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SCUTTLEBUTT 1961 -- November 7, 2005Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2005
book start to hit the line with height and speed on the gun and got away in clean air and quite frankly showed a clean pair of heels for the entire race in clear air and away from any punch ups, the pressure seemed to slide off and towards the end they seemed to get pretty conservative, covering the fleet, they won by over two minutes but in reality they could have been 4 or 5 minutes ahead, they won it at the start and it was a bloody good one but it ought to be with the likes of Kostecki and Hayles at the back of the boat. Second was Brazil One with Torben Grael at the helm and the Brazilians had great boatspeed catching then over taking Movistar on the reaching leg of the triangle but they never really got near Ericsson. Third place Pirates had a bit on when they failed to hoist there kite on the first downhill leg of the triangle and a gaggle of shipmates were seen on the foredeck trying to sort out the cluster-puck but apart from that they showed great speed and did pull off a masterful mark rounding on the windward leeward to take Movistar's scalp. Read the full report and post your comments at http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=756#756 Classification after In-Port Race 1 1. Ericsson Racing Team (SWE), Skipper Neal McDonald (GBR): pts 3.5 2. Brasil 1 (BRA), Skipper Torben Grael (BRA): pts 3.0 3. Pirates Of The Caribbean (USA), Skipper Paul Cayard (USA): pts 2.5 4. movistar (SPA), Skipper Bouwe Bekking (NED): pts 2.0 5. ABN Amro Two (NL), Skipper Sebastien Josse (FRA): pts 1.5 6. ABN Amro One (NL), Skipper Mike Sanderson (NZ): pts 1.0 7. Premier Challenge (AUS), Skipper Grant Wharington (AUS): pts 0 Next Race is scheduled for Saturday 12th: Vigo-Cape Town E SCOW POLITICS The following report was posted on the Scuttlebutt Forums: "The word on the streets is that the recommendation of the E Board will be to allow a gradual phase in of the asymmetric over the next few years. The one designer's (old design) will sail for the existing trophies, the new asymmetric will sail for their own trophies. Nothing has been determined so it is said as to whether a common start or a second start would be established. The primairy concern is that of keeping the fleet together as one fleet. Past scow politics have greatly influenced this. Many feel it is necessary to keep both groups as one. Whatever gets decided in Chicago will still need a 2/3rds vote of the class members for any ratification or change. The feeling is that a 2/3rds majority vote for it will be pretty hard to get." This thread can be found at http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=713#713 VOLVO EXTREME 40 Sanxenxo, 6 November 2005 - The first three races in the brand new Volvo Extreme 40 class were dominated by Dutch sailor Carolijn Brouwer on Sunday. With three wins in a row she and her crew beat respected world-class sailors like Olympic Tornado class medallists Randy Smyth and Mitch Booth. Five strict one-design catamarans lined up for the start of this first Grand Prix Race, part of a series to be sailed during the Volvo Ocean Race stopovers. The wind was building to 12 knots, at times increasing to 15 knots in the beautiful bay of Sanxenxo. At 14.30 hours the start gun sounded and immediately four of the boats were into some serious fender bending. The spectacular 40 foot multihulls squeezed together and exchanged some paint. It was obvious that these sailors were pushing it hard. As a result of this collision, Basilica, skippered by Hugh Styles, had to pull out of the race with a hole in the hull. Creator of the boat and the initiator of the event Mitch Booth had mixed feelings about this debut day for the class. "It is great to see these boats out racing. With 12 to 15 knots of wind and this chop these boats gave us a great ride. They are like wild bronco's, hitting 15 knots upwind and well over 20 knots on the reaches." But Booth was not so happy with all the damage. "Maybe we are pushing it too hard. I am not sure what happened to Basilica. I hope they can race tomorrow." The Volvo Extreme 40 will race 3 heats daily at 14.30 hours in Sanxenxo until Thursday, the last day of racing. http://www.volvoextreme40.org TEAM OF ONE OR A CAST OF THOUSANDS Whether you're a one man wrecking crew, or a member of an elite syndicate working with dozens of team members, we have the gear that sets you apart from those who are still wearing last year's technology. The RSD Dryshirt™ and all new DryGuard™ are in a class by themselves. No other product provides better UV protection while keeping you comfortable on and off the water. From Olympic medalists to MaxZ-86 crews to yacht club junior programs, the Dryshirt™ and DryGuard™ is the 'must have' gear for 2005. Call 800-354-7245 or go to http://www.sailingproshop.com/dryshirt.htm for a dealer near you. TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
