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SCUTTLEBUTT 1752 - January 12, 2005
Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt 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.
RATING BANDS
Premiere Racing president Peter Craig has a clear philosophy of how to
assign boats to rating bands. He says, "It's important to have like boats
with similar sailing characteristics racing together. That's more important
to the majority of owners than a tight rating band, which can be deceiving
if you have, say, a Swan 40 and sport boat racing together. The D/L ratio
is an important factor in that regard as is SA/D. Another philosophy of
ours in the challenging world of PHRF handicapping and class splits is
being as open as possible with the boat owners-keeping them informed on why
we do what we do... same on the racecourse." on the event web site at
premiere-racing.com Craig has posted this explanation of PHRF class splits:
"Since writing my Class Splits Letter earlier this week, we have made a
change of substance with PHRF 3 (Class 2C). The handicap for the JS9000 A
Lil' Tipsy is in fact a 75 not 45 and we moved the Cheetah 30 Bottle Rocket
from Class 4A to 2C. While we recognize that the handicaps for these two
boats expands the rating band beyond what is desirable, there is no other
logical class for these two sportboats. Their DL ratio and SA/DL ratio are
right in line with the light displacement sportboats in 2C, as is their
LOA. The performance characteristics of these two boats are not in line
with the 13 boats competing in class 4A.
"One of our primary goals, based on feedback from participating PHRF owners
over the years, is to provide 'like racing,' That is, to ensure that boats
which perform in a similar fashion in a variety of different conditions are
racing together. There are a number of factors we take into consideration
in our efforts to ensure like racing-even if that means expanding rating
bands beyond what one might normally desire. A boat's Sail Area/
Displacement Ratio (both the upwind & downwind numbers) and
Displacement/Length Ratio are two key factors that come into play. We have
posted the D/L Ratios so you can see that important number right alongside
the assigned handicap."- Sail magazine website, full story:
http://sailmag.com/keywestpreview2/
MUSICAL CHAIRS
One Olympic quadrennium has ended and a new one has begun. That will be
particularly obvious at the Rolex Miami OCR as people try to figure out who
is sailing with whom. Three-time Star medallist Mark Reynolds, who won last
year's ORC and competed in the Olympic trials with Steve Erickson as crew,
has picked up Phil Trinter as his new partner. Trinter crewed for Paul
Cayard at the Olympic trials and represented the USA in Athens, where they
placed fifth. Erickson will not be missing from the Star lineup, however.
He will crew for Olympian Mark Mendelblatt who, after securing an eighth at
the Olympic Games in the Laser class, decided to make the transition to the
Star.
Morgan Larson will return to 49ers with crew Pete Spaulding. Spaulding
finished fifth in the 2004 Olympic 49er event with skipper Tim Wadlow. Liz
Baylis will jump into the three-woman Yngling, and has recruited '04
Olympian Nancy Haberland and Katie Pettibone to sail with her. Giving
Baylis' team a run for its money will be Haberland's former skipper Carol
Cronin who will sail with a new crew - Kate Fears and Jaime Haines. To add
to the confusion, Baylis will be sailing Cronin's second boat.
The Rolex Miami OCR is an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 1
event, a designation that indicates its importance in world rankings. It
also helps determine the members of the 2005 US Sailing and Disabled
Sailing Teams. For 2005, the event will feature the Finn, 470, 49er, Laser,
Laser Radial, Star, Tornado and Yngling, all of which have been selected
for inclusion in the 2008 Olympic Games, along with the 2.4 Metre and
Sonar, the equipment selected for the 2008 Paralympic Games. Only the
boardsailing events (men's and women's) will not be contested due to
limited availability of the newly-designated equipment for this class--the
Neil Pryde RS:X. Early Registration closes January 17 and the opening
ceremony is on January 23. -www.ussailing.org/Olympics/RolexMiamiOCR
SCRAP CARBON
After Monday afternoon's dismasting of 2004 Sydney Hobart winner Nicorette,
off the Gold Coast seaway, a salvage team with barge and crane yesterday
recovered the carbon mast from the seabed. It was initially hoped the mast,
which had snapped clean only a few metres from the deck, might be
repairable. However, sailing master David Morris and the salvage diver soon
discovered the 37.8 metre high modulus uni-directional fibre mast was
nothing more than scrap carbon. Broken into three sections, the mast was a
splintered mess, entangled with her PBO rigging and carbon fibre D4 sails.
