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SCUTTLEBUTT 2475 – November 14, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, featuresand dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. DID IT ALL BEGIN AT THE PAN AM GAMES? With the brouhaha roaring on how the multihull event has been removed from the 2012 Olympic Games, conspiracy theorists might wonder if it all began this past summer at the 15th Pan American Games. The event was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 13-29, with a total of 5500 athletes from 42 countries competing in 38 sports. Scuttlebutt recently received a 43-page wrap-up report, and while much of the information involved the documenting of data and support personnel that would be of use for the administration of future events, there was some other information disclosed about the Hobie 16 class that was not revealed during the event. At the end of the qualification series, the crews from Guatemala, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and U.S.A. protested the Brazilian crew regarding an issue with their mast, which lead to their disqualification in races one through eight for infringing a class rule. In a seemingly retaliatory move, the Brazilian crew protested the other five crews under alleged measurement infringements (elastic to keep forestay, trapeze wires, thickness of righting line, weights, etc). The Jury later dismissed these Brazilians protests. Apparently, ill will was still simmering, and it boiled over at the Hobie Cat class award ceremony. When the Hobie Cat awards were announced some people started applauding, while others were mocking and yelling. All through the ceremony the noise grew in intensity and disapproval shouting overwhelmed the applauses, which soon led to items being thrown from the crowd. Immediately after the ceremony, a meeting was held regarding the incident, and a request for disciplinary action against three Brazilian sailors for bad behavior had been lodged. While there is not yet any report of this on the ISAF website, the complete Pan Am Games report, including the incidents regarding the Hobie 16 class, can be found here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/1012 * Curmudgeon’s Comment: A petition to allow the multihull to compete in the Olympics is seeking signatures, and will be presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in hopes of them overriding the ISAF decision. Some ‘buttheads have commented that the website requires a donation before their signature would count. Not true – the donation is requested after the signature is recorded, and is a voluntary contribution to fund the website. There are currently over 2700 signatures, which includes the Curmudgeon and the Scuttlebutt Publisher: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/multihullinolympics/index.html GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH Grab some popcorn, kick off your shoes, and sit back for the greatest show on earth… the America’s Cup. To recap, we have recently seen the defending Swiss Alinghi team reveal the new AC90 Class Rule, which was something they said they wouldn’t make public, and was most assuredly an act of good faith to show their antagonist, the American BMW Oracle Racing team, that they were willing to meet in the middle and settle their dispute. However, this week’s episode provides an unexpected turn, and we catch the two teams making decisions that will potentially impact the event forever. Read on: * Says the Swiss: We have announced the new design rule to be used in the next event, we have published the event format and dates, and now we are saying that we all need to board the train and enter no later than December 15, 2007. We are looking forward to creating an even better event than the last one, but despite our best efforts to get the train moving forward, the lawsuit with the Americans is a big problem. Therefore, we are now also saying that they must withdraw their lawsuit by November 16 at 1700 hours, New York time, and declare whether they will be participating in the 33rd America's Cup. -- To read the complete announcement: http://33rd.americascup.com/en/index.php?idContent=29&idPage=1 * Says the Americans: Holy smokes… where did this come from? Their people and our people had agreed on most points needed for resolution, and just when we thought we were on the verge of settling the dispute, the Swiss set these deadlines. We had accepted the assurances of the other