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SCUTTLEBUTT 1517 - February 12, 2004Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest 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 and personal attacks for elsewhere. INTERVIEW (The US Sailing website has posted an interview with Star sailors Mark Reynolds and Steve Erickson who recently won the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta. Reynolds is a three time Star Olympic Medallist and a two time Star World Champion, while Erickson is an Olympic Gold Medallist (1984) in the Star class and a two time Star World Champion. Here's an excerpt from that interview.) Sailing Medallist: Steve, how did you and Mark come to be teammates? Steve Erickson: Mark gave me a call, shortly after I had been coaching him, Philippe Kahn and Freddi Loof at the North American Championship, in San Francisco, last October. Mark asked if I would be interested in doing the trials with him, and suggested it would be a good interim project for me, between Americas Cup Campaigns. SM: The two of you have only been sailing together for a relatively short period of time. How have you managed to click as a team so quickly? Erickson: Firstly, be careful of defining our time together, as "relatively short." We sailed together in the '83 Pacific Coast Championship (2nd) and the '93 Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (1st). Looks like we check in with one another, about every decade. Seriously, we have been friends for quite some time. Mark was hugely instrumental in the sail development of Bill Buchan and my '84 Olympic success. Mark's demeanor is a pleasure to work around, and an inspiration others could learn from. SM: Mark, you won a World Championship and an Olympic Gold medal sailing with Magnus Liljedahl, but you've recently teamed up with the equally successful Steve Erickson. What's the reason behind the change in teammates? Mark Reynolds: There is no question that Magnus is one of the best crews in the World, maybe the best. Our results last season weren't stellar for one reason or another and so I thought that perhaps a change was needed. It wasn't an easy decision but I thought a bit of a fresh approach might help and a crew can certainly bring that. It's got me thinking about some new things, which is always good. SM: It must be difficult for a new team to jell so quickly. How have the two of you pulled it off? Reynolds: Steve has a lot of Star experience and we've sailed together in the past. We first sailed together in 1983, before he won his gold medal. Last time we sailed together we won the Miami OCR in 1993. I guessed that we could get it together pretty quickly but we still have a ways to go to really reach our potential. Hopefully we have enough time. You can read the full interview in US Sailing's February Sailing Medallist: http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/SailingMedallist/index.htm FOR THE RECORD Both Cheyenne and Geronimo reported in this morning, but again with different stories. Whilst the French trimaran clocked up another solid 393 mile 24 hour run, an average of 16.4 knots, the big American cat is still looking for solid wind and is now a full day behind Orange's virtual position on the same day. Geronimo too has slipped behind the record holder, only underlying just what a blistering pace Peyron set in 2002. With Cheyenne giving their position as 246 miles west of Lanzarote at 0510 GMT this morning, they did record a good mileage yesterday and are still hopeful of making the Equator in 8 days and so still on track for a potential record. However, Geronimo has closed the gap between them by 198 miles. Yachting World, full story: http://tinyurl.com/25mvg * At the end of their second day at sea, Olivier de Kersauson and the crew of Geronimo are putting an excellent performance having covered just over 840 miles in 48 hours. They are well ahead of the relative position Steve Fossett and Cheyenne were at this time, but behind Jules Verne Trophy record holders, Bruno Peyron and Orange (yellow smiley face). But how long will this last? They are now coming up to the latitude of Gibraltar and the forecast shows the big trimaran slowly being headed. She will then have to pass through a transition zone before entering into the Trades - so a much slower day is expected Wednesday. Rumours are at present rife in France that de Kersauson has turned back. - The Daily Sail, full story: www.thedailysail.com/ * Cheyenne, Steve Fossett's 125' foot catamaran finished her 4th day on the RTW sailing record course Wednesday morning just over a day behind the virtual 2002 position of Orange. Skipper Steve Fossett reports briefly at 1710 GMT Wednesday on the past 24 Hour's westing: "Sailing West, we have crossed the zone of weakest winds. Wind speeds