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SCUTTLEBUTT 1573 - April 30, 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, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere. DOES PRACTICE MAKE PERFECT? Well - yes and no. Earlier in the week, Dr. Richard Schmidt wrote a letter to Scuttlebutt that dealt with popular misconceptions about practice methods used to improve sailboat racing skills. In addition to being a university professor and an accomplished racing skipper, Dick is also a good friend … so it was easy to impose on him to put together some guidelines that would help recreational sailors improve their results on the racecourse. He did it, and we are sure you'll find his message both eye-opening and beneficial. It's now posted on our website as our recommended reading selection for the weekend. Enjoy: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/04/ras/ GRAND PRIX RATING RULE - The next step US Sailing, the ORC, and RORC formed the Rule Working Party (RWP) almost eighteen months ago. US Sailing has stepped back from the RWP because this group was unable to reach a consensus on the fundamentals of a new grand prix rule. The void is still there and we must move to fill it. Therefore, US Sailing is embarking immediately on a collaboration with yacht clubs, race organizations, sailors and other interested parties to review the current state of offshore racing in the US and develop a program to address the needs of our sailing public. With respect to grand prix racing, we will incorporate much of what we learned working with the RWP and ensure that the interests of existing grand prix initiatives within the US are served. US Sailing will, of course, communicate with the ORC, RORC and other international organizations in the hope that ultimately there will be common ground for an international rule. - Jim Teeters and Dan Nowlan for US Sailing IT'S OVER Olivier de Kersauson's Cap Gemini Schneider sponsored grey trimaran crossed the notional finish line for the Jules Verne Trophy, between the Lizard and Ushant at 1517 local time on Thursday 29 April. Her elapsed time of 63 days 14 hours, 59 minutes and 46 seconds is approximately 18 hours faster than that of the previous Trophy holder, Bruno Peyron in his maxi cat Orange. However, although de Kersauson is now the holder of the Jules Verne Trophy, originally awarded for the fastest outright time sailing round the world, it must be a hollow victory because the Trophy no longer has that cachet since Steve Fossett and his crew on Cheyenne, not members of the Jules Verne 'club', broke the outright record earlier in the month and were still almost 5 days faster than Geronimo. - Yachting World, full story: http://www.yachting-world.com/auto/newsdesk/20040329152628ywnews.html Geronimo's website: www.trimaran-geronimo.com/ HOT ROUNDING Imagine rounding the weather mark and not having to do the 'strip-dance' removing layers to keep from overheating on the run. When you wear the new Neo N2S top from Henri Lloyd the dance is over. Made from Gore's new N2S® (next to skin) performance fabric, the Neo can be worn next to the skin or over a base layer. Highly breathable, waterproof, windproof, and wicking, the Neo performs over a broad range of climate conditions and activity levels eliminating the need for layer upon layer. Focus on the course, not your clothing. Available at APS now… http://www.apsltd.com/scuttlebutt INDUSTRY NEWS An audacious move by Doyle Sails New Zealand has seen it take centre stage in its US parent's ambitions to become the world's largest sailmaker. A year ago, the Auckland operation appeared to face a gloomy future with the rest of the New Zealand yachting industry after the loss of the America's Cup. But proposals the Kiwis put forward to merge with Doyle's operations in Marblehead, Massachusetts, have been accepted and carried through. The new entity, Doyle International, will form an operations hub for the entire 65-loft network of Doyle sailmakers worldwide in locations as far-flung as Africa and Japan. Not only will Kiwis drive international sales for the whole group, they will also head up design and R&D for the network. They aim to grow the number of Doyle's lofts worldwide in a bid to overtake the world's number one sailmaker, North Sails. Chris McMaster, chief executive of the NZ operation and now chief operating officer of the newly formed Doyle Sails International, said: "Our position today is somewhat different from that of a year ago." Though former Olympian and America's Cup veteran Robbie Doyle, who founded the US operation in 1982, has been named chief executive of the new entity, McMaster will drive the new business, with Doyle in a more ambassadorial role. - Rob