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SCUTTLEBUTT 2489 – December 5, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, featuresand dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. 18 MONTHS AS A PRO SAILOR The work on Peter Alarie's Pearse Avenue house in Bristol, Rhode Island was slow this summer. Alarie and long time girlfriend Amy Breslin originally planned to move into their renovated home for the Fourth of July, but that target date has since passed. One of the reasons for the hold-up has been Alarie's globe trotting summer in which the 40 year old North Kingstown native traveled across Europe and to Australia among several smaller trips. Alarie is a professional sailor. For the last 18 months Alarie has made his full-time living as a hired hand aboard pro racing vessels such as German business mogul Hasso Platner's Morning Glory - which last month won the Rolex Maxi Cup World Championship with Alarie steering the keel. East Bay Newspapers recently sat down with Alarie to discuss the lifestyle of a professional sailor, his team's triumph at the Rolex Maxi Cup and what the future may hold. * How did you wind up on Morning Glory Crew? ALARIE: "For me it was word of mouth. Just friends of friends. I always knew there were professional sailors out there. But I thought it was primarily guys sailing in the America's Cup - which interested me - but I didn't want to commit to moving to another country and sailing year round. When a friend called me and said do you want to sail with [Hasso Platner, listed by Forbes Magazine as the world's 119th richest man] I said that sounds great. It started out as just a few weekends, but the relationship worked and it grew into more opportunities. There are a lot more people sailing professionally than I originally thought. There's more people working outside America's Cup than inside. America's Cup is simply the most visible.” -- East Bay Newspapers, read on: http://www.eastbayri.com/story/290445982420902.php ADVANCEMENTS IN YACHT DESIGN In his 25 years of designing racing yachts, John Reichel has seen a lot of changes in a relatively short time when you consider boatbuilding is a trade that is thousands of years old. As the principal of Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design in San Diego, California, Reichel has watched a transformation in the tools, materials, and building methods of the industry. After his graduation from the University of Michigan, Reichel followed the custom of hand drafting, just like centuries of boat designers before him. To describe a hull's complex 3D curves to builders, Reichel had to draw dozens of cross-sections on paper. "I used to spend most of my time sharpening pencils," he jokes. Today, the curves of yacht designs are much more easily created as 3D computer models. 3D technology, however, has become more than a replacement for drafting. Through virtual models, Reichel/Pugh can simulate the effects of loads, winds, and waves to further refine the nuances of performance. Instead of functioning as a mere static drawing, 3D has taken on an active role in yacht construction. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/2xe5n9 TEN REASONS WHY SUNFISH ARE BETTER THAN LASERS by The Proper Course blog Regular readers of this blog will know that I'm something of a Laser nut. I am so emotional about the Laser that, at the slightest provocation, I can be triggered into a rant on why the Laser is the best boat in the world and into heaping scorn on any other kind of sailboats be they keel boats (leadmines), multihulls (why do you need training wheels?), or Force 5's (Laser wannabees for old farts). In my more rational moments I am sometimes prepared to admit that all kinds of sailboats can be fun in the right circumstances, that we are all different and have a right to make different choices in the boats we sail, and that we should respect each others' choices of sailcraft. (And stand united in our common hatred of jetskiers, of course.) I used to sail a Sunfish for reasons I have discussed here before. I sold my Sunfish over a year ago and don't miss it (much). I still feel that for me, given my height, weight, location, interests, ambitions, fitness etc. etc., the Laser is the best boat. For me. But the Sunfish is an excellent little boat too. So, for all the times I went on what SoulSailor calls one of my "big up the Laser rants", as a kind of penance, here is my list of the top ten reasons why the Sunfish is better than the Laser. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/28k2ba FITS YOU TO A ‘T’…SHIRT THAT IS. An Ultimate Sailing T-shirt. From those folks that annually bring you the best sailing calendar, you can now choose navy or white long-sleeved shirts with an Ultimate Sailing logo and graphic design chosen from Sharon Green’s extensive photo collection. The Ultimate Sailing website offers you a fantastic array of gifts: 2008 calendar, t-shirts, caps, and custom prints. http://www.ultimatesailing.com JUST FIVE TO GET A REVOTE by Andy Rice, SailJuice blog While the firestorm that roared as a result of the sailing event selection for the 2012 Olympic games has quieted, it is far from contained. The debate has moved from the front pages of sailing media to the backrooms of National sailing federations, and now there exists the possibility of allied forces storming the ISAF headquarters. Could you imagine five nations banding together to call for an emergency meeting of ISAF Council? Apparently, ISAF’s Constitution allows for just such a thing to take place, and it doesn’t seem beyond the bounds of possibility that this could happen. We have already heard from some National Authorities who feel justice was not done at the ISAF Annual Meeting in Estoril, Portugal by the eleventh-hour change in voting procedure (which determined a very close vote in both the men’s and women’s events). Of course it would be a much bigger step for these MNAs to challenge ISAF on its