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SCUTTLEBUTT 2131 - July 6, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.DAMAGED BUT DETERMINED (Wednesday, July 5, 2006) This afternoon at 13h GMT, Orange II only had 650 miles to go to cross the finishing line at The Lizard, which is 50 miles less than her average daily distance since setting sail from New York on Sunday. Bruno Peyron’s maxi catamaran may be finishing Thursday evening and in so doing she will shatter the North Atlantic record held by Steve Fossett (4 days, 17 hours, 28 minutes and six seconds). A word of caution however. Orange II is damaged. Following a collision with an unidentified floating object, an incident that was announced Tuesday, the port rudder has suffered some damage. “It is as if a 50cm chunk has been bitten off,” explained Bruno Peyron, “behind the spindle (the vertical shaft) and it’s starting to splinter off on the front side too.” Consequently, the boat is difficult to control at very high speeds, and the Orange II boss has logically decided to ease off on the pedal, imposing a speed restriction of 30 knots. Bruno Peyron explained, “the rudder is wobbling all over the place and dragging the boat to the left with an incredible force. If we let go of the helm, she will gybe immediately. That could become dangerous, especially as we’re putting so much pressure on the other rudder. And if we lose control, there could be an involuntary gybe, and we would find ourselves with 800 m2 of cloth on the wrong side and that could spell disaster with a capsize.” The suspense continues therefore out on the Atlantic, where Orange II is still advancing very quickly (averaging between 29 and 30 knots over 24 hours), but stealthily too. This damage to the rudder has led to a change in the planned trajectory, as Bruno Peyron explains: the weather pattern “would normally force us up towards Ireland, but we want to put off gybing for as long as possible to avoid making the rudder splintering process worse and damaging the other one. So we have chosen to extend our route a little.” - Full story, http://tinyurl.com/f5ggl * Barby MacGowan, of Media Pro Int'l, was able to interview Bruno Peyron Wednesday, with onboard video footage courtesy of France Telecom: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/06/0705 A BUTTHEAD GETS INTO THE ACT (Scuttlebutt reader Peter Brown shares his experiences from his field trip to Valencia, Spain) I just don't understand what has happened to a lot of American sailors. This continual talk about the insignificance of the Cup races is hogwash. I'll admit that when they dropped the residency requirements, I felt that something important was taken out of the competition. But I've had to rethink my position after going to Spain and watching Act 11 (in May 2006) First, the city. This old New Englander just couldn't stop smiling after getting off the plane into 22C weather (still not sure exactly how warm it was, suffice to say very comfortable). And there at the airport was an America's Cup booth, with someone who seemed to be able to speak all languages giving out information about the races, tourist boats, bus routes, and even told me where I should have lunch. The city was absolutely beautiful, a combination of old (and I mean really old, like Moorish old) and new (again really new - see pictures of the City of Science), clean, clocks everywhere (not sure the Spanish pay any attention to them), a bull ring that had a ball park feel and very nice people. The story about the toothpicks and honor, is everywhere. A late city where families from toddlers to great grandparents stroll the streets at 10pm and it seems there is a rule about not going home until it gets light. But the racing is what I came for. Taking a bus to the Port was simple. Taxis were available, but why bother, buses were easy and dropped you off right at the America's Cup port. Walk pass the security entrance and you enter an incredible sight. An entire basin set up for the America's Cup. The first thing you see is an enormous New Zealand flag flying from their base, then a Swedish flag, Spanish, French, Italian, and then German, and then a boat painted like a dragon. No nationality interest? I have a hard time believing that. In the other direction, Luna Rossa had a flag that almost matched the Kiwis, then the national flag of BMW Oracle, RSA, and the French. Many spectators were walking around looking like they were attending a soccer match, dressed in their team's uniform and then there seemed like hundreds of beautiful women walking around in Mascalzone Latino Tee shirts (I wonder where they found all these women). Horns and cowbells were the noisemakers of choice. – Read the complete