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SCUTTLEBUTT 1393 - August 14, 2003Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest 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 and personal attacks for elsewhere. FASTNET RACE The Rolex Fastnet Race, now into its fourth day, has been marked by light winds, strong tides and slow progress across the fleet. Although six boats have made it to the finish line in Plymouth, at 16:00 this afternoon 90 boats had still not rounded the Fastnet Rock lighthouse 260 miles up the track. After the thrilling duel between Alfa Romeo and Zephyrus V, that resulted in the former snatching line honours in sight of the finish line at 19:00 on Tuesday, it was another two hours before Charles Dunstone's Nokia slid across the line at the finish of the Rolex Fastnet Race, setting the IRC reference time to beat for the Fastnet Challenge Cup. First of the Open 60s, Sebastian Josse's VMI, found the line off Plymouth Breakwater at 01:30 this morning, there were no more finishers until late this afternoon today when the orange-hulled Open 60 PRB drifted past the last hurdle. Sailing conditions for the fleet have been nothing but slow today. Light and patchy winds have dogged the fleet everywhere it has gone over the last 24 hours and many boats have used their anchors to hold progress against the strong spring tides. - Trish Jenkins, http://www.rorc.org/fastnet/prnokia.php GUEST COMMENTARY - Magnus Wheatley Let's take the Fastnet Race as an example before sponsors commit to any future offshore sailing project. The coverage was at best, hopeless, and as a blue-ribbon event it hardly even registered on the radar of the media at large. Okay, say the hacks (and I'm ashamed to say I'm one of them), sailing isn't a mainstream sport, well it never will be unless there are reporters actually on the boats giving flavour and colour to the sport. A one-line, out of date position report on the RORC website quite frankly isn't good enough in today's world of multi-media. It would be marvelous to receive a brief account every six hours from onboard one of the 'glamour' boats but instead the public gets next to nothing. The owners are culpable, the skippers are culpable, the organizers are culpable, indeed the journalists are to some extent culpable whilst the sponsors don't seem to know what year it is. There are good, young, fit, informed journalists out there who can do it, if only sailing's hierarchy would wake up and smell the coffee. Look what Paul Cayard did for the 1997-1998 round the world race. Look what Andrew Preece did for Kingfisher in the multi-hull RTW challenge or go and talk to Russell Coutts and hear what his plans are for the next AC and the amount of info that will be coming off the boats. The first name on the crew list should be the media guy, no question, and if just one boat in the Fastnet had thought about it, they could have stolen the show. Glenn Bourke....are you listening? The Volvo and all other offshore races will be dead ducks if attitudes don't change and the sport will simply pass by un-noticed. Change or die, it's 2003 not 1983. US JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS U.S. Junior Singlehanded Championship for the Smythe Trophy North Cape Yacht Club, LaSalle MI - Kyle Kovacs representing the Brant Beach Yacht Club and Area C finished first, four points ahead of the second place finisher Reed Johnson from the Toms River Yacht Club, Toms River, NJ. Complete results: http://www.ussailing.org/youth/racing/jc/Smythe/2003/results.htm U.S. Junior Doublehanded Championship for the Bemis Trophy North Cape Yacht Club, MI - Frank Tybor and Mandi Markee representing the San Diego Yacht Club and Area J finished first, ahead of the second place team from the Centerport Yacht Club, Centerport NY. Complete results: http://www.ussailing.org/youth/racing/jc/Bemis/2003/results.htm U.S. Junior Triplehanded Championship for the Sears Trophy Detroit Yacht Club, MI - Baker Potts, Allan LeBlanc and Edward Levert representing the Southern Yacht Club and Area D finished first, 18 points ahead of the second place team from the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. Complete results: http://www.ussailing.org/youth/racing/jc/Sears/2003/Results.asp VISUALLY IMPAIRED Peter Isler is. John Kilroy, Jr. is. And so is Pete Spaulding. Kaenon Polarized Rx can correct your vision. We corrected theirs. Enjoy our award-winning lens technology in your prescription. Ask for Kaenon Polarized Rx at one of these fine optical dispensers: Sunglass and Optical Warehouse, San Diego; l.a. Eyeworks, South Coast Plaza; Seattle Sunglass Company; Eye Glass Shoppe, Honolulu; Europtics, Denver; Eye Gallery, Atlanta; Edward Beiner, Miami; Colonial Opticians, Potomac; Alain Mikli, NYC. For more, contact us at info@kaenon.com or visit our website for a dispenser near you. Our technology with your doctor's orders. http://www.kaenon.com BETSY ALISON US Sailing Team women's Olympic keelboat campaigner Betsy Alison became the first woman ever to win the Yngling World Championships. Here is Part One of a two-part interview Betsy recently had with Scuttlebutt: Scuttlebutt: This is the first Olympic cycle for the Yngling class. How has the class accepted becoming an Olympic class? Betsy Alison: The Yngling class has always been very much a family-oriented class. I think that when you introduce the "Olympic element" to any class, it changes the dynamics a little bit. I think