Positions as of November 7 02:44:00 GMT Multihulls ORMA (60-foot) 1. Groupama 2, (FRA) 2. Banque Populaire, 1.6 miles from leader 3. Foncia 2.4 mfl 4. Géant 6.1 mfl 5. Orange Project 8.4 mfl Monohulls IMOCA (60-foot) 1. Sill et Veolia 2. Ecover, 6.2 miles from leader 3. Virbac-Paprec, 10.8 mfl 4. Bonduelle, 17.5 mfl 5. Skandia, 33.8 mfl Multihulls Class 2 (50-foot) 1. Crêpes Whaou ! 2. Acanthe Ingénierie, 16.4 miles from leader 3. Gifi, 32.5 mfl 4. Négocéane-Donneurs de vie-Branec, 43.4 mfl 5. Jean Stalaven, 54.9 mfl Monohulls Class 2 (50-foot) 1. Artforms 2. Gryphon Solo 12.9 miles from leader 3. Vedettes de Bréhat 31.0 mfl 4. Adecco - Etoile Horizon 62.2 mfl 5. Défi Vendéen 72.8 mfl Event website: http://www.jacques-vabre.com BUTCH ULMER DOMINATES Virgin Gorda, BVI - Charles 'Butch' Ulmer was very much on top of his game at the Bitter End Yacht Club's Dry Creek Vineyard Pro-Am Regatta. The East Coast sailmaker scored a regatta high six and a half points as he and his partner Andy Burdick won the event with a two point edge over the UK team of Chris Law and Keith Musto. The team of Rod Johnstone and Peter Isler claimed the final spot on the podium, while JJ Isler was the top point-getter in the tightly packed Junior Division of the event. The regatta used a Triple Racing format, which is a three-boat match race with only the winner collecting a point. Sailed for the most part in pleasant 10-15 knot Caribbean trade winds, the ten invited skippers sailed with guests of the BEYC as their crews. BEYC's weeklong race schedule also included the Musto Scuttlebutt Sailing Club Championship Regatta. Resort guests sailed Hunter 216s in the Amateur finals, with the top award being a free return trip to next year's Pro-Am. Chris Fretz from Philadelphia claimed that prize by a four point edge over San Francisco's Nadine Franczyk. Gibby Rachleff from New York took third. Only a single point separated the top three boats in the Pro division finals that were sailed in Hobie Waves. Andy Burdick won a tiebreaker with Rod Johnstone to take the top prize, with Butch Ulmer just one point further back in third place. - http://www.beyc.com SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE ULTIMATE SAILOR A custom print from the Ultimate Sailing Gallery that spotlights the fabulous sailing images of Sharon Green. Go to the Ultimate Sailing website, choose your favorite images and you will have them in time for holiday gift giving. http://www.ultimatesailing.com QUOTE / UNQUOTE Volvo 70 skipper of ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson, on the last place performance of the team's boats: "We always knew that a 6-knot in-port race where I got the start wrong was going to be our worst nightmare." Skipper Paul Cayard, Pirates of the Caribbean: "There were no less than 500 spectator boats out on the water afternoon watching the race and 30,000 people crowding the harbor area yesterday evening as the teams returned for the public prize giving in the square. The idea of brining the race to the people is a winner." NEWS BRIEFS * The official deadline to enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is now officially closed with 89 applications submitted. An extension for late applications has been granted with those received until 5:00pm Wednesday November 9 to be accepted without incurring a late fee. However, applications accepted after 5:00pm November 9 and to 5:00pm November 18 will incur a late fee of $530. An updated list of entry applications and race information is available at http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com * Shaun Ferry and Michele Le Sueur (RSA) won the 2005 Hobie Cat World Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Ferry's third world title. Shaun Ferry quit sailing a few years ago, but he decided to participate at the 2005 Worlds just for fun. After he won the first race of the semi-finals, the pressure was on. Ferry about his future in the Hobie 16: "I want to put something back into the class, in order to keep it going. I will spend time on that. The sport must continue and that is most important to me." Complete results: http://www.hobieworlds.com/h16-2005 * The ISAF Annual Conference is in full swing in Singapore with much of the focus on new developments and a focus on attracting youth and greater participation. Meetings continue through November 13, 2005. Full story: http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j19Fh061l&format=popup * The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water is on the lookout for a few good locations to become lending sites for its free Life Jacket Loaner Program in 2006. The program loans out children's life jackets - from readily accessible sites such as marinas, boat clubs and other waterfront businesses - to boaters who have a temporary need for a kid's life jacket for the day or weekend. There is no cost to become a loaner site. Application is due by February 21, 2006: http://www.boatus.com/news/releases/2005/november/ljlp.asp IN MEMORIUM It is with great sadness that Victory Challenge announces the death of Gerry Moosbrugger. Moosbrugger, 28, a world-class sailmaker, was on his way home from the Victory Challenge base at 18:50 on Wednesday, November 2, when he was involved in a traffic accident. Riding his motorcycle home, as he did everyday, Moosbrugger was just a couple of hundred metres from his apartment when he hit a car making an illegal manouvre in Avenida Blasco Ibáñez, in the Alboraya suburb of Valencia. Gerry is survived by his immediate family, wife Monica, son Sebastian, and unborn daughter. Additional details at http://www.victorychallenge.com DON'T YOU LOVE FREE STUFF? Who doesn't? Get free gear now with the purchase and delivery of a Vanguard boat by December 31st and receive your choice of a Seitech dolly, Storm covers or a Magic Marine gear package with your new boat. For more details and to find your local dealer, visit http://www.teamvanguard.