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SCUTTLEBUTT 2991 - Monday, December 14, 2009Scuttlebutt 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. Scuttlebutt on Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Scuttlebutt on Facebook: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/facebook Today's sponsors are Kaenon Polarized, Doyle Sails, and OceanRacing.com. STAYING AFLOAT THROUGH TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES Tom Schock stands atop the mold of the new Harbor 30 in his 30,000 square foot boat building facility in Corona, Calif. "We'll be ready to introduce this design next spring when I think the market will be willing to look at new boats again," he says. And Schock's opinion on such things is worth hearing. It hasn't been easy, but W.D. Schock Corporation has managed to stay afloat through tough economic times, primarily because they take their business personally, believe in a business model that has no debt, and stays small and nimble enough to shift gears quickly. That model has also lead the company to produce thousands of boats, including some of the most celebrated sailboat designs of all time. Self-described as a series boatbuilder, rather than a production builder, Schock, 65, has produced more than 13,000 boats in 70 different models from 8 to 55 feet over the past 50 years, much of it thanks to President, CEO, shop foreman, and head salesman, Tom Schock, the second generation of boat building Schocks. The Schock 40 was also recognized as the "Most Innovative" boat and the "Best Sport Boat" by Sailing World Magazine and to this day it is the only boat to receive all three awards."Tom Schock has a real passion for sailing and boatbuilding," says Dave Geoffroy, executive director of the Southern California Marine Association, a Harbor 20 owner and a 30-year Schock colleague. "He walks like he talks and his ability to identify trends and to run lean in down times has made him a survivor. This industry would be better off if we had more guys like him." -- Mad Mariner, read on: http://www.madmariner.com/vessels/story/TOM_SCHOCK_112309_VX KEYS TO THE KINGDOM American Olympian Andrew Campbell shares some of the keys to the kingdom that helped his Melges 32 team succeed at a recent class event: * Communication must be Clear and Concise: If the tactician is making a call, grabbing everybody's attention for a split second to explain what's going to happen in the upcoming maneuver drastically improves the chances of success. If the trimmer is talking to the helmsman downwind, short and clear words about a) what kind of pressure he is feeling and b) what mode he thinks the helmsman should be sailing make it a heck of a lot easier for everybody to do their jobs. * Consistent Speed is a Killer: In order for the tactician to be able to make good decisions, he has to be able to depend on the boat to continued around the racecourse at a consistent speed. Changes in speeds demand on-the-spot changes in tactics. When the tactician can concentrate solely on tactics and let the mainsheet trimmer concentrate solely on mainsheet, then the boat is better off around the racecourse. * Cooler Heads Prevail: Continuing on the theme above, placing everybody in positions where they can excel is the key to any sailing program, or any business for that matter. When people are in positions where they are already performing at their highest level as opposed to positions where they are improving their skills, the team around them will be better because of it. When players are in the wrong positions, stress is amongst players in the correct positions because the weaker player is thus holding back the entire team. Let the training happen somewhere else besides at the regatta. Having the correct players in the positions where they'll do their best will enable cooler heads to prevail in heated racing situations. Full report: http://campbellsailing.com/index.php/2009/12/11/melges-32-gold-cup-wrap-up/ KANVAS & KLAY: 2010 PRE-RELEASE Brand new for 2010 and in very limited release just in time for the holidays, Kanvas and Klay are pure Kaenon Polarized, at entry level pricing! Featuring our patented SR-91 polarized lenses, they're lightweight and durable, with buried Variflex nose pads and an exceptional fit. Introducing innovative custom-engineered internal cam-driven hinges, Kanvas and Klay are pure Kaenon Polarized at unprecedented value. Officially launching in January, they're available now, until they run out, exclusively at Point Loma Outfitters, Team One, APS, Fast Lane and http://www.kaenon.com. The best in the world wear Kaenon Polarized. Evolve Optically. ULTIMATE HOLIDAY PRESENT Now that the holiday season is upon us, a