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SCUTTLEBUTT 1349 - June 12, 2003Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. BRADY JOINS ORACLE BMW Gavin Brady is the new helmsman for the Oracle BMW Racing Team, announced Wednesday in Auckland by CEO Chris Dickson. The 29 year-old New Zealander has agreed to join the team for the 2007 America's Cup Challenge. "We are delighted to have recruited Gavin for our team. I believe he is the best young helmsman in the match-racing world, " said Chris Dickson. "After competing in the final of the 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup in Auckland against Alinghi, we are now planning our campaign for 2007. Gavin is the right man for this task and our team; he's young, determined and exceptionally talented." Brady sailed with Dickson as tactician in the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals in San Diego in the 1995 America's Cup. "I am very excited about being able to take part in the next America's Cup with the Oracle BMW Racing Team. We have ambitious goals, but with Chris Dickson and the support of Larry Ellison and BMW, I am sure we can mount a powerful challenge," said Gavin Brady at the announcement. "Now my goal is to concentrate on improving my helming and match-racing skills so that I can be at the top of my game for the next America's Cup. I'm really looking forward to working and sailing with Chris again, he's a world class sailor and is committed to helping me to improve." http://www.yachting-world.com THE RULES OF THE GAME (Following are two small excerpts from a story in the June issue of Seahorse magazine by aerodynamicist David Hollom.) I was asked, just after the unveiling, whether I thought that the hula was within the spirit of the rules. My reply was that for a designer, there is no spirit of the rules. A designer's job is to examine the rule in minute detail looking for loopholes. If he can find some and other don't, his job just got easier. Although it is sometimes known as rule cheating it isn't cheating, in the true sense of the word, because the rule inadvertently allows it. Cheating is doing something the rules don't allow and hoping you get away with it, like using carbon in a class that does not allow its use. To my mind the hula is clearly legal and a clever bit of lateral thinking. Whether it works or not is another matter. * There has been much talk of modifying the ACC Rule. Just why you would want to modify a rule that has produced such close racing I really don't know. Clearly the loophole of the hula should be plugged … but did I read somewhere that hollows might yet be allowed again, so you could design the boat you wanted without resorting to the hula? I though you designed boat to a rule, not designed the rule to fit the boat you would like to design. - David Hollom, Seahorse magazine. Although the story is not online, here's the magazine's website, http://www.seahorse.co.uk/ CARBON-FIBER ROPE?? Hall is known for our spectacular carbon-fiber work, but we're also experts in high-tech running rigging (sorry, no carbon rope yet!). You can buy custom running rigging on Hall's website - we've made selection easy with a tidy chart under the "custom line lengths" link in our store. First, choose the application (halyard, sheet, or control line) and then click your type of sailing (racing, cruiser/racer, or cruising). Up pops a wide selection of line recommended by Hall experts. We stock everything you see, and our prices are as competitive as you are! http://www.hallspars.com/storefront TEAM ALINGHI Alinghi is very keen to retain and build on the talent and experience they have developed within the team and most of the Swiss (America's Cup) syndicate's sailing team (23) has been retained, under the continued direction of Jochen Schüemann. Nevertheless, a "young blood" effect is necessary explained Russell Coutts and "around seven or eight people will be selected to renovate the team" (among which a new helmsman "if an opportunity will be given"). Design team members include Grant Simmer, Rolf Vroljik, Dirk Kramers and Mike Schreiber. Confidential discussions are also underway with a view to strengthening that team with four current America's Cup designers but for obvious reasons these discussions are confidential at this stage. - Cup In Europe website, full story: http://www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/2007-Alinghi-EN.htm GAME, SET, MATCH The other shoe has dropped on John Podmajersky, the Mum 30 owner of the boat that won the 2002 Overall victory in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. His boat Illusion was entered by his "first," crewmember Robert Brandenburg under an informal charter agreement. Brandenburg entered the race and outfitted the boat with the Mac Race-specific safety gear at his expense. Then, within weeks of the race, Podmajersky decided after all to race. The race's instructions allow competitors three hours after finishing to protest or change their entries. For whatever reason, Podmajersky and Illusion failed to correct the entry listing that had Brandenburg as skipper and "person in charge." There ensued a lengthy series of protests by Podmajersky, in which the Mac Protest Committee overruled him. Podmajersky then chose to take the issue to the courts, suing both Chicago Yacht Club and Brandenburg. He also allegedly hired a PR firm garnering extensive media coverage mostly along the lines of, "Yachtsman Sues Club Over Trophy." A decision of the Mac Committee Jury in October found Podmajersky guilty of infringing Rule 69, "Gross Misconduct…Breech of good manners or sportsmanlike conduct," and recommended that he be suspended from competing in Chicago Yacht Club events for at least a year. They also found him guilty of a gross breach of Rule #3, "Acceptance of Rules". Following that decision, the Board of Directors of Chicago Yacht Club began to deliberate sanctions against Podmajersky. On June 10 the Board of Directors of Chicago Yacht Club voted unanimously to expel John Podmajersky from the Club. In an official statement the Club stated, "Mr. Podmajersky was…guilty of conduct injurious to the interest and welfare of the Club. Accordingly, the Board expelled Mr. Podmajersky from its membership." Podmajersky was also barred from participating in Club events through 2004. Further appeals are expected. - Norris McNamara PADDED SAILING SHORTS & PANTS Sailing Angles trademarked Sailing Shorts and Longpants have padded rear and knee fender options and come with rugged double Cordura seats and knees! You'll love their functional deep pockets, non-corroding zippers, waist adjustment straps, and double waist buttons - all designed to help you sail and play hard. Breathable, water resistant Supplex makes these quick dry shorts easy to pack and an absolute pleasure on the race course! Sizes: 26"-44", 4"-14" in women's, and available in 2 leg lengths. Colors: aloha silver, navy, khaki, red, black and khaki/navy combo. Now at APS, Layline and http://www.sailingangles.com THE NEXT GENERATION Following in the footsteps of Britain's Matthew Humphries, the youngest skipper ever in the Volvo Ocean Race, sailing Dolphin and Youth in 1993-94, this year there will be two youth teams competing in the Volvo Baltic Race, starting on June 21st. Meeting the team of Swedish young sailors team, sailing Dennis Conner's former Whitbread entry Winston, will be Pontona Youth, from Denmark. Skippered by Thomas Dahl Jensen, who has managed this racing team since 2001, and the crew will be partially chosen by the Danish Sailing Federation. Meanwhile, Matthew Humphries, now living in Sweden, skippers Challenge, the former News Corp, with Whitbread winner, Ross Field among the crew, in attempt to be the first winner of the inaugural Volvo Baltic Race. The Volvo Baltic Race is a two-week event held in Germany and Sweden providing class racing for V.O.60s, the class of boat formerly used over three races in The Whitbread and latterly, the Volvo Ocean Race. A mixture of inshore and offshore racing, the event commences as part of Kiel Week with the 25 nm Eckenforde Race in Germany, on June 21st. - Lizzie Green, http://www.volvobalticrace.org CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS * June 21-22: Thomas R. Smith Sea Scout Regatta, Chicago Yacht Club. Winners qualify for the International/National Sea Scout Regatta. - http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org * June 27-29: North Sails Race Week, co-managed by Golison and Golison and Premiere Racing at the SeaPort Marina Hotel, Long Beach CA. The West Coast's largest inshore keelboat event. - http://www.premiere-racing.com * August 1-3: US Independence Cup and North American Challenge Cup, Chicago Yacht Club. Season championship event for disabled sailors. - http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org FOR SALE Pegasus 77, the ultimate Turbo Sled, winner of Transpac 2001, is for sale. Launched in 2001, she is the very best in every aspect. Designed by Reichel-Pugh as the next generation Turbo Sled, Pegasus 77 will be available August 2003 right after Transpac. Details and photographs are at http://www.pegasus.com/pegasus77 NEWS BRIEFS * Dawn Riley's America's Cup campaign, K-Challenge, has announced that they will host a press conference on Tuesday, June 17th during which they will announce their skipper, sailing team Manager, design team manager and members of their afterguard. - http://www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/2007-K-ChallengeLN2.htm * Acheson Rossa Custom Yachts of Cape Town has just launched the first high tech custom designed carbon racing yacht built in their new Cape Town yard. The unique 55' IRC boat designed by Jason Ker will be skippered by HRH King Juan Carlos of Spain, and will represent the Spanish team in this year's Admirals cup. Managing Director Richard Acheson says "This is a giant leap forward for the South African boat building industry." http://www.achesonrossa.com 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. This is not a chat room or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Peter Harken (Regards the power boat /Tornado smasharoo): Milwaukee YC is hosting the Youth Championships starting June 21. We have been asked to provide individual power boats for each of the multitude of coaches arriving. Uh, excuse me, but I thought this was supposed to be a sailboat regatta for the young lads and lasses and since it's a championship I guess they are supposed to be fairly adept at sailing out to the coarse and back without individual oversight and a tender following them with all sorts of redundant instructions that they've already heard over and over during training periods. This country has lost or is rapidly losing what is called "personal responsibility" due to our overly litigious society. Sailboat racing builds individual strengths and personal responsibility if and only if we let it! Take the leash off folks and let these youths sort it out for themselves. Yes, I'm also an anachronism! * From Ronald Dominicus, Regatta Center Medemblik BV: I agree with Jon Rogers that RIBs are an increasing problem, but not limited to Olympic classes. It already starts with the Optimists where parents follow the races in bigger and bigger inflatables, comment on and sometimes insult races committees, power through the fleet just to see their kid round a mark and create problems for marina management by parking their boat where they please. During the SPA regatta (Olympic classes event) we have over 250 'rubber ducks' in our marina, mostly driven by