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SCUTTLEBUTT 2093 - May 12, 2006Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.HERE WE GO AGAIN The 2006 racing season for the 32nd America's Cup opened on Thursday in Valencia, with two matches for each of the 12 syndicates. The weather was cool with high cloud. The sea breeze kicked in on schedule in the early afternoon but the first race of the day was sailed in a shifty light easterly that never got much above more 8 knots. As the afternoon progressed the breeze built a little to 10 knots. Only a couple of matches in the first two flights were close and there were no big surprises. Much of the interest today was in the performance of the new yachts – Emirates Team New Zealand NZL 84, BMW Oracle’s USA 87 and Luna Rossa’s ITA 86. All three returned to the dock with two wins. Of the three, the ‘Deltas’ of BMW Oracle’s two wins were the thinnest -- one minute, 16 seconds over Shosholoza and under a minute against Victory Challenge. “It was a light air day and in those conditions we have particular respect for the Swedish Victory Challenge team,” said navigator, Peter Isler. “It was therefore very satisfying that we were able to outsail them both in terms of speed and tactics. The crew work was good and team owner Larry Ellison took the helm on downwind legs in both races.” The defender Alinghi is the only boat in the so-called ‘big four’ sailing an old boat, but their winning margins were very convincing. “We were really trying to learn as much about the weather and our own systems as we were the other boats,” said Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird. “But once we hooked up with Spain, they seemed to be pretty close in speed but certainly never faster, so we were quite comfortable with our positioning around the course and the guys did a great job with the boat handling and Brad did a nice job positioning us.” FLIGHT 1 Alinghi beat Desafío Español 2007, 01:52 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team beat +39 Challenge, 01:06 Luna Rossa beat China Team, 02:52 Emirates Team New Zealand beat United Internet Team Germany, 02:32 Victory Challenge beat Areva Challenge, 01:01 BMW Oracle Racing beat Shosholoza, 01:16 FLIGHT 2 Luna Rossa beat Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team, 02:15 Alinghi beat China Team, 06:05 Desafío Español 2007 beat +39 Challenge, 01:14 Areva Challenge beat United Internet Team Germany, 00:18 BMW Oracle Racing beat Victory Challenge, 00:59 Emirates Team New Zealand beat Team Shosholoza, 01:44 STANDINGS AFTER FLIGHT TWO 1 .Alinghi (SUI 75) 2-0 1. BMW Oracle Racing (USA 87) 2-0 1. Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 86) 2-0 1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 84) 2-0 5. Victory Challenge (SWE 63) 1-1 5. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA 77) 1-1 5. Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 65) 1-1 5. Areva Challenge (FRA 60) 1-1 9. United Internet Team Germany (GER 72) 0-2 9. +39 Challenge (ITA 59) 0-2 9. Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) 0-2 9. China Team (CHN 79) 0-2 Event website: http://www.americascup.com/en/ FIRST IMPRESSIONS * The general impression is that NZL-84, the new yacht of Emirates Team New Zealand is very fast. As far as USA-87, the much-discussed new boat of BMW Oracle, is concerned, on-the-spot observers were not impressed. Nobody would go as far as defining as "slow", but she (didn’t) take everybody's breath away. BMW Oracle won both races, but one should consider the fact they were against weaker teams without the same amount of preparation. -- Valencia Sailing, http://valenciasailing.blogspot.com/ * It's the same story as last year during the first day of racing in Act 10 of the Louis Vuitton Cup; the Big 4 dominate the competition with superior boatspeed and tactics. -- Stuart Streuli, Sailing World magazine, http://tinyurl.com/oezp9 WHAT’S NEW (In a story posted on the Yachting World website, Matthew Sheahan makes some insightful observations about the boats racing in Act 10 of the Louis Vuitton Series. Here are a few excerpts.) Mascalzone Latino Capitalia team revealed a sexy new carbon lattice boom, a spar that looks more like an elaborate hi-tech scaffold than the more usual box section. The China Team was sporting a huge fat head mainsail with a head so wide that the sail is almost rectangular. On the downwind legs the team cracked open some brand new and very good looking spinnakers. Others like the Spanish have chosen to invest in staysails, the new 'must have' in an America's Cup sail plan. The Spanish sail was particularly interesting with its large vertical windows in the luff, presumably to allow the kite trimmers to see through the new headsail. Ironically it was Alinghi that looked to be setting the oldest sails in the fleet even though SUI-75 sports a new paint job on its hull and mainsail. The jumperless rig that the team had been practicing with was no longer in the boat either. This was also the case with BMW Oracle Racing. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/fp33c VIDEO OF THE WEEK This week’s video was submitted by Anton van de Koppel of Quest Sail Media, who was on assignment during Leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race to film the fleet at the Eclipse Island scoring gate off Western Australia. Multiple cameras, dramatic music, and tight editing … very enjoyable. Also, if you have a video you like, please send us your suggestions for next week’s Video of the Week. Click here for the video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/#media FORTY FOOT RIB – REDUCED PRICE Sail California San Diego has just reduced the price on the 40-foot Raider Rib 1200 they have listed. Previously used by the ‘Genuine Risk’ maxi-boat program, this RIB is ready to roll into service for another grand prix or Americas Cup effort. Also very well suited for a yacht club or sailing facility as a race committee or support boat. Raider 1200 has the capability to carry an 80-foot yacht’s mainsail, or loads of people, marks, gear, etc. Call Sail California at 619-224-6200 for appointment, or view images and listings at http://www.yachtworld.com/sailcalsandiego OFF AGAIN In front of a spectacular backdrop and with H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden looking on, leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 got underway. In light winds, the trick at the start was not to get carried over the line early by the tide. The only American entry in the race, Pirates of the Caribbean skippered by American Paul Cayard, excelled in front of a home crowd and was one of the first to cross the line followed by the Australian entry Brunel under the new leadership of Matt Humphries (GBR). The building breeze quickly carried The Pirates off towards the turning mark at the Statue of Liberty, with Brunel, Neal McDonald’s (GBR) Ericsson and Brasil 1, skippered by five times Olympic medallist Torben Grael (BRA), in hot pursuit. The light wind start gave the two ABN Amro boats a disadvantage and as the four Farr designed boats moved quickly away from the line, both Mike Sanderson’s (NZ) ABN Amro One and Sebastien Josse’s (FRA) ABN Amro Two, designed by Juan Koujoumdjian, were left behind. -- but not for long. “It is three hours since the start and ABN 1 has already passed us,” reported Pirates of the Caribbean skipper Paul Cayard. “We are sailing upwind in 14 knots of wind.” Soon, the fleet was bashing their way to windward in the teeth of a gale. Conditions are rough, wet and cold, and likely to remain so for the next three days. Not a pleasant prospect for the crews who have already taken a severe punishing on the short sprint from Baltimore/Annapolis up to New York earlier this week. At 2200 hours GMT, Movistar (Bouwe Bekking/ NED), who took a two-hour penalty in order to repair the boat’s winch system was only nine miles behind the leaders. The other six boats were all within two miles of each other. The wind is expected to pick up to 30-35 knots on the nose by Friday afternoon. The big change will take place on Sunday as the breeze turns to the west, allowing the crews to hoist their spinnakers and have a wild ride. "This is when we'll start to see the boats clock up big miles," says Ericsson Racing Team meteorologist Chris Tibbs. -- http://www.volvooceanrace.org SAILING SHORTS * This Sunday, you can watch top sailors compete at Acura Miami Race Week 2006 on an OLN special produced and narrated by Gary Jobson, The program airs at 4:30 PM ET with an encore showing on Monday May 15 3:00 PM ET. * From 161 eligible colleges, 25 have “made the grade” and qualified to send their best sailors to compete for the three championship titles on the line: the ICSA National Women's Dinghy Championship (May 24-26), will be followed by the ICSA/ Layline National Team Race Championship (May 28-30) and, finally, the ICSA/ Gill National Coed Dinghy Championship (May 31-June 2). The action will take place on the Cooper River as the College of Charleston Cougars host the visiting teams. Gary Jobson will produce a one-hour program for ESPNU, the network devoted entirely to college sports. -- For a complete list of the qualifying teams: http://collegesailing.org/nas/spring06/ * A poll in France has named Ellen MacArthur as the favourite European personality. MacArthur is currently on her final record setting passage of the Asian Circuit Tour aboard B&Q but in a list of 25 top personalities from across Europe, Ellen