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SCUTTLEBUTT 1861 - June 16, 2005
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.
CHEQUES IN THE MAIL
Tracy Edwards has failed to pay the prize-money promised to the winners of
her inaugural Oryx Quest round-the-world race that was promoted as the
first sailing event in history to carry a purse of $1 million (about
£550,000). Edwards, who achieved notoriety within the sport for repeatedly
failing to pay her own crew for work done on previous sailing campaigns,
handed out what amounted to IOUs to Brian Thompson, the race winner, and
Tony Bullimore, the runner-up, at a glitzy official prize-giving in Doha,
the Qatar capital, on June 5.
The skippers have been assured that the money owed will be transferred to
their accounts, but this has yet to happen after a race that started in
February and in which the winners spent 63 days at sea and sailed more than
23,000 miles through some of the world's most dangerous waters.
The fiasco over prize-money is the latest in a series of unpaid bills that
have characterised Edwards's career as a race organiser. In recent months
she has been the subject of legal actions from former business partners,
suppliers and advisers, and, as a result of one action brought by Gregory
Brown, her former business partner, who at one stage helped to organise the
Oryx Quest, she appears to be facing bankruptcy.
Edwards's partnership with Brown fell apart over what the latter alleged in
an employment tribunal hearing last year was the misappropriation of
company funds by Edwards, who subsequently settled out of court. Brown said
that he has received some of the money but is securing a bankruptcy order
over Edwards to recover the remainder.
In another pending legal action, Edwards's company is facing a claim for
compensation of £2.4 million by John Harwood-Bee, who had agreed to buy
Cheyenne, the maxicatamaran, from Steve Fossett to take part in the Oryx
Quest skippered by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. That deal fell through,
Harwood-Bee alleges, when Edwards revealed the details to Fossett, who
entered the boat in the race himself. - by Edward Gorman, The Times, full
story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4041-1655848,00.html
Curmudgeon's Comment: In a note we received from Tracy Edwards, she
explains that her group "will be seeking legal advice on various defamatory
and libelous statements" included in Gorman's story.
LOOKING GOOD
(The following is an excerpt of an interview on Megayacht.com with Mark
Fry, who leads a company specializing in the training and placement of
Megayacht crews.)
There are currently 14 miles of new yachts under construction in 25
countries worldwide, and the rise in demand for these new yachts can be
attributed to a number of factors. The collapse of communism in the Soviet
Union has led to newfound wealth where the number of millionaires is
growing at an incredible rate. A visit to Moscow is a real eye opener for
those who have not been there before. On a recent visit, I observed more
Mercedes, BMW's, Jaguars, Volvos and other luxury cars than one is likely
to encounter in Greenwich, Connecticut. Luxury Yachts are now being built
in Moscow and transported on their waterway system to St Petersburg for sea
trials and delivery.
China is also growing at an alarming rate, using almost as much fossil fuel
on a daily basis as the United States, and buying up what appears to be the
worlds supply of cement and other raw materials. But this is not all the
Chinese are spending their money on. The Chinese consumer market is growing
at a speed unprecedented in human history. More and more disposable income
is being spent on luxury items such as property, cars, jets and now yachts.
The upcoming Boat Tech China show is being held in Shanghai this month and
will host over 100 exhibitors, including boat manufacturers, distributors,
architects, engineering companies, boat equipment, marina and resort
developers. India, is second only to the United States for the number of
millionaires that are emerging, through its high tech and low overhead
businesses, and is quite possibly another up-and-coming market for luxury
yachts.
Based on these numbers and statistics, it would appear that from both a
national and international perspective that these signs are very
encouraging for anyone involved in the yachting industry. The next 20 years
should be very beneficial and fruitful for all involved. - Full story:
http://www.megayacht.com/news/article.asp?ID=050607-01
MORE COLLEGIATE FEEDBACK
(Here are additional responses we received from inquiries we made to past
collegiate competitors about our story regarding Bryan Lake and Jennifer
Warnock winning A Division at the College Coed Dinghy Champs but getting
left off the All-American team.)
* Peter Isler ('76 College Sailor of the Year) Back when I was in
college... the Dinghy Nationals was "the" regatta of the year... and I
would have assumed that even today... an A division victory at that event
(to say nothing about the third in a row!) would ensure selection of the
skipper to the All-American team... and the crew to the list of All -Am
crews. Their omission in the 2005 All American rosters does not seem right
to me... regardless of how many regattas they sailed during the year. This
is akin to a minor leaguer getting called up for the Playoffs and the World
Series - pitching 3 shutouts in the WS - and not being named MVP because he
didn't play enough all season. The Dinghy Nationals is "the big show."