professional coaches. Many of these "professionals" pretend not to know that in most marinas around the world certain speed restrictions apply, if not for safety then at least for the comfort of other users of the marina. I for one would like to hear suggestions on how to limit the number of coach/ support boats in large sailing events. * From Danny Smith: If you were to race the next Farr 40 Worlds do you, 1) Get your local crew and spend no $$, 2) Get a local pro/ sailmaker and spend some $$$, 3) Get a national Pro and spend more $$$$$$ or, 4) Get a Super Pro (Cayard/ Dickson) and spend lots of $$$$$$$. Where does it stop? Only four pro's allowed! Give me a break. There are tons of Group 1 pros. Most Farr 40's sail with almost all pros. * From J. Joseph Bainton (re Play for Pay): The simple fact is that sailing on "boats with beds" is for most members of the crew not nearly as much fun as sailing in one designs like Stars, Etchells, 505's or even Lasers. I find it telling that some of our most elite sailors like Paul Cayard and Russell Coutts spend some of the money they earn sailing supporting their participation in one design sailing. Someone should explain to marginal owners of boats with beds that they can buy an Etchells, still pay somebody great to drive it, travel all over the world staying in first class accommodations and save serious money. * From Toby Tobin: How does paying sailors make the sport better as alleged by Max Rosenburg? This anachronism thinks Gary, Steve, Olin and others of their opinion are right on the mark. * From Steve Glassman: Rich man's sport? How many races are conducted each year populated by "recreational" sailors, club racers, part timers, fun seekers and the like, versus the number of "big boat" regattas where money rules? By the numbers, I'll bet the former leads by nautical mile. And while I might wish to have the skills (which I do not) to be paid to sail, I get and got as much enjoyment of racing for the fun of it, for a soda or a beer at the club house, for smiling broadly after a win (as part of the crew, never an owner) and for vicariously enjoying the pleasure of others when they won as those who get paid, or at least I think that is the case. For those who do get paid, I am jealous, but more of your racing skills which entitle you to the money, than for the money itself, which I can equal in my own job. And that, after all, is your job. For those of you, like me, who race for the fun of it, all I can say, as they do in the military, is hoohay! * From Douglas Johnstone: I am surprised no one has recalled Jim Kilroy's quote from the IOR Maxi days. When asked if this isn't a rich mans sport, Jim replied " No it isn't: there's one rich man on board and there's twenty-five poor men and they enjoy it more than the rich man does!" I think this still rings true in the greater percentage of yacht racing. * From Leslie Keller (In response to Enrico Ferrari on Portsmouth starts for dinghies): With race committee volunteers in abundance at yacht clubs these days I'm certain all it would take to get a Portsmith start for your dinghy in a one design event at your local yacht club would be to provide the race committee with a dedicated timer person who can read a watch, a scribe to record the finishes with times, Portsmith scoring software and someone who knows how to use. One Design events do not require a dedicated timer person, or even a watch if you use one of those automatic timing/horn devices or sophisticated software. For one design events filling the committee boat with helpers is a lot easier. So when the plethora of volunteers forget to show or miss the boat it's still pretty doable to run lots of races for many one design classes in an event with just a couple of people. So you want to race Portsmouth? Just provide the race committee with the resources they need to give you what you want. They are out there to serve you - the racer. Curmudgeon's Comment: We just got word that in response to Enrico Ferrari's letter, Corinthian YC in Seattle has just announced an effort to start a Portsmouth dinghy class as part of its Thursday evening series for their Puget Sound racing program. * From Paul Miller: I'm not sure that the claim that the Canada's Cup is "Oldest Freshwater Challenge Trophy" is true. The British were coming over to the Thousand Islands to challenge the Americans and Canadians for the New York Canoe Club International Challenge Cup (for sailing canoes) beginning in 1884, 12 years before the Canada's Cup. This cup is a team race currently sailed at each World Championship of the International 10 sq meter Sailing Canoe. Currently the UK holds the cup. For more info, see www.intcanoe.org/evolution.html * From Ralph Taylor: Bill Stump seems to have a misconception about how regattas get planned - at least the good ones. A "target" race time is an important basic regatta planning consideration; it determines the number of races per day, course length in the typical conditions, and many other factors. To me, Jochen Schumann's discussing the target, this early and this candidly, is an example of Alinghi's open approach to making the competition fair, perhaps, more so than it's ever been. Now, syndicates and sailmakers know a little more for their "design and build" phases. Prospective venues can fine-tune their bids. Crews have an idea of the physical conditioning needed. All this is good and I don't see an implication that they're changing the racing rules. Or, we could resurrect the "sail to the venue on her own bottom" rule; it was a huge advantage to the home team. Curmudgeon's Comment: For the record, Bill Stump was the PRO at the 2002 Star Worlds, and that event won US Sailing's St. Petersburg Trophy as the outstanding regatta of the year. CURMUDGEON'S OXYMORONS Legally drunk |