challengers that the AC90 Class Rule was fair, but the Swiss should know by now that we aren’t going to drop the lawsuit without working out the final details. If they had any hopes of running the next America’s Cup in 2009, they have just kissed them goodbye. Next time we see the Swiss will be in the New York Supreme Court when Justice Cahn hands down his decision. -- To read the complete announcement: http://www.ggyc.com/071113%20Alinghi%20Ends%20Settlement%20Talks.doc => Curmudgeon’s Comment: The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) has posted on their website the letter that the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG)/Alinghi sent to GGYC/BMW Oracle Racing, and the letter BOR CEO Russell Coutts sent back to them. Good stuff! ~ From SNG/Alinghi: http://www.ggyc.com/071113%20Letter%20SNG.pdf ~ From Coutts: http://www.ggyc.com/071113-GGYC-SNG%20Coutts%20letter.pdf ON BOATS AND HISTORY by Carol Cronin, 2004 US Olympic Yngling Representative As usual with ISAF meetings, it wasn’t over until the Council finally sang. And recent history tells us it’s still not really over, not until next year when the equipment is chosen. Remember 1999? Only two Olympic quads ago, the Council selected keelboat match racing as the new women’s medal for 2004. One year later, they backpedaled to women’s keelboat fleet racing and selected the Yngling as the newest member of the Olympic family. Yes that was then, and this is 2007/8. But has anything really changed? The answer, fortunately, is yes. Equipment options are better now, and the equipment is a very, very big issue for match racing since boats will be supplied. Over the past eight years the Yngling has been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but droop hiking is considered too dangerous for match racing’s signature tight maneuverings, so it is unlikely to be reselected. In 2000, other classes considered included the J/22, a well respected class sailed around the world – usually by four women, rather than three. The Sonar has a similar crew weight issue, and the Lightning is not quite a keelboat. That’s how we ended up with the Yngling. For 2012, two designs just granted ISAF recognized class status can be added to the list of possibilities: the Laser SB3 and the Ultimate 20. -- SailJuice blog, read on: http://tinyurl.com/24olnf FREE SHIPPING... That's right, Team One Newport is offering Free Ground Shipping for any orders placed by November 26th via the website. Put FSHI07 in the Search Box and get your free shipping. You can plan your Holiday and Winter regatta purchases while saving money! Get the latest and greatest from Henri-Lloyd, Musto, Gill, Patagonia, Harken (look for their Frostbite Glove Special), Slam, Dubarry, Sperry, Sebago, Ocean Racing bags & wallets, Kokatat drysuits, Suunto, Optimum Watches, Kaenon, Gerber tools and even the Vanguard, Laser and Sunfish clothing! Call 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327) or visit http://www.team1newport.com JOYFUL EXUBERANCE OF YOUTH SAILORS by J. Ryan Parker Incredible, or as the crew around me described it “AWESOME” or “FRESH.” I was on the rail looking upwind into a 25+ knot gust as our J/105 surfed down a wave while tuning up before the first race of the day. We were preparing for the races at the 2007 J/105 North Americans in Annapolis, MD, and the driver called out the speed with awe in his voice. “13 knots, 14 KNOTS.” As I took a look around at the crew, I could see the excitement in their young eyes. I could only wonder how they would react to my next request, given that this was the first time they had sailed with the kite up in over 20 knots. So I waited for a lull in the wind and said, “So lets try a gybe.” And with less hesitation than I expected, they started to perform a gybe. And as any boat that was around us tuning up will tell you, it was a spectacular wipe out worthy of a Sailing World Dr. Crash posting if anyone had taken a picture. Although it was a very nervous moment for both the crew and me, it was also one of my proudest moments of the four days of racing because of how well the juniors rebounded from the wipe out. We would later find out from Steve Palm of Kattack (which was tracking the regatta and providing awesome post race synopsis) that our actual top speed was 16 knots. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/1110 OLD SAILING BELTS NEEDED You know those sailing belts of yours… “SORC 1987”, “Key West 1991”, or that really tacky one with the “Marlins and Anchors”… It’s time to pass them on to a worthy cause. The belts will be used by a company in Cambridge, Ontario that is designing school bags and pencil cases for a Home/ School for HIV/AIDS orphans located in the country of Lesotho, a land locked country located in the midst of the north east of South Africa. The school (called Rachel’s House) has 38 residents, and it is the goal of the ‘Pennies for Lesotho’ program to provide each resident with a bag filled with school supplies. A STAPLES store in Kitchener, Ontario is packing each bag with an extensive list of school supplies. The project’s creative director, Joanne Jones, has scavenged the sails (from some long time ‘Butt readers/ Etchells sailors) to make the school bags, but needs more old regatta belts for bag handles and to decorate the pencil cases. The school bags will be shipped to Lesotho during the months of December and January in time for the new school year in January. The mailing address is: mined reCREATIONS 1916 Coronation Blvd. Cambridge, Ontario, N3H 3S3, Canada To learn more about the program, go to (and scroll down) http://www.minedrecreations.com/mined_about_town.cfm?urlval=4 A CAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Isla Morada, Florida (November 13, 2007) Winds for the second day of racing were much lighter at around 7 to 8 knots and starting to die out. The RC was probably lucky to get in two races with the wind lightening up as it did. The SI’s require a minimum amount of wind at each mark before a race can be started. The wind for the last race was not much above that minimum. Needless to say, the huge, horrid chop had flattened out a bit, although it still could not be considered smooth sailing. The worst thing for the day was the tremendous volume of kelp that kept snagging boards and rudders, slowing the boats and a tough feat to clear while single-handing. -- The Catamaran Sailor, full daily report: http://www.catsailor.com/Stories_Temp/AWorlds07DayTwo.html Series Standing (top six of ninety-eight) 1. Lars Guck (USA) 2-1-3-1, 7 2. Glenn Ashby (AUS) 1- 3- 1-2, 7 3. Pete Melvin (USA) 10-2-2-3, 17 4. Luc Du Bois (SUE) 13-5-5-6, 29 5. Matt Struble (USA) 9-13-6- 4, 32 6, Charlie Ogletree (USA) 8-15-8-5, 36 Complete results: http://tinyurl.com/2cycff Event website: http://www.acatworlds.com BARCELONA WORLD RACE (November 13, 2007) Conditions are still trying for the Barcelona World Race doublehanded fleet as they struggle to fight through the light winds plaguing the western Mediterranean. The calm conditions have been the predominant factor through the first two full days of racing and the slow start is beginning to wear on the skippers. “Last night was frustrating, not really tactical – more a lot of nothing, and that's the hardest thing; you can't really put the autopilot on, there's a lot of sails going up and down, so it's busy and frustrating,” reported Hugo Boss skipper Alex Thomson. “We feel like we're sticking to the water like glue...” And it looks like it is going to get worse before it gets better. The forecast shows an area of almost no wind extending over the area where the fleet will be racing tonight. Over the past 24 hours, Delta Dore has made the biggest jump, it’s strategy of sailing along the coast paying dividends overnight last night: “We didn’t want to follow the first guys and preferred to go to the shore,” explained skipper Jérémie Beyou. “It took a long time to get there but now we know it is a good place for the breeze at night and it was good last night so we hope for the same again.” -- Read on: http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com/default.asp?section=10&sid=10530 Positions as of November 13, 2007 - 18:05 (GMT) 1. PRB - Vincent Riou (FRA)/Sébastien Josse (FRA), 24,268DTF 2. Paprec-Virbac 2 - Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA)/Damian Foxall (IRE), 9 miles DTL 3. Estrella Damm - Guillermo Altadill (ESP)/Jonathan McKee (USA), 33 4. Delta Dore - Jérémie Beyou (FRA)/Sidney Gavignet (FRA), 36 5. Temenos II - Dominique Wavre (SUI)/Michéle Paret (FRA), 37 6. Hugo Boss - Alex Thomson (GBR)/Andrew Cape (AUS), 45 7. Mutua Madrilena - Javier Sanso Windmann (ESP)/Pachi Rivero (ESP), 57 8. Veolia Environnement - Roland Jourdain (FRA)/Jean-Luc Nélias (FRA), 60 9. Educación sin Fronteras -Albert Bargués (ESP)/Servanne Escoffier (FRA),168 Race website: http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com PURE TECHNOLOGY. When talking about