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SCUTTLEBUTT 1986 -- December 13, 2005Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus.ISAF RANKINGS FOR OLYMPIC CLASSES The final ISAF World Sailing Rankings release of the year sees all the leaders carry their top spots through into the new year. At the end of 2005, eight-time Laser World Champion Robert Scheidt (BRA) holds the highest points total of any sailor, whilst Great Britain remain the most successful nation at the top of the Rankings. Despite time spent racing in the Star at the start of the year, Scheidt was back to his best in the Laser when the major competitions came around, winning both the European and World Championships by a significant margin. At 5,017, points he is narrowly ahead of 49er leaders Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks (GBR) on 5,011 points with ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz (Tornado - ESP) counting 4,950 points. However although Scheidt has the highest points total his former Laser rival, Ben Ainslie (GBR) holds perhaps the best Rankings scorecard in the Finn. The Brit has won the three events he entered this year which gives him five victories and two second places in his seven included events. Of the 2,604 sailors featured in the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, Ainslie comes closest to a perfect sweep of seven first places. Britain has consistently maintained a position as the most successful nation in the Rankings. This month they feature the two Rankings leaders mentioned above and three second places and a third. The Ukraine, Spain and Germany fare second best with three sailors placed in top three positions, with the Ukrainians counting two of those as Rankings leaders. Ranking leaders in Olympic classes not mentioned above include Paige Railey (Laser Radial - USA) Alvaro Marinho / Miguel Nunes (470 Men POR), Fredrik Loof/ Ander Ekstom (Star - SWE), Ho Chi Ho (Men's Windsurfer - HKG), Ingrid Petitjean/ Nadege Douroux (470- FRA) Ruslana Taran/ Anna Kalinina/ Svetlana Matevusheva (Yngling UKR) and Olga Maslivets (Women's Windsurfer - UKR). Interestingly, Yngling world champions Sally Barkow Carrie Howe, Debbie Capozzi (USA) are now ranked number 12. Hmm? - Complete ISAF rankings for the Olympic classes: www.sailing.org/newssearch.asp?keyword=SailRank&FromDate=12-Dec-2004 STILL THE PINNACLE -- Gary Jobson The America's Cup has been around since 1851 - longer than the modern Olympic Games, which began in 1896. And Gary Jobson firmly believes the America's Cup is still the pinnacle of the sport and that there is nothing bigger than to win it, emphasizing the importance of the Cup in the world of sailing and beyond. "The reward for winning the Cup is huge - you get to take the trophy with you, then you take the event. And if you win, not only do you generate a lot of national respect, but international respect, which I think, in the age we're living in, would do well for this country." Also worth noting is the fact that a challenger has won four of the last seven America's Cups. But Jobson could not resist a slight dig at the current defender. "When you think about it, the most famous mariners from Switzerland were the Swiss Family Robinson - and they shipwrecked!" --Diane Swintal reviewing the BMW Oracle traveling yacht club 'road show' on the Cup Info website, full story: http://www.cupinfo.com/en/BMWO-roadshow-05.php ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE Seven Australian yachtsmen who have previously sailed their yachts to an Overall win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race are lining up again for the 2005 blue water classic. Of the seven, all but two are members of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the conducting club for the past 60 years. Two of them have also skippered bigger boats to line honours victories and another two have their sights set on being to Hobart first in the fleet this year. The seven past winners of the historic Tattersalls Cup who are racing to Hobart this year as skippers of their own boats are:Lou Abrahams, Syd Fischer, Roger Hickman, Ed Psaltis and Bob Thomas, Geoffrey Ross and Michael Spies. Also sailing again this year are former line honours winning skippers Neville Crichton, a CYCA member, and Grant Wharington, representing Victoria's Mornington Yacht Club. Crichton, who got the gun with his 90-footer Alfa Romeo in 2002, is back with his new 98-footer, also named Alfa Romeo, while Wharington is again campaigning his 98-footer Skandia, which he sailed to a line honours win in 2003. The fleet for the 2005 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race stands at 88 boats following the latest withdrawal - Victorian yacht