A Nicorette spokesperson explained. 'We removed the debris from the seaway,
so it was not a hazard for shipping and fishing but all that can be used
again are some minor rigging elements and fittings.' 'The original mast
build time was three months and 3,000 hours of labour and we are
investigating what has to be done to get back racing, as fast as possible.'
- Rob Kothe, Sail-World website, full story:
www.sail-world.com/rolexsydneytohobart/index.cfm?Nid=16010
TOUGH OUT OF THE BOX
There's nothing we like more than a boat that's tough and fast right out of
the box. So when the brand new super-maxi Nicorette blasted through
gale-force headwinds to finish first in the 2005 Sydney-Hobart Race, we
were pleased. But we weren't surprised, because Nicorette's full inventory
of Doyle sails - a load-path Mainsail, Code 2 Jib, Code 3 Jib, Code 4 Jib,
a paneled Carbon Code 0 and Jibtop, and Doyle APR Asymmetrical Spinnakers -
were tough and fast out of the box, too. Got a tough event coming up? Call
us at 1-800-94-DOYLE and we'll get you launched. http://www.doylesails.com
VENDEE GLOBE
Vincent Riou (PRB) is on a gallop at the head of the Vendée Globe fleet
with top instantaneous speed and best average over the past half hour and 4
hour average (15/17 knots). Mike Golding (Ecover) is hanging onto second
22.8 miles back making around 3 knots less boat speed, the more westerly
option worth its weight in gold for the top duo. Jean Le Cam (Bonduelle)
continues to bank on the long term benefits of his investment in the East
around 10 miles behind Golding. The trio are powering up the Southern
Atlantic around 900 miles from the coast of Brazil in some tricky
conditions between a stormy depression and a ridge of high pressure
extending out from the Saint Helena High.
On this the 66th day of racing, Mike Golding has snatched back second
position after rapid repairs to his broken mainsail halyard yesterday. The
top trio are squeezed into just 33 miles, 900 miles from the Brazilian
coast, 260 miles separating Vincent Riou and Mike Golding in the West from
Jean Le Cam in the East. As the temperature rises in all senses of the
term, the leaders focus on slinking through a narrow passageway between a
depression to the West and a ridge of high pressure extending out from the
Saint Helena High to their right.
Leaders at 1900 GMT January 11:
1. PRB, Vincent Riou, 5102 miles to finish
2. Ecover, Mike Golding, 23 miles to leader
3. Bonduelle, Jean Le Cam, 33 mtl
4. VMI, Sébastien Josse, 723 mtl
5. Temenos, Dominique Wavre, 857 mtl
6. Virbac-Paprec, Jean-Pierre Dick 2055 mtl
7. Skandia, Nick Moloney, 2702 mtl
8. Arcelor Dunkerque, Joé Seeten, 3288 mtl
9. Hellomoto, Conrad Humphreys, 3607 mtl
10. Ocean Planet, Bruce Schwab, 3837 mtl
Complete standings: www.vendeeglobe.fr/uk/
BEFORE NOON ON WEDNESDAY
Chances are very good that Ellen MacArthur's 75-foot trimaran B&Q will
round Cape Horn before noon GMT on Wednesday. But until that happens, the
sailing will be stressful - 30+ knot sustained winds with squalls bringing
gusts in excess of 45-50 knots and very rough seas as a low pressure tracks
to the north-east escorting MacArthur into the South Atlantic. Crossing
Drakes Passage can throw up the most appalling conditions as the Southern
Ocean weather depressions get squeezed through the 200-mile wide bottleneck
between Cape Horn and Antarctica. For now, MacArthur is maintaining a five
day, two hour lead and it looks possible that she could take a significant
chunk of time off Joyon's time to Cape Horn, which he rounded after 49
days, 2 hours and 21 minutes.
"I think the chances of actually completing the trip once you go round Cape
Horn go up considerably, there is no doubt about it," MacArthur explained.
"You've gone through the Southern Ocean which is the most dangerous and
stressful place you will sail in during the trip. So I would say that once
you go round Cape Horn your chances of finishing the trip probably go up by
60-70%. But then you've got to look at the other side, at the area where
you have the most unstable winds, the area where you have the lightest
winds, is the Atlantic and I may have a 5 day lead right now but that could
be lost. Anything could happen between now and the finish, and the worst
thing to be is complacent, right now, it really is."