that in the Yngling class, the women that have jumped into the class are obviously maximizing the potential of the boat and raising the technical bar. Technologically, we are looking at things a little bit differently, we're pushing limits and we're trying to develop new equipment. There was a big hue and cry over introducing carbon spinnaker poles and carbon tillers. It certainly makes the boat better, but it introduces a higher level of cost to most of the sailors in the fleet. Some people feel that in order to compete at the top right now they have to match what we're doing. I think that poses a little bit of a problem for some of the stalwarts in the class. But then on the other hand, we're bringing new things to the class and sharing them with the class, in hope that we can be a benefit to the class. There are some people that I think are resentful of the women being there, pushing so hard and raising the bar as high as we've done. I would hope that we're welcome in the class and I hope we're not doing anything to irritate people. Scuttlebutt: We understand your team has a new member. Betsy Alison: One of our greatest assets is our Norwegian coach. In April, we started working with a new coach, Espen Stokkeland, and he has been a great neutralizer for us. With Espen, we are really a team of four as opposed to a team of three now. Where Espen's been great is that he has a strong knowledge based on the Yngling. He was on a crew that won the Yngling Worlds in '90, he has ten years of Soling campaign experience and a bronze medal from Sydney, plus he was working as a navigator with the Victory challenge syndicate in Auckland so he knows the differences little things can make. Espen has guided us down this path where he has had a lot of experience before, and experience is a great teacher. Particularly in the last four months, his outside influence has accelerated our learning process, kept us directed, focused and on track with where we need to go. We may have gotten to the same place without Espen, but not nearly as quickly. His influence and outside observations have kept us from being critical of each other. We're being more constructive, and it's really helped us grow as a team together. Scuttlebutt: Talk to us about communication. Betsy Alison: I think that the biggest challenge that any team faces going into one of these campaigns is being able to communicate well both on and off the water. Sometimes the on-water communication is far easier because it is all part of the game we play and the job we do out there. But it is as equally important off the water. We realized early on how critical it was to step up to the plate to clear the air because how you interact off the water is a big component in terms of how you function on the water. Being efficient at what you say, and being positive in how you say it is a key to success. I think we have done a good job of that. - Complete interview: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/interview/balison/8-03.html Campaign information: http://www.challengeus.org Curmudgeon's comment: Look for Part Two of the interview on Friday. TARTAN TEN NAs Cleveland YC - Final results, six races with one discard (45 boats): 1. US, Rick Strilky, Chicago Corinthian YC, 17; 2. Voodoo, Grunsten/ Flinn, Chicago YC, 19; 3. Twins, Carroll, Cleveland YC, 24. - http://www.tten.com/ A STICKY QUESTION At Hall Spars & Rigging, we specialize in answers to sticky questions. If you have sheaves that don't turn, cam cleats that won't open, or lines that refuse to run smoothly through blocks - we have your answers! Whether you simply need a can of McLube or a new part, we've got it. Browse our online store or send us an email with your question…the stickier, the better! http://www.hallspars.com NEWS BRIEFS * New on the web: Sailboat Technology.com offers a wealth of technology resources to the sailboat design and research community. Its main objective is to enhance knowledge and promote communication among yacht designers, naval architects, sailmakers, researchers, students and sailors. It features the first and only online References Database on sailboat technology including more that 1,000 references from journals, conferences, theses, magazines, etc.; forums, to discuss technical matters; a Glossary of technical terms; a calendar of Conferences; links to free Software and online Articles. - http://www.sailboat-technology.com * The CCA took time out from its annual Spring business meeting this year to celebrate the career of Olin Stephens - the man who has had as much influence on the sport of recreational sailing and yacht racing as anyone in the world, and is arguably, the greatest yacht designer of the twentieth century. * As England basked in temperatures that sometimes topped the Caribbean's, two lucky competitors at Skandia Cowes Week walked away with BVI vacations at next year's BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival presented by Nanny Cay Marina one on-shore and the other afloat. Fiona Brady from Warwick won a week's stay at the world-renowned Bitter End Yacht Club while Sarah Kafetz from London will be racing onboard a Bavaria 36 courtesy of Horizon Yacht Charters. - www.bvispringregatta.org * Correction: The lead story in Scuttlebutt 1392 about the Fastnet Race commented that Zephyrus V won the Daimler Chrysler Trans-Atlantic race that was sailed in June of this year. Actually, Zephyrus V had rudder bearing problems and had to withdraw