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SCUTTLEBUTT 2264 – January 22, 2007Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions,features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is distributed each weekday, with support provided by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America's Cup (http://www.ubs.com/sailing). STUCK ON GORGEOUS ESPN commentator Gary Jobson stated it accurately and perfectly in one of his daily reports on Acura Key West 2007, presented by Nautica. Jobson described the weather in Key West this week as “stuck on gorgeous.” Gorgeous indeed and how fitting the 20th anniversary of the renowned international regatta would deliver the type of conditions for which the southernmost point of the United States is famous. A fleet of 260 boats carrying more than 2,000 sailors enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s all five days of the regatta, organized by Premiere Racing. Adding to the spectacular scene were top-notch sailing conditions – steady 10-14 knot winds and flat water off the Conch Republic. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/2hdopv Acura Key West 2007 – Final Standings after 9 races Farr 40 (no discard) 1. Alinghi, Ernesto Bertarelli, Geneva, Switzerland, 51 2. Flash Gordon 5, Helmut & Evan Jahn, Chicago, IL, USA, 54 3. Twins, Erik Maris, Newport, RI, USA, 64 Melges 32 1. Let’s Roll, Claudio Recchi, YC Italiano, ITA, 12 2. New Wave, Carroll/Kullman, St. Petersburg, FL, USA, 30 3. Hoss, Glenn Darden, Ft. Worth, TX, USA, 37 Mumm 30 (no discard) 1. Southern Sun, Bruce Eddington, Narre Warren, AUS, 27 2. Mean Machine, Peter De Ridder, Monaco, 27 3. Calvi Hiroshi, Armando Giulietti, Rimini, ITA, 39 J/105 (no discard) 1. Masquerade, Thomas Coates, San Francisco, CA, USA, 46 2. Convexity, Donald Wilson, Chicago, IL, USA, 53 3. Max Power, Gerrit Schulze, Cape May, NJ, USA, 61 J/80 1. Lifted, Kerry Klingler, Larchmont, NY, USA, 14 2. Rumor, John Storck, Jr., Huntington, NY, USA, 20 3. Emotional Rescue, Magnus Tyreman, Stockholm, SWE, 36 Melges 24 1. Giacomel Audi Racing, Riccardo Simoneschi, 42 2. Joe Fly, Giovanni Maspero, Como, ITA, 47 3. Blu Moon, Franco Rossini, Lugano, SUI, 47 Corsair 28R 1. Dealers Choice, Marsh/Hudgins, Stuart, FL, USA, 8 2. Bad Boys, Bob Harkrider, Augusta, GA, USA, 30 3. Relentless, Peter Katcha, St. Petersburg, FL, USA, 32 J/109 1. Current Obsession, Gary Mozer, Long Beach, CA, USA, 20 2. Tastes Like Chicken, Stephen Tedeschi, Newport, RI, USA, 20 3. Mojo, Steven Rhyne, Seabrook, TX, USA, 21 IRC 1 1. Numbers, CM 60, Daniel Meyers, Newport, RI, USA, 14 2. Hissar, Farr 60, Edgar Cato, Newport, RI, USA, 15 3. Artemis, Swan 601, Torbjorn Tornqvist, Stockholm, SWE, 27.5 IRC 2 1. Magic Glove, Ker 50, Colm Barrington, Dublin, IRL, 14 2. Samba Pa Ti, TP52, John Kilroy, San Francisco, CA, USA, 15 3. Windquest, TP52, Doug DeVos, Holland, MI, USA, 18 IRC 3 1, Esmeralda, Club Swan 42, Makoto Uematsu, Seabornia, JPN, 11 2. Spirit of Malouen, Sinergia 40, Stephane Neve, La Trinite-Mer, FRA, 12 3. Better Than, Swan 45, Andrzej Rojek, Newport, RI, USA, 28 PHRF 1 1. Wairere, Thompson 30, Pete Hunter, Kill Devil Hill, NC, USA, 16 2. Spaceman Spiff, 1D35, Robert Ruhlman, Cleveland, OH, USA, 27 3. Plowhorse, 1D35, Robert Hesse, Youngstown, NY, USA, 30 PHRF 2 1. Cash Flow, Hadley 40, Lloyd Griffin, Elizabeth City, NC, USA, 15 2. Emocean, J/120, Bill Hanckel, Charleston, SC, USA, 20 3. Peregrine, J/120, Hunt Lawrence, Oyster Bay, NY, USA, 33 PHRF 3 1. NKE Electronics, Beneteau 10R, Robert Oberg, Annapolis, MD, USA, 13 2. Man-O-War, J/35, Tom Beery, Pascagoula, MS, USA, 18 3. Manic, Beneteau 10R, C. Sheard/Cape Yachts, So Dartmouth, MA, USA, 19 PHRF 4 1. As-If, SR-33, Jeff Kitterman, Kemah, TX, USA, 12 2. Pipe Dream XIV, Tripp 33, Scott Piper, Miami, FL, USA, 22 3. Polar Express, J/92s, Jeff Johnstone, Newport, RI, USA, 25 PHRF 5 1. Rhumb Punch, J/29, John & Linda Edwards, Solomons, MD, USA, 8 2. Liquor Box, T-10, Simon/Buckles, Key West, FL, USA, 20 3. Remedy, Donovan 27, Bert Carp, Annapolis, MD, USA, 29 PHRF 6 1. Jazzy Jr., Mariah 27, Dan Romano, Farmington Hills, MI, USA, 11 2. Island Flyer, S2 7.9, Denny Manrique, Lake Minnetonka, MN, USA, 15 3. En Charette, Noe 27, Paul Jennings, Branford, CT, USA, 23 -- Complete results: http://tinyurl.com/2g2wfd -- Daily video: http://www.jobsonsailing.com -- Sailing pictures: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/kw -- Party pictures: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/kwp/ * * Send your KW party pics to mailto:craig@sailingscuttlebutt.com ON TOUR, ON-LINE, ON THE WATER, ON BOARD How do you want yours? TRIM and Tactics seminars in 24 cities across North America, with top instructors plus books and CDs to take home. Performance Software and Instruments webinars live, on-line. On