story of Peter Brown’s trip to Valencia: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/0705 FAST SAILS DEMAND FAST CLOTH! Why are Ullman Sails the fastest sails on the planet? Simple, fast designs demand fast cloth! At Ullman Sails, we choose only the “Best” sail cloth from Contender, Dimension/Polyant and Bainbridge International. And now, with our new FiberPath technology, “Best” just got “Better!” What good is a fast sail design if the cloth can't hold the shape? Our winning designs, combined with superior sailcloth, continue collecting trophies for our customers. If you and your crew are ready, let Ullman Sails bring our speed technology to your sails. Call your nearest Ullman Sails loft or visit us at http://www.ullmansails.com JUNIOR SAFETY Newport, RI - “I never want to go out on the water and not be prepared.” That was the resounding sentiment expressed by 25 junior sailors after completing the Storm Trysail Club’s Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar in Newport, R.I. on June 28. The one-day program’s mission was to arm juniors with the skills and confidence needed for an on-the-water emergency and instill in them the importance of safety on the water. Guest speakers included Volvo Ocean Race sailors Ken Read of Ericsson Racing Team and Jerry Kirby (both Newport) of Pirates of the Caribbean, who together shared their first-hand stories of offshore racing and safety preparation. “Our goal was to attract a group of kids ages 13-18 with advanced racing skills to the program and then give them the safety skills needed for big boat sailing or really anytime they go out on the water,” said Latimer Spinney (Newport) of STC’s Newport Station, organizer of the day’s program. STC hosted its first Junior Safety-at-Sea Seminar in 1997 at Larchmont Yacht Club, where the STC has its home office. The ninth seminar in 2005, with significant support from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, attracted a record 220 sailors, ages 14-17, with 50 coaches on 25 borrowed boats ranging from 34 to 45 feet. With a mission to introduce junior sailors to big boat sailing in a fun and safe manner, the program continues in Marblehead, MA (July 7) and Larchmont, NY (July 14). A future program is planned for Annapolis, Md.- http://www.stormtrysail.org MOVING SOUTH Organizers of US Sailing's Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship have announced that Houston Yacht Club (HYC), in La Porte, Texas, will host the next regatta from November 12-17, 2007. Founded in 1985 by US Sailing and considered one of the world's pinnacle events for women sailors, the Rolex IWKC utilizes the International J/22 class keelboat, suitable for four-person teams, and is held on odd-numbered years. "Moving the prestigious Rolex IWKC around the U.S. is an important idea especially since it is a US SAILING championship," said Liz Merrifield Filter, a five-time Rolex IWKC competitor and current member of the US Sailing Team in the Yngling class. "As a local Annapolitan, I saw what the event brought to our fleet and to the women in our area (which had been held in Annapolis, MD since 2001). Women who had never considered participating got involved; we had first-time sailors, first-time skippers and even had a couple of women buying their own boat for the first time. Rotating the Rolex IWKC brings that level of excitement around the country while maintaining a very special international event." Filter added that the regatta format has been shortened in response to suggestions from past competitors. "The 11-race format will continue, but we plan to race on three days. Racing will be preceded by two days for registration, measurement and a practice race," said Filter. The Notice of Race will be available in November 2006 online at http://www.ussailing.org/riwkc A GOOD SEASON SO FAR (Here are some excerpts from a recent update by Russell Coutts’ on his website). I have been fortunate lately to race in a wide variety of events ranging from the Giraglia Race (St Tropez - Giraglia rock - Genoa) to the Bol D'Or which is a race spanning the length of Lake Leman (Geneva-Montreux-Geneva) to the Sardinia Cup mixed in with some sailing on my own RC44. I'm glad to see the sport is rapidly moving towards more hi-performance boats and that change is now being supported almost everywhere. I was speaking with one of the long time campaigners recently and he said (about his TP 52) that it has only taken him 30 years to finally get the boat he wanted!! It is now becoming pretty obvious that the IOR and IMS rules were holding the sport back. Most boats designed under those rules were slow, expensive and almost worthless after only a few years at best! This week we are about to race the