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SCUTTLEBUTT 2403 - August 3, 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 the support of its sponsors. DON’T EVER GIVE UP (Pan Am Gold Medal winner Andrew Campbell discusses his classic Medal Race this past week in Rio.) I’ll give you the overall theme right up front: Don’t Ever Give Up! If you think that’s a cheesy cliche, you had better read on… Scenario: The Medal Race in Rio consisted of the top five boats. The points from the race would count double (1st place=2pts, 2nd place=4pts, etc.) I entered the race three points ahead of Robert Scheidt, and five points ahead of Julio Alsogaray. So, I was guaranteed a medal, and in reality, so were the other two contenders. Matias Del Solar and Mike Leigh were 10 and 12 points behind, so to catch bronze a miracle would have had to happen. Strategy: Because there were three of us involved in potentially winning the regatta, it was not a classic match race scenario. However, the possibility for pre-start cat and mouse was considered. In retrospect, sitting in the armchair of the Monday Morning Tactician, when there were more than two boats involved in any of the many medal races of the Pan Am games, normal fleet-race-style tactics prevailed over cat-and-mouse. What Actually Happened: After two and a half hours of waiting around on the water, a 12-16 knot southerly filled through a big enough part of the bay that we could get a race in. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/26rwgj TRANSITION Lieutenant John Pucillo went from elite Navy diver to disabled Iraq vet to Paralympic hopeful, all in less than a year, proving that athletic competition isn’t lost even when a leg is. Pucillo, a member of the US Disabled Sailing Team (USDST) will join other athletes in Chicago this weekend for U.S. Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup (IC/NACC), a three-day US Sailing National Championship hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club in Belmon Harbor. The regatta is sponsored nationally by American Airlines, Rolex Watch U.S.A., Dry Creek Vineyard and Hyatt Hotels. Last year while stationed in Iraq with the Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, the Navy bomb squad, John lost his left leg above the knee. “My tour was cut short—literally,” Pucillo explained. Still in the Navy, and awaiting his medial clearance to continue to serve, Pucillo has been practicing monthly with his team gearing up for the Paralympic trials. “I am really looking forward to coming to Chicago and getting last minute practice for us before the trials this fall.” The IC/NACC is considered to be an important tune-up race before the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials – Sailing, held October 3-14, 2007 in Newport, R.I. Heading to the starting line of this years IC/NACC next week are half of the members of the USDST, the top-ranked disabled sailors who represent the United States' most promising Paralympic hopefuls. Pucillo was introduced to disabled sailing while completing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Hospital, where he met Ed Salaue of the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to providing year-round sports programs for severely wounded service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict and the Global War on Terrorism. He made the crew on one of the three-person Sonar teams, which is one of the three classes of boats to be sailed in the 2008 Paralympic Games in China. -- The rest of the story: http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org/index.cfm?menu=899&openitem=899 STAR NAs Vancouver, British Columbia (August 2, 2007) -- Winds for the morning race of the North American Star Championship - hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club - were shifty to start but settled into 8 to 9 knots from the northwest. Vancouver is proving to be an amazing place to sail for 49 racers representing 5 countries. Among the group are sailors with no fewer than 4 World Championships under their belts and 7 Olympic medalists. Andy MacDonald held the lead over half way round, finally relenting to a shift that allowed Andy Horton (USA) to rocket forward and take first place. Halfway through the afternoon race, the tide started to come into English Bay. Racers scrambled to get to the Jericho shoreline to stay out of the current. Local knowledge helped Ross Macdonald, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club’s two-time Olympic medallist and World Champion, lead the fleet up the shore, flirting with the Locarno Sandbanks where numerous boats got too close and ended up on the sand. Macdonald headed out into the middle of the current, but the current got the better of him, opening the door for Andy Horton to garner his second bullet of they day. -- Complete