really great story has emerged and is appropriate for this time of year. It's all about wishes that just may come true. Imagine for a moment, what it would be like to sail with the best of the best. All sailors have had that fantasy at one time or another - and if anyone denies it, don't believe them. So what would you readers hope for? Would you go for something modest or ask for the ultimate? Well, there is one sailor who went for the gold, so to speak. George Huntington, a Manhasset resident and member of Manhasset Bay YC, has always wanted to race against the best, something he does quite well, as we will soon find out. George and his wife, Debbie, have been attending the Pro-Am Regatta at the Bitter End YC for several years. This year, though, topped all the others. The Bitter End Pro-Am Regatta website explains their event: Picture yourself teamed with Serena Williams or Roger Federer in the doubles final at the U.S. Open. Few, if any, sporting events in the world offer the fan an opportunity to participate at such lofty levels. The Bitter End Pro Am Regatta is different from any sporting event or regatta on earth. A world-class sailing event with 22 years of history, the Pro Am has matched up countless amateurs and first time sailors with America's Cup skippers, Olympic Medalists, Around the World Race Winners, and World Champions. This year the pros included Paul Cayard, Ken Read, Zach Railey, and Anna Tunnicliffe. For the serious sailors in the group, it's like a "Fantasy Camp." For the non-sailors, it's a chance to learn a new sport right at the top. In the evenings, "am" crew join "pro" skippers for cocktail parties, fine dinners, Pub gatherings, organized Q&A sessions, and other social functions. The week is finished off with a rousing awards banquet, highlighted by prizes for the top teams, and great gifts for the rest of the group. Getting back to George Huntington, who was definitely in the "Fantasy Camp" group of serious sailors. For one of his races, George was pitted against professional Paul Cayard, a seven-time sailing world champion, a five-time America's Cup veteran and two-time Olympian. And guess what? George beat him! Could a fantasy get any better than this? Summing up his vacation, George said, "You know, the best thing about the whole event was meeting new friends. I had the opportunity to chat with Anna Tunnicliffe and all the other masters. That was the best part!" -- Andrea Watson, complete story: http://www.antonnews.com/manhassetpress/sports/4668-on-the-bay.html ISAF ELIGIBILITY SUSPENSION The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), which is the only organization sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to govern kiteboard racing, is amid a power struggle with a newly formed organization - International Kiteboard Federation (IKF) and Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) - that seeks to steer the kiteboarding sport as well. To protect their turf, the IKA is seeking to utilize the only leverage they have, which is to impose ISAF Regulation 19 (Eligibility Code) on any competitor taking part in an IKF / KPWT event or in events of their affiliated partners. This means that all such competitors lose their ability to participate in official IKA/ISAF sanctioned events. The conditions of the eligibility rules are stated in ISAF Regulation 19.4: After proper inquiry by either the national authority of the competitor or the ISAF Executive Committee, a competitor's ISAF eligibility shall be promptly suspended with immediate effect, permanently or for a specified period of time: (a) for any suspension of eligibility in accordance with RRS 69.2; or (b) for breaking RRS 5; or (c) for competing, within the two years preceding the inquiry, in an event that the competitor knew or should have known was a prohibited event. 19.4.1 A prohibited event is an event: (a) permitting or requiring advertising beyond that permitted by the ISAF Advertising Code; (b) with prizes or other benefits referred to in Regulation 18.16.2 that is a national event not approved by the national authority of the venue or an international event not approved by ISAF; (c) that is described as a world championship or uses the word "world", either in the title of the event or otherwise, and that is not approved by ISAF; (d) that does not conform to the requirements of RRS 88.1, and is not otherwise approved by ISAF; or (e) that has not paid the ISAF Event Fees. ISAF Regulations: http://tinyurl.com/ISAF-12-13-09 IKA: http://www.internationalkiteboarding.org QUOTE / UNQUOTE Five-time America's Cup competitor Paul Cayard, on unionizing prospective challenging teams to determine how the next Cup Match should be structured: "We may have