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SCUTTLEBUTT 2291 – March 1, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). CANADIAN CONSPIRACY? The first Canada’s Cup was held in 1896 as a match-racing event that is open to yacht clubs bordering the Great lakes and it tributaries. Four years have now passed from the time the last competition was held for the Canada’s Cup - currently held by Canada - and it is now appearing that if the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) has its way, it will be at least another year before any competition surfaces. In what many have considered to be a breach of the Canada’s Cup Deed of Gift; the RCYC, on December 14 2006, cancelled the 2007 event. Reasons allegedly cited were an inability to promote excitement amongst the RCYC membership, inadequate time to prepare for the event, and a dispute between Terry McLaughlin (former RCYC C.C. helmsman) and the RCYC. The announcement of the cancellation came as a tremendous shock to the Challenger of Record, Robert Hughes, of Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, as well as to the other Challenging syndicates at Bayview Yacht Club. It appears that the challenge was legally accepted under all terms of the Canada’s Cup Deed of Gift. Under Article 12 of the Canada’s Cup Deed of Gift, “The challenged club (RCYC) must accept a challenge duly made under the terms and provisions of this instrument within sixty day of its receipt or surrender the cup to the challenging club.” One sentiment that is shared by all the challengers is that no team wants the Cup determined by a challenge settled “on dry land” - like all good sailors, the Cup should be won on the water. As attempts to contact and negotiate with RCYC have so far failed, the challenging syndicates fear this could possibly kill years of momentum and further tarnish relationships between the clubs. -- Curmudgeon’s Comment: The Canada’s Cup update was submitted by Michael B. Hoey, Detroit, MI, who compiled the information from amongst several interested parties. Scuttlebutt reached Terry McLaughlin for comment, wherein he replied, “The Canada’s Cup has a long and storied history on the Great Lakes - particularly at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club - and I hope that it gets back on track as soon as possible. Over the 111-year history of the Cup, however, there have been several considerable gaps between events including, in recent history, from 1988 to 1994 and then again from 1994 to 2001.” SPINNOAS UPDATE Following IRC Notice 2007/01 regarding the rating of battened spinnakers, the IRC Policy Steering Group has reviewed the increase in TCC given to boats carrying such sails, with the intention of ensuring that the deterrent effect of the increase in TCC will be such as to discourage use of such sails. The IRC Policy Steering Group did not sanction the banning of spinnoas. In light of this, the IRC Technical Committee is now reviewing the treatment of battened spinnakers. Owners are therefore advised that any IRC certificates to date including a battened spinnaker, trials or amendments, may be rescinded. The RORC Rating Office or UNCL Centre de Calcul, as appropriate, will advise further as soon as possible. IRC Rule Authorities are requested to directly contact boats under their jurisdiction, advising them of this statement. To date, the following boats have applied for trial or amended certificates, and may be affected: Quantum - DK 46 13722 Quantum - Cookson 50 15511 Stickybeak - Farr 40 15433 Akatea - Cookson 12m 15313 Samba Pa Ti - TP 52 15784 XLR8 - R/P 46 13046 Meta Baron - IMX 40 11012 Red - TP52 15168 Wedgetail - Welbourn 42 14614 Jazz - J/145 12574 WHAT IS A SPINNOA? To answer the question, “What is a Spinnoa,” Scuttlebutt contacted Gary Weisman, President of North Sails, who provided the following explanation: “Originally conceived as filling a loophole in the IRC rule, spinnoas, a crossbreed between a genoa and a spinnaker, have come into existence in recent months. Generically qualifying as a spinnaker, with a 75% mid-girth (or the measurement between mid-luff and mid-leech equal to or greater than 75% of foot length), these sails are shaped more like a genoa, and have been particularly effective for fractional boats with non-overlapping headsails where the gap between a jib and a spinnaker sometimes leaves a big hole in performance. “Spinnoas have been built to hoist on existing headstays, or flown off a specially hoisted masthead "soft" headstay, and because the spinnoa’s mid-girth dimension provides for a positive roach along the leech, fairly