report: http://www.starclass.org/search.cgi?Action=view&Event_id=1151 Results for the top three after four races: 1. Andy Horton (USA) 1-6-1-1, 9 points 2. Ross Macdonald (CAN) 4-1-4-2, 11 points 3. Brian Ledbetter (USA) 2-8-3-3, 16 points Note: Only results for top three were available at time of publication. DISCOVER THE BEST BOATING GEAR/EQUIPMENT MyBoatsGear.com is the place that keeps you in touch with all the best boating products available on the market. One valuable tool we offer is our very informative newsletter collection. The newsletters will inform how to and offer a variety of alternatives to the subject matter. Check this newsletter on AIS: http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/2007120.asp Newsletters are divided up into these general subjects: Safety, Sail Boat Racing, Communications, Navigation, General, & Boat Show products. By signing up for the newsletters, you will have the source to the ultimate knowledge in boating equipment, for access anytime, anywhere. IN THE MED Palma Mallorca (August 2, 2007) -- Vasco Vascotto and the crew of Mutua Madrilena made the best of a reshuffle in the bay of Puerto Portals as the TP52 fleet beat to their final windward mark to win the second section of the 23 miles costal race at the 26th Copa del Rey Camper Audi. Added to an eighth on the first section it proved a strong performance from Mutua Madrilena, one which returns them to the top of the class with a ten points lead over Siemens. The race was a windward - leeward - windward, followed by a tour of Palma Bay with a long reach, then upwind and finally a long downwind fetch. Alberto Roemmers' Judel Vrolijk design Siemens the overnight regatta leader which has Paul Cayard calling tactics, was the biggest casualty when they stuck closer to the shore on the final upwind leg to the variable mark SE of the Isle de Sech. From seventh place they lost more than five minutes, slipping from seventh to finish 18th at the finish line and relinquish their overall lead. "I went too close to the bay, there was no wind on the shore, and it was a big mistake." Cayard grimaced. -- Complete report: http://2007.medcup.org/news/?idioma=2&id=1979 Overall standings after 6 races: 1. Mutua Madrilena (V Vascotto, ESP-Botin Carkeek 2007) 29pts 2. Siemens (A Roemmers, ARG-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 39pts 3. Bribon (SM Juan Carlos ESP-Judel Vrolijk 2007) 42pts 4. Calicia Galicia (R Bermudez de Castro ESP-Botin Carkeek 2007) 45pts 5. Platoon (H Muller-Spreer, GER –Judel Vrolijk 2006) 46pts. ONE MORE TIME (August 2, 2007) Annapolis-based professional Terry Hutchinson enjoyed every aspect of his association with Emirates Team New Zealand during the recently completed America's Cup campaign. Meanwhile, syndicate boss Grant Dalton was thoroughly pleased with Hutchinson's performance as tactician the past four years. As a result, it appears Hutchinson will remain with Team New Zealand for the 33rd America's Cup, details of which are still not finalized. Hutchinson told The Capital (on Wednesday) he has signed a "letter of intent" that stipulates he will attempt to negotiate a new contract with Team New Zealand before considering offers from rival syndicates. The agreement, which was signed July 7, gives Team New Zealand the first opportunity to hire Hutchinson once the format for the next America's Cup is settled. -- Bill Wagner, Capital Online, full story: http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_02-35/SAL RUMORED CHALLENGERS FOR 33RD AMERICA’S CUP * Will an Australian Challenge bid for the 33rd America's Cup? Despite a great deal of time and effort by two teams (C7 & OzBoyz Challenge) to prepare for the last America's Cup, the 32nd edition was the second America's Cup in a row that Australia missed. Rumors has it that an Australian America's Cup challenge is currently underway for the 33rd to be held in Valencia in 2009. The project’s board of director has been in discussion with leading Australian corporations and with some of the best sailors and yacht designers in the last couple of months. They are believed to be very close to finalizing funding and logistical arrangements required to mount a challenge of the size and expense required. It is believed that further information will be released in September to coincide with the 24th year of the Australian victory. -- Jose Desmar * We are in position to know that a very serious project concerning the creation of a second Spanish America's Cup challenger is currently at an advanced stage. According to the available information, the project's leaders have the intention to represent the Royal Yacht Club of Palma and have been in contact and discussions with leading sailors and yacht designers in the last couple of months. Although there is no available information yet, it is believed