missed a great opportunity in the past two years. Rather than just sitting around and waiting in frustration, we, the Challengers, should have taken the initiative to put forward a Protocol to resolve a lot of the problems plaguing the current match. We have a unique opportunity right now; neither Alinghi and BMW Oracle knows who will be holding the cards for the 34th America's Cup. So this is a time where each may be more willing to agree to a "fair and independent" event management structure. Either could find themselves on the Challenger side for 34th America's Cup and that party would certainly want a modern and objective event organization." -- http://www.cayardsailing.com/cs_Reports.cfm?evtID=79&csRpt=873 THINK YOU ARE HAVING A TOUGH WINTER? Doyle Sailmakers congratulates Eric Forsyth for having just completed the daunting Northwest Passage on his Westerly 42, Fiona. This is truly a remarkable feat and makes Fiona one of the first pleasure craft to have completed the 7,000 mile journey connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Northwest Passage only became navigable without the aid of an icebreaker in 2007. Eric, at 77, is now on his way back and plans on completing his circumnavigation of North America in May of 2010. To read more about Eric's accomplishments, visit http://www.doylesails.com/news SAILING SHORTS * Canadians Paul Henderson and Bill Abbott will be among the sailors carrying the Olympic torch in the coming weeks in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on February 12-28. -- Full story: http://www.sailing.ca/features/olympic_torch_relay/ * The BMW Oracle 90-foot trimaran platform was successfully loaded aboard their cargo ship last Friday, but inclement weather in San Diego during the weekend played havoc with the transfer of the wing rig to the ship. With heavy rain showers and occasional gusts of wind, one of the wing's four bridle straps attaching it to the crane failed. The team was able to stabilize the wing and successfully lower and secure the wing down to the base. The team will resume loading on Monday, weather permitting. -- Photos and full story: http://tinyurl.com/BOR-12-13-09 * The 105-foot trimaran Groupama 3 cast off from the port of Cape Town, South Africa last Saturday morning, bound for Brest, France some 6,000 miles (11,000 kms) away, where she will begin her second period of stand-by for the Jules Verne Trophy. The team needed three weeks for the maxi trimaran to be operational once again after suffering damage in the Southern Atlantic, at a point where the crew were ahead of the reference time for the Jules Verne Trophy set by Orange in 2005. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/ydsqqrp * Miami, FL (December 13, 2009) - At the first stop of the three event Audi Melges 20 Miami Winter Series, fellow Lauderdale Yacht Club members Jeff Ecklund and Tom Lihan shared the helming duties on STAR, and with the able assistance of reigning Moth World Champion Bora Gulari on tactics and Melges 32 World Champion team member George 'Bear' Peet, won the inaugural event over the thirteen boat fleet. The next events will be in Miami in February and March. -- http://www.melges20.com/news-archive.php * At the second event of the inaugural Extreme Sailing Series Asia, six teams are in Singapore this weekend competing in the Extreme 40 racing. The fleet in Singapore had everything thrown at them today as they contended with an intense 15 minute rainstorm, wind that peaked at 12 knots and then they were left crawling around the racecourse as the wind dropped to just 1.2 knots. With one day of competition remaining, here is a video of a near wipeout from one of the teams: http://tinyurl.com/yaxuoju * Goetz Custom Technologies has laid off its workforce for the second time in a year. The Rhode Island sailboat builder is facing a lawsuit by a Scottish client for an 82ft racing sailboat under construction, with claims that Goetz did not build the boat according to plans and has not paid numerous suppliers. -- IBI Magazine, full story: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20091111164321ibinews.html * CORRECTION: In Scuttlebutt 2990, the list of North Americans competing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Sail Melbourne event omitted 470 mens team Adam Roberts/ Nick Martin (USA), an oversight due to them being listed as an Australian team. That's one way to blend in with the locals! -- Sail Melbourne website: http://www.sailmelbourne.com.au/ *HOLIDAY REMINDER: There was an extra mailing last Friday to support all the Scuttlebutt advertisers during the holiday season (and beyond). If you had trouble with the links in the mailing, the list of companies is always posted online