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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 964 - December 13, 2001Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
BLAKE MEMORIAL The next most popular suggestions are to help continue Sir Peter's environmental work and, as Grant Dalton has proposed, to establish a fund to foster young sailors or a scholarship for environmental studies. Another popular idea is to establish a marine reserve in Sir Peter's honor. Gerard Dunne, from Remuera, said a fitting way to honour Sir Peter would be to place his portrait on the New Zealand $20 note. Beattie and Stan Boyask suggest planting three million trees. "To represent everyone of us and help beautify our land. I do not want to see a stone statue, for he was never still." There are also many new ideas to rename significant events, landmarks and monuments after Sir Peter. Colette O'Donnell suggests renaming the America's Cup "The Peter Blake Cup" and Frederick Swallow from Mt Roskill suggests renaming Milford Sound "Peter Blake Sound". - NZ Herald Full story: www.nzherald.co.nz To submit a suggestion to the Herald on how to honor Blake: newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz
HELP IS ON THE WAY Skipper Neal McDonald is convinced that Larson will add experience in close racing tactics, supporting Mark Rudiger on strategy and meteorology. McDonald comments, "This race has become so competitive, it is almost the longest inshore race, so Chris is a very welcome addition to the team using his strongest quality as tactician. Another major advantage of Chris is that he has been part of the team and fits in easily." - www.assaabloyracingteam.com
BIG BARGAIN
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON * From Jesse Deupree: I can't help but notice that while debate rages on this list as to how to make sailing more interesting/important to the general public, and this debate is all focused on arcane course changes to the America's Cup; Ellen MacArthur is shown all over British TV, having finished second in this year's BBC Sports Personality of The Year award- an award that is voted on by the general public. The lesson here is that it is not necessary to modify our sport to make it attractive to spectators, just make it as challenging and demanding for the participants as possible, and then communicate the skill and courage shown by those who devote themselves to the effort. The other lesson is that the sport of sailing has a number of different disciplines, and thinking that the America's Cup represents the "global icon for sailing" is to miss what the "globe" is saying. The other other lesson has something to do with the current debate over the performance of the "women's team" in the Volvo Race. * From Peter Harken: To Lisa McDonald, Katie Pettibone and the other Amer Sports Two ladies; there's a familiar saying: "Don't let the bastards get you down!" It's simply dribble, dribble from those who don't understand and haven't done their homework. To put it short, there was an extra good VOR 60 available from the Nautor Team and for the good of our sport also, it was offered to a ladies team at the last moment. This was a real hurry up team to gather. Lisa was put in charge and charge she had to, to get the best racing gals on earth available on that short notice. She did and it's a formidable bunch and anyone of them could give any experienced guy in their respective skills one hell of a run for his money ( or big mouth), things being equal! Things were not equal! They had less than a month to prepare against the very best guys that have trained for over a year in some cases, and equipment that's been through all the debugging, sails optimized and etc. etc. Sort of like putting a new pro-football team fresh out of college against our Green Bay Packers (go Pack! 9-3). Nothing beats the best training and luck is only a fleeting gift in a VOR type race. I would really enjoy seeing a VOR 60 with a boatload of the big critics against the ladies in the Southern Ocean run from NZ , round the Horn to Rio! Bets anyone?? * From Terence Gallagher: Hurrah for Ray Tappett and Peter Bentley. We are bombarded everyday with how "women are equal to men", and how "women should be treated as equals". Then as soon as women are treated as equals, held to the same standard as a man, or, when competing directly with men and shown to have come-up wanting, and then criticized . . . we are sexist. Who cares about the "women's team" in the Volvo Ocean Race. The women are slow, they come in last every leg, and finish last overall. Let's be honest, the women are not there to "compete", the only reason they are included is for public relations. I am not talking about a PHRF race on a Saturday afternoon; I am talking about competing in the most extreme conditions at the highest level of our sport. The Volvo Ocean Race illustrates very clearly that men are stronger, faster, quicker, and in the demanding world of deep ocean racing, women and men are not created equal. Even so, I believe that women should be treated as equals. Therefore, the women's team, just as Roy Heiner from Assa Abloy, should all be fired for their lousy performance and replaced with a team (MEN), that has the strength, skills, and will, to sail to win. * From Alan Thompson: To Lisa McDonald and Amer Sports Too - If you can't take even a little honest criticism (after all, you did come in last), then what are you doing out on the racecourse! I personally have come in DFL many times, but at least I don't bitch about it and get people fired! If you don't like it when people notice your finishing place, then I submit that you should either change your sailing performance or get off of the boat. * From David Redfern: The America's Cup should never be changed for the media. Look at how boring American Oval motor racing is compared to Formula 1. I agree though, it is easier to televise. Nothing complicated, fewer cameras, etc * From Ian Farquharson (Re Gary Hoyt's suggestions on AC format): I strongly agree with Gary's suggestion that we should reconsider racing formats if we want more exciting viewing (and hope to attract newcomers to our sport). There have been numerous studies done on this over the years and there are some common recommendations. The most common being, "more, shorter races". Gary is right that the start is most exciting - not just to the layman but to a lot of sailors too. Also - a long, long drag race is pretty boring - again, not just to the layman but us sailors too. Yes, its possible for a boat way behind to catch up (if the wind shifts favourably) but most of the time it doesn't happen - therefore pretty boring racing once the race is underway. I disagree with Gary's suggestion of "one race upwind and one race downwind" though. I understand his point but the hoists and douses add excitement and offer a chance for places to change. Bottom line: more shorter races.
* From Luiz E. Kahl: Here is some good news about sailing on US TV. These are Press Releases from Boating Industry International Online:
- Sailing execs respond to lack of media coverage - 12/3/2001
- Volvo Ocean Race Video Diary to air worldwide - 11/30/2001
- Volvo and National Geographic in race deal - 6/22/2001 * From Chris Spalding: If you are 25-35 feet long you should get a second a mile when you take out a junior under 18. If your 35-45 feet long then you should get a second a mile for taking out 2 juniors under 18. If your over 45 feet long than you should get a second a mile for taking out 3 juniors under 18. To some a second a mile might not seem like much. To the owner that spends time and money trying to find that second, its a lot. Will it raise controversy? Yes it most probably will. but they'll go find a junior too. So now that you have this junior what do you do with him. You left someone on the dock to take this kid on board, so be creative. Going up wind you want the weight on the rail and not on the bow, but you need the kite set up. Send the junior. If he doesn't know how talk him through it, teach him how you want it done. Does it really matter if its takes a little longer? No, because the kid weighs next to nothing. The more they do, the more they practice, the more questions they ask, the better they get. If they start at 14 they can do most jobs when there 18. Are they perfect? No. Can they do the job, and do it how you want it done? Yes.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Great Britain (GBR) Challenge founder Peter Harrison and his wife Joy have chosen a house in Campbells Bay as their "New Zealand home", and have been living there since November 9. Mr Harrison and his wife have chosen to live in Campbells Bay because they "wanted to be in a key viewing position for the America's Cup races". The couple's two-story house - complete with swimming pool and tennis court - overlooks the entire America's Cup course and practice areas. It was the first house the couple looked at buying in New Zealand, and they had only seen photos of it before purchase. Excerpt from: Challenger's sights Set on Cup by Chris Schultz, as posted on the 2003AC website, www.2003ac.com
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