that major Spanish and European corporate groups have also shown interest in funding the project. It is expected that within the next few days the project's leaders will make a public announcement. -- Valencia Sailing, full story: http://valenciasailing.blogspot.com/search/label/33rd%20America%27s%20Cup CONTENDING WITH MOTHER NATURE Finally, there’s a sports shoe that promises quick drainage, traction, and support in both wet and dry conditions. Thanks to Henri-Lloyd’s proprietary Aqua Deck Duo Vent Technology, the Aqua Deck Shoe is ideal for most water-based activities, as well as everyday warm-weather activities where long-term moisture retention inside the shoe can become a problem. It’s extremely lightweight, yet it provides the support and durability you’ll need to contend with whatever Mother Nature throws at you. Visit: http://www.henrilloydonline.com SAILING SHORTS * Marine clothing manufacturer Musto confirmed Thursday that Phoenix Equity Partners, a UK private equity firm that previously backed Tamara Mellon in the original buyout of luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo, has purchased a 75 per cent share of the business. The news follows weeks of speculation that Musto had been sold for £40 million (approx. 81,447,000 USD) to Inflexion Private Equity -- a rumor that was recently denied by Musto's managing director, Nigel Musto. The Musto family will retain a 25 per cent, with both Keith Musto, founder of the company, and his son Nigel Musto will sit on the company's main Board. -- IBI Magazine, http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070702152027ibinews.html * Elected on 15 July 2007, the eleven members representing the Olympic Classes on the ISAF Athletes' Commission have been confirmed.The ISAF Athletes' Commission represents the voice of the Olympic sailors direct to ISAF and the ISAF Executive Committee. The first meeting of the newly elected representatives will be held at the ISAF Secretariat in Great Britain over the weekend of 29-30 September 2007. The elected members were nominated by their fellow sailors with the online voting taking place during the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Cascais, Portugal. A list of the eleven Olympic class representatives are at http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j1/Fnip/B&format=popup * Lake Dillon, Colorado (August 2, 2007) -- With racing for the US Snipe Nationals concluding Friday, 2004 champion Ernesto Rodriguez with Megan Place won Thursday’s lone race to leap past previous leaders Dixon and Cragan Smith, and gain a three point lead on the father-daughter team. Fresh from the Pan Am Games, 2006 champion Augie Diaz with Kathleen Tocke are sitting five and a quarter points further back in third. -- Results: http://www.snipe2007.org/results.htm * Marblehead, MA (August 2, 2007) -- The 51-entrants at the U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship – hosted by Pleon Yacht Club – enjoyed good winds on Thursday, and with one day of racing remaining, Carolyn Prioleau of Texas Corinthian YC holds a 3 point lead over Mayumi Roller in second with Eliza Richartz in third. -- http://www.ussailing.org/championships/youth/usjrw/single * This week’s Volvo Sailing Podcast chats with Paul Cayard about TP52s, America's Cup, and all things sailing. This discussion is followed by one with Team New Zealand's Terry Hutchinson who makes an impassioned plea to keep the America's Cup as it is, and then finally double Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie check in ahead of the pre-Olympic regatta in Qingdao. -- http://http://www.volvooceanrace.org/podcast * Skandia Cowes Week -- The world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta kicks off Friday on the Isle of Wight and runs until Saturday, August 11. The Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC), together with the regatta sponsors are ready for 8,500 competitors and some 10,000 visitors per day who will be participating in this 181-year old event. International entries include: Australia (2), Belgium (5), France (9), Hong Kong (2), Ireland (2), Italy (1), Latvia (1) South Africa (2), Spain (1), Switzerland (1), The Netherlands (17), United Arab Emirates (1), United States (3). All remaining entries are from the UK. -- http://skandiacowesweek.co.uk * The prize purse for this year’s King Edward VII Gold Cup has increased to $100,000 -- thanks to additional support from new sponsors Correia Construction, Ace Limited and a group of Royal Bermuda Yacht Club members. Event Organizer Les Crane, announced that the centennial anniversary Gold Cup, scheduled Oct. 9-14, already has 20 of the 24 skipper slots allocated. Early entries include last year’s finalists, England’s Ian Williams and France’s Mathieu Richard. Williams collected $25,000 for his winning efforts