second regatta in the TP52 Med Cup and the fleet is expected to number around twenty boats. These boats are interesting and fun to sail and I am expecting to see many more owners competing in this fleet. I'm sailing with Paul Cayard and I've already heard plenty of great stories about the Volvo Race. Imagine doing over 40 knots in 35 knots of wind! I must admit that sailing multihull's is becoming a real passion for me and I want to find more time to compete and learn about this field. I have been impressed by the sailing of many of the experienced multihull sailors, sailors whom I seldom get the chance to race against. Certainly it is a type of sailing that I am convinced many sailors would enjoy if they tried it. There is no doubt things happen fast and it is action packed when you get amongst a fleet of one design multihulls. The Bol D'Or race was a real blast and my first experience at sailing one of these boats in a thunderstorm of approximately 40 knots. Bear in mind that these boats are powered up and flying a hull in only 6 knots of wind so 40 knots was a huge thrill! - To read the complete report, including Russell’s comments about the America’s Cup, ISAF and youth sailing, go to http://tinyurl.com/z9nad B&G HELPS PROGRAM WIN CHICAGO NOOD REGATTA B&G’s Hercules 2000 System and RemoteVision wireless display helped lead the Beneteau-36.7 “Program” to a decisive victory in the 2006 Chicago NOOD Regatta. A model of excellence and consistency (much like her B&G equipment), “Program” and her crew finished 1st in six of the eight races. The entire team was especially impressed with RemoteVision’s graphical capabilities to track wind shifts and keep them on course for victory. Congratulations on a job well done! To learn more about advanced B&G systems and the new RemoteVision wireless display, speak with your local B&G dealer or contact Simrad, Inc. at 425-778-8821. SAILING SHORTS * With six races completed, the Women’s Yngling World Championship in La Rochelle, France is now halfway through their twelve-race schedule, and is now scoring with a discard. Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb, and Victoria Rawlinson (GBR) has stretched their lead to ten points over defending world champions Sally Barkow, Carrie Howe and Debbie Capozzi (USA), with Hannah Swett, Liz Filler, and Melissa Purdy (USA) pulling themselves up to seventh, benefiting from a win in Wednesday’s final race. Racing continues to Saturday. - http://tinyurl.com/jrpbn * Andrew Lewis, 23, of Honolulu, having just completed the 32,000-mile Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 on ABN Amro Two, is now scheduled to join Sweden's Victory Challenge. As part of Sweden's Victory Challenge team in the 32nd America's Cup, Andrew will be living in Valencia, Spain and training with the team throughout the Louis Vuitton qualifying trails and the America's Cup. * Thanks to Mike O’Brien who sent Scuttlebutt images from the New Jersey State Optimist Championships, where sixty-five boats competed: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/06/0705 * Cowes Online's video interview with David Aisher about the Rolex Commodores' Cup also includes the RORC Commodore's views on the likely return of the Admiral's Cup. The interview can also be heard in audio only: http://www.cowes.co.uk/cb/zone?p=story2;story_id=1795;cp * Chicago’s oldest annual event on Lake Michigan, the Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac, (better known as “The Mac,”) will start on Saturday, July 22, 2006. Over 300 sailboats will take part in the 333-mile race from Chicago to Mackinac Island, MI. For 2006, race organizers will include video streaming on the website to help internet viewers keep track of the race progress: http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar CELEBRATE 20 YEARS AT KEY WEST A very special year for North America’s premiere keelboat regatta. The 20th edition of Key West Race Week (Jan 15-19) will again feature top-tier competition, professional race management, and ideal conditions. Acura Key West 2007 highlights will include the first ever PHRF National Championship. Updates and helpful planning details at http://www.Premiere-Racing.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. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree. And please save your bashing, and personal attacks for elsewhere. For those that prefer a Forum, you can post your thought at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Jef d'Etiveaud (re, Trivia Question in Issue 2130): Reading that "Jean-Bat" on Peyron's boat seats with a rope in hand to trim makes me smile... Jean-Bat is simply one of the best sailors on these fast multihulls. Look at the last few years of 60' Tri circuit and you will find him on every winning boat. Jean-Bat sailed with us on Mari-Cha, he does perform and is a pleasure to have on board. It is good to see that he is once again on the forefront of racing. 