technological advancements in marine electronics… look no further. Ockam leads the way in sailing instrument technology by utilizing an advanced scientific approach to ensure the most reliable and accurate real-time data available. The powerful Tryad processor allows for easy sensor input calibration and processes information in 3D using pitch and roll and now has the ability to log all your data in its flash memory without an onboard PC. The new Matryx II graphical display uses transflective LCD technology to deliver crystal clear information, strip-charts and system control. OCKAM: a distinct competitive advantage. For information, contact: mailto:sales@ockam.com SAILING SHORTS * Amsterdam, Holland (November 13, 2007) -- Today at the METS Show (Marine Equipment Trade Show), a digital tension gauge by Harken called the RigTune Pro was honored with a Special Mention at the 2007 DAME Award competition in the Deck Equipment Sails and Rigging category. Also, in recognition of Harken's consistently innovative products and overall contribution to the marine industry, the DAME Award jury named Harken the "Company of the Decade" in 2000. -- http://www.harken.com/press/Harken-Rigtune.php * (November 13, 2007) After ten days, the monohull fleet in the Transat Jacques Vabre, a 4,300-mile doublehanded ocean race from Le Harve, France to Salvador, Brazil, continues to be led by Ecover III, Mike Golding/ Bruno Dubois (Open 60; 1825 mile DTF) and Télécom Italia, Giovanni Soldini/Pietro D'ali (Class 40; 2513 miles DTF). The multihull contingent is on their ninth day, with the leaders being Groupama, Franck Cammas/Steve Ravussin (ORMA 60; 359 miles DTF) and Crèpes Whaou!,Franck Yves Escoffier/Karine Fauconnier (Class 50; 1797 miles DTF). Groupama is expected to be the first finisher by noon Wednesday. -- Event website: http://www.jacques-vabre.com/en * The organizers of the Transat B to B have announced that Ecover has become the main title partner for the race, which will now be called the Transat Ecover B to B. This will be the first year for the race, which was created to provide the participants of the Transat Jacques Vabre with a single-handed IMOCA 60’ race that will get the boats back to Europe and also be a qualifier for the Vendée Globe 2008/ 2009 that starts next November. Currently, 15 boats are set to start on November 25, 2007 for the Transat Ecover B to B from Brazil to France. -- http://www.transatbtob.com * Lewmar Marine plc has announced the sale of its yacht and architectural rigging subsidiary, Seco South Inc, to the company's management team. Navtec, the rigging division of Lewmar Marine plc, acquired Florida-based Seco South as part of a merger with Norsemann Gibb in 1995. Seco South has supplied OEM rigging to the majority of sailboat manufacturing companies in the US for over 25 years. Lewmar Marine plc is the holding company of Lewmar and Navtec. -- IBI News, full announcement: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20071013122419ibinews.html * The Brasil Sailing Cup, Stage 14 of the 2006 –’07 World Match Racing Tour, is scheduled for November 14-18, 2007 in Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Twelve teams will compete for the $150,000.00 prize purse, including 4 of the top 5 from the current Tour leader board. Among the participants are tour leader Ian Williams (GBR) – Team Pindar and second place Mathieu Richard (FRA) – Saba Sailing Team, and with only one remaining event on the tour following the Brasil Sailing Cup, there is much on for these two teams. -- http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com * Correction: In Issue 2473, the lead story in SAILING SHORTS had the event name omitted from the report. Hosted by Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, the event was the 9th Great Oaks Invitational, which was created to provide national-level experience for developing High School teams that have not qualified for either the Mallory (doublehanded fleet racing nationals) or Baker (team racing nationals) Regattas in the previous four years. Also, a member of the third place team was Chelsea Carlson from Sarasota High, not Chelsea Clinton as was previously reported. -- Full report: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=5517 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 Libby Johnson McKee: I am appalled, yes appalled that once again ISAF takes the safe, conservative route in Olympic event selection, and seems utterly oblivious to what are