was voted number one ahead of opera singer Luciano Pavorotti and Italian film star Monica Bellucci. The group consisted of people from politics, sport, science and the arts. -- http://www.cowes.co.uk/cb/zone?p=story;story_id=1609 * With a 100-knot typhoon is brewing just to their south, skipper Olivier de Kersauson of the Capgemini and Schneider Electric maxi trimaran Geronimo decided to cancel their attempt to set a record from Hong Kong to Yokohama. Instead, the yacht set sail for Taiwan and then to Yokohama, Taiwan to escape from the typhoon. Geronimo is expected to remain in Yokohama for about a week before starting her attempt for another Pacific record from West to East towards San Francisco. -- http://www.superyachting.com * US Sailor Of The Week -- Urban Miyares is a Vietnam veteran, has lost his eye-sight, has diabetes, is hearing impaired, had a kidney transplant two years ago, and has nerve damage in both legs; and the guy has finished two Transpacs and about ten Newport-Ensenada Races in recent years. Co-founder of Challenged America, a successful adaptive sailing program headquartered in San Diego, Urban is passionate about sailing for a good reason. He says that sailing is the only sport where disabled athletes can be on the starting line with able-bodied athletes and beat them. As of May 4, 190 of the 288 Bermuda Race entry applicants are eligible to enter the Onion Patch Series. This should be a record year for the three-event Series. The previous high was 45 set in 1994. As of May 4, there were 32 entries, well above the pace set in previous years. Entries tend to increase in the last few weeks before the New York Yacht Cub’s Annual Regatta starts off the series. In recent years, about one-third of the eligible boats in the Bermuda Race have entered the Onion Patch Series. -- http://www.onionpatchseries.com * Marketers taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race touted the around-the-world sailing competition as a boost to their businesses on Wednesday as the eight-month, 32,000 mile contest stopped in New York. Ericsson , ABN Amro, Disney and Volvo , officials said they have seen a return on their marketing dollars despite the $250 million total cost of the race, seen as a way to invigorate their brands. -- Interactive Investor, http://tinyurl.com/gcn7x * Correction: In Scuttlebutt Issue 2086, there was a report that had “America's Cup legend John Bertrand” racing with Randy Smyth in the Volvo Extreme 40 Class event last week in Baltimore. It was, in fact, America's John Bertrand, who is quite a sailor but not quite a cup legend. These two American sailors were teammates 22 years ago when they both won silver medals at the Los Angeles Olympics. Here’s a nice photo of them today: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/0511 FIGARO IS MORE THAN AN OPERA And at Scuttlebutt Europe, sister publication to Scuttlebutt, we cover the Figaro Beneteau class events, along with the Mini 6.50, European Championships and Olympic events, ORMA and IMOCA classes, match racing, new boat launches, industry news as well as world championships and events. Soon to celebrate our 4th anniversary and 1000th issue, we're also closing in on the 15,000 subscriber mark. Keep track of the European sailing scene by signing up at http://scuttlebutteurope.com NORTH SAILS POWERS THE VOLVO FLEET Success in the Volvo Ocean Race demands speed and endurance. That’s why all seven Volvo teams carry North 3DL upwind sails and North Gradient Series spinnakers. The continuous thermo-molded structure of North 3DL sails delivers not only superior speed, but shape that stays locked-in over thousands of punishing miles. It’s proven. North 3DL -- and new 3Dr -- sails set a performance standard that is unmatched by any other sail technology. To find out more log onto: http://na.northsails.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 thoughts at the Scuttlebutt website: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi) * From Nicholas Stark - A Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis would be a great thing, no matter sort of artifacts it has in a collection. And like the America's Cup Hall in Bristol, there are many other areas of the country that would do well for themselves to have a Hall of Fame. Think of the collection that would be part of Hall's in San Diego, Newport and Long Beach, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. Even little Vermillion, OH already has a great waterfront museum. Just think what sort of mementos could be housed next door to the tractor supply company in Zenda, Wisconsin. Annapolis should not be the only Sailing Hall of Fame, it just should be the model for others to follow. * From Bill Doyle Chair, Museum of Yachting ( re Sailing