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (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 thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Peter Kelly: Any one interested in sportsmanship in sailing should read http://www.rya.org.uk/Racing/charter. The RYA is making a big push with its Racing Charter this year. It appears as the first item in the RYA published rules book and is being rolled out across clubs and classes in the UK (You may need to be patient with the RYA website as it sometimes seems very slow). * From Alistair Murray, Ronstan: I am amazed at the contributors who have disagreed with Paul Strzelecki's assertion that we need to grow the sport of sailing. The industry and sailors get together every year for the International Sailing Summit, being held on 14th November this year in Amsterdam, to share stories, ideas and best practices from around the world for promoting participating in sailing. The statistics bear out what Paul says, particularly in the U.S. The National Sporting Goods Association have tracked sailing participation in the U.S.A. (7 years old plus, who sailed more than once a year) from 6.7 million in 1988 steadily down to 2.6 million in 2004. Our industry is feeling it! I want to be part of a sport and an industry that is more mainstream that receives media coverage, that has heroes, that is admired and inspired to and that receives solid government and community support and funding. As a sailor I want to be able to watch it on TV, rather than endless football and cricket. (OK, I'm an Aussie!) I also want to be able to go sailing often and easily. There is plenty of coastline and water for heaps more sailors. If sailing was more mainstream we would have better funding, more facilities, better boats, more educated sailors, more competition, more family involvement, healthier lifestyles and way more interesting dinner party conversations! Come to the International Sailing Summit and tell us what you think! Curmudgeon's Comment: Before you jump to the conclusion that Alistair wants to grow sailing solely because of his profession, the sport relies on quality suppliers… all of them. * From Malcolm McKeag: Chris Ericksen asks if the Olympics have delivered any great benefit to the average sailor. Oh, yes, Chris. The benefit is the International Sailing Federation, and all its works. ISAF runs on the money brought in by Yachting remaining an Olympic sport. In the days before the Los Angeles Games, we had the International Yacht Racing Union, a small, hard-working institution with a Secretariat of three and a world-wide fraternity of erudite volunteers who maintained the racing rules and administered the Olympic and a few other International classes. It had hardly any money, did a great job, and interfered with the lives and sport of hardly anyone. Then came Los Angeles and the IYRU realized it was on an earner. Soon the IYRU declared itself the world-governing body for all forms of sailing, changed its name to International Sailing Federation, arrogated to itself the commercial rights for all forms of yachting and embarked upon a war of annexation against the other autonomous bodies like the Offshore Racing Council (ORC), the World Match Racing Conference, the International Twelve Metre Association etc. Now you wanna go sail racing, you do it ISAF's way, or not at all. Fortunately for all of us, ISAF is wise, all-knowing and never wrong, so that's a relief. To take Yachting out of the Olympics would be to cut the blood supply to the world governing body for all forms of sailing and who could possibly want that? We might as well invite turkeys to vote for Thanksgiving. * From Bob Austin: As to "Stuck up mast" (in Issue 1969) --all the more reason that anyone who goes up a rig should have two halyards--one as a safety if the first jams or fails. This is standard operating procedure for most of us. * From: Fabio Colivicchi (Italy): Thanks to Magnus Wheatley, and answering to Brad Dellenbaugh. I am both sailing journalist and sailor. I consider that Olympic Games have had such a legendary and unique history in the world, since TV was not invented and didn't exist. I understand the progress, but you couldn't risk to collapse a whole sport just following TV exigence or to be more attractive to the media. The better we preserve the spirit of sailing sport, the most we will keep respect from the sports world. Media should follow and cover every single sport in their proper spirit and emotion, not pretend to change them. * From John Arndt, Latitude 38: (Re: Olympic Rule Changes) Having just attended a presentation on this summer's America's Cup sailing by Gary Jobson, Tom Ehman and Rodney Daniel of the BMW/Oracle AC team it appears that many of the changes in the AC format are bringing fresh new enthusiasm and interest to what was perhaps a increasingly stale format. I'm not sure I can judge whether the new scoring format will achieve it's goal of increasing attention and TV time for Olympic sailing but I certainly support those that take up the challenge and risk the criticism that comes with attempting changes to long standing traditions. Also attending the presentation was Mirko Groeschner, formerly of BMW and now with BMW/Oracle racing, who outlined BMW's growing support of sailing along with the recent addition of Allianz to the team sponsorship. This is progress for those that like the Cup and the possibilities sponsorship brings to sailing. Mirko will be giving his insights on sailing sponsorship in a terrific forum for these discussions, the International Sailing Summit in Amsterdam, November 13th. Of course, if you're a 'weekend sailor' none of this may help or interest you at all but you can, if you live right, ignore all of this and still enjoy sailing 52 weekends a year. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being." - Johann W. von Goethe |