long battens are used to support it. While tacking or gybing is not easily accomplished, speed increases in the right wind conditions can be dramatic. IMS, Americap, and ORR have for years had rules restricting the use of battens in spinnakers (and PHRF regional rules should be checked for this restriction). With IRC Notice 2007/1 (noted above), these sails will now have to be declared on the rating certificate, and their future will be dependant on any new restrictions or penalties that are decreed by the IRC rule.” GOETZ GIVES BACK Rhode Island’s next generation of high-tech composite workers is emerging from an internationally known builder’s shop. In partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island, Goetz Custom Boats, known for its stellar reputation as a builder of grand prix yachts, welcomes a new cadre of CCRI’s Composite Technology students on March 5. The course, led by Goetz’ own world-class technicians, will introduce students to composites and the process of working with the materials to GCB’s high standards. “We’re proud to be contributing to the ongoing technological improvement of the boatbuilding industry,” says John Telfeyan, GCB vice president. Follow the students’ progress at http://www.goetzboats.com POLISH BID FOR SOLO RECORD As Francis Joyon's and Thomas Coville's big Nigel Irens-designed maxi catamarans take shape in France and Australia respectively, both being built for a crack next year at Ellen's solo round the world record, a surprise third contender is underway for Polish sailor Roman Paszke. Paszke, if you remember, was a skipper in The Race in 2000, when he raced what had been Bruno Peyron's Commodore Explorer, unlyrically renamed Warta PolPharma. Paszke's sailing history goes back to the 1973 Whitbread race but clearly his infatuation is with big multihulls. Following a deal with Swedish carbon composite builders Marstrom, a 90-footer is currently being built for a tilt at the solo record. On paper, at least, this looks like being the long shot. All being well, we should see these three solo round the world multihull attempts next year, and there's scope for another. Ellen's trimaran, ex-B&Q/ Castorama, is lying in Cowes, refitted and repainted, waiting hopefully for a buyer from her OC Group after two separate French buyers pulled out last year. If anyone fancies a go, Mark Turner says this is the cheapest way to get on to the grid next year. -- Elaine Bunting, http://www.yachtingworld.com/yw/blog/elaine_bunting.html HOT SPOT For the last two years the Doyle Sail Making group has been working quietly to expand into China. In March 2007 Doyle Australia is opening its new Doyle loft in China in Qingdao, the site of the 2008 Olympic regatta. China has more than 20 million millionaires, and already has one of the fastest growing building boat industries in the world. The powerboat industry is booming and although sailing will be much smaller, the giant population still means that China could become the largest sailing country in the world. The 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean race looks set to have two stopovers in China and this reinforces what the sailing industry already knows... China offers enormous potential for growth in the sport of sailing. Within China the interest in China Team’s first steps towards the America’s Cup, and in fact all Chinese sailing on the international scene, has been huge. The Chinese interest in Ellen MacArthur’s whistle stop tour, in the Clipper event, China ’s Olympic team for Qingdao and in the future in the Volvo Ocean race, will continue to expand the general population’s interest in the sport. -- Sail-World, full story: http://www.sail-world.com/index_n.cfm?nid=31434 DISABLED TEAM ANNOUNCED February 28 - US Sailing has announced the members of the 2007 US Disabled Sailing Team (USDST). Created in 1998 to develop and prepare the team representing the U.S. at the Paralympic Games, the US Disabled Sailing Team annually recognizes the top three sailors in the classes selected for the Paralympic Games, based on athletes’ performances at a series of qualifying regattas. The three classes selected for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Qingdao, China are: 2.4 Metre (Open Singlehanded), SKUD-18 (Open Doublehanded) and Sonar (Open Triplehanded). The members of the 2007 US Disabled Sailing Team are: 2.4 Metre 1. Nick Scandone 2. John Ruf 3. Roger Cleworth Skud-18 1. Scott Whitman and Julia Dorsett 2. Karen Mitchell and J.P. Creignou 3. Mark Lewis and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker Sonar 1. Rick Doerr/Bill