SCUTTLEBUTT #313 - April 19, 1999

MADRO WINS SOLING NATIONALS
Platinum Point Yacht Club, Punta Gorda, on the West Coast of Florida.
Final results following the match racing:
1. Jeff Madrigali with Craig Healy and Hartwell Jordan
2. Tom Burnham with Brenner and Gale
3. Harry Melges Jr., with Porter and Hans Melges
4. Bill Abbot with M. Abbot and Brad Boston

Fleet racing final standings: 1. Harry Melges/Porter/Hans Melges (15) 2. Andrew Horton /Buttner /Herlihy (20) 3. Madrigali /Healy/ Jordan (20) 4. Burnham /Brenner /Gale (24) 5. Abbot /M.Abbot /Brad Boston (27) 6. Hans Fogh /Finch /Wolff (30)

Event website: http://ussailing.pshift.com/

US SAILING PRE-OLYMPIC TRIALS
STARS -- San Francisco Sailing Center, Treasure Island (6 races, 17 boats) Final results: 1 MARK REYNOLDS/MAGNUS LILJEDAHL (19) 2. HOWIE SHIEBLER/RICH PETERS (23) 3. PETER VESSELLA/MIKE (26) 4. JOHN MACCAUSLAND/PHIL TRINTER (27) 5. MARC PICKEL/THOMAS AURACHER (30.8) 6. BILL BUCHAN/MARK BRINK (37) 7. ERIC DOYLE/BRIAN (39)

Complete results: http://www.stfyc.com/race-office/99race/99raceresults.html

EUROPE DINGHY -- San Francisco YC (7 races, 18 boats): 1. MEG GAILLARD (7) 2. DANIELLE B. MYRDAL (14) 3. AMANDA CLARK (15) 4. LINDA WENNERSTROM (25) 5. KRYSIA POHL (28) 6. SAMANTHA BARNES (29)

Complete results: http://ussailing.pshift.com/

LASER - San Francisco YC (7 races, 33 boats): 1. MARK MENDELBLATT (11) 2. BRETT DAVIS (25) 3. BILL HARDESTY (26) 4. JOHN MYRDAL (28) 5. JOHN TORGERSON (35) 6. CHARLES MEADE (42) 7. BENJAMIN RICHARDSON (45) 8. ANDY LOVELL (47) 9. MATTIA D'ERRICO (50) 10. MARC JACOBI (57)

Complete results: http://ussailing.pshift.com/

FINN -- Richmond YC (8 races, 25 boats): 1. Darrell Peck (11) 2. Russ Silvestri (18) 3. Eric Oetgen (20) 4. Michael Deyett (32) 5. John Porter (35) 6. Andrew Kern (50) 7. Mark Herrman (55) 8. John Callahan (59) 9. Scott Griffiths (60) 10. Geoffrey Ewenson (60)

Complete results: http://ussailing.pshift.com/

HYERES WEEK -- La Semaine Olympique Francaise de Voile BIG WIND! The 470s had three races, the 49ers did not had the opportunity to sail today because of the 32 knots East wind. Lots of boats broke their masts and sails especially in Finn and Soling Class.

Partial results: 470 MEN: 1. FOERSTER Paul/MERRICK Bob, USA (9.00) 2. HOOPER Cameron/PAGE Malcom, AUS (9.00) 3. KOCH Michael/THEUERKAUF Stefan, GER (10.00) 4. BONNAUD Benjamin/BONNAUD Romai FRA (11.00) 5. YAMADA Kan/TOMODA Takashi, JPN (17.00) 479 WOMEN: 1. CARLSSON Lena/CARLSSON Agneta, SWE (5.00) 2. DANKS Jeni/BUCEK Addy, AUS (9.00) 3 WARD Susanne/WARD Michaela, DEN (13.00) 4. ROTHWEILER Stefanie/LEU Monika, GER (14.00) 5. KEDMI Shani/FABRIKANT, ISR (17.00) 6. CONNOR Whitney/KRATZIG Elizabe, USA (19.00)

Complete results:
http://asso.ffv.fr/grandes_epreuves/1999/sof/la_SOF_daily/sof_index_GB.html

