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SCUTTLEBUTT 3096 - Thursday, May 20, 2010Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt Today's sponsors: Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. AN OVER-VIVID IMAGINATION By Martin Tasker, TVNZ Everyone knows that inadvertent sigh of relief, however slight, when your plane touches down safely at its destination. Even the most experienced travellers admit to having dark thoughts at some stage during a flight. I am just as prone to an over-vivid imagination as anyone and my usual way of clearing my mind is to remember that the pilot also wants to live and he wouldn't be flying the plane if he wasn't totally convinced it was going to reach its destination as planned. After all, he flies planes every day for a living. The trouble with Meridiana charter flight No. IG2068 from Lisbon in Portugal to Olbia on the Italian island of Sardinia was that it all the ingredients of a disaster movie in horribly vivid technicolour and "Sensaround" sound. First there was the build-up of the various back stories. The charter flight was arranged to get sailors, technical people, media folk and their supporters from the Audi MedCup to La Maddalena, a little island off Sardinia which is the venue for the Louis Vuitton Trophy which starts this weekend. It was deemed much easier and more cost-effective to charter a plane than take the various more tortuous routes across Europe. There were plenty of takers so the deal was on. After little more than a troubled hour's sleep on Sunday night (having had to stay up to make sure the computer was sending the final MedCup story for the News) I was picked up along with two internationally renowned yachting photographers - Chris Cameron from Emirates Team New Zealand and Ian Roman from England - shortly after 0400 hrs and driven to Lisbon Airport where we checked in for the flight. Familiar faces were everywhere but it wasn't until we were on an airport bus being driven out to the plane that my mind started to be assailed by the aforementioned dark thoughts. Everywhere I looked was a famous professional sailor; alongside me Torben Grael, the Volvo Ocean Race winner with four Olymopic medals including and a long history in the America's Cup; in front me Dean Barker, casually chatting on his mobile phone; Paul Cayard, another Volvo Ocean Race winner with huge America's Cup experience; Ed Baird, winner of the America's Cup in Valencia and a World Sailor of the Year. They kept sliding into vision along the lines of the cameos setting up the doomed in movies like Titanic, Towering Inferno, Earthquake, the Poseidon Adventure and, of course, Airplane. Getting off the bus I looked carefully at the aircraft. It was not a reassuring sight. The McDonnell-Douglas MD-80 has its two engines towards the end of the fuselage and looks a little long in the tooth, an assumption confirmed in the rather tired toilet cubicle by the sign that tells you how to dispose of your cigarette end. -- Read on: http://tvnz.co.nz/sailing-news/martin-s-medcup-drama-in-air-3558630 PIRATE TACTICS Military Authorities have issued further warnings of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Northern Indian Ocean region. As a result the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has re-issued advice on guidelines. The danger of piracy extends through the Gulf of Aden, Yemeni and Somali waters including the NW Indian Ocean north of 15 degrees south and west of 78 degrees east. It is through this area of concern that the second leg of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race from Cape Town, South Africa north to Abu Dhabi, UAE extends. Within the ISAF piracy guidelines it states that the highest danger of piracy and consequent loss of life and property is in the GoA (Gulf of Aden), Yemeni and the Somali waters (up to 750 miles offshore). Acknowledging the dangers, Volvo Ocean Race organizers have already stated this leg will have an exclusion zone to skirt the area of highest danger. However, what is not known now is where that zone will be, as each year these crimes occur further and further offshore. Hopefully there will be some safe water left by December 2011 when the fleet will be racing on this leg. See area photo and guidelines here http://tinyurl.com/2fetvzr MAD MARTHA HAS GONE MAP Some sailing companies have Manufacturer's Accepted Pricing (MAP) which can be slightly lower than their suggested retail and Team One Newport has decided that it will follow suit and has lowered prices so now you can get the best service, selection and take advantage of Team One Newport's 25 years of experience and expertise at the best prices. Find the greatest gear from Henri-Lloyd, Musto, Gill, Atlantis, Slam, Dubarry, Spinlock, Camet, Railriders, Magic Marine, Zhik and lots more. Visit http://www.team1newport.com or call 800-VIP-GEAR (800-847-4327). GOOD GUYS DO FINISH FIRST By Stuart Streuli, Sailing World Organizing a major championship is often a thankless job. And to add insult to injury, the distraction of wondering whether everything is going according to plan rarely helps on the racecourse. But Michael Johnson and wife Joy Okazaki, who have critical roles in the J/24 North American Championship this coming weekend, were able to shake off any effects of a lot of short nights and long days of late and sail Hot Pursuit to the win in the 21-boat J/24 class at the 2010 Sperry Top-Sider Seattle NOOD Regatta. Depth was a hallmark of this fleet, which featured top competitors from Japan, Canada, and up and down the West Coast of the United States. Ten boats won at least one of the 14 races; going into the final race the top three boats were within two points of each other. The win netted Johnson the J/24 Northwest Regional Championship and a chance to compete against the top boats from the other eight NOOD regattas this coming November in the B.V.I. in identical charter boats provided by Sunsail. Regarding the win, Johnson comments, "It means