Donohue/Tim Angle 2. Bert Foster/Jim Thweatt/David Burdette 3. David Schroeder/Keith Burhans/John Pucillo -- US Sailing: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/07usdst.htm BUSY BISCAYNE BAY All of the hoists will be working overtime this weekend in Miami. Etchells were splashed on Wednesday in preparation for the Midwinters, which starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. The 70-boat fleet is chock full of talent. The Midwinter Championship will also be used to determine the hotly contested Jaguar Series Championship. Going into the fourth and final regatta of the Jaguar Series, Jud Smith and Henry Frazer’s American team is tied for the lead with Oscar Strugstad, Andy Beadsworth and Simon Fry from England. Phil Garland’s team is nipping at their heels in third. Many of Europe’s top Star sailors have been in town for quite a while. They are avoiding the cold, training for the 80th Annual Bacardi Cup (beginning Sunday with over 70-boats), and preparing for the European circuit. The two crews that have spent the most time in the boat yard and on the water lately are Germans Marc Pickel and Ingo Borkowski and Swiss Flavio Marazzi and Lukas von Bidder. Each team has a third crewmember – a boat builder/rigger, because they have designed and built new Stars. The Swiss boat has completed the measurement certification process with the Class and the German P-Star certification is expected to be completed by the end of March. After sailing for ten days, Marazzi and crew have pulled their boat apart and are going through a punch list of subtle modifications before they race the new boat. In the meantime, Pickel and Borkowski, who had sailed some of the season’s earlier regattas in the P-Star, have been getting reacquainted with their old boat. Between the Etchells and the Stars, a galaxy of talent will be clustered on Biscayne Bay, for the next several days. -- Lynn Fitzpatrick ULLMAN SAILS TOP J/120 CLASS AT SCYA MIDWINTERS Congratulations to John Laun and his crew on “Caper”, winning the J/120 Class at the Southern California Midwinter Regatta held at San Diego YC on February 17-18. “Caper” finished with 3 bullets and a 3rd, followed by two other Ullman customers in the top five. It is clear that top competitors select Ullman Sails to deliver the speed and reliability to outperform their competition. If you and your team are ready for the “Fastest Sails on the Plane,t” contact your nearest Ullman Sails loft and visit http://www.ullmansails.com SAILING SHORTS * 256 entries are signed up for the 27th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, including two Volvo Ocean Race winners. The event starts on Thursday, March 1, 2007, with an added day of Spinnaker racing in 7 classes. 57 boats have lined up for the new ‘Commodores Cup’ sponsored by Budget Marine on Thursday. Budget Marine Director Robbie Ferron also happens to be Race Chairman and a co-founder of the Heineken Regatta. On Friday, March 2, all 256 entries will sail in 20 classes. The regatta runs until March 4th. -- http://www.heinekenregatta.com * Amateur photographer John Payne did such a nice job with his photos at the Women's Laser Radial NA's and Finn Midwinters in January, the Scuttlebutt website now has posted his images from the Laser Midwinters East, held last week in Clearwater, FL for Lasers, Laser Radials, and Laser 4.7’s. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0227 * The America’s Cup trophy left its home for the past four years in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, marking the first step on the ‘Road to Valencia’ tour and the final countdown to the decisive stages of the competition. This five-city tour marks the end of three years of intense preparation by 12 teams determined to capture the oldest and most prestigious trophy in the world, the America’s Cup. -- http://tinyurl.com/ytcvla * St Petersburg, FL (Feb 28) - Greg Fisher, with crew JoAnn Fisher and Jeff Eiber of Annapolis, MD, continues to control the Thistle Midwinters East, where the 69-boat fleet is hosted by St Petersburg YC. After four races, Fisher holds a six-point lead over locals Robby Brown and Patrick Wilson. Racing continues through March 2nd. -- Results: http://tinyurl.com/2jdagc LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Peter O. Allen, Sr: In Issue 2290, you ask if anyone else is amazed by the level of Optimist sailors participating in this camp, and the comprehensive instruction being provided. You bet; amazed and appalled! The Opti is a great way to introduce youngsters to sailing. But I agree with those who ask why we promote these