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SCUTTLEBUTT 2901 - Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,
providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and
dock talk . . . with a North American focus.
Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt
Today's sponsors are Doyle Sails, Melges Performance Sailboats, and USSTAG.
DEBRIEFED: A POST VOR INTERVIEW WITH KEN READ
By David Schmidt, SAIL
In May of 2007, a fledgling team called Puma Ocean Racing announced their
intentions of competing in the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race - a nine month
37,000 mile round-the-world grudge match that’s fought out in the world’s
fastest monohulls. Led by Ken Read, the team was runner-up, and now two months
after the race’s finish, Read provides insight into the campaign, and on what
lies ahead for him and the team:
* So, now that it’s all over, what are your thoughts about the VOR? Is it the
ultimate sailboat race?
KEN READ: “It’s the best event in our sport, period. It’s doing it all –
spectacular sailing, but that’s only part of it. It’s creating a fan base that
the sport desperately needs, and spreading the good word of sailing. The boats
open eyes everywhere they go, both sailing and on the docks, and the teams are
developing personalities that people can relate to. I’ll make a case that this
race was the first time that the sponsors got a good return on their
investments. And getting a good return on sponsor investment is the ultimate
litmus test.”
* Looking back on the 37,000+ miles that you guys sailed, what was the best
moment of the race? Or, maybe more apt, what are your best memories of the
race?
KEN READ: “Probably the in-port win and the offshore win, these were
important. Also, arriving in Cape Town in second place put an exclamation mark
on the fact that we were going to be a player in the race. Going around Cape
Horn and escaping the clutches of the Southern Ocean. Clearly, the best
sailing was the last three days before arriving in Galway [Ireland]; putting
the pedal down in some spectacular conditions.” -- Read on:
http://sailmagazine.com/racing/vor_interview_ken_read/
BIOLOGY BATTLE
While the teams in the 2008-09 race fought for every inch of the 37,000
nautical miles, the Media Crew Members (MCM) were waging their own private
battle against ocean degradation. In a project led by race partner Wallenius
Wilhelmsen Logistics, the MCMs were tasked with collecting water samples along
the route to help map the amount of life in the oceans. Their efforts were
aimed at helping to increase knowledge of one of the greatest environmental
threats facing the world's seas - the spread of invasive species.
Research by the United Nation's International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
shows that marine microorganisms are moved around the world in ship ballast
water and risk, if the water is not purified, being released in new ecosystems
where they lack natural predators. The threat is relatively unknown to the
general public. One of many examples of invasive species is the comb jelly,
originally from the Atlantic coast of America, which has spread exponentially
in the Baltic Sea. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/n7eemt
DOYLE DOMINATES PORT HURON TO MACKINAC
At the 2009 85th sailing of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race, Doyle powered
boats won 12 classes (Beneteau 36.7, J/120, NA 40, ORR A, IRC B, IRC C, IRC E,
IRC F, Cruising A, B, C and D) and won 54% of the flags awarded. For
unsurpassed shape retention and performance, contact your local Doyle loft:
http://www.doylesails.com
STAR WORLDS
Now 31 years old, when Flavio Marazzi competed in the 2000 Olympics for
Switzerland with his brother as crew, he was the youngest Star skipper in the
fleet. Marazzi now has three Olympics under his belt; two of them with Enrico
De Maria. Marazzi's years of persistence have earned him and De Maria a
position shared with countryman and tennis star, Roger Federer. As of July
2009, they are both ranked number one in the world in their respective sports.
-- Read on: http://www.starclass.org/artman/publish/article_433.shtml
* Varberg, Sweden (August 4, 2009; Day 3) - Racing was canceled at the 2009
Star World Championship due to lack of wind. The third and fourth races are
now scheduled for Wednesday, August 5th.