original decision, but they could do it in the knowledge that many sailors around the world would be cheering them all the way. There are other factors to consider here, not least a changing of the guard at ISAF on 1 January, with current chief executive Arve Sundheim making way for colleague Jerome Pels to take up the job. Pels is known to be progressive in his thinking, and word is that there are some people in the Southampton office who feel they have been saddled with a less-than-ideal slate of events for Weymouth 2012. -- Read on: http://sailjuiceblog.com/2007/12/02/just-five-to-get-a-revote/ FAVORABLE FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Stuart Streuli, Sailing World (December 4, 2007) Last Saturday night, while dodging intermittent rain showers at the South Seas Hotel on Miami's South Beach, Alex Roepers talked about his first few days sailing in the Farr 40 class, which celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 17-boat regatta just off the coast of Miami. "As I knew before, because I sailed as a crewmember back in 1998-'99 on Phish Food, the class is very competitive," he said. "When the Swan 45 class petered out and went mostly to Europe, I decided to get a Farr 40 and I'm delighted to be here." Roepers' first few days in the class had been to that moment, largely a learning experience straight from the school of hard knocks. He'd finished last in the second race on Friday, and in the teens in the first three races on Saturday.But he'd also had himself the sort of moment that will keep anyone coming back for more, a second in the last race on Saturday, and a see-saw battle with one of the fleet's top guns. He was still relishing the moment hours later. "That's awesome isn't it," he said. "That was very important. First of all I was actually fairly pissed that we lost to [two-time world champion] Barking Mad, believe it or not, which is a very arrogant thing to say because they are outstanding competitors.” -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/279axp BARCELONA WORLD RACE Open 60 doublehanded round the world race (started Nov 11; 25,000-miles) (Day 24 - December 4, 2007) Having encountered lighter winds last evening, the two race leaders have lost some miles to their pursuers during the past 24 hours. "Going around the Saint Helena High has been slow, and to be honest we're quite impatient to encounter stronger winds", said leader Vincent Riou of PRB. Veolia Environnement is now less than 180 miles behind PRB, and Hugo Boss, lying fourth, has been credited with the best 24 hours run (390 miles). Nevertheless, it seems like the weather situation is still favouring the leaders, while some 250 miles behind them, things are not completely clear yet as Alex Thomson pointed out: "The models are in conflict, we have to wait and see how it evolves. For the moment it doesn't feel like the South yet, the waves are bit confused, it's not cold." -- http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com Positions at 18:00 GMT - Distance to leader (+gain/-loss over previous day) 1-PRB, Vincent Riou (FRA)/Sébastien Josse (FRA), 19,156 DTF (+318) 2-Paprec-Virbac 2, Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA)/Damian Foxall (IRE), 32 mi (-21) 3-Veolia Environnement, Roland Jourdain(FRA)/Jean-Luc Nélias(FRA), 174 (+38) 4-Hugo Boss, Alex Thomson (GBR)/Andrew Cape (AUS), 287 (+54) 5-Delta Dore, Jérémie Beyou (FRA)/Sidney Gavignet (FRA), 369 (+33) 6-Temenos II, Dominique Wavre (SUI)/Michéle Paret (FRA), 532 (-16) 7-Mutua Madrilena, Javier Sanso Windmann (ESP)/Pachi Rivero (ESP), 787 (-148) 8-Estrella Damm, Guillermo Altadill (ESP)/Jonathan McKee (USA), 838 (-80) 9-Educación sin Fronteras, Bargués (ESP)/ Escoffier (FRA), 1166 (-124) * The Scuttlebutt website is taking a weekly snapshot of the fleet, and this week we find the Open 60’s on a long port tack reach since leaving the third scoring gate off Brasil, heading across the Atlantic and below the tip of the African continent toward the Roaring Forties, which PRB and Paprec-Virbac 2 expect to reach later tonight. Down at that latitude, the fleet will expect stronger conditions as they enter the Southern Ocean stretch toward the Australasian continent. Race tracker: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/bwr * (December 4, 2007) Francis Joyon’s solo round the world record attempt from Brest, France is now in its eleventh day, and he has yet to find the stronger winds that he enjoyed last week. His 24-hour speed average has increased slightly to 15.6 knots and distance covered to 374.6 miles, but Joyon’s advance over Ellen Macarthur’s record pace in 2005 has dipped nearly 20 miles, and is now at 777.42 miles. Joyon’s position has him slightly ahead and to windward of Estrella Damm, and nearly abeam and further to windward of Mutua Madrilena. -- http://www.trimaran-idec.com MELGES 32 TUNE UP REGATTA The Melges 32 class and Lauderdale Yacht Club held their annual Tune Up Regatta this past weekend. Eighteen boats benefited from nine championship races with professional go-fast coaching before, during, and after the sailing. Everything was video taped and discussed, from tune to trim to crew maneuvers. This class event proved to be a great way to get into a new boat and a new class organization, and many of the new owners got up to speed right away (and some even won races in the regatta). The event also attracted top local youth sailors that are now expert Melges 32 sailors. All in all, a great class event. Additional details at http://www.melges32.com BEST BOAT FOR 33RD AMERICA'S CUP The boat debate for the next America’s Cup has recently been an active thread in Scuttlebutt. Since the racing was so close in the 32nd event this past summer, Joe Public is wondering why a change is being proposed, because Joe Public fears that a new boat will destroy the parity that currently exists. Joe Public likes parity, but unfortunately, the defender hates it. We are reminded that the