IT WORKS EVERYWHERE
You don't have to sail on the Atlantic Ocean to appreciate the benefits of Gill's breathable Atlantic GORE-TEX foul weather gear. The jacket features a built-in internal safety harness channel, reflective tape and the snug fitting peaked Southern Ocean hood. It's perfect for those who have no interest in sailing the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race but want the protection and comfort that Ocean GORE-TEX products provide: http://www.douglasgill.com

PROFESSIONAL SAILING
Next week's The 1D48 Chesapeake Grand Prix will feature one of the grandest collections of rock stars ever assembled in one class:

-- John Risley's Numbers -- Russell Coutts, Brad Butterworth and the remainder of the 'Numbers' crew are members of Team New Zealand.
-- Dr. Jim Andrews' Abracadabra -- John Kolius, Kurt Oetking and the 'Abracadabra' crew are members of the Waikiki-based Aloha Challenge.
-- Peter Gordon's Prime Outlets -- Terry Hutchinson (AmericaOne) & John Bertrand.
-- George Collins' Chessie Racing -- Ken Read & Peter Holmberg from Team Dennis Conner.
-- Jay Ecklund's Starlight -- Ed Baird, Jim Brady and the 'Starlight' crew are members of the New York YC's Young America Challenge.
-- Doug DeVos' Windquest -- Kimo Worthington of the Young America Challenge is tactician

1D48 website: http://www.1d48.com/

LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
We read all e-mail (except jokes) but simply can't publish every letter. Those printed here are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks.

-- From Jeffrey Littell -- George Isdale (NYYC Commodore) must have been interviewed by USA Today on April Fools Day, and they are just now getting around to publishing his interview. The management style of the NYYC while they held the America's Cup is well known. Turnabout by the New Zealand group is merely fair play.

-- From David DeHorn -- In response to NYYC Commodore George Isdale's comments about the defenders right to venue, etc: What did we (NYYC) do for 132 years? I'm all for an even playing field, but we (NYYC) were famous for making our own rules for many years, many that severely handicapped the challengers. Isn't that what made the Australian win in 1983 even more of a feat, and an embarrassment to us? They beat us at our own game, with our rules. Now it is time to go down there with their rules and beat them at their game. Like it or not, that's what the America's cup is all about and we made it that way. NYYC, if you want a professionally managed independent forum for racing take your boat and your team and go race PHRF.

-- From Rich Roberts -- In case Matt Jones didn't read his 'Butt today, Bill Healy is right. Arthur "Sail Your Boat Right" Knapp won the Star worlds in 1924 (Long Island Sound, 10 boats) as crew for Robinson (sorry, Star Log doesn't list first names) and in 1930 (Chesapeake Bay, 22 boats) as skipper, with Weed as crew.

-- From Tink Chambers -- I was in Auckland on April Fool's Day and found the tradition to be alive, well and fun, not pathetic. The New Zealand Herald published a full page article featuring a new mouse, complete with air vents and racing stripes which re-charged laptop computer batteries while being used, having a miniature dynamo inside it! However that was outdone big time on the 11 pm TV news which featured a breaking story that the International Date Line was being moved to the West of New Zealand so that Sydney Australia would be the first city into the new millenium. Good, clean, healthy fun that stimulated lots of great discussion!

-- From Craig Alan Levin -- What skipper would risk his/her own banishment by taking on board one of these suspended sailors? I do not think it is the Race Organizers' responsibility to check crew eligibility. I was surprised that the skippers of the respective yachts involved did not also receive some sanctions from USSA. I do hope that the Golisons seriously review these yachts entries in the future.

If alcohol was part of the response from the suspended crew, they should have also been sent to substance abuse counseling. If it were a DUI, they would have been.

-- From Jennie Fitzhardinge, Perth, Australia. -- In response to Chris Welsh's comments regarding on the water coaching. One of the best things about belonging to Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (in Perth, Western Australia) is our coaching programme. On most weekends during the summer club racing season, our coach John Cassidy will be found following one of the RFBYC fleets around the river giving tips on sail trim while we race. At the conclusion of the race, he then gives a full debrief aided by a video of the race and the good old whiteboard.