* Rick Merriman (Three-time All-American) Winning A division is a big deal
but being an All-American usually entails having won A or B division in
some other big Intersectional and in other classes such as the Sloops or
the Singlehandeds. It would be like a football player sitting out the
season and only playing in the championship game and having a great game.
He would not be an AA.
* Gary Bodie (former USNA coach and All-American selection committee
member): I think this year's committee followed the criteria as stated. My
personal opinion is that the winner of A division should be "automatic,"
even if they only sail two events in one semester. If so, the criteria
should be changed. Of course, the counter argument is that if you make the
A Division winner, B div winner, winning skippers on the winning team,
winning skippers on team racing team and the winners of Singlehanded and
Sloops all "automatic," and there are no repeats, you have filled nine of
the eighteen spots with automatics.
* Jim Brady ('85 All-American): I was surprised to hear that the winner of
A division at the North America championships was not selected. I
understand the selection committees desire to encourage participation in
other college sailing events - but, in my view - winning the biggest event
of the year merits inclusion as "All-American team" - as recognition of
being one of the top sailors in college sailing during that given year. He
clearly beat the best at the most important event.
Curmudgeon's Comment: It should be noted that Bryan Lake was included on
the Honorable Mention list. Complete list of comments at
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/05/aa
LITTLE AMERICA'S CUP
Congratulations to 2004 Olympic Silver Medalists Charlie Ogletree of Ullman
Sails and John Lovell, who successfully defended their title at the
International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT), hosted in Rimini, Italy.
Officially titled the "ICCT," this regatta is unofficially known as the
"Little America's Cup" because it pits the world's top catamaran sailors in
a match racing scenario. John and Charlie, representing the Southern YC,
New Orleans, LA, defeated Daniele Saragoni and Teo Di Battista (challenger)
from Club Circolo Vela Cesenatico, Cesenatico, Italy 4-3 in the series. For
the "Fastest Sails on the Planet," world-class service and support visit
http://www.ullmansails.com
AMERICA'S CUP BRIEFS
* Tuesday marked the official practice day at the 32nd America's Cup as the
competitors and Race Committee underwent their final preparations ahead of
tomorrow's opening Louis Vuitton Act 4 races. A nice east southeasterly
wind came up in the afternoon, reaching about 20 knots by race time at 1400
hours local time. As racing nears, the Port America's Cup is beginning to
fill up, with several Superyachts now gracing the T-shaped pier that
bisects the Port. - http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j1qFh5j7l
* Peter Isler, who twice helped Dennis Conner win the America's Cup, has
joined San Francisco-based BMW Oracle Racing, the only American syndicate
that has challenged for the cup in 2007. Isler will serve as navigator for
BMW Oracle Racing during two warmup regattas this month in Valencia, Spain,
which will host the cup races in 2007. Although he hasn't yet signed a
contract, Isler said it's likely he will be with the syndicate through
2007. - Bernie Wilson, AP,
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/06/14/sports/s161353D25.DTL
* South Africa's Team Shosholoza took its new RSA 83 out for its maiden
sail on Wednesday. The team has been battling to work out some kinks with
the mast of its new design. "We have had a few hiccups ," admitted skipper
Geoff Meek. "We have had to buy a second-hand rig and put it on the boat.
We are trying to keep the boat in one piece for this regatta while trying
to race it. We know we have heaps to learn."
* Silver Marine Co. Ltd. based in Shanghai is the first Chinese sponsor to
sign on with the China Team America's Cup syndicate. The company is a
subsidiary company of Oriental Recreational Products Co. Ltd, one of the
world's largest manufacturers of inflatable boats.
* Spanish Brewery Estrella Damm has become an elite sponsor of Emirates
Team New Zealand and as such their brand logo will appear on the yacht
hulls and sails. "This elite sponsorship agreement is the last major piece
of the team's funding for the 2007 America's Cup," said ETNZ managing
director Grant Dalton. "Wile funding is not complete, the team can now
confidently set about the serious business at hand - winning the America's
Cup." The team already had a strong Spanish connection through principal
designer Marcelino Botin.
* Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said his syndicate is
"very advanced" in the design of their 2007-generation yachts. "We have
pretty much designed the next boat and the engineers are working flat-stick
now. The boat will start to be built in Auckland in a few months and go on
the water early next year." He said his team would use the two acts (a
fleet-racing regatta follows the match-racing regatta) in Valencia to check
that the changes they have made to NZL82 are the right ones. -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=4&ObjectID=10330932
* The pairings for the Act 4 match races are now posted on the Official
America's Cup website. Oracle BMW Racing meets both the Victory Challenge
and China Team on Thursday and will line up against Alinghi on Saturday and
Luna Rosa on Monday. - http://www.americascup.com/en/
NEWS BRIEFS
* The Swedish Match Tour's broadband television channel has been redesigned
and updated with new features and greater functionality. The channel,
www.SwedishMatchTour.tv, broadcasts on demand all television programs of
the Swedish Match Tour, and has been available free of charge
http://www.cgra.org/related_links.htmsince last year. Viewers can watch the
rolling 24-hour TV schedule, or search the highlights section to find a
specific program, either from the current TV series or a previous show
whenever they want to watch it. Sportshows Television has been commissioned
this year to produce 10 one hour TV programs that will be distributed
throughout 100 countries around the world.
* With six races now completed, scoring a discard has shuffled the deck a
bit of the Tornado Worlds in La Rochelle, France. Fernando Echavarri/ Anton
Paz (SPA) now lead with a three point edge over Leigh McMillian/ Wm Howden
(GBR). American Olympic medallists Johnny Lovell/ Charlie Ogletree have
moved up to 12th place and are now the top North American boat.
http://tinyurl.com/86fv8
* Cascade Locks, in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, was the scene for
the 2005 Laser and Radial Pacific Coast Championship. The breeze didn't
disappoint the 34 Lasers and 25 Radials, with consistent wind and
challenging wind shifts throughout the event. The racing was dominated by
the Canadian sailors with most of the top Olympic hopefuls having arrived
early for training. The Laser fleet was almost a match race between Bernard
Luttmer and Mike Leigh, both showing the benefits of having spent the
Spring in Europe. Victoria Crowder won the Radial class followed Geoff
Beck. - http://www.cgra.org/
* Team McLube, a division of McGee Industries in Aston, Pa., has renewed
its decade-long partnership with US Sailing as the "Official Lubricant
Supplier" to the US Sailing Teams, which include the US Sailing Team, US
Disabled Sailing Team, and the US Youth World Team. Under the multi-year
agreement, which runs through 2009, Team-members will receive high
performance lubricants specifically designed for marine use.
* Two new photo galleries are now posted on the Scuttlebutt website; one
from an X-Yachts event in Venice, Italy and another from the J/105 Pacific
Coast Championships in San Francisco, CA:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos
DAD'S, GRADS AND OUR KIDS
Dad's hoping for a pair this weekend…the Grad deserves a pair…and newly
crowned College Sailor of the Year, Mikee Anderson, and the boys and girls
on the US Optimist World Championship team already use them. Kaenon
Polarized. Our patented and proprietary SR-91 polarized lens technology is
preferred equipment in sailing. Make Dad happy, and take care of the kids.
Don't burn your eyes. Choose the sunglass brand that provides the visual
advantage - where safety and performance is the rule, and style isn't
compromised. Kaenon Polarized. Evolve Optically. Locate a dealer nearest
you at, http://www.kaenon.com
PRODUCT RECALL
Ronstan has recalled Series 60 & 75 All Purpose Stainless Steel Cheeked
Blocks with Universal Head Post distributed from October 29, 2004 to May
12, 2005. The head post assembly in a small number of the products shipped
between the above dates may not have been welded to specification and in
some cases may not have been welded at all. This may result in the product
failing to meet its load ratings. There is a risk that use of a defective
product could lead to personal injury, fatality and/or damage to property.
These products should immediately be returned to Ronstan for replacement.
All related freight and replacement product costs will be at Ronstan's
expense. Customers within the USA may call 727-545-1911, and all customers
can contact online at mailto:recall@ronstan.com.au or http://www.ronstan.com/
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 Rob Saunders: Some of the promotional comments about Geronimo being
the first maxi multi-hull to bid for an 'Round Australia Race' may be
stretching the truth. In 1988 for Australia's Bicentenary, a short-handed
Round Australia Race was conducted and one of the yachts that competed, was
a 68-foot Lock Crowther racing trimaran called 'Yumi-Maru'. Whilst Geronimo
will not be the first to have its name associated with this title, she (as
far as I am aware) will certainly be the largest. We don't often get to see
such magnificent beasts 'Down Under', so I look forward to seeing her in
action.