Shortly before midnight (GMT) Ellen reported, "I'm freezing, freezing cold
in the boat ... am about to sail over a 153 metre seamount surrounded by
2200 metres of water, like a big mountain and then over to shallows that
are only 100 metres deep ... then gybe and head east. Got some islands to
watch for. I hate heading towards land like this, am very nervous. Just had
a 47 knots squall." - www.teamellen.com
ORYX QUEST 2005
Tony Bullimore and his 'Daedalus' crew continue to make good progress down
the Red Sea towards Doha in readiness for the start of Tracy Edwards' Oryx
Quest 2005 round the world race, starting from the Qatar Capital on
February 5, Tony has named South African Nick Leggatt as his second watch
leader, alongside Portugal's Gonzalos O'Neill de Mello. During the past two
days, the 'Daedalus' crew have experienced light winds, flat seas and a
burning sun. The team is eager to get to Doha as quickly as possible to
ready the big cat for the race.
Meanwhile, a catamaran based in the Westcountry has left Devon waters for
the start point of its attempt to win the biggest prize in yachting
history. The record-breaking Cheyenne, owned by American billionnaire
adventurer Steve Fossett, is being cargoed to the Gulf, ready to compete in
the round-the-world Oryx Quest, which kicks off next month. The prize money
is 1 million - the largest sum ever offered. - http://tinyurl.com/3oc8q
Event website: www.qisel.com/
FINAL COUNTDOWN TO KEY WEST RACE WEEK
But don't worry if you've got a last minute purchase or any repairs during
Race Week, as West Marine will be there to help! For all your racing needs
in Key West, visit their store at 725 Caroline Street. On-site rigging will
be available as well as all the latest and greatest gear from Harken,
Lewmar, Ronstan, Forespar, Samson Rope, New England Rope, Suunto,
Raymarine, Gill, Tylaska and more. Also, be sure to attend the West Marine
night on Tuesday, January 18th at the Schooner Wharf for fun prizes and
giveaways.
THE HARD WORK BEGINS AGAIN
The K-Challenge team, French Official Challenger for the 32nd America's
Cup, is back on its training base in Gandia, Spain after the Christmas
break, and the hard work has started again. The Design Team will modify FRA
60 to fit the Version 5 Rules. FRA 60 (ex-NZL 60, Defender of the America's
Cup 2000) arrived at the beginning of December. The construction of the new
keel is nearly completed; there will also be a lightening of the boat and
an increase of the draft. The first sea trials will take place at the end
of February in Gandia.
"To complete all of those modifications, we use CFD (Computational Fluid
Dynamics), and we've just finished some wind tunnel testing sessions,"
explained Dimitri Nicolopoulos, Design Team Manager. "We will work soon in
towing tanks to refine the shapes of our new boats. We are also building a
new mast according to the Version 5 Rules, as well as the new sails which
are being prepared at the same time."
Veteran Team New Zealand backup helmsman Cameron Appleton has joined the
syndicate, and a sailing and testing two-boat program will be organized
with FRA 57. The goal is to be more powerful in the Louis Vuitton Acts 4&5
which will take place in Valencia in June. - www.k-challenge.org
OLYMPIC FEVER
Olympic gold medallists Sarah Ayton MBE (24) and Sarah Webb MBE (27)
announced today, at the Schroders London Boat Show, their new line up and
plan for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Competing in the Yngling class in
Athens, they were the first Team GB members to secure gold for Great
Britain and won themselves the nickname 'three blondes in a boat'. Sailing
with Shirley Robertson, the Sarah's won gold in an impressive manor, with a
race to spare, to be crowned Olympic champions at their first attempt at gold.
With Shirley Robertson announcing plans to take a year off, the two Sarah's
are keen to get out on the water in 2005 and have their sites firmly set on
the Yngling World Championships in Austria this July. Sarah Ayton will move
from the front of the boat to the back and take on the role as helmswomen
and Sarah Webb will move into the role of the bow person. This will leave a
gap in the middle of the boat which will be replaced by former Cambridge
rowing blue Annie Lush (24).