are now back over 10 knots and should steadily climb to 15-20. The Blast Reacher repair is complete - after 24 hours of sewing the head of the sail back on. Now we are feeling better about the days to come." A potential major breakage was averted this morning when, during the rig check at first light, Guillermo Altadill discovered that the pin connecting the cap shroud had worked half way out. - www.fossettchallenge.com/ * Bruno Peyron's new maxi-catamaran Orange II was christened Wednesday morning in La Trinité sur mer. Almost 38 metres (124 feet) long and 17 (56 feet) wide with a mast reaching up to almost 50 metres above the water, she is not the biggest in the world, but certainly capable of being the fastest around the planet. With the christening ceremony over, the boat went back out early in the afternoon. "All of the supplies have been stowed on board and we can set sail (for a Jules Verne record attempt) as soon as we have finished the sea trails," said skipper, Peyron. "As initially planned, our aim is still to be ready and waiting from the 15th February. I cannot forget that two other giants are already at sea and that they have every chance of smashing our current record. I must not forget either that until now, only four crews have obtained the Jules Verne out of 13 attempts in all. The match is open and is not without danger ... but you can be certain that if we have the chance to bring it home for the third time, we will achieve that, and Marseilles will have found its rightful place with this Jules Verne Trophy that is so jealously desired," Peyron concluded. http://www.orange.fr MORE AWARDS FOR SAMSON ICE The awards keep coming for Samson ICE heat resistant cover. Sailors and riggers have been singing the praises of ICE for its ability to resist heat and abrasion in the toughest conditions. Now SAIL magazine, in its February Top Gear issue, has recognized ICE as some of "the best and brightest new gear." For 2004 our ICE cover has been called the "hottest new item in high-tech rigging." Thank you, Sail magazine, that means a lot to us. Call Samson or your local rigger to see how a little ICE can cool things down.- http://www.samsonrope.com JULES VERNE TROPHY A significant political complication with Fossett's bid for the outright round the world record is that technically he is not going for the Jules Verne Trophy. Although ostensibly the same, in fact they are not. "The Jules Verne Trophy is the Trophy. The record is the round the world record," says Fossett. "We're going for the official round the world record which is certified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. We would be very pleased if they present us with the Jules Verne Trophy, as they have presented previous round the world record breakers. "The complication is that their rules call for a payment in order to be eligible for the trophy and for your first year of eligibility it is 30,000 Euros, for any subsequent years to be eligible it is 11,000 Euros. I've told them I'm willing to pay what my competitors are paying. Olivier and Bruno would be paying 11,000 this year and I said I'd pay that too. They have not accepted that offer. "I don't think that is the end of the discussion. Of course, we'd have to break the record first. If we were to break the record I'm sure there would be another discussion over our eligibility to receive the trophy." Other parties (other than Fossett, we should point out) have questioned exactly what Jules Verne Trophy competitors get for this money. - Excerpt from a story posted on The Daily Sail website, full story: http://www.thedailysail.com/ UPDATE Bruce Schwab, has been working 80 hour weeks preparing for his role as the only American entering the grueling Vendee Globe, a punishing non-stop, around the world race that starts in France, on November 7, 2004. Schwab, who finished fifth in his class in the last Around Alone, has been holed up in Maine, working every day, in space donated by Phineas Sprague, owner of Portland Yacht Services. Schwab, finished the race on a financial shoestring, but has a large and loyal following of supporters who have been dropping in from all over the country, for days or weeks at a time, to help work on the program to lighten Ocean Planet by 500 pounds, one of many projects undertaken in the effort to get all systems ready for the start of the Vendee Globe. Among the volunteers who have pitched in to keep the projects moving along are a schoolteacher, computer programmer, a carpenter, and a nurse practitioner. The tasks are many and varied. Bruce views the Around Alone in some ways as an around the world shakedown cruise, and came away with a list of improvements he wants to make in virtually every system onboard. - Jonathan Wye, http://mysite.verizon.net/vze52798/id11.html RATING PERFORMANCE Last year, the performance of three different boat types was tracked at three regattas conducted at three separate venues. In Long Beach (CA) at the Cal 25 Nationals, the winning boat was One Time (Art & Scott Melendres). At Whidby Island Race Week (WA), the Olsen 30 J/Bird IV (Dave Janes) was a class winner. In San Diego (CA) sailing J/105's, the San Diego YC defeated St Francis YC in match racing. In each case, Ullman Sails was the performance variable for the winner. Let Ullman Sails show you the affordability of the "Fastest Sails on the Planet."