the Water Race Weeks in Captiva Island. Coaching aboard your boat. You can spend a lifetime learning to be a better racer, or you can accelerate the process with North U.: Call 800-347-2457 or Visit http://www.NorthU.com OLYMPIC PREVIEW (Past ISAF president Paul Henderson provides Scuttlebutt with a preview on this week’s Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in Miami, FL.) The success of the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta is clearly stated by the 2007 event having the largest entry in their history, where 850 sailors from 48 countries are in attendance, with 3/4 of the participants foreign to the USA. The international sailing community loves Miami and the USA. The Miami Olympic Training Centre, with major patrons Schoonmakers and Whittons - both Olympic families - is an example on what makes Olympic sailing work. This shows that Olympic sailing is healthy where local clubs are focused on competitive racing. All the 11 Olympic Classes are well supported and some are growing significantly, such as the Tornado (42) and 49er (50) along with the resurgence of Windsurfing with the new RS-X. The Star (67) and Finn (50) are the two senior classes that are very healthy, and both serve a required need in Olympic sailing. Naturally, the Laser is over the top with 115 men and 69 women entries. It is encouraging to note the growth of the women's entries in both the 470 and Yngling. Additionally, the total inclusion of the Paralympic sailors in the Skud, 2.4m, and Sonar racing out of their wonderful name "Shake-a-Leg" is rewarding to all involved. (I do not like the word "Disabled") 11 Olympic events is not excessive compared to other similar water sports, so it is sad that we will be cut back to ten for London in the most successful sailing nation today and also a remote venue. When the IOC cuts entries back they cut out the emerging sailing nations but still sailing gets more countries entered than well over 50% of the other Olympic sports. To prostitute the integrity of the sport that we all love for some increased TV dream is unfortunate to say the least, if not unobtainable. By keeping to its roots, sailing has become an example for modern popular thinking; environmentally friendly and open to all sizes, shapes and genders. A truly modern sport! See you in Miami. -- Paul Henderson SPIDER SHIP (The following report provides a bit more disclosure on this unique craft designed by prolific yacht designer Jim Antrim, of which Scuttlebutt reported on last fall.) The strangest vessel made its formal premiere Thursday on San Francisco Bay, and it was a sight to see: It looked like a spider, wiggled over the waves like a porpoise, and was fast as the wind. It is named the Proteus, after a Greek god of the sea, and is the first of what might be a long line of wave adaptive modular vessels -- WAM-V for short -- developed by Ugo Conti, an engineer and inventor. Conti calls it "the prototype of a new class of vessel." Using technology developed by Conti's El Cerrito Marine Advanced Research Inc., the WAM-V is "a new class of watercraft ... that delivers a radically new seagoing experience." It has twin hulls, like a catamaran, connected to each other and a control cabin by four metal legs. The legs ride on titanium springs -- like shock absorbers -- that allow the WAM-V to adjust to the surface of the water -- to flex like knees. It has many uses, Conti says. "It can go many thousands of miles to deliver something." It can also enter shallow lagoons in faraway places, help scientists, would be useful in search and rescue operations, and even has some military applications. The Proteus is 100 feet long, 50 feet between the outsides of the twin hulls, and is powered by two 355 horsepower Cummins marine diesels. It displaces 12 tons fully loaded. Fuel is stored in the flexible pontoons, and the vessel, Conti says, has a range of thousands of miles. It can carry 2 tons of cargo, and can be operated by a crew of two. The cabin, which sleeps four, can be lowered into the water -- "like a helicopter landing," Conti said -- and sail off on its own. -- San Francisco Chronicle, full story with photo gallery: http://tinyurl.com/2e6wbf * Scuttlebutt report from Oct. 19, 2006: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/1018 STONES LEFT UNTURNED There is no yachting event that focuses as much attention to refining the speed components of a boat as the America’s Cup. Speed has always been king in this arena, and the commitment to this department is what sets apart the top syndicates from the second tier. When playing at this level, speed advantages aren’t cheap, but when a good start and controlling the first crossing often dictate the race outcome, campaign finances provides the prognosticators with a decent estimate on who will be remaining at the end. However, with all that said, Scuttlebutt has been reminded from various sources that the 32nd version of this America’s Cup may be more so in the hands of the sailors than ever before. Fewer speed secrets remain, meaning that the best sailors may have a chance this time around to walk away with the Auld Mug. But are the teams really exploring all the possibilities? One ‘butthead seems to think that they are missing out on some pretty big opportunities, and has grown tired enough of their misfires to have provided Scuttlebutt with his groundbreaking concepts. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/06/1227 THE PIRATES LAIR IS ALL ABOUT MOISTURE WICKING! Cotton kills! The hottest seller at regattas is dye-sublimated moisture management tees. READ: Your regatta logos on hot (cool) short sleeve and long sleeve wicking tees. Prices start at only $10.00 each! To receive a free catalog or request info, log on to http://www.pirateslair.com/sailing SAILING SHORTS * The Ericsson Racing Team's new boat for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be built in Kista, Sweden, next to Ericsson's offices. The company's customers and employees will have the opportunity to follow the different steps of the construction in an unprecedented way, allowing a good integration of the sports campaign into Ericsson's activities. The construction, starting in March, will be managed by Killian Bushe. More recent projects by Killian Bushe include the construction of Team ABN Amro's VO 70's, designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian (1st and 4th in the last VOR), and the new Americas Cup yacht for Victory Challenge (SWE). -- Full report: http://www.ericssonracingteam.com/news.html * As the Spring 2007 College season gets under way, all sailors are reminded that they must register with the ICSA Individual Directory prior to competing, and must "indicate eligibility" for the current season. Each team must have an approved Directory Administrator before sailors, coaches, or advisors can register. For those that have registered for previous seasons, they must search for their name and select to edit the listing. Directory link: http://www.collegesailing.org/directory/individual * A US$3 million motor yacht was destroyed this week at Port Hueneme, Oxnard, California when the crane unloading it from a cargo ship fell over. The yacht was 78 feet long and weighed about 34 tons, said Pete Wallace, the port's deputy executive director for maritime services. It was on its way from Europe to a private yacht company in Newport Beach. -- Sail World, full story: http://tinyurl.com/28mkbh * Tony Bon has been named President of the Samson cordage company. Bon joined Samson in 1974 and most recently was their Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing Samson’s sales, operations, and research and development activities. Bon will have complete responsibility for the day to day operations of Samson. He succeeds Steve Swiackey, the Company’s President from 1985 to December 2006. Swiackey will remain with the Company and assume the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), retaining overall responsibility for Samson. http://www.samsonrope.com * Members of the sailing industry will gather February 2 to hear its executive leaders address key marketing initiatives and plans during the General Members Meeting for Sail America, the U.S. industry trade association during the Strictly Sail Chicago Boat Show. Speakers include Sail America Executive Director Jonathan Banks, the Water’s Channel’s president of vice marketing George Sullivan, Sail America national show manager Kevin Murphy, Grow Boating Director Steve Tadd and Carl Blackwell, vice president of marketing and communications for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Sail America President Bill Bolin will present his President’s Report. * The Interclub Dinghy Midwinters will be held in Annapolis, MD January 27-28. The format provides College-style racing with A division and B division sharing a boat and scores. 2 people per boat, min weight dressed ready to sail is 315 lbs, with water ballast carried to make up the rest of the weight if you are under. Some boats are available for charter if needed. Contace Jesse Falsone for details: mailto:american505@erols.com * Correction: In Issue 2263, missing amongst the list of North American teams attending the 29er Worlds was Max Fraser/ Alex Bernal of the US. DON'T MISS GREAT RACING AND TRUE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY! Charleston Race Week scheduled for April 12-15, 2007, is PHRF, One-Design, and IRC friendly. Free storage for trailered boats before event, free dock space for first 50 boats registered, fabulous parties, and great racing in the harbor and offshore. Bring