Chikara. teams for the Rolex Challenge will be announced over the next two days, with the international teams series being decided on results in this week's Rolex Trophy - Rating Series and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, starting on 26 December. The Rolex Trophy - Rating Series will be sailed from this Thursday, 15 December, through to next Sunday, 18 December. -- www.rolexsydneyhobart.com RACING RULES QUIZ True or False? Whenever the right of way changes from one boat to another, the new right-of-way boat must initially give the other boat room to keep clear. (Answer below.) A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA FOR YOUR SKIPPER OR CREW The Ockam U text explains in clear, easy to follow language often misunderstood concepts such as Polars/Targets, VMC course calculations for long distance racing, and modifying target speeds in oscillating breeze (aka "Wally"), plus much more. Whether you sail with a sophisticated fully integrated instrument system, or rely solely on a compass and the seat-of-your-pants, Ockam U provides helpful information to get you around the course faster. A great gift and a bargain at $25 plus shipping. Winter Special: buy 3, get 1 free. Click on the Ockam U link at the website for details and order form: http://www.ockam.com CORUM MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Key Largo, Fla., Dec. 12, 2006 "It was like driving head-on into oncoming traffic!" With those words Fort Lauderdale's Morgan Reeser described his starting line tactics as he drove Neil Sullivan's Mfatic into a commanding lead on the second day of the 2005 Corum Melges 24 World Championship at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. Reeser and Sullivan, who hails from Annapolis, Maryland, led on points after the first day of racing. They consolidated their lead with a first place in the first race today, never far from the lead in the ten-mile race inside the reef off North Key Largo. The second race in cool sparkling and sunny conditions with a puffy 10-knot breeze saw Mfatic trapped in the middle of the starting line with nowhere to go. "We were trapped," Reeser recalled. "The only thing to do was go over on the port tack before the starting gun sounded and sail against the oncoming boats, all of which had right of way over us. We ducked and dodged through 40 boats, just like driving head-on into oncoming traffic. It was kinda exciting." The tactic worked and Reeser found a space in the 99-boat fleet where his wind wasn't blocked by competing boats. He finished high up in the talent-packed international fleet, posting a 17th place, which was good enough to give him a 13-point cushion over the Italian boat Marrachech Express which finished the day in second place on points. America versus Europe was the theme at the top of the fleet with US boats taking six of the first ten places and the Europeans filling the other four. - Keith Taylor Standing after four races without a discard: 1. Morgan Reeser, Mfatic, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., 28 points; 2. Gabriele Benussi, Marrachech Express, Trieste, Italy, 41; 3. John Pollard, Xcellent, Torquay, England, 41; 4. Brian Porter, Full Throttle, Winnetka, Ill., 43; 5. James Spithill, Luna Rossa, Genoa, Italy, 49; 6. Philippe Kahn, Pegasus 575, San Francisco, Calif., 50; 7. David Ullman, USA-505, Newport Beach, Calif., 54; 8. Nicola Celon, Ale Ali, Verona, Italy, 54; 9. François Brenac, Partner & Partners, La Rochelle, France, 57; 10. Martin Kullman, New Wave, St. Petersburg, Fla., 70. Event photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/05/m24worlds/ Event website: http://www.2005corumm24worlds.com CHANGING TIMES (Following are a few excerpts from a new story posted on The Daily Sail subscription website.) At a press conference at the Salon Nautique in Paris yesterday some major changes affecting the French 60ft trimaran circuit were announced. This obviously follows on from the disastrous 2002 Route du Rhum and most recently the Transat Jacques Vabre, at the same time as cost are dramatically escalating in the class and media and sponsor return appears to be plummeting. For starters the ORMA title is to be dropped in favour of the Multi Cup 60', indicating the fresh start the class are taking. The main points the new class want to achieve is: - a consistent circuit - a secure future for four years - an increased international dimension - crewed racing - compatible with and complementary to the big double or single-handed oceanic races - improved safety - better geared towards entertaining the general public The secure, four year format will be guaranteed by the arrival of a new partner, to be announced at the season's start, and who will