-http://www.ullmansails.com NEWS BRIEFS * The Bruce Kirby-designed Sonar has been inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame The selection committee included Bill Schanen of Sailing Magazine, John Burnham of Sailing World, Charles Mason of Sail, and the board of directors of Sail America. This is the second Kirby design to be so honored - the ubiquitous Laser was previously inducted. - www.sonar.org * The US Olympic trials begin today for the Europe, Finn, 49er and the Tornado classes. The competitors will have a couple of days of measuring before the racing starts on Saturday. The trials conclude on Sunday, February 22. http://www.ussailing.org/Olympics/OlympicTrials/2004/ * AC Rumor Mill: From the very first mention of an 'Arabian prince' in November (with Paul Cayard and the Monaco Yacht Club), the rumours mills are spinning overtime churning out speculation after speculations. Now, the Spanish newspaper Las Provincias said the new Spanish Challenge has obtained €40 million from an Abu Dhabi's Emir, who doesn't intend to be display neither his name nor any of his international companies as sponsor on the boat. According to the same newspaper, an announcement is expected on February 20 from the Real club nautico de Barcelona. - Cup in Europe website, www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/2007Desafio-LN2.htm * After two fine days sailing downwind, in a strong, steady wind, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede's 84-foot aluminum cutter Adrien is now stuck in a rut. "The wind is sluggish and variable… In other words, the sails are flapping miserably, the spinnaker is all over the place, so I have to watch all that very closely. VDH is now just 5,504 miles from the finish, having covered 207 miles in the last 24 hours. He is now 26 days and 6 hours ahead of Monnet's record - http://www.vdh.fr/gb/ THE ROMANCE OF SAILING Daniela Ferdico and Paul Faget race on the same boat in Seattle. When they decided to get married, the people they sail with suggested 'tying the knot' at the Bitter End Yacht Club during the week of the Pro-Am Regatta. Daniela, who is a wedding planner, liked the idea. So they invited a bunch of friends who eagerly joined the couple in the BVI last November, as did the owners of the boat they race on … who were repeat guests. During the week before the wedding took place, Daniela crewed for Russell Coutts, and they won the Pro Am. At the same time, Paul sailed in Scuttlebutt Sailing Club Championships, and won the top amateur prize - which is a return trip to BEYC to defend his title. So the couple will return for Pro-Am week again this November, with their new baby - which they determined was conceived at the Bitter End YC. They've requested the same room. Interestingly, while Daniela and Paul were at the BEYC they met Kelly and Mike Priest who were honeymooning there - appropriate considering they'd met at the Pro-Am Regatta two years earlier. It would be foolish to underestimate the romance of sailing . . . FORGET THE CHOCOLATES How about sweet deals on nautical photography? Save 15% on Onne van der Wal's hottest photos, from timeless classics to the latest racing shots in various sizes. The sale runs February 13-16 in his Newport Gallery or shop online. Nautical prints, calendars and notecards make great valentines gifts. - http://www.vanderwal.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com) 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 Dobbs Davis (edited to our 250-word limit): I fear by publishing Mr Wade's letter inviting comments on RRS 16 you'll be re-opening a debate we had a few years ago in the last RRS cycle. Having been on both sides of the table (competitor and juror) trying to sort through the nuances of the old 'hold your course' rule and the new 'keep clear' rule, I have to say the new rule is better: right of way boats have to give the give way boats room to keep clear. This is simple and makes sense. But under the old rule, the conditions placed on this led to what I can remember as many hours spent trying to establish who held their course in crossing situations, even when puffy conditions may have made that difficult or impossible for the right of way boat. And with regards to the new