a lot to us, we've been a big part of [this regatta]. We're trying to put on the North Americans coming on next weekend. My wife is running that, and I'm one of the measurers. So we've been a big part of not only this regatta, but of the next regatta that's coming up." Johnson admits that he was worried that their involvement in organizing the North Americans would end up hurting their performance. "Four hours of sleep quite a few nights," Johnson noted. "My wife and I stayed up trying to get sponsorships, trying to work on certificates for our local fleet. We have about 30 boats that are trying to get their certificates current. It's been a lot. It was nice just to get out on the boat and go sailing in our local venue. We really enjoyed that." Complete interview: http://tinyurl.com/23xtv7w CURMUDGEON'S COMMENT: I saw on the Sailing World website that they have a 'Get a Free Trial Issue!' offer. If you like the magazine, they are offering 8 more issues (9 in all) for $14.97, plus you get a Sailing World gear bag free with your paid subscription. -- Details: http://tinyurl.com/24aq2tv HIGH SCHOOL SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP The final Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) National Championship of the 2009-10 school year - Team Racing - will be held in Seattle, WA on May 21-23. Here are the twelve teams that have emerged from the seven ISSA districts qualifiers: MASSA - (2) Severn School, Annapolis, MD; Broadneck HS, Annapolis, MD MISSA - (1) Lake Forest HS, Lake Forest, IL NESSA - (2) Tabor Academy, Marion, MA; St George's School, Middletown, RI NWISA - (1) Bainbridge HS, Bainbridge Island, WA PCISA - (3) Point Loma HS, San Diego, CA; Newport Harbor HS, Newport Beach, CA; Corona Del Mar HS, Newport Beach, CA SAISA - (2) Antilles School, St. Thomas, VI; H.B. Plant HS, Tampa, FL. SEISA - (1) St Stanislaus College, Bay St Louis, MS Event website: http://www.nwisa.org/nationals.html A THREE MONTH DELAY The 33rd America's Cup from February 2010 will finally be on television in the United States this Friday morning in a 1-hour highlights show (May 21 at 3:00 am ET). It's worth noting (and setting the TiVo) because the edited broadcast now has onboard race video from both boats that was not part of the original webcasts (including those versions still available online, at last check). Both races plus some prelude and features are squeezed into the program with commentary from the team of PJ Montgomery/ Andy Green /Cam Lewis. The broadcast is on Universal Sports, a cable channel that is a digital signal broadcast over-the-air by NBC affiliates. Details at http://www.universalsports.com/whats-on-tv/index.html SAILING SHORTS * New London, CT (May 19, 2010) - The City Council has agreed to financially help a group that is promoting the city as a possible venue for the 34th America's Cup races. The Thames River America's Cup Committee has been meeting for three months to find ways to promote New London for the world's third-largest sporting event next to World Cup soccer and the Olympics. The City Council agreed to give the group $5,000, but only if it finds matching funds. John Johnson, a member of the committee, said the group is looking to raise $20,000 to $25,000 to hire a consultant. -- Read on: http://www.theday.com/article/20100519/NWS01/305199932/-1/NWS * Great Britain and New Zealand remain on top in the latest release of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings. Kiwi World Champion Adam Minoprio continues his lead in the Open Rankings whilst Lucy Macgregor (GBR) holds on to her to #1 position in the Women's. Despite only finishing sixth in stage one of the 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour in Marseilles, Adam Minoprio remains secure at the top of the World Rankings, whilst Lucy Macgregor (GBR) maintains her spot at the top of the Women's Rankings. Top ranked North American is Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) who fell from fourth to sixth. -- Full report: http://www.sailing.org/32742.php * (May 19, 2010) - Now in its fourth season, the RC 44 Class Association announced today that its first World Championship will take place on October 11th - 16th in the Canary Islands (ESP). The event is officially endorsed by the International Sailing Federation. After the RC 44 World Championship, the RC 44 fleet will be shipped across the Atlantic for the season's last regatta, the RC 44 Miami Cup, on December 7th - 12th. -- Full story: http://www.rc44.com/en/regattas/news/index.php?idContent=2332 JESSICA WATSON - JOB WELL DONE! The Ullman Sails group would like to congratulate Jessica Watson on her successful circumnavigation and achieving her goal of becoming the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. Jessica exclusively used Ullman Sails on her yacht S&S 34 "Ella's Pink Lady" for her epic voyage. Jessica required performance, durability, reliability, and ease of use of her sail inventory and Ullman Sails provided just that. Ullman Sails is very proud to have built the sails that safely powered Jessica around the world and back home to Australia. Cruising, racing or circumnavigating - invest in your performance. http://www.ullmansails.com CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Is your event listed on the Scuttlebutt Event Calendar? This free, self-serve tool is the easiest way to communicate to both sailors and sailing media. These are some of the events listed on the calendar for this weekend: May 22 - National Safe Boating Week at TISC - San Francisco, CA, USA May 22-23 - 74th Annual Southwestern Snipe Championship - Dallas, TX, USA May 22-23 - Blossom Time Regatta - Kelowna, BC, Canada View all the events at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar LETTERS AND FORUM Please email your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, 'The Curmudgeon'). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Blake Middleton: (re, 'Competitive Imbalance' story in #3095) During my college years (late 70s/early 80s), there was a fair amount of balance around the nation. I can recall at least 7 MCSA teams with legitimate top 20 rankings at some point (Michigan, Miami of OH, Ohio Wesleyan, UW Green Bay, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Southern Ill.). Michigan could go East and place or WIN intersectionals. Schools from the Northwest and Southeast like Washington, Texas and Tulane were among the very best (along with a few Canadian teams!). During my coaching years, I made a proposal at one ICYRA annual meeting to add two extra 'wild card' teams at Nationals. My argument was why not simply add two more very good teams in addition to the existing District qualifiers? My idea got shot down hard - two years in a row. A few years later, a similar proposal passed, and one wild card actually WON a Nationals! The latest competition design has IMO clearly produced the most depth of competition at Nationals in history. But at what cost? What has changed in the past 30 years? I'd suggest it's the growth of professional coaching and college sailing programs. Only a few teams in 5 of the 7 districts currently enjoy that very real advantage as of 2010. If you are a sailor or coach on a team in New England or Middle Atlantic, do you even care? High quality of competition at National Championships is here and is awesome! Now. how do we make the entire ICSA healthy? * From Bruce Thompson: (re, 'Competitive Imbalance' story in #3095) This situation will not change until potential college sailors become willing to build a new or better program of their own, "Build it and they will come" for the sailing crowd. That's what my team did in the late Sixties-early Seventies. We raced in MAISA against the government funded powers SUNY - Maritime, USNA - Navy, USMMA - Kings Point. Nevertheless, I raced in the 1970 ICYRU Dinghy & Team Racing Championships at Madison, Wisconsin. During my tenure, our team was in the process of building our own marina so we could sail during the week. "Practice"for us was the racing on Saturdays, our serious racing was on Sundays. Shortly after I graduated, our team produced three All-Americans in an era when there were no Honorable Mention or Crew or Women All-Americans. Don't make excuses, just do it! -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9900#9900 * From Don Finkle (re, Bill Kellner letter in Scuttlebutt 3095) In my prior comments on this subject (Scuttlebutt 3088), I floated two ideas that might be considered in the hope of improving the status quo in PHRF racing. It seems that maybe some misinterpretation has occurred here. The first is a National (or better yet, North American) PHRF rating for every boat. This would do away with some of the problems with locally-assigned ratings, which are well known and have been discussed for years. Yes, I realize that there are some areas where the wind conditions are abnormally light or heavy, but this is a solvable problem too. The North American rating system could assign more than one rating to each design, light and heavy air numbers for example, to be used by local authorities if they felt appropriate. It is time we stopped using San Francisco Bay as a reason why ratings won't work elsewhere. But that is a detail, and any system like this would obviously need to be carefully worked out. The technical expertise certainly exists to do this. The other idea, that of rating the sailors, is separate from the above concept, and would be used only for local beer-can type club-level racing. I never suggested that all PHRF racing should be about handicapping people, only that this concept might help us grow the sport at the grass-roots local level. I am not trying "dumb down" PHRF, it is the system that most of us use most of the time to race, serious or not. Yet it is hard to argue against growing the sport and creating more racing sailors who might become hooked and want to race more seriously. So we have a NA PHRF rating that we use most of the time, and on a local level a club or fleet might elect to come up with their own "golf handicap" system for the entry-level stuff. Bill Kellner mentions that I sell boats for a living...that is in any spare time left over from all the race organizing, promoting and sailing that I do. Those who know me understand that my suggestions are not about my company selling more boats. I'm more concerned with having people to race against myself. * From Seymour Dodds: Close this PHRF Thread. Rating arguments are an ancient yachting morality tale coated in ambiguous shades of gray*. For example one marine coating company offers 6 gray urethane coatings: pearl, whisper, light, kingston, medium and dark. Plus gray wannabees medium silver, bright aluminum and silver. Of course what's really scary is this company offers only one black coating but 14 shades of white. I only bring this up because I am trying to figure out what to paint my deck. It's a tossup between Moon Dust, Off White Revisited & San Mateo Wheat. I'm pretty sure I'll use Matterhorn white for the hull. Wouldn't you say rating systems are like picking a coating for your boat? Neither is very simple. Now if the diehard Buttheads need an unending blast of PHRF autoerotica, check out what yachting's most original thinker, Jim Antrim, says about exploiting the PHRF. http://www.antrimdesign.com/articles/PHRF.html CLOSING THREAD: Few topics have attracted as much interest as the discussion about PHRF. In fact, only the America's Cup compares, which might be a sign that PHRF is in need of help too. All the published and unpublished letters have been moved to the Forum, which will hopefully survive the weight of the unrest. Continue the conversation here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=9819 CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on carpet are directly proportional to the cleanliness of the carpet. Special thanks to Team One Newport and Ullman Sails. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