Preliminary Results - Top 10 of 86
1. SUI, Flavio Marazzi/ Enrico De Maria, 3-3, 6
2. SWE, Fredrik Loof/ Johan Tillander, 2-5, 7
3. USA, Mark Mendelblatt/ Mark Strube, 8-4, 12
4. POL, Mateusz Kusznierewicz/ Dominik Zycki, 1-12, 13
5. NZL, Hamish Pepper/ Craig Monk, 11-9, 20
6. IRL, Peter O Leary/ Tim Goodbody, 15-10, 25
7. GER, Alexander Schlonski/ Frithjof Kleen, 9-17, 26
8. BRA, Robert Scheidt/ Bruno Prada, 26-2, 28
9. ITA, Nicola Celon/ Edoardo Natucci, 7-21, 28
10. USA, Andrew Campbell/ Magnus Liljedahl, 14-14, 28
Results: http://www.starclass.org/search.cgi?Action=view&Event_id=1654
KEY WEST: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Arguably the most scrutinized keelboat event in North America is the annual
Key West Race Week in January. Great weather and elite race management has
made it the place to be for both the grand prix and club racer, with new boats
and products on display throughout. However, when concerns about the economy
arrived last fall, all eyes focused on how the 2009 event would weather the
storm.
Indeed it suffered, with entries down 40%, and quickly all event organizers
grew concerned for what lay ahead for them. Some events have fared better than
others this year, and it is with optimism that the pendulum will swing back
for the sport in 2010. Scuttlebutt contacted Key West event organizer Peter
Craig of Premiere Racing for an update:
* The 2009 event was a down year. When did you see that coming?
PETER CRAIG: “Our entries start coming in mid-September. As you may recall,
people put a lot of plans on hold last fall as the global economic crisis
unfolded. People weren't sure what was going to happen next and the rumor mill
was out of control. We knew the event would be impacted and it was Oct/Nov
when we accepted the fact that fleet size was for 2009 going to be down and
the final number was anybody's guess at that point.”
* Was there a predominant reason for the lower numbers?
PETER CRAIG: “For sure it was the uncertainty and the unprecedented happenings
in the world markets. One would think that expenses and financial where with
all would be # 1 reason, but that wasn't the case. A second common reason we
heard was boat owners "doing the right thing". With layoffs on the rise and
the ongoing air of uncertainty - heading to sunny Key West for 8-10 days of
sailing wasn't perceived by many company owners and business leaders as a
prudent action.” -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0804
THE NORTH COAST
In the state of New York, Rochester has earned the nickname "The North Coast"
for good reason - just ask a sailor. "Believe it or not, Rochester is
considered a mecca in the sailing world," says Keith Burhans, vice commodore
of the Rochester Yacht Club. "Other places in the world have overdeveloped
waterfronts and no room to host large events. We have ample space to bring in
hundreds of boats and trailers and accommodate everyone for storage. People
from around the world are really impressed with what we have to offer."
The Rochester Yacht Club has hosted many major sailing events over the years.
This year's marquis competition will be the Rolex Women's International
Keelboat Championship, in October, a J/22 event. Rochester happens to be home
to that event's 2001 winner, Cory Sertl, an alternate on the 1988 women's
Olympic sailing team and the 1995 and 2001 Rolex Yachstwoman of the Year.
Sertl will be competing with three other women this October. -- Read on:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907110301
MELGES MANIA
Exciting events are on the horizon for many of the Melges classes including
the Melges 24 World Championship and the Audi Melges 20 U.S. National
Championship along with all the big Scow regattas that run through the summer.
Catch much of the action on the official Melges.com website as you can see
race results, video, and live updates during many of the championships. The
new Audi Melges 20 is taking off big time in the USA and Europe. Watch for
regatta updates and race images also at http://www.Melges.com
SAILING SHORTS
* (San Diego, CA) - Four time past Santana 20 Class Champion Chris Winnard,
skipper of Team Disaster Area, was able to avoid last minute disaster in this
no-throw-out series by finishing 3rd in the final race to secure his fifth
championship title. Runner up was Team Alexa - the 2008 Class Championship
winning team. -- Full report:
http://www.s20.org/2009/2009S20CCR/2009S20CCRIndex.htm
* (Chicago, IL) - Chicago Yacht Club's North American Challenge Cup is a
well-respected sailing regatta for the disabled community, building a 17 year
reputation for outstanding competition on a national and international level.