rule, I've always been opposed to RRS 16.2 as being redundant with 16.1. While I have great respect for the time and effort made by the RRS committee members who try and craft simple, applicable, and relevant rules, in my view RRS 16.2 was an unnecessary add-on to the simple elegance of RRS 16.1: "When a right of way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear." With a good jury, I think this rule could be fairly applied in any context, without the undo complication contained in RRS 16.2. * From Scott Diamond: In response to Marc Fountain and his comment that you have a 50/50 chance of being thrown out in a protest whether right or wrong, I agree with the odds, even mentioned it in a class I taught, but the reason for the 50/50 chance is as much because of poorly presented cases by the participants as much as it is an ill conceived system. * From: Philippe Herve (In response to Jim Champ on the white boat comment,): Using a white boat may be seen to you as cheating. Not returning when OCS is not cheating, it is called being disqualified. Have you ever driven a red convertible? If you have, you know that when driving with the flow of traffic at exactly the same speed as every car around you, you are the one that will get picked up by the police for illegal speeding or other random paper control. If I was to sail again one design on a very crowded start line, I would definitely have a boat of a color that match the rest of the fleet. Not to cheat but to be sure that I am not arbitrarily picked up. I am convinced that some highly visible boats are marked OCS simply because they stand out, not necessarily because they cut the start line too early. The day that start lines will be videotaped will be the day I will switch back to a boat color that stands out from the fleet. And yes, I have worked on race committee and I believe that I was always right in the calls I made on OCS boats but I am unfortunately only human... * From Rob Dexter: About 20 years ago, Thistle builder Andy Fox set out to test the white boat blending in theroy by painting his Thistle bright orange. The thought was that if he was OCS he would be called back sooner then the boats that were difficult to identify. During a start at the Atlantic Coasts he was picked out as being OCS. The other boats around him that he felt were also OCS were never called back. The next regatta his boat was once again all white. * From Andrew Burton: Before Vanguard is castigated more for what was obviously a joke go and look at your local Laser fleet. You will see that there are hardly any white ones. * From Alexander "Ali" Meller (505 racer for 27 years): In response to the white boats may be trying to cheat on the start line thread. International 505s have used gate starts at major events for years. We rarely have general recalls, very rarely have boats scored OCS, and enjoy the tactics of the gate start. We also feel free to paint our boats with whatever colors and graphics we want. Using gate starts, we don't need white boats, don't worry about recalls, and spend our time on the water racing, not trying to start, and we don't have to worry that someone with a white boat is trying to cheat. * From Larry O'Neil: Appeals aren't the most exciting topic in sailing, but Chris Erickson raises valid points and President Baxter asks us to express our views. The Appeals Committee's proposal to establish ten "Area Appeals Committees" is at http://www.ussailing.org/raceadmin/Area%20Appeals%20Proposal.pdf. Do competitors deserve prompt and proper resolution of their appeals from protest committee decisions? Absolutely! Does the system always produce? No. Is failure to deliver the fault of the appeals committee? Often, not. How many sailors get a written copy of the committee's decision to file an appeal? Very few. How often does an appeal languish because documents from the organizing authority (e.g., club) aren't produced? Frequently. The Appeals Committee of US Sailing needs to investigate the who, what, where, when, and why of appeals not being resolved in an acceptable time and manner. If they have evidence to support the proposal, they should let it be known. Without these steps, a new system won't work any better than the old. If we re-write Appendix F, we might look at accountability & compliance from organizing authorities and protest committees. Then, we might set standards for appeals committee performance. Beyond appeals, regional sailing associations (RSAs) and areas do other things to support sailing. The proposal strays when it calls for setting boundaries based on land-based political lines, rather than bodies of water and groupings of sailing venues. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Chickens are the only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead. |
