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SCUTTLEBUTT 1814 - April 11, 2005Scuttlebutt is a digest 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, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere. LITIGATION Former Team New Zealand boss Tom Schnackenberg has taken legal action against the team, claiming it has deliberately shut him out of the next America's Cup. The veteran sailor and boat designer, who held the syndicate together when Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth defected to Alinghi in 2000, has lodged papers in the High Court at Auckland claiming Team NZ's new leadership hired him only to stop him from moving to another team. His lawyer said yesterday: "Any of the syndicates would have him if they could." Schnackenberg, 59, was the syndicate head of the disastrous 2003 cup defense, after which an independent report identified the management structure as the most important reason for the failure to retain the cup. When round-the-world helmsman Grant Dalton was brought in to manage the next challenge, Schnackenberg was demoted to the design team. Dalton said yesterday that he was disappointed Schnackenberg had decided to take court proceedings. He said the team thought their former boss had made an "amicable departure". Team NZ had taken legal advice and the suit would be defended. Schnackenberg and his company, North Sails, are seeking to set aside a restraint-of-trade covenant in his agreement with Team NZ so he can join another syndicate. The case has been set down for a preliminary hearing later this month when Team NZ is expected to file a statement of defense. The hearing is likely to be held in late May. - Tony Stickley and Julie Ash, NZ Herald, full story: www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10119556 ANOTHER CASE FOR THE JURY New Zealand design guru Tom Schnackenberg is not alone in his desire to switch teams during an America's Cup period. There are two other cases which have caused a stir in the cup world. New Zealander John Cutler, who sailed with Oracle in the last cup, was initially with K-Challenge, switched to Mascalzone Latino, now Team Capitalia, before ending up with the Spanish Challenge Desafio Espanol. American designer Phil Kaiko followed the same journey as Cutler and has ended up at Desafio Espanol. While it is unclear what the situation is with Cutler, as he was Mascalzone's design co-ordinator, Kaiko's case is heading towards an America's Cup jury hearing. Team Capitalia claim Kaiko had input in their design process, so has taken information to his new team. Although Team Capitalia were only "potential challengers" when Kaiko was with them (they filed their challenge only last month), the cup protocol prohibits designers changing teams if the potential challenger becomes a competitor. However, it is understood a jury hearing can cost around $90,000, which may lead to a rethink from Desafio Espanol. The cup protocol says designers are restricted to work for one competitor. Sailors used to be able to change teams up until 18 months before the first match of the cup. But in what has become the "Coutts clause", the rule was altered. Sailors are not allowed to change teams if they have spent 180 days or more with one team (paid or unpaid). The rule-change occurred just before Russell Coutts was sacked from Alinghi, implying it was to prevent him from sailing with another team. - Julie Ash, NZ Herald, www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=4&ObjectID=10119784 US SAILING TEAM ANNOUNCED TODAY! The 2005 US Sailing Team will be announced today. The road to Beijing has begun. You can help our sailors in their quest to bring home the gold by supporting The US Sailing Team. Check out official US Sailing Team merchandise from the US Sailing Authentic Collection. We've got official team Dry-T's by Gill, backpacks, hats, t-shirts and more. All purchases help support the US Sailing Team and US Sailing. Visit http://www.ussailinggear.com today. COUNTERPOINT Allow me to clarify some erroneous information in Kimball Livingston's comments in the Sail Magazine article "Dueling Rules" and the excerpt published in Scuttlebutt 1813. Having attended last week's Spring US Sailing Meeting in Newport, I can say with assurance that US Sailing has taken a rule-neutral position regarding the various handicapping systems used by US sailors. Two important determinations made last week support this. First, US Sailing entered into an agreement with the Offshore Racing Association (ORA) which essentially gives them the rights to the Americap VPP. Under this agreement, ORA is responsible for rule development and documentation, marketing, promotion, and support of Americap. This agreement leaves US Sailing with responsibility for the processing of applications and producing and distributing certificates. Second, a formal policy statement from the National Offshore Council was approved by the Board of Directors. This policy reads: "The US Sailing Offshore Office will assist our sailors in obtaining measurement, rating