ugly, singlehanded sandboxes at World, National, or Regional levels. Kids are social and easily bored when left to their own devices. We need to quickly move kids to two, three or fourhanded boats, with spinnakers and enough controls to draw kids out, keep them challenged, and teach teamwork. Elsewhere in the same newsletter you report on efforts by the Lightning Class to expand participation. Why not create a kids' class in Lightnings? I bet graduates from the Optis would be all over the class. There might be two or more junior levels, starting with cut down sails, gradually getting larger as kids grew older, heavier, and more skilled. Kids don't need to have new, expensive boats. To ensure keeping costs down, this could be a "claiming class" where winning boats could be bought at any time for $XXXX.XX. Thus owners wouldn't be inclined to spend a lot optimizing their boats, but rather would concentrate on honing kids' sailing skills. The Opti has proven to be a wonderful way to introduce kids to our world of sailing. It's a shame that we then see so kids many drop out of sailing. * From Chris Simon, International Umpire/ International Judge: I would, respectfully, take issue with Alistair Skinner (from his letter in #2290) - it is not the 'kineticists' that created the need for on-the-water judges in fleet racing, but rather their competitors who do not protest them. * From Andrew Vare, San Francisco: After reading Ken Read's comments on approaching both sailing and shin bashing (er, hockey) as "life sports" (in Issue 2290), I recall similar comments by Olympic downhill slalom medalist Phil Mahre regarding ski racing and off-road motorcycling. It turns out that these brothers Phil and Steve were also insanely addicted to dirt biking. Neither sport shared any direct correlation of skill requirements, other than the global condition of being both demanding and exhausting, and full immersion in one sport invariably took 100 percent of your attention away from the other pursuit. I think it needs to be mentioned that Phil apparently is still skiing - in NASTAR in the 50 year old category! Opti coaches please take note. * From Alex Stout: In my younger days, I also participated in the multi-sport background: sailing, bar crawling, and chasing women. Occasionally, I show my old form in the bar. When it came to chasing women, I didn’t show any form at all. * From Liz Hall: It's not just the guys playing hockey and sailing. I was on the "sailor line" when I played at Connecticut College with Duffy Markham and Ery Largay - we all sailed with the team in the fall, played varsity hockey all winter, and were back sailing again in March. Our friends thought we were nuts, but it was a great experience. Duffy's best game had to be when she scored a hat trick only hours after landing in New London after sailing at Miami OCR...our coach was speechless.... I still don't know anyone else who has done that. All three of us can still be found playing hockey too (Duffy in Corpus Christi, Ery in Boston, and me in DC).... tough sport to stop. * From Skip Dieball, US Sailing One Design Class Council Chairman: In Reference to the Lightning Class Boat Grant Program –What a great program! In my work with US Sailing’s ODCC, and in particular at this year’s One Design Symposium, we talk about such a program and it is very cool to see the International Lightning Class stepping it up! They’ve mapped out a plan to help foster growth in their class for years to come. We all know that we lose a lot of Junior and College sailors once they “age out”. This program has a clear target with clear goals of recapturing that demographic. Kudos to the ILCA and let’s hope this lays the blueprint for other classes to follow. * From Bill Riess: (regarding the Conundrum in #2290: How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell another?) If the Curmudgeon recalls reading Dante's Inferno, he would find that beyond the fires, storms, etc., the very innermost zone of the ninth and final circle of hell is ice. It houses traitors such as Brutus, Cassius, and Judas Iscariot. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION If you find yourself sitting next to someone who irritates you, follow these instructions: 1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case. 2. Remove your laptop and start it up. 3. Make sure the person who is annoying you, can see the screen. 4. Close your eyes, tilt your head up to the sky, and hit this link: http://boortz.com/mp3/archive/countdown.swf Special thanks to Goetz Custom Boats and Ullman Sails. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