The coaching schedule for each fleet is published well in advance, so there is no excuse for not being out on the water to take advantage of this service. As a rookie Dragon skipper, I have found the times that he has coached our fleet invaluable (usually two to three times a season). I have learnt not only from my own mistakes but also my rivals' (as it is all captured so cruelly on video!).

During the recent Dragon Nationals which RFBYC hosted, John obviously couldn't coach on the water, however he videotaped the races, then gave a debrief at the end of each day (some visiting crews also attended these debriefs). Again, as a backmarker, it was great to be able to see the skill with which the leaders handled their boats and to LEARN from them and John's commentary.

If a club truly wants to develop sailing and give value for membership fees, a good on-the-water coaching programme (outside of championship races) is definitely one way to do that.

-- From Chris Welsh (Re: the infamous wind buoy) -- With used AC boats all over the place, anchor one out there with 3 B&G sets of wind gear on the mast - presto, you're in business

-- From Neil W. Humphrey -- Agree with the suspensions of those individuals who forgot sailing is sport and like all sports the battle is on the water and stays there. BUT I think that US Sailing missed a great opportunity by not getting these individuals to do community work by contributing to junior programs in the way of helping out and being humbled.

FOR HIRE
Chris Dickson - as much a part of the modern-day America's Cup as his old nemesis-turned-mate Dennis Conner - is offering his services, on a strictly part-time basis, to any cup syndicate who would like to put him to good use. The idea is to pit his match racing skills, as a three-time world champion, against the syndicate's skipper and crew. He has already spent a few days out with Italian challenger Prada, sailing against Francesco de Angelis, this summer.

Dickson loves it. He says he has absolutely no intention of sailing in the America's Cup, even though he is qualified to sail for a United States challenger. "This way, I just rock up to the base at 9 am, go racing for the day, and I'm home at six. It's all fun and no responsibility," he laughs. "I'm not siding with any team, but I'm available to anyone. Anyone who wants a gun to hire for the day. Anyone who doesn't want the cost of a helmsman on the payroll fulltime.

"I love going out there match racing. It's a skill that once you've got it, you seem to keep it. "I've had no problem sliding back behind the wheel of an America's Cup boat and matchracing with confidence." -- Suzanne McFadden, New Zealand Herald

VOLVO OCEAN RACE
Discussions continue with potential syndicates and we are pleased to announce the following new registrations:

NOKIA SAILING TEAM -- This syndicate has purchased the two `Swedish Match' V.O. 60s which are at present lying in Gothenburg, Sweden. They will shortly depart for their new training base in the Tuborg Yacht Center, Copenhagen.

TEAM LAWRIE SMITH -- The first British syndicate to register for the Volvo Ocean. Lawrie Smith has unparalleled experience as the only Briton to have skippered boats in the last three Round The World Races: Rothmans (1989-90), Intrum Justitia (1993-94) and Silk Cut (1997-98).

In the last two {Whitbread} races, his crew have set new world speed sailing records for monohull yachts, with Silk Cut averaging over 18 knots to sail a staggering 449.1 miles in 24 hours on Leg 2 of the last event in November 1997.

Their intention is to secure funding for a 30 month, two-boat campaign based in Britain. Two new boats will be built in tandem for back-to-back testing in 2001, with the favoured boat selected for the race starting in September that year.

This will also provide an opportunity for extensive crew trials to identify a crew consisting of Whitbread veterans, world champions and Olympic class sailors capable of sailing at more world record breaking speeds to win the Volvo Ocean Race in 2002.

CONFIDENTIAL -- Another European registration has been received, which at present, wishes to remain confidential

PORTS -- Announcements are expected to be made during the next two weeks confirming the North American and Australasian stopovers. The full route will be in place by the end of June 1999.

AMERICAN SEMINARS -- Members of the Volvo Ocean Race management team are heading out to the USA this weekend to commence the American Tour which is intended to highlight the unique opportunities the race has to offer. The six lectures will be held in yacht clubs in New York, Baltimore, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Well-known sailor and broadcaster, Gary Jobson, will be joining the team, as will Knut Frostad, the skipper of the Norwegian entry Innovation Kvaerner in the last race.