or handicap certificates when there is sufficient interest shown by US Race Organizers." This action revokes the former policy that required the Offshore Office to limit their support to only the IOR, IMS, Americap, PHRF, MORC and Portsmouth handicap/rating systems. As evidence of this change in direction, the Offshore Office processed and distributed IRC Certificates to 62 US sailors in the month of March. To put it simply, US Sailing is no longer in the rule development business, but rule administration. We don't endorse any one rule. We do encourage any rule that will get more people on the water racing, as that is part of our mission. I'm confident that the changes noted above, coupled with the leadership of new Executive Director Charlie Leighton, will put to rest the controversy and negative perceptions surrounding US Sailing's past involvement with rating rules. Finally, it should be noted that Bill Lee resigned as chair of the Offshore Committee last December. I was appointed to succeed him at the Newport meeting. - John Siegel WHAT KILLED THE ADMIRALS CUP? (Following are excerpts from commentary by Rob Kothe posted on the Sail-World website.) The Admiral's Cup, created in 1957 and once one of the world's great regattas distinctive in its combination of inshore Solent racing with offshore events in a three-boat, national team format, seems to be now destined to become part of sailing history. The Cup has been in a long-term decline since its 1970's peak, at a time when there were three series with 19 teams. Declining interest brought format changes as RORC tried to re-kindle interest. These changes included the removal of the Fastnet race from the series. It seemed the event was in terminal decline with the cancellation of the 2001 Cup. The less than popular IMS rule and the RORC's unsuccessful promotion of the IRM handicap rule, has left the yachting scene without a handicap rule that applies worldwide, deterring those who want a custom-designed racer. One-design racing, such as the Sydney 38, Farr 40, Swan 45 and TP52 have increased around the world, while the Grand Prix racing fleets have generally declined. However the main nail in the coffin has been the European focus on the America's Cup, which has brought forward a large number of challenging teams and soaked up all available sponsorship euros. The Spanish, who sailed close to victory in the 2003 Admiral's Cup, have lots to do in Valencia; the Italians are committed with two teams there, the French, the Swiss, the Swedes, the USA, the New Zealanders, even the South Africans are all involved. It is probably no surprise that three nations not involved in the 32nd America's Cup, Britain, Ireland and Australia, were the only ones interested in the Admiral's Cup. - Rob Kothe, full story: http://www.sail-world.com/ OBITUARY In the late '70s through the '80s, Britain's Royal Ocean Racing Club's (RORC) Admiral's Cup, which included the Fastnet Race, was the pinnacle of international offshore racing. Alas, the event has declined greatly in recent years. It's been canceled before for lack of interest, and despite positive signs for this year, had to be canceled once again. May this once great event rest in peace along with Hawaii's Clipper and Kenwood Cups. - 'Lectronic Latitude, http://tinyurl.com/5gnd6 ARE YOU READY FOR BATTLE? If you haven't gotten your dry amour yet, then your competition already has the advantage. They have figured out that when they're "in the zone" of comfort, they perform better. The Dryshirt™ is already busier than ever keeping the world's best sailors drier and more comfortable. Thousands of units have been sold in just the first few weeks of the season. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, or just battling the elements to protect your skin, the Dryshirt ™ is the "must have gear" for 2005. Customized team and regatta gear available. Call toll free 800-354-7245 or http://www.sailingproshop.com/dryshirt.htm BIG WIN FOR CAYARD / SHARP Paul Cayard and Brian Sharp have won the ISAF Grade C1 Star Western Hemisphere Championship with victory in race five securing them the title. American sailors dominated the event taking nine of the top ten places in the 25-boat fleet sailing at the Nassau YC. After four second place finishes in the first four races, Cayard won race five which was sailed in 25-30 knots of breeze with big swells. This gave him the option of using the final race as his discard. "Kept the boat on a plane and headed for the barn," Cayard said. "I decided I could not afford to sail the last race. Might have broken my rig which costs $5K when you added it all up." 1. Paul Cayard / Brian Sharp, 2 2 2 2 1 (DNS); 9 pts 2. John Dane III / Austin Sperry, 3 1 6 3 3 (DNS); 16 pts 3. Rick Merriman / Steve Mitchell, 5 (11) 5 1 6 1; 18 pts 4. Mark Meddelblatt / Mark Strube, 7 5 1 4 (9) 2; 19 pts 5. Ross MacDonald / Mike Wolfs, 4 4 4 (13) 4 4; 20 pts 6. Andy Horton / Brad Nichol, 1 6 7 (8) 2 7; 23 pts 7. Mark Reynolds / Anders Ekstrom, (10) 9 3 5 8 3; 28 pts 8. Howard Shiebler / Hal