America’s Cup is unlike any other event, and that those who contend for the cup make the rules. However, the “cuppers” tend to be Scuttlebutt readers, so in case they have an interest in how Joe Public feels, we ran a poll to find out. With the tally now finalized, the results seem to say what we all suspected: “Heh folks, you are really making a mess of this!” Should the next America's Cup use a new design rule, or refine the rule used for the 32nd America's Cup this year? => Refine current rule - 68.13% => Create new rule - 31.87% If a new rule is to be used, do you think the AC90 Rule that has been created for the next event will be a good type of boat for the America's Cup? => Yes - 26.23% => No - 73.77% There is a possibility that a catamaran will be used next summer between defender Alinghi and challenger BMW Oracle Racing. If this were to occur, how would it affect your current level of interest in the America's Cup? => Increase my interest - 21.84% => Decrease my interest - 43.87% => No change - 34.29% Voter comments: http://tinyurl.com/2g9zbt * A guy that has a real vote is BMW Oracle Racing CEO and Skipper Russell Coutts, and one of the largest Swiss newspapers has published an interview with him talking about the cup. Here is the entire interview: http://www.matchrace.ch/2007/12/interview-with-russell-coutts-about.html LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Doran Cushing, St. Petersburg, FL: Sailors who are based away from St. Petersburg, FL but who come in droves during the winter may be interested to know that the proposed new baseball stadium on the waterfront could have a major impact on the St. Petersburg Sailing Center...all bad. The removal of Bayshore Blvd will limit access to Demens Landing, the sailing center, the municipal marina, and the boat ramps in the basin. All trailer traffic would be forced to route through busier downtown streets rather than "the back way" into Demens. The boat lift at the sailing center may no longer be usable as the dredge and fill may virtually close off access from the lift to the inner basin and Tampa Bay. The summer youth sailing programs held in the basin will be competing for room with kayaks and other vessels operated by baseball fans chasing home runs in the "splash zone" adjoining the sailing center docks. What is now an "alcohol free zone" may become a "free alcohol zone." The logistics for the annual February NOOD regatta may become more difficult with the loss of trailer storage and access roads. Local media is still pandering, waiting to see "which way the wind blows" from their corporate allies. Maybe now is a good time to have a word with local sailing clubs and city officials in St. Pete, eh? => Curmudgeon’s Comment: According to the project website, construction won’t begin until mid-2009, with the new ballpark ready by Opening Day 2012. However, the team is now initiating the process of public outreach to present plans and gather feedback on all aspects of the development. Below is the project website, along with an area map to show the location of the YC and the ballpark: Area map: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/map.jpg Project website: http://www.majorleaguedowntown.com * From Jim Lyle: ‘The Most Treasured Joy I Ever Had’ in Issue 2488 is a sweet article but does a disservice to those in the sailing community with learning disabilities. "Joe" described in this article may be disabled but does not fit the definition of a learning disability. People with learning disabilities frequently have above normal IQs, many would qualify for Mensa membership. Leaning disabilities inhibit individuals from either receiving information or communicating information in ways that "normal" individuals would do so but do not affect the general intellectual ability of an individual. Sailing has proven to be a very attractive sport for many individuals with true learning disabilities since these individuals are often very visual thinkers and can analyze the complexities of sailing tactics and strategies very quickly. Drooling is not a characteristic I have noticed of late of these sailors. Winning championships is. The term learning disability is not some PC euphemism for the type of disability described in this article. I am sure that this story reflects a sincere experience on the part of the writer. But to be fair to every kid and adult who has struggled with learning disabilities in our school systems this is not a story about learning disabilities. People with learning disabilities have been on our national teams, coached Olympic sailors, called tactics on AC boats, and won world championships. So, when your school district needs a couple of extra bucks to support kids with LD please think twice before turning them down. There are a lot of future sailing champions counting on your support. * From Sam Crawford: (RE: Piano position in Issue 2487) I remember as a kid, Jack Bailey had a 12 Meter in Marina del Rey, CA named "Newsboy". She was flush decked, and varnished wood. From all outward appearances, she looked exactly as she was built. However, she had a piano below. The piano might have been Bailey's only vice. WORD OF MOUTH CAMPAIGN For the past ten years, Scuttlebutt has been a leading source of sailing news, and the growth of our readership has been largely due to satisfied “customers” spreading the word about the publication. With the holiday season at hand, the best present you can give the providers of Scuttlebutt is to continue telling your friends about the newsletter. To help your efforts, we have set-up a quick link for an email page, and then all you need to do is pull those names from your contact list that you think should be getting Scuttlebutt. Thanks in advance for the support! Here is the link: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/wordofmouth CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. Special thanks to Ultimate Sailing and Melges Performance Sailboats. |