766 miles a day! You go performer! * From Doran Cushing: As a journalist by profession, a passionate sailor by choice, and (arguably) a rational human being, I never cease to wonder why "readers" of media threaten to stop "reading" when something in that media doesn't suit their mentality. Whether it be a local rag or a world-wide internet forum, we all have the simple option to "not read." The same principal applies to porn, racism, or extremist political views...if it doesn't meet your needs, just don't read it! But don't tell a larger population they can't read something because you don't like it. Scuttlebutt, Fox, and any number of a bazillion blogs may not agree with your sense of truth (and I'm not suggesting Fox has anything to do with "the truth"), but if you believe in freedom of the press...with the obvious historic exceptions including liable and fraud...let freedom of the press ring. For those who care, they can sort through the dribble. For those who don't, they can shop at WalMart, ignore global warming, and blame the poor and minorities for all that's wrong with America. Please don't tell me what I can or cannot read. * From Fred Roswold, SV Wings, Bangkok: OK fine, Russell Bowler is a great engineer and designer and he is constantly down on the shop floor. But there are still too many broken Farr boats littering races courses around the world and I'm not just talking about the Volvo 70’s. How about IOR 50’s with their bows knocked off? Or the leaky Farr 40’s? Here’s the best one: USA 53 back in Nov 1999. I was there when it hit the wave that broke it. Later I got a close-up of the hull where it broke and it didn't look very strong to me. Apparently it wasn't either, because it was the only one that broke. But hey, what do I know? One thing I do remember is Farr’s response; first they blamed the team, then they blamed the builder, and in the end they said that was an generally inherent problem with laminations. That made me wonder: if that’s the case, and they know it, why didn't they just spec the lamination it a little beefier? There is a trend in all this: Their boats break and they don't accept responsibility. I also know if I'm going offshore it won't be in a Farr boat. * From John Sweeney: In response to Mr. McDonald's letter, I trust that Scuttlebutt will continue its AC coverage. Not only does the technical advances, incremental as they may sometimes appear, make for great intrigue in a race format that makes for exciting sailing but the fact that, as an amateur sailor I can watch with more than passing fancy as people I've sailed with and against- and even a hand full that I call friend - duke it out on the water. And not just on the water but on the drafting tables and in the sail lofts too. These friends are mostly but not exclusively American yet they sail for yacht clubs from different nations. This doesn't bother me a bit. It makes it impossible to root against any one team. Isn't that the splendor of friendly competition? Anyone that doesn't see the national pride exhibited by the teams isn't looking closely enough. Would I trade places with any one of them, you bet. Since that's not going to happen I can only live vicariously thru the words and images provided by Scuttlebutt. So I say, please keep up the good work. * From Toby Cooper: Yesterday's 'Butt (Issue 2130) included a note about security, or apparent lack of it, for The (America’s) Cup on display. At least there were uniformed guards in the place. I recall bringing a boat back after an Ensenada Race when the Cup was in San Diego. We tied up to the guest docks at the San Diego YC at about 11:30 PM, and after a while we wandered up to the club. The doors were literally propped wide open. We went in. There was not a soul in sight. Somewhere in back a night crew was working a floor polisher. Still no one around. We walked through a door, and there was The Cup in its room, like yesterday’s report said, "Looking at me." Magnificent. But we could not help but be struck with the idea that any night of the week someone could walk in and lift it like a sack of flour. You know, ‘Butt letters are full of comments about how sailing needs to get coverage like NASCAR or the NFL, but if it does, at some point someone will probably steal The Cup, and then we will all reflect on the "good old days" of today. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATIONS I used to be schizophrenic, but we're okay now. Special thanks to Ullman Sails, B&G Instruments, and Premiere Racing. |