Haenel, (11) 3 10 6 5 8; 32 pts 9. George Szabo / Eric Monroe, 6 8 8 9 (13) 9; 40 pts 10. Augie Diaz / Bob Schofield, (12) 12 12 11 7 5; 47 pts Event website: http://www.nassauyachtclub.org/html/star1.htm DOHA 2006 WINS THE ORYX QUEST 2005 Doha Saturday 9th April 2005: Brian Thompson (GBR) and the 12-person crew of Doha 2006 finished the 23,200 miles race around the world in mid-morning to take the Oryx Cup. Doha 2006 finished at 1101.22 local time (0801.22 UTC), having taken 62days 21hours 1minute and 22 seconds to circle the globe. Doha 2006 has also won the first prize of US$1 million and of this Thompson said, 'half will go to the owner of the boat, but the rest will be divided equally among all 13 of us.' Tony Bullimore's Daedalus, the only remaining entry in the Oryx Quest 2005, is XXXX miles from the finish line in Qatar. Equipment problems forced Cheyenne and Geronimo to retire from the race earlier. Originally launched in 2000 as Club Med, Doha 2006 is a 110-foot, Gilles Ollier catamaran. Skippered by Kiwi Grant Dalton it won The Race in 2001 in 62 days. Reborn in 2002 as Maiden II it set a new 24-hour distance record (694 nautical miles) and set new marks for the Cowes - St Malo and the Round Great Britain & Ireland races. Because both Geronimo and Cheyenne retired long ago with heavy-duty equipment problems (Cheyenne was dismasted and Geronimo had major crossbeam damage), the only boat still on the race course is Tony Bullimore's Daedalus -more than 1000 miles from the finish and barely moving - caught in the grip of the doldrums.- www.oryxquest.com Curmudgeon's Comment: For those who like comparing apples and oranges, Bruno Peyron's round the world record in the maxi-catamaran Orange II is 50 days 16 hours 20 minutes 04 seconds, while Ellen MacArthur's solo RTW record on her 75 foot trimaran B&Q is 71 days 14 hours 18 minutes and 33 seconds. CONGRESSIONAL CUP Tuesday sees the first day of the ISAF Grade 1 Congressional Cup Match Race Event. An all star lineup including Kiwis Russell Coutts and Chris Dickson. The skippers and their crews will practice on Monday and the first day of racing on Tuesday. After five day's of racing the competition the winner will be decided on Saturday, April 16. Coutts has not sailed in the Congressional Cup since 1992, the same year he won the ISAF World Match Racing Championship. Currently he is ranked number nine in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings after winning three of four events on the Swedish Match Tour. He has been sailing with a Danish crew since his disassociation with Alinghi, the Swiss team that he led to an America's Cup victory in 2003 following his two triumphant campaigns with New Zealand. He will be representing Denmark's Aarhus Sejlklub at Long Beach. Ed Baird (USA), the 2004 Congressional Cup winner and current ISAF World Match Race Rankings' number one, and Gavin Brady (NZL), a two-time winner plus a semi-finalist in the last three years, will not be competing because of their commitments to the America's Cup campaigns of Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing, respectively. Dickson, the latter team's CEO, will represent Larry Ellsion's San Francisco-based team instead. - www.lbyc.org THE BEST BUILT SMALL BOAT ON THE MARKET. Own the sport boat that is built like a custom 50'. Dow Epoxy Vinyl Ester resin, Core cell core, vacuum bagged, Harken Carbo hardware, North sails, Forte carbon rig, carbon blades, custom trailer, and all in an affordable package. On top of that you get Sport boat performance. http://www.sailabongo.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. This is not a chat room nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Leonard F. Hubbard: It is sad to see the demise of the Admiral's Cup, with its long history. It is, however, thoroughly predictable in view ot the progress of saiboat racing, particularly in medium sized boats. As an IMS boat owner (Nelson /Marek 43 C/R), I had a wonderful and somewhat affordable time in very competitive racing. The sport, however, has been overrun with professionalism, with too many paid crew and too expensive venues. Anyone who follows the sailing media must notice that the crew names are all the same, and the owners much richer and far fewer. We have essentially eliminated the sailing middle class in favor of the few very rich that dominate the sport now, and that pay the most to the industry. The problem is not the rule, it is the culture, and a new rule will not fix it. As long as good rules are eliminated (and not adjusted) so that new boats have to be built, and as long as paying most of the crew remains the norm, the number of sailors growing into "big boat" racing from smaller starter boats will decline. Skippers will also not get into the arms race, and will not progress from beer-can racing to major regattas. Owners, except in a few classes, do not have much influence in their own sport. Until that is restored and reason prevails, the "owner drain" will continue and only the golf courses will benefit. Talk to a