With the support of American Airlines, plane tickets were provided for this
year’s event, along with complimentary local transportation, meals, and social
functions. Class winners were David Trude (2.4mR), Simon Benyakov/Moshe
Zehavi/Josef Barda (Sonar), and Karen Mitchell/Bob E. Jones (Freedom 20). --
Details: http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org/viewCustomPage.aspx?id=26
* (Victoria, BC) - INTACT Insurance and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club hosted
119 teams from 7 provinces and 28 clubs and organizations - all aged 18 years
& under - to this year's Canadian Yachting Association Youth National
Championship. Seven classes competed, with the Laser Radial having the largest
fleet of 27 boats, ably won by Tyler Meyrick of Royal Canadian Yacht Club. --
Final results: http://www.rvyc.bc.ca/results/1249352980.htm
* The 2009 12 Metre World Championships Regatta, September 22-27, will be more
than a memory when Jobson Sailing, Inc. produces "A Century of Tradition",
about the Worlds and the 12 Metre Class. This one-hour film will be narrated
by Gary Jobson and broadcast on November 7 on ESPN Classic. It will also be
available on DVD. William Koch is the Executive Producer. -- Read on:
http://tinyurl.com/nsapnw
HELP WANTED - US SAILING TEAM ALPHAGRAPHICS
How does being paid to work from the world’s best sailing venues among the
world’s best sailors sound? If you are a great communicator, comfortable with
computers and cameras, able to find a wifi signal where others cannot,
incredibly well-organized and ready to lend a hand at all times, we’ve got the
job for you. -- Details:
http://about.ussailing.org/Careers_at_US_SAILING/Programs_Coordinator.htm
AIN’T GOING TO BE RULES IN THIS KNIFE FIGHT
By Cory E. Friedman, America’s Cup legal analyst
As I warned, everything heard at the last hearing (on July 21, 2009) was
provisional pending Justice Kornreich’s ruling. As widely reported, the broad
strokes remain the same - this will be a powerboat race, in which gasoline
engines trim the sails and do the hiking. Indeed, just as workers with banks
of TV and computer monitors in windowless rooms in Nevada launch Hellfire
missiles at bad guys in Afghanistan and Pakistan, there is no reason why
anyone needs to be on these boats when they race, if the engineers do their
jobs properly. (More about that in a minute.) Indeed, if the software
engineers get to work, there will not even be any need for anyone in the
windowless rooms. After all, computers can now beat chess Grandmasters, so
could sailing really be all that hard with enough teraflops of computing
power?
What Justice Kornreich added in her decision that previously was not mentioned
is something really new and different - no rules. You heard that right.
Société Nautique De Genève (SNG) can change any rule in any way at any time up
to the “start of the race.” SNG is not limited by Rule 86.1(b) as to what
rules it can change. Although it might get its wrist slapped by International
Sailing Federation (ISAF), it can throw out the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS)
altogether and institute something completely different at any time of its
choosing.
Thus, when Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) shows up with every muscle and neuron
programmed to execute every match racing move instinctively, SNG can announce:
“By the way, we are going to round to port, port will have right of way over
starboard and windward will have right of way over leeward. You are really
going to like our rules. We have been practicing them for months and think
they are great - once you get used to them.” Indeed, although it might owe
ISAF a few Euros, and get some grief from ISAF, SNG can send ISAF and its
International Jury packing and appoint a jury of three blind mice, with no
right of appeal. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/cf/#p42
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
Please submit your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’).
Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words
(letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). One letter per subject,
and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a
more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum.
-- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com
-- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum
* From Alexander Kovell:
Before I force my way from port into the starboard tackers on the layline, let
me prematurely hang my yellow flag off the backstay and fire a warning shot
over a couple of bows.
While both teams represented in the next America’s Cup seem to have some
pretty rockin' boats and a huge amount of technical expertise, it has come to
my attention of a grievous detail that has seemingly not had enough attention
given to it in the whole legal debacle. With powered winches there is no need
or want for large gorillas on board making crew weight more important then
ever. Powered winches give the smallest (least windage) and lightest weight
sailors huge advantage over the big boys and girls, especially at light air
venues in the Middle East. What is needed is to find the best sailors in the
world with the smallest personal weight displacements to fill the roles
traditionally assigned to long seasoned veterans. We need a conglomeration of
the world’s finest Optimist sailors! -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/lboboz
* From Jeff Brock:
Regarding skin friction and the next America’s Cup, anybody who releases
chemicals in the water to make a boat go fast should be jailed if not shot. I
thought were trying save the planet and its waters? Da!!
* From Andy Vare:
Let’s not forget what Dennis Conner wrapped his Stars & Stripes with down in
Freemantle. A low friction 2M Glad-bag type stuff below the waterline that was
demonstrably faster than a 12 without....no relation to Gladstone if you were
wondering...and going even farther back into the 70s there were several
studies done and outlined in Yacht Racing magazine about "hot boats and hot
water"..and ablatives and surface polymers adding huge performance gains.
There is enough money in the sport that if it provides a performance benefit,
someone will do it if it isn't illegal....luckily we have had that Rule 53 for
some time. Can you think of a competitor bringing a 55 gallon drum weighing
say 500 lbs in centerline just above the keel, with a winch driven pump,
sending polymer into the bow wave, and calculating the exact amount necessary
to serve the whole first beat and be empty at the weather mark when it was
time to go downwind? Environmental nightmare, though if you are currently
funded through Carlyle Group then you understand the mindset.
* From Daria Blackwell:
In response to Dean Deitrich “Never before has the Cup been contested between
such radically different boats” comment in Scuttlebutt 2900, anyone who
remembers the wild Cup race in 1988 knows that radically different boats have
been there before. From the America’s Cup Website:
“The facts would prove Conner right and the unsurprising victory of his small
18.30-metre LOA catamaran, Stars & Stripes, against the huge 27.43-metre LOA
monohull New Zealand would remain forever the most incongruous America’s Cup.
“
* From John Fox:
As a Marine Engineer specializing in race boats, I have followed the reports
on the Cynthia Woods with great interest. There appear to be flaws in both the
USCG Tiger Team report and in the report submitted by Brendon Debroth on
behalf of Texas A&M. Many seem to be overlooking the fact that the ISAF
Special Regulations state that besides the initial engineering being either to
ABS or ISO, any significant repairs shall be certified as complying with ABS
or ISO. Regardless of the original engineering, Texas A&M apparently failed to
abide by that and the boat never should have raced offshore.
Owners of existing boats do have an obligation to make sure their boats are
safe and continue to be safe after repairs are made. The Tiger Team report
indicates that the Cynthia Woods was towed at least 1.5 miles with its keel
dragging in the mud on several occasions. How could that not have weakened the
structure? According to the reports, the Cynthia Woods was not built to the
designer’s plans and had a heavier and deeper keel, with smaller area of
attachment than the original design. It does not say who designed the newer
keel or engineered the attachment, however the bottom thickness was reduced
and no additional material was added to the floors. Obviously there is plenty
of blame to go around. She was under built and abused in service. --
Scuttlebutt Forum, read on:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7989#7989
CURMUDGEON’S CONUNDRUM
For older men looking for younger, sexy women who are interested in them, have
you tried looking at a bookstore under fiction?
Special thanks to Doyle Sails, Melges Performance Sailboats, and USSTAG.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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