* From Derek Paterson (re around Australia): Peter Blake did it in 1988
with Mike Quilter in the 60ft David Alan-Williams trimaran Steinlager 1.
Time 33 days 17 hours 42 minutes 7 seconds. Course was anti-clockwise from
Sydney.
* From Adrian Blunt: Entries to the 2006 South Atlantic Race (the old Cape
Town to Rio) are no longer required to have a SSB radio. Instead they must
have an acceptable equivalent - a Satellite phone. Consequently, there are
9 Mini Transat entries and Minis are the largest class in this year's race.
In Canada the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club's 2006 Vic-Maui Race committee has
declined to change its SSB requirement.
I would appreciate hearing readers' experiences with Sat. phones as a
replacement for SSB on smaller boats. Are they as reliable as the SSB in
extreme weather conditions? Are there any technical reports or other
publications confirming that they are a good alternative to SSBs? Have
there been examples where a Sat. phone proved to be superior in an
emergency? Ought more race committees to accept the Sat. phone? Acceptance
of new innovation takes time, but need it take as long to accept Sat.
phones as it did - for example, to discontinue Morse code requirements for
radio licensing exams?
* From Mark Steinbeck: Dave Stringer stated that he couldn't recall an
America's Cup regatta in the US that didn't have a defender selection
series. I can understand why some people might want to forget the 1988 cup
match (DC's catamaran vs. the Kiwi Big Boat), but there were no selection
series for either the defender or the challenger that year.
* From Buzz Boettcher: I'm not sure on this, but I believe in the very
first "Big Boat Series," early 60's I think; Baruna, Orient, Vixen and
Athene were competitors, they had a race that went out through the Golden Gate.
* From S. Abrams: Correction The first Big Boat Series in 1964 went
offshore, everyone fell in a hole outside the Golden Gate. Athene was the
overall winner.
* From John Vincze (re: Sculling Redefined): I wonder if 42.3d would allow
you to skull to complete a tack (in light wind). Once you start the tack
the boat would slow, and you would be above close-hauled. Would you then be
allowed to legally skull on to the new close-hauled course? Sculling
through a gybe is likely out of the question, since you are never above
close hauled.
* From Scott Mason (Re: College Sailing): Bryan Lake and Jennifer Warlock
were omitted from the 2005 ICSA Intercollegiate All-American list, even
after winning "A" division at the dinghy National's. The win was the third
consecutive division win for the Rainbow's and Lake, yet he and his
teammate were omitted from the All-American list.
Intercollegiate All-American's are selected by a small committee based on
their results over the entire season, not one regatta--even the National
Championship. Had Bryan and/or Jennifer participated beyond the regional
(Pacific Coast in their case--which USC won despite contrary reports) and
National events, and had also participated in team race, intersectional,
women's and sectional events, then it is likely that they not only would be
All-American's, but Morris trophy candidates. Unfortunately, one regatta
(no matter how big) does not a season make.
I am certain that Bryan will reach the pinnacle of dinghy or keelboat
success should he choose to reduce kite-boarding time and participate in
intercollegiate or other "mainstream" racing events. No criticism of Bryan
or Jennifer, but broad participation has always been recognized as an
ingredient to All-American team inclusion.
* From Peter Huston: Elvstrom taught us all that the true measure of a
champion is in the respect their fellow competitors have for them. It would
seem that judging from the response in 'butt and the outrage I heard in our
club last night, Bryan Lake and Jennifer Warnock have easily made the
All-Elvstrom team.
* From Michael Rosenauer: With the Acts coming in short order, does the
Curmudgeon know if the racing will be broadcast in the USA or are we again
left to watching more baseball, football and basketball. I have cruised the
networks (fat chance if the racing even get a mention but each preseason
baseball game is excruciatingly analyzed), ESPN (now having turned its back
on its roots; namely to televise all kinds of sports and has become the CNN
of sports...all you need in less thirty minutes as that it the extent of
the average attention span) and OLN (still valiantly attempting to remain
independent but lacking the big bucks to really open its doors and do what
ESPN was suppose to be doing).
Curmudgeon's Comment: We checked with Gary Jobson and learned that
presently, there is no scheduled coverage of the 2005 LV Acts in the US.
* From Robert Bausch: I sure agree with Kim Roberts' views about the
America's Cup in Scuttlebutt 1859. It would be neat if they could actually
get back to sailing instead of manipulating. And sailing more often. Five
years between Cups is a farce.
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS
Confucius says, "Man who drive like hell is bound to get there!"
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