few retired owners, and you will see what the real reasons for leaving the sport were. * From Denny Crain: I can't believe the Brit's truly believe that the key to revitalizing their Admiral's Cup is the development the new Grand Prix Rule. I hate to be the one to break the news, but the worldwide yachting community will not be lining up to build boats to a new handicapping rule, nor is the concept of national teams for top level, international competition even remotely viable. * From Jim Teeters (re the Sail Magazine editorial, 'Butt 1813): This editorial is out-of-date and misleading. Bill Lee is not the chair of US Sailing Offshore Committee. The quote attributed to someone named Teeters (me?) does not reflect my opinions of IMS. The IMS rule has arguably the best record ever of any measurement rule that was intended to handicap a diverse fleet of boats. However, for a variety of reasons, US sailors are not supporting IMS so it is time to move on. The quoted article suggests dueling rules!? That is a matter of perspective. Last year a few of us took the initiative, with US Sailing's blessing, to survey the major US clubs with regard to grand prix racing. The concerns of those clubs lay more with mid-level rules. Some were happy with PHRF, some wanted to try IRC, others wanted the power of a VPP. The latter group is mostly organizations that run the big offshore races where ratings specific to course conditions were desired. Those clubs formed the Offshore Racing Association (ORA) and have negotiated with US Sailing on the use of the Americap VPP and rule. On the other hand, US-IRC is meeting the needs of those who want IRC. We wish them well. It is not ORA's intent to duel with anyone. We believe in the right rule for the right job. We are providing what our constituents want. Look for the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) to be introduced in 2006. Curmudgeon's Comment: We got this note from Sail magazine's senior editor, West Coast, Kimball Livingston, who wrote that piece in 'Butt 1813: There were a couple of problems with the Dueling Rules story excerpted in Friday's 'Butt, not the least of which was an html glitch (two missing code characters) that caused the image on our web page to cover part of the text. Also, Bill Lee's five minutes as chair of the Offshore Committee of US Sailing expired a while back. In the missing text was the information that rules architect Jim Teeters believes there should not be a "dueling" relationship between the camps now promoting IRC vs Americap (and good luck with that one, Jim). Separately, I heard from Teeters, who believes the piece characterizes him as being anti-IMS, when in fact he sees IMS as "the most successful rule ever created; it spanned 27 years." Jim does agree that "it's time is past." I hope this straightens out the record. - Kimball Livingston * From Charles McCammon: There is a "lee bow effect." When analyzing the effect the current has on the wind, I would agree that the wind vectors are equal on either tack and there would be no advantage with regard to velocity through the water. However there is an advantage to sailing with the current on the lee bow because the distance made toward the mark is greater than the distance sailed through the water. On the opposite tack the distance made toward the mark is less than the distance sailed through the water. If two completely equal boats started on opposite tacks toward a mark due North with a breeze from the North and the current running due East knowing that halfway to the mark the current would shift to due West, the one using the "lbe" would get there first. Assuming the two boats tack halfway when the current shifts West, by the time the time the two boats cross, the boat utilizing the "lbe" will be ahead of the other boat because it has gained ground toward the mark on both tacks while the other boat has lost ground toward the mark on both tacks. Thus, the boat utilizing the "lbe" sailed a shorter distance over the ground to the mark, but both boats sailed the same distance through the water. Next debate, how to take advantage of "lbe" when the current is equal across the course. * From Lowell North: OK enough is enough. Peter Barrett solved this "lee bow effect" problem over 20 years ago and the results were published in Sail magazine. Someone did mention the moving carpet solution. That was Peter Barrett's correct solution. To solve these problems you have to forget about the current and figure that the marks and starting line are moving opposite to the current at the same speed. It is particularly important for the race committee to realize that the wind direction measured on an anchored boat is not what the boats are feeling and they need to look at a non-anchored boat that is head to wind to get the right wind direction for setting the line and marks. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION A fool and his money are soon invited everywhere." -Warren Buffett (Peter Huston has suggested that fool will also try to win the America's Cup.) |