friends to enjoy Gosling's Dark & Stormies! Register at http://www.charlestonraceweek.com 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 Jon Alvord: Well another year goes by, and it seems another year that the Key West press releases have totally dissed the Multi's. These guys put up the same cash as every other class and continue to get very little back in terms of press from the event. Thank goodness that members of the fleet are reporting on other list servers. Curmudgeon’s Comment: Agreed. The glamour classes on the Division 1, 2, and 3 do attract the attention of the event press, whereas the fleets on Division 4 (Corsair 28R, J/109, PHRF 3, PHRF 4, PHRF 5, PHRF 6) get overlooked. To make amends, any Div 4 stories that are submitted to Scuttlebutt this week will get published. * From Rodger Martin: (Re: “Angry Broadside” story in Issue 2263) The America's Cup driven by MONEY? Well, knock me down with a feather! * From Rasa Bertrand, Australia: America's Cup associated with money matters? Come on, that is what has driven this event from day one! It’s like saying Formula One Racing is not a business-driven model. See, it sounds much better when you call something a business and not that nasty word, ‘money’. Americas' Cup history is one of the most interesting in sport; I recommend reading it, a great adventure with more intrigue and crazy people than fiction could ever generate. Can't wait to get to Valencia and see the next chapter. * From Adrian Morgan: It's great to hear that the Volvo Race has picked up on my suggestion to have a resident poet on board for the next race. Although he or she's officially being called a 'media specialist', we all know why they are there: to capture in verse the wandering albatross in his full glory; the majestic thrust of the icebergs and the drama of the headlong rush through uncharted oceans. To be serious for a while, it's just a pity he (or she) will not be allowed to pull any ropes. That will take much of the fun out of the role. Not to be allowed to get the feel of the wheel, or grind a winch occasionally would be torture. How hard will it be to keep away from that runner tail winch when it might mean the difference between losing the mast and not? Anyone shipping aboard as a media specialist is likely to be a sailor, and will be mightily frustrated. So, let them take part, I say, as photographer Rick Tomlinson and many others have in the past. * From Scott MacLeod, President, World Match Racing Tour: I read James Spithill comments about the World Match Racing Tour events with great interest (from Issue 2263). Maybe James needs a reality check, but the World Match Racing Tour is a professional sailing series that offers the top prize money in the sport (over $1 million last year). Yes, financial decisions affect what venues we go to because without the financing from very generous sponsors, we wouldn't have any events. I am not sure where there are any other opportunities in the sport where all you have to do is show up, the boats are supplied, your accommodation and most expenses are covered, and you get to race for over $100,000 in prize money? Running any sailing event - big or small - takes a lot of work, dedication, money, and also volunteers who don’t get paid anything and do it for the love of the sport. We would be happy for James to organize his own World Tour event in the "good enough" venue of his choice. Then he may appreciate the effort it takes to organize one of these events. * From Ted Ritter: I couldn't agree more with Gary Hoyt’s observations all the way through #3. Number 4, however has some major hurdles. The host nation provides the sailing venue. In 2012, the UK couldn't host sailing in Hawaii … isn't gonna happen. Baton relays with Moth Foilers, LeMans off the beach starts for windsurfers, A-Cats, medley relays? All outside-the-box ideas, but in real life, how do the participating nations prepare their candidates for such an "odd" format 2-3 years in advance? Olympic sailing is what it is. If it doesn't generate big TV numbers, then so be it. * From Alex Arnold: The J-24 rescue video was great. At 4:47 the tape shows another mast sticking out of the water from just below the spreaders. From the words of Paul Harvey, what's the rest of the story? Curmudgeon’s Comment: Let us know if anyone can fill in the blanks. As a recap, here are some links: Screenshot at 4:47: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/07/0119.jpg Complete video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/07/0115/ CURMUDGEON’S COUNSEL To live forever, acquire a chronic disease and take care of it. Special thanks to North U, The Pirate’s Lair, and Charleston Race Week. Scuttlebutt is also supported by UBS, main partner of Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup. |