Stock, NZ Sunday Star Times, full story: www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2885718a13,00.html AUDI STAR WORLDS Gaeta, Italy - It's official: The Star Class World Championships is right back on song after a thrilling day of racing and some excellent, top drawer decisions made by the on-water race committee. After a postponement of several hours, racing got underway at 2:30 pm in a building 15-18 knot sea breeze. The conditions had 'tactical day' written all over them and the racing certainly didn't disappoint despite only one race being completed as the official schedule is moved further back. However they (the RC) did their level best in tricky course-laying conditions and were a credit to this prestigious class, gaining plaudits from the star-studded (no pun intended) fleet. One of the great sights in world sailing has to be a fully powered up Starboat with the crew at full extension and off the line the fleet were going at it hammer and tongs. A long line saw the main title contenders at odds with each other on their starting position with a slight weight bias in talent to the port end starters where the likes of Percy/ Mitchell, Neeleman/ Van Niekerk and Grael/ Ferreira elected to start. Interestingly the American contingent started mid-line almost together and played the shifts up the middle of the beat. As the fleet converged as the finish line loomed, it was Neeleman who had extended his lead to take the winners gun from Percy, Beashel and Grael. However there was another twist to come in this tale as the competitors stepped ashore and with no returns after an individual recall flag was flown, all eyes were on the official notice board in the marina. It was heartbreak for Neeleman who read disbelievingly that he was adjudged OCS by the race committee. - Excerpts from a story by Magnus Wheatley, full story: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/default2.asp?section=11&article=12797 Standings after three races: 1. Frederik Lööf & Anders Ekström, SWE, 11 points 2. Torben Grael & Marcel Bastos Ferreira, BRA, 14 3. Peter Bromby & Lee White, BER, 23 4. Iain Percy & Steve Mitchell, GBR, 24 5. Roberto Bermudez de Castro & Pablo Arrarte Elorza, ESP, 26 6. Stig Westergaard & Dann Neergaard, DEN, 37 7. Roy Heiner & Alex Breuseker, NED, 43 8. Rohan Lord & Andrew Taylor NZL, 44 9. Leonidas Pelekanakis & George Kodogouris, GRE, 45 10. Giampiero Poggi & Giovanni Stilo ITA, 51 Event website: http://www.starworld2004.com/ Some really amazing Carlo Borlenghi photos of the event have just been posted in our gallery: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/starworlds/ TRIVIA QUESTION Last week three J Class yachts competed at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Velsheda won, with Ranger and Cambria to follow. However, of the three yachts, one of them was not designed to the J Class rule and was only recently accepted into the class. Which one? (Answer below) AMERICA'S CUP CREW POSITION RAFFLE The 18th crew position on Oracle-BMW is being raffled for the UBS Challenge practice day in Newport, RI, June 16, 2004. Limited tickets still available at $100 each or 6/$500. Proceeds benefit the Museum of Yachting. To purchase tickets: 401/847-1018 or sallyanne@moy.org. Major credit cards and personal checks accepted. http://www.moy.org MATCH RACING Lake Garda offered one of its spectacular days of strong southerly breeze up 20-25 knots and sunshine to the ten crews competing in the ISAF Grade 1 Garda Trentino Open Match Race. With the local breeze "Ora" settling in at around 10am, the Race Committee was able to complete round robin one and start round robin two. Jesper Radich had a very good day, scoring 8 wins and suffering only one loss to Paolo Cian. Current match racing world champion Ed Baird scored seven wins and lost only one match to Radich. Total leaderboard (skipper/wins/losses) 1. Jesper Radich (DEN), 11/2 1. Ed Baird (USA), 11/2 3. Mathieu Richard (FRA), 10/3 4. Paolo Cian (ITA, Italia Challenge), 9/4 5. Mark Campbell-James (GBR), 7/6 6. Ian Williams (GBR), 5/8 7. Johnie Berntsson (SWE), 1/3 8. Maxim Taranov (RUS), 3/10 8. Michael Dunstan (AUS, Ozboyz Challenge), 3/10 9. Andrew Arbuzov (RUS), 2/11 Cup in Europe website, full story: www.cupineurope.com/MatchRace/04GardaEN.htm Event website: http://tinyurl.com/22h2e NEWS BRIEFS * Two hundred and forty three Hobie 16 teams, representing twenty-eight countries, are registered for the World Championship in Cancun Mexico. It's the biggest ever! Five separate championships will be contested in sixty-four brand new Hobie 16s provided by the Hobie Cat Company. Racing for the Women, Master, Grand Master and Youth World Championships will be sailed on the May 5, 6 