finance all of the Multi Cup 60' events. The new format will improve sponsor/ owner benefits by increasing visibility both in France and aboard. All these aspects are aimed at maximizing return on investment for the professional teams. The four year circuit will comprise six events per year and will be more international with the aim of making the Multi Cup 60' one of the world's pinnacle grand prix sailing series globally. - www.thedailysail.com VOLVO OCEAN RACE Monday, December 12 - The Pirates of the Caribbean were back on the water and sailing today for the first time since withdrawing from the opening leg of the race. After suffering a leak through the keel fairing doors on the first night of racing The Black Pearl was forced to pull out of the opening leg and seek urgent repairs in Cascais, Portugal. But a month on, fully repaired and looking like new, The Black Pearl returned to the water for a practice sail this afternoon and skipper Paul Cayard was happy to report the problems which wrecked their first leg are now cured. "The boat feels no different. It shouldn't feel different. From a performance viewpoint, nothing has changed. We just repaired some things that were broken," said the American winner of the 1998 Whitbread Race.It was fantastic to get back on the water. We are all very competitive, we like racing and we love this race so it was heartbreaking to be taken out of the competition right at the beginning like that, but we are also realists and these boats are right at the cutting edge." Cayard has also revealed that in a bid to make up for lost time he will lead his crew out into the open ocean for a three day offshore training session ahead of the In Port race on Boxing Day. - Complete story: http://www.bymnews.com/new/content/view/21848/48/ THEY JUST KEEP GOING AND GOING At all the regattas around the world, just look at what the crews are wearing. It is no surprise that the Camet Padded shorts, Bermuda shorts, Aruba shorts, Cargo shorts and pants are everywhere, from Opti sailors to the Farr 40's, Maxi's, and cruisers. The comfort of the pads, the reinforced Cordura seat, and the quick drying breathable Supplex fabrics and the 97.5% UV protection is the solution to hours on the water. Check out the shorts, Code Zero shirts, Canvas shorts, Bubble Tops, Rash Guards and Mylar bags on the Camet web site: http://www.camet.com NEWS BRIEFS * In the opening qualifying races of the Laser Radial Youth World Championship in Fortaleza, Brasil the older sailors dominated the front of the fleets in 20 knot winds and big seas. With the benefit of a warm up in the previous weeks Men's Laser Radial Championship Blair McLay NZL and Federico Melo POR took line honours in both races in each of the two fleets. Sailing in the same fleet as Melo, Brasilian Daniel Jacobsson fought his way back into second place in both races with Anotnis Tzortis doing the same in third. Fred Strammer (USA) is the top North American with nine points in a tie for seventh place. http://www.2005laserworlds.com.br/ * There is a meeting of the AC 32 Challenger Commission in progress at the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. Ten of the eleven Challengers are represented; apologies were received from Victory Challenge (SWE). (Hmmm?) - www.challengercommission.com/ * With the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race leaders approaching Western Australia and sailing past the 1,000 miles to go barrier, the race takes on a different complexion as they leave the formidable Southern Ocean behind and head for the warmer waters off Western Australia Durban continues her run at the front, with Victoria grimly hanging on behind in second place. westernaustralia.com has edged back to have less lateral separation from the leading two, and Jersey and Qingdao are having a close match for fourth place. - www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006/ ANSWER TO RACING RULES False -- Rule 15 says a boat that gains the right of way usually has to give the other boat room to keep clear. However, this rule does not apply when a boat acquires right of way because of the other boat's actions. For example, if a boat tacks onto port tack right in front of you, you don't have to give them room to keep clear because it was their action that caused the change in right of way. -- See how well you really know the new 2005-2008 racing rules -- there are 99 more questions like this; check out the Racing Rules IQ Test. -- www.SpeedandSmarts.com JUST LAUNCHED…THE NEW J/124 41 feet of pure sailing joy. With her sleek narrow hull, low VCG keel and Hall carbon rig, the new J/124 slices through the water with incredible ease. The huge cockpit begs for a party, and yet sailing systems are set