Sarah Webb commented, "We have enjoyed some time off after winning gold in
Athens, but we are both really keen to get back in a boat again with a view
to repeating our success in Beijing. For us Annie was the obvious choice,
she was one of our rivals in the run up to the Olympic Games and it will be
great to now have her as part of the team. - Excerpt from a story on The
Daily Sail subscription website, www.thedailysail.com
NEWS BRIEFS
* Race Organizers have announced that the 2005 Cadillac Van Isle 360 is
officially sold out. 40 boats have been accepted making 2005 the largest
fleet in the history of the event which races around Vancouver Island.
Boats ranging from the 102 foot steel ketch, "HMCS Oriole", to the 21.5
foot Mini Transat "Komera" will be vying for space on the start line on
June 11. The list of competitors and other information will be available on
the race website: www.vanisle360.com
* Nautica returns as Presenting Sponsor for Key West 2005 when nearly 300
boats from 35 states and 13 different countries begin a week-long series
next week. Mount Gay Rum, Lewmar, Samson Rope Technologies, B&G and the
Florida Keys and Key West Tourist Development Council round out the
official line-up. - visit www.Premiere-Racing.com
SUMMER JOB
Youth sailing programs in North America are now getting organized for their
2005 summer season, and many have already posted job ads in the classified
ads section of the Scuttlebutt website. If you are a program in need of
instructors, send an ad to Scuttlebutt to announce your openings. If you
are an active sailor seeking summer employment, view the available jobs now
posted. For employers/ employees, go to
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/classifieds
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 Joni Palmer (edited to our 250 word limit): The discussion about
kids sailing has been refreshing! Fantastic comments from people I greatly
respect. The most important thing is to make sure every kids 'falls in
love' with sailing for life. Those first few years must provide an
incredible sense of fun, a feeling of being safe, a knowledge base that
promotes self confidence, a sense of belonging to a great community of
friends, and the opportunity to continue sailing. This is different for
every child - kids have different focuses and attitudes at various ages,
programs have different curriculums, type of boats vary, family lives are
very busy. A smorgasbord of sailing opportunities for kids abounds in club,
community, camp and keelboat programs. In addition to sending kids to
sailing school, take the time to personally interact and provide additional
positive fun experiences.
Though I have owned and raced many different types of boats, I now sail the
Flying Scot. The class association newsletter just came out and what had me
riveted was the story written by three teenagers and their parents who
participated in a 4 day fleet "cruise" in Canada through the Thousand
Islands. Yes, a family of 5 on an 18 foot boat for four days! Read this
refreshing story: www.fssa.com/documents/Albanis_1000_%20Islands_Vacation.pdf
Sailing programs do an incredible job teaching but as individuals,
families, and fleets, please take the time to individually share the love
of sailing "with" the next generation. It takes an involved family and a
proactive fleet to raise a youth sailor.
* From Wells Pile: At the head of Narragansett Bay the Community Boating
Center at Fox Point in Providence offers a way for children (and adults) to
learn the joy of sailing in a non-racing format. Each year, hundreds of
people, most of them people who cannot afford yacht club dues, many of them
inner-city youths, learn to sail through this wonderful program. While our
yacht club offers a wonderful juniors program and encourages family
boating, we are mostly preaching to the faithful. If you really want to see
more people participate in sailing, especially young folks, support your
local Community Boating Center.
* From Gary Anderson: I saw and heard news stories of Ed Muesch's story
which brought back memories of a personal experience where I made choices
similar to Ed's. The short story: my father and I crash-landed a seaplane
in an Alaskan river some 30 years ago, and I made a decision to make for
the shore, and hope my father could also. I was successful, he disappeared
in the river. Life has gone, but he is not forgotten. Ed made his decision
to survive and took action, a conscious decision, rather than to surrender
to the situation. With this decision, he enabled himself to be a survivor
and save his wife. If he had not, neither would have likely had the chance
to survive.
My point here for everyone: if you find yourself in similar circumstances,
keep a positive mental attitude, and take positive actions to ensure your
own survival, or at the very least, increase your chances to survive.
Studies have shown successful survivals can be attributed to 80-90%
positive mental attitudes. Preparation and practice is always a good thing,
but if your or your crew are not able to execute, your chances are
significantly reduced. The round the world racers are an example of
positive attitudes leading to successful voyages.
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
"It takes only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can't remember
if it's the thirteenth or the fourteenth." - George Burns
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