and 7. The Open World Championship will start on the 8th with a two day qualifying round for the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be sailed for three days followed by two-day finals with the top 56 teams. - http://www.hobieworlds.com/ * Gale force winds forced the abandonment of all races at Hyeres Olympic Week. Friday will be the final day of racing, with two races scheduled for each of the Olympic classes. http://hyeres.ffvoile.net * After a Lay Day, Antigua Sailing Week returned Thursday with 6-8 foot seas and winds topping 30 knots. Spinnakers shredded, mainsails blew and deck hardware popped in winds that although strong were shifty as they swirled off the shore. There was a steady stream of boats heading back to Falmouth Harbour for repairs. One was Atalanta II, the fresh out of the box Farr 70. Launched March 21, and off on its delivery to Antigua April 4, her first regatta outing is also her shakedown sail - and a hard one at that. For results, standings and photos: www.sailingweek.com/asw2004/news2004.html TRIVIA ANSWER Of the three J Class yachts that competed at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta last week, Cambria was the only one not designed to the J Class rule. Built in 1928 and originally designed to the 23 meter International Rule, she joined the J Class in 2003 after the new J Class Rules created in 2000 permitted her inclusion with any modifications. Photos of Cambria and the other J Class yachts in Antigua are at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/04/antiguaclassic OCEAN RACING THIS SUMMER? GET THE SECRET WEAPON... Used by Mari Cha IV, Cheyenne, and 80% of the Volvo/ Vendee racers. MaxSea Weather/ Routing/ Navigation software is now legal for Trans-Atlantic, Pacific Cup, and Bermuda. Easy to use, the most powerful weather routing functions take just two mouse clicks. Now predicts lifts/headers. http://www.SetSail.com/race 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 John Stovall: We get this bureaucratic letter from US Sailing on our Moratorium on our involvement in the Grand Prix Working Party (RWP). The e-mail says "nothing." Why is the Moratorium being placed on our participation? This just looks like another case of US Sailing's famous "wasn't authored here" approach. Americap and IBM System Nine are exactly alike. The only difference is that IBM finally realized it created something nobody wanted and wrote-off the investment. Just more of why "offshore One Designs" are taking over all the money in our sport. * From Donal McClement: We are obviously now it a situation that is the worst case scenario. I think the ' It was not invented here' is ruling the roosts so we don't agree with it. Come on US Sailing lets move forward and respect what the people who matter want. I mean the Owners, the people who allow us, the minions, to race on boats that we would have no opportunity without them. Get real US Sailing and let's move on. More importantly let's have boats that are a joy to sail and not boats that are stifled by a stupid, restrictive Rule. Please be ambitious not negative * From Count Enrico Ferrari: Another set of kudos for Steve Fossett and his gang are deserved for leaving the Jules Verne title unpaid for. They are being nice to the Capgemini Schneider Electric trimaran folks, giving them something to shoot for as they struggled around the world in their bid to set a record. What sportsmanship! The race to the finish for the tri is now filled with anticipation for them on getting a 'gun' at the finish and setting a record. Without Fossett's clairvoance and self sacrifice (of not paying the $50k for the trophy) those trimaran guys would be ho-humming along dreaming of real food and just getting off the water. As it is there is fun to come from staying focused and racing with all they have. * From Rich Roberts: The curmudgeon asked if he was the only one amused to read that Russell Coutts is ranked 103 and Peter Holmberg is number 133 on these 'official' rankings? Not at all, and I find it equally amusing to see ISAF running a "Match Racing World Championship" without Peter Gilmour and Gavin Brady, not to mention Russell Coutts, Peter Gilmour, Terry Hutchinson, Dean Barker, Chris Dickson, etc. Of course, while ISAF takes it tribute for bestowing its official blessing on the America's Cup, it doesn't recognize AC performance in its rankings. Just what "world" is ISAF living in? * From Larry Harcourt: I saw the curmudgeon's note on the ISAF World Match Race Rankings and I don't understand these rankings either. How can someone be ranked 5th in the world (no offense to Matthieu Richard) by only counting one Grade 1 event out of their 8 events and to not have competed or scored