Frank Whitton: (re, story in Scuttlebutt 3054) I don't look at changing the rating on a boat that adds new technology that enhances performance as a penalty. I have nothing to do with the rule makers but they have the difficult job of defining a level playing field. If something comes out that tilts it, than an "adjustment" is made. They usually error on the high side until they can get a better evaluation of it. But they have a duty to protect the rest of the fleet so that perceived fairness is maintained. I say perceived because no rule can create a level playing field when you are racing apples and a variety of apples against oranges and a variety of oranges. The losers always respond negatively toward the rule and the winners are the ones with the positive perception of the same rule. => Curmudgeon's Comment: I think what Scott was saying, for example, is if string sails were perceived to be better sails than cross cut sails, why is there not a penalty applied to the string sails. Regardless, all the letters have been posted in a Forum thread where this discussion can continue: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9511 CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -- Mark Twain Special thanks to West Marine and Webb Institute. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