Hall of Fame): While all of us at the Museum of Yachting wish the National Sailing Hall of Fame great success, we would like to offer clarification as recent letters may have misrepresented our mission and exhibits. While we do have a tremendous collection of AmCup treasures, (including life-rings from Ranger, Shamrock V & Vim), we also display many items that are not at the "glamorous” end of the spectrum. We host The Single Handed-Sailor's Hall of Fame, where notable items, including the very first self-steering mechanism, designed by Blondie Hassler, Isabelle Autissier's foulies, and even the exploits of Joshua Slocum are all displayed. As well, our entire first floor is dedicated to small boats and their contributions to sailing history, including highlights of notable champions, yacht clubs and class associations. The exhibit includes one of the earliest prototype SailFish, along with restored examples of a Lightning, International 110, Class "D", Blue Jay, a new Opti, and two Stars among others. As well, we proudly display one of the earliest ice boats known to exist (all areas of our sport!) And, while we don't have Paul Cayard's El-Toro, we’ve held classes to build them!. Be assured, there does exist a place where these treasures can and are being displayed. To all current and past champions, we would cherish the opportunity to preserve and present your winning sails, rudders, or hiking straps. Send 'em in! We invite you to visit us soon, in person, or online to see for yourself (www.MuseumofYachting.org). * From Reynald Neron: To refer to French sailor Eric Tabarly as ‘noted’ (as you did in the trivia answer) is the understatement of the century. The guy is a legend ... even that word is not enough to describe what Tabarly has done for the sport of sailing, and who is was as a person. He invented offshore sailing as we know it today, with its sponsors, with its technology developments, with the crowds at the starts and finishes of all the ocean races in France. So much so that in the countries where Tabarly did not have an influence (say the US or Australia for instance), the sport of offshore sailing is pretty much non-existent. Aussie Nick Maloney is working in France, as he would struggle to make a living Down Under, and I seem to recall having heard that US sailors are also struggling to create any kind offshore campaign. Sailing is what it is today in France (and in smaller proportion in the UK) thanks to Tabarly, and others who then followed. The sea definitely loved the guy, because Eric Tabarly gave all of us the chance to see how beautiful (and deadly) the ocean can be. * From Greg Tice: Tom Pollack and Roy Disney have a fun idea about going for the youngest transpac crew record. Seems like they're missing half the equation though. Why not throw another TP52 into the mix and go for the youngest/oldest during the same race. The drama potential is exponential and the audience attracted might even include some non-sailors. * From Enrico Ferrari: The Disney project is a must see for me, as I give up most race courses and take on a more cruising style of sailing in my retirement. The Morning Light project could be inspiring for the non sailing youngsters to aspire to take up the sport. Roy Disney deserves kudos for promoting this project. I hope the sailing community will watch this film and inspire other productions. I will be interested to see how the screenplay and layout of the film flow. The obvious follow up project should be to air a version of the VO 70 race. There must be footage of that saga! Cayard and the Pirates has done well getting their boat into secord place and considering the competition, that should be considered a major success. If the Morning Light project has a following the Volvo racers should be able to put on a good show for the next film. It should be easy to document a day in the life of an ocean racer but getting it filmed with all the nuances will be the trick. Sailing is a sport that can never be done perfectly but one strives to do it better than the others in the race, and it takes an entire team! * From Charlie Iliff: I read that Dee Caffari has been denied dock space in Portsmouth, and this will have to divert to another harbor. Why? The dock can't hold all the Volvo boats with space left for hers. I am in awe of the marketing skill of the Volvo management. Divert Dee Caffari from Portsmouth? What, if anything, are they thinking? What a photo op: the Volvo crews welcome and cheer a woman's solo circumnavigation? Don't they understand that's the kind of publicity they bought the race to get? CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATIONS Where the hell is Easy Street? Special thanks to Sail California San Diego and North Sails. |