any points at a Swedish Match Tour event? I can only recognize a handful of sailors in the top 20 and where is Peter Gilmour who is a top the Swedish Match racnkings? Who is in charge of these rankings? This does not look like it really reflects the top 20 match racers in the world? * From George Peters: In Response to Dave MacVean's posting about the Ensenada Race, I must counter. I agree that organization of the overall event and planning was phenomenal and a huge success. However there seemed to be a distinct separation in quality between the event planning and the Race Management. Several class separation issues, starting line placement for the size of fleet, separation between Race Committee and Registration Committee with the onus of "just start with the class indicated in the list and they will redress at the finish" left many with heartburn. I hope that next year they plan to clearly distinguish the responsibility separation between event planning and race management with better control and informative communication. I agree with the Curmudgeon's original posting that for such an event billed as the "Largest International Offshore Regatta", allot was left to be desired such as posting results that evening or next day. Yes photos can wait. * From Bronny Joy Daniels (This is in reply to Jim Mahaffy's comments regarding NOSA in Scuttlebutt 1572): I am sure the NOSA committee will take these comments to the next meeting to ensure that the race information will be handled differently in the future. However, I am not embarrassed to be on The NOSA Race committee or for anything NOSA did. I worked the Outside start boat and the Race Room and saw the dedication of so many people who worked on the NOSA committee to ensure that the Newport to Ensenada race is accurate, safe, successful, and fun! * From Mark Michaelsen (re communication with families during the Ensenada Race): Mike Dobbs is one of the members of the Afterburner crew and also a ham radio operator. For a very small sum of money Mike had our boat live at all times on the Internet with close to real time charts and locations for the convenience and fun of the families and friends of the crew. He used a Ham radio and a GPS interface inside a pelican case. * From Frederic Berg (in response to the recent editorial regarding Kevin Hall's practice methods): Seems there should be a distinction made between repetitious practice, ie. Jibing many times in a row for the sake of jibing and improving downwind skills. Repetition by definition excludes the learning process. It makes sense that Drs. Schmidt and Lee suggest a repetition cycle of one for a specific task. Why would you want to repeat something many times if you have mastered it? Kevin clearly spent time in the boat not repeating a single action he knew how to implement (such as taking off on a wave and surfing), but breaking new ground in techniques perhaps as diverse as reevaluating vang settings in 30 or more varying wind an sea conditions to experimenting with new methods of hiking for a more direct transfer of energy to the sail and blades in waves. Based on Kevin's description of his results, he has raised the level of downwind performance in his class. Rather than repeating proven techniques, he developed, through experimentation, new techniques that are better than the old. We can now repeat Kevin's new techniques once to go faster as well - that is if we copy successfully - otherwise we may have to follow Dave Ullman's advice after all. * From Ron Baerwitz: I have first hand knowledge of Dr. Schmidt's research as I had the luxury of attending his classes and conducting studies with him on this very subject. I also had the pleasure of sailing with Dr. Schmidt as tactician for two of his National Titles (which gives me one up on ya Curm and makes me a better man!). I also had the privilege of an Olympic Campaign many moons ago so the subject matter is close to many aspects of my heart. Kevin Hall's practice methods and Dick's (oh, sorry, Dr. Schmidt's) theories have very little relation. Kevin was not learning motor skills or kinetics. He was not practicing techniques against another boat. He was simply becoming comfortable and confident sitting in and sailing his boat downwind for miles. A yachtsman of Kevin's level feels a boat under him at the highest level. He does not always need a training partner to gain skill, particularly downwind. Figuring out proper heal, trim and steering techniques is a "feel" and can only be learned by time in the boat. The more time, the more comfortable. THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION You know you've reached 'maturity' when all you want for your birthday is to not be reminded of your age. |