Event website: http:// www.VolvoOceanRace.org

MISTAKES ARE EXPENSIVE
If you're not sure what hardware will do the best job for you, let the experts at Sailing Supplies help. These sailing enthusiasts not only know their stuff - they have the right attitude and a huge inventory of hardware and rigging equipment. And they'll ship the same day. Give them a call or stop by their San Diego retail outlet. (800) 532-3831. http://www.sailingsupply.com/

AHMANSON/SKYLARK/DICKSON SERIES
Newport Harbor YC, 3 races, Final results: J/35 (5 boats): 1. FAST LANE, B & K PATTERSON (6) 2. ABBA ZABA DAD, DAVID STOCKMAN (7) 3. KOINONIA, ROB WRIGHT(8) Melges 24 (9 boats): 1. ROCK N' ROLL, ARGYLE CAMPBELL (3) 2 PLANET LOAF, CHARLIE OGLETREE (10) 3 MONSOON, BRUCE AYRES (12) 4. SHARKS NEVER SLEEP, RICK RAJEWSKI (15) Schock 30-30 (7 boats): 1. SEADORA, D HAMMETT/A BROUGHTN (4) 2. JOANN, STEVE MURPHY (8) 3. NO PILIKIA, TOM & GUY GADBOIS (10) Schock 35 (22 boats): 1. WINGS, DENNIS & SHARON CASE (10) 2. MISCHIEF, M PINCKNEY/C HARDY (14) 3. SHILLELAGH, A FOLZ/D O'BRIEN (15) 4 HOTSPUR (17) 5. PIRANHA II, DAVID VOSS (21) PHRF A (6 boats): 1 PERSEPHONE (4) 2. HARLEQUIN (6) 3. GROWLER (8) PHRF B (5 boats): 1. NITRO (5) 2. RECOUP (8)

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The break of dawn Monday will see Brad Van Liew repeat his departure from Punta del Este, Uruguay, on Leg 4 of the Around Alone race. Balance Bar will sport a new short-order mast, about four meters shy of her original carbon fiber stick. "It's aluminum with wire rigging," Van Liew pointed out, adding it's "not nearly as high-tech as the old one but unbelievably beautiful, strong and straight. It's stunning."

If Van Liew seems overly enamored with his mast it's because his last one let him down, literally, just 90 miles after the start eight days ago. Retreating to Punta, it seemed as if the race was over for the 31-year-old Californian. But a miraculous rally by Balance Bar's sponsors, supporters, and even competitors, has helped put Van Liew back in the running.

Van Liew added that his overall sail inventory is "pretty good," in that the headsails and staysail from Balance Bar's fractional rig can still be used. "It looks like it's gonna work out beautifully," he said.

Van Liew also recognized that Viktor Yazykov (Wind of Change), his closest contender for the third place spot he is clinging to, is sailing an outstanding leg so far.

As the remainder of the fleet advances toward the equator, Van Liew just might have a chance to catch up. "The Doldrums look fat and wide right now," Meaghan (Van Liew) pointed out. "And that could change by the time Brad gets there. We're hoping he can make up some miles and days, taking advantage of the changing weather patterns."

Van Liew's primary goal, however, is slightly more modest. "Most importantly is to get to Charleston safely and without any more mishaps -- and do my best to retain my third place," he said. -- Betsy Crowfoot, Quokka Sports Staff

Yazykov is once again sailing a terrific passage aboard his 40-foot Wind of Change. Early today he trailed overall leader J.P. Mouligne and his 50-foot Cray Valley by a mere 17 miles. But Yazykov has a challenge ahead. In a COMSAT email to race operations today he wrote, "During the first leg we had no power for our [electronic] autopilot. Last night [the autopilot] burned up again. Hand steering for the last 20 hours. Now upwind, the boat steers herself." Though Yazykov's trim little ship has proven to be exceptionally well balanced, the windward conditions will not last forever. Yazykov's continued progress will depend on how well he addresses this very tricky situation. -- Herb McCormick

Standings (distance to finish in parenthesis) Class I: 1. Soldini (4279) 2. Thiercelin (4344) Class II: 1. Garside (4359) 2. Mouligne (4389) 3.Yazykov (4406)

Event website: http://www.aroundalone.com

THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
Great minds run in the same channel. But remember, fools also think alike.