last year, while this year the winner’s purse will be $35,000. -- http://www.bermudagoldcup.com * Correction: Alexandra Maloney -- the Bronze medal winner and the top finishing girls at the Opti Worlds in Sardinia, Italy -- was representing New Zealand, not from Germany as stated in Issue 2402. VIDEO OF THE WEEK This week’s video is as schwanky as the participants in The Superyacht Cup, most recently held in Palma, Mallorca last June. Entrants need to be a minimum of 30 meters, with many much larger, and the yachts in attendance are amongst the finest cruiser/ racers you will find anywhere. This is where the high-rollers roll, and one can suspect that the sailing is easily over-matched by the evening entertainment. For now, we will need to be content with some great aerial footage from the event. 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/07/0727 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 Herb McCormick: My thanks to Jeremy McGeary for his kind words about my tenure at the NY Times in 'Butt 2401. But perhaps unwittingly, I think my predecessor at the paper, Barbara Lloyd, was a victim of the old short shrift. In her many years at the Times, Barbara wrote about our sport with as much passion and skill as anyone before or since, and the number and quality of stories she broke about the America's Cup, in particular, was simply unprecedented. She may not have been an imposing figure when you met her, but the shoes she left to fill, for every sailing writer, myself included, were XXL. * From Alfred Poor (Re ‘butt 2402 item about towing billboards): I expect that I would find towed billboards on the water to be unsightly, but I find the “fairly negative” reaction by boaters and the refusal of the authorities to issue advertising permits a bit disingenuous. Are advertising permits required of all those racers whose sponsors’ names and logos are splashed all over hulls and spinnakers? I somehow doubt it. I don’t mind the enforcement of laws and regulations, provided that it is done even-handedly. * From Bob Adriance: Floating billboards are a national issue; if they're allowed to remain in San Diego, the "public service" Mr Weintraub envisions will soon spread to other popular boating centers like Los Angeles, Long Island Sound, New England, and the Chesapeake Bay. Billboards on the water, like billboards on shore, tend to grow exponentially. Regarding the spread of billboards on land, there's a definite pattern. Local billboard companies, like the one owned by Mr Weintraub, are eventually bought by larger companies. These companies, like Clear Channel, have almost unlimited resources. Here in Virginia, many counties and small towns have passed laws to restrict the spread of billboards. Invariably, the giant billboard companies bring suit and win because local governments don't have the financial resources to fight back. The billboards then continue to spread, like a cancer. * From Harry Walker, former South American and Sao Paulo Star Champion and proud ex-Brasilite: Two statements in recent ‘Butts made by Bill Faude, crew member on the Lightening which took the Silver in the XV Pan American games, were very out of line. He was sailing in Brasilian waters and the XV games were hosted by Brasil. Perhaps the waters were not as clean as his home waters, and perhaps he felt he knew better than the hosts as to where to apply a coat of paint [you will recall that he slapped a recently painted bouy and got his hand smeared], but as a guest of a great nation he showed poor manners in his whining complaints. Brasil [the Portuguese spelling] is a great place to race, a country of hospitable people, and has produced a host of Olympic Champions, a great many of whom have grown up sailing in the area and the waters he so disparaged. I would suggest that great sailors like Torben Greal, Lars Grael, Robert Scheidt, Reynoldo Conrad, and the late Jorge Bruder -- all Olympic medalists and class champions -- learned and developed their skills in these same waters. I also wonder if they complained about sailing in the waters of other host countries during important international events. I think not. * From Jeffry Matzdorff: Brad (Butterworth) seems to know who 'Butters' his bread. I found it particularly amusing reading how Brad found it necessary to call out Mr. Ellison and to call off his dogs. Perhaps Brad is also barking up the wrong tree. It's the Alinghi team that is 'buttering' the Spanish with a fictional yacht club issuing the challenge of record. Brad. You won. Good on your entire team. Tell Mr. Alinghi you did your job and tell Mr. Allingielli to bark for himself and play square! CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION “Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.” -- Spike Milligan Special thanks to MyBoatsGear.com and Henri-Lloyd. |