up for just one or two to sail. See pix at http://www.jboats.com/j124 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 Carl Crafoord: In regards to John Rousmaniere's comment about Carleton Mitchell's 38' Finisterre completing a hat trick unmatched in any major Ocean Race by winning three Bermuda Races. The gentleman who taught me to navigate, the real way, celestially, was Mr. Stan Darling. Stan navigated four Sydney Hobart winners. Solveig in the late 50's and Freya in 1963, 64 and 65. Hence a hat trick in, without a doubt, one of the worlds major ocean races. Solveig and Freya were owned and skippered by the Halverson brothers. * From Doug Petter (edited to our 250-word limit): My kids, 8 & 12 like the Opti a lot. They know the Laser is faster, there are lots of faster boats, there are lots of faster sports, that's not the point. My kids sail their boats by choice with or without coaches, with or without marks, and with or without parental supervision for one reason....it's fun! Typical of all kids they like to tip the boats over, like to crash into each other (make them buff out their own scratches and that ends!) and some days there doesn't appear to be any point to going out. That's perhaps most poignant, some days there is no point, it's just to go sailing that is the ends and the means. For someone that quit sailing for 35 years to say kids stop sailing because 'Opti's are boring and the parents that provide them are tools' is pretty funny, I've already sailed for 35 years, starting in a Sunflower, moving to Opti's, and going to everything I can sail. To beat the dead horse a little more. Coaches and teams are fun for those kids that like all that it entails, if a parent or kid doesn't like that, so what, play anyway, I've yet to be at a Regatta where we don't see kids of all abilities, teams or not. Keep cheering for all the kids and they all smile, team or not, keep them happy, it's not hard and it sets a good example * From Adrian Morgan: Correct me if I am wrong, but in the UK as many people drown in their cars as from boats, and many more from being swept away from rocks, headland, breakwaters, etc. This prompted one commentator recently to suggest that all car drivers should be made to wear lifejackets, and all who venture out onto exposed promontories. Simply put, falling overboard must be avoided, and thus my old teacher would tell me 'just don't fall overboard'. Familiarity with the boat and its motion is important, but nothing can prepare one for the unexpected, the sudden lurch, rogue wave; so a tether, or lifeline, to my mind, is the safest and simplest prophylactic measure. How long, how attached, etc can be debated. Safety at sea is paramount, lifejackets for dinghy sailors and hard hats for children are sensible precautions, but compulsion and the profusion of electronics that already clutter the once simple chart tables of small boats should not be allowed to proliferate to the extent that the essential simplicity of our pastime is compromised. More rules and regulations? Leave us alone. More gadgets and gizmos? Please no. Or at least think very carefully before screwing any more clever black boxes to your ever-crowded bulkhead. * From Jay Horowitz: Congratulations to Paige Railey and Brad Funk for stellar performances at Radial Worlds in Fortaleeza. Lost amongst all the hoopla surrounding these two world class sailors is something they share in common. No, not just their shared geographic home or the yacht club to which they belong. No, not just their shared drive, determination and love of the sport, but a coach who was there at the beginning of this inspired joie de vivre when on the water. As young sailors they were both coached in Opti's by the same man; Eric Bardes. Eric and the Opti class were an important part of the genesis of a love for the sport, a commitment to excel, and the foundation for success both on and off the water. Eric is currently the Opti coach for Team FOR (Florida Oceanic Racing) and Head Coach of the USODA National Team. In stark contrast with yacht club programs, Team FOR is "coach-driven"; the sailors and their families have placed their faith in Eric (and our Laser coach; Ian Lineberger) to provide our children with the same inspiration, love of sailing and the skills to succeed in their lives as he's done with countless others before them. He determines the goals and course to reach these goals, and we as parents make that happen. With the advent of sailors like Paige and Brad reaching the world stage there will be many more American sailors coached and inspired by Eric to follow on this tack. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Special thanks to Ockam Instruments, Camet Sailing Gear, and J/Boats |