from the race, which was won by Zarraffa, Skippered by Skip Sheldon who won both IMS & IRC divisions. HOBIE BENCH SEATS New on the market from Sit 'n' Sail, catamaran benches for the Hobie 16. These are "Bench Seats" that you sit on; they attach to your trampoline frame using our supplied stainless steel bracket hardware. We have field tested these products for about one year, and they are rock-solid. This is a legitimate product made by a Hobie enthusiast for other Hobie enthusiasts to enjoy. They are not available anywhere else, inside or outside of the U.S. Go ahead, just try to find some. We are a new company, Sit 'n' Sail, and we'd like to promote our revolutionary new product for the popular Hobie 16 market. It's hard to believe that no one made these Bench Seats until now. Again, this is a legitimate product made by a Hobie enthusiast, and now you can have a pair on your boat and begin sailing in total comfort, while remaining high and dry. This product was developed and engineered over the course of one year. The inspiration began with a desire to make the Hobie 16 catamaran more comfortable and family oriented. We also had a desire to breathe some extra life into a hobby that had somewhat peaked over the years. We saw significant potential with the popular Hobie 16 cat. Surprisingly, up until now, there has been no other product like Sit 'n' Sail Bench Seats developed exclusively for the Hobie 16. - TheBeachCats.com, full story: http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=67 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar BOOMERANG Goetz 80' custom carbon fiber (1996) by Frers, complete with two containers of spare parts, fifty-five sails, two masts, two booms and a record of prestigious accoumplishments around the world. Boomerang is in covered storage in Newport, RI, attractively priced, looking for a new home. Contact Bill Sanderson via bs@pal.cnyachts.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) (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 or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Allan Prior: Many organizations already mandate propeller guards for rescue boats (see attached from Australian Surf life saving, for Guards for rescue boats). These guards are very simple to fit; most engine manufacturers already have these available. Surely coaches, etc., should follow what professional Life Guards already practice. This way nobody has to rush out and buy new boats, etc. Solas rescue boats for large pleasure boats incorporate these also. We have 2 x Yamaha 90's with Guards. Jet boats are difficult for novices to drive. http://www.slsa.asn.au/upload/documents/s50291494118167_4.3%20Propeller%20safety%20guards%20for%20use%20on%20IRBs.pdf * From Jamie Horner, Canada (Re Chris Robertson on the maneuverability of jet drives and the dangers of propeller boat): Seems the kiwis are not just good sailors. The Hamiliton Jet boat designed in NZ in the 1950's has no external rotating parts, single turn lock-lock steering that feels like power assist, zero speed maneuvering, and infinite control between forward and reverse. www.hamjet.co.nz/index.cfm/The_Hamilton_Waterjet/Waterjet_Advantages.html * From Peter Willcox: I have a couple comments about the jet boat thread. One is that I was surprised to see Chris Robinson's comment that jet boats were less maneuverable than propeller boats. My experience is that while jet boats do maneuver differently from prop boats, they are at least as, if not more maneuverable than prop boats. Many years ago, we tried putting guards around the props of our inflatables to make them safer around swimmers. These guards were I think being used by either Kiwi or Australian lifeguards. They were shaped much like Kort Nozzles on tugs: a round guard around the outside of the blades. They also had a couple thin horizontal blades at the front. They worked well except for slightly reducing the top speed of the boat. I would recommend them to anyone who wants a safer boat around swimmers without going to the cost of a new jet. * From Roy Sherman: Just a quick reminder that OLN is still showing sailboat racing on Sunday at 3PM Eastern. While the show may not be the most up to date each week (last week was 2002 match cup) we should support it when we can. If you like to watch the match racing events they do show some of the interesting parts. * From Jerry Coe: It is welcome news, long overdue, that Alan Bond is to be inducted in the America's Cup Hall of Fame. But where is the designer of Australia II, Ben Lexcen? He conceived the use of an upside-down keel, plus wings, the whole design yielding a 12 meter that was fast in both light and heavy air upwind, and demonstrably faster than Liberty downwind. It seems likely that Australia II was the lightest of all the 12 meters in 1983, and yet she was as good or better than any in a breeze upwind. In the following 1987 AC challenge raced at Fremantle, every 12 meter had low ballast and some kind of wings. Ben Lexcen had the concept; he tested his design, believed the results, and risked his reputation (and Alan Bond's money) on a radical innovation. His name is on the design; his name is on a Dutch patent for keel wings. He may have been stimulated and helped by technical exchange at the Dutch testing pool. But he is the designer of Australia II. I believe it a travesty that he has been denied a place in the AC Hall of Fame. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens. |