the new directions of the sport. In their choices for the Olympic events, they have bowed to the institutional inertia that will keep the old, slow, 30 year old designs sailing for the next millennium. I am sure the decisions and choices are difficult but I would like the governing body of our sport to lead, not follow. Leadership would mean taking a risk and tapping into the excitement that is out there on the water - A Class, Moths, Skiffs, Kiting - and including some of these ideas with the traditional boats. Leaving out the new waves of technology is a lost opportunity. Leaving out the skiff for women is particularly short sighted. Great - leave us sailing the 470 forever, while the guys get to zip around and have a blast in boats like the 49er. It also means that the most talented young women sailors will train themselves to be the best in this old technology, not in the new high performance disciplines, widening a knowledge gap that already exists. * From Dieter Loibner: Nearly to the day 40 years after the Tornado was designed by Rodney March in 1967, ISAF sounded the death knell for the Olymipc career of this catamaran. I shed a tear, because I grew up bouncing around on the trampoline of Baby Doll, which was one of the first Tornados ever built (original sail number K4), a plywood boat that won its share of races with Reg White at the helm. Maybe it was time for this venerable class to follow the Dragon, the Soling and the Flying Dutchman into the Olympic pension so it might thrive without the five rings. But was it time to kill Olympic multihull sailing altogether? Hard to believe, but this will be the future if the IOC accepts the ISAF decision. “The ten events chosen for the London Games provide a perfect showcase of the wide range and diversity of sailing,” ISAF President Göran Petersson was quoted in the ISAF press release. “I am certain they will form the backbone of a terrific Olympic Sailing Competition in 2012.” I didn’t follow the politicking behind the scenes surrounding this vote, but somehow I can’t believe that Olympic sailing events without a multihull class constitute an accurate representation of the sport. * From Paolo Sheaffer: I cannot believe ISAF scrapped the fastest boat, and one of the few inspirational classes in the Olympics. The 470 lends itself well to being an open division. Look at the US 470 Trials, or the 1984 Olympics. Instead we have two divisions sailing an average boat. The Tornado class may be better off without Olympic status in the long run, but ISAF really stepped on their external genitals this time. With all due respect, why don't they swap the 49er for the Ensign? They can use the same infrastructure required by the Stars. * From Digby Fox: I’d very much like to be considered for a position on the ISAF Council. I believe I have the right sort of logical intelligence displayed in the esteemed committee’s decision to drop multihulls from the Olympics. In fact, I would have dropped windsurfing too; kitesurfing’s much more in. And talking of paring down events, the 200m track could go, it’s a bit like the 100 isn’t it? Same for swimming/ rowing/ skating etc. In horsing, dressage I mean, really, poncing around going sideways and backwards?! Put ‘em in the circus! Luge theme park ride. Taekwondo tricky to spell. Synchronized swimming oops, overstepped the mark there. Anyway, back to the serious point, I’m a natural for the job. More than qualified. A shoe-in… I’ll get my tailor to rustle up some blazers… WIN LINE 7 GEAR THIS WEEK Line 7 is teaming up with Scuttlebutt and giving away a new Line 7 Offshore jacket and Aquatec 2 pants to a new e-Newsletter subscriber who has signed up between Oct 22 and Nov 15, 2007. If you are not already an e-Newsletter subscriber, or would like to help out your sailing pals, spread the word and join the Scuttlebutt community to earn a chance at winning some new gear ($600 USD value). Line 7 has been the official clothing supplier for the past twelve years to Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup, and just recently became the official clothing supplier for the World Match Racing Tour. Complete free subscription details at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/subscribe CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION 'Political Correctness’ is a doctrine fostered by a delusional minority and the mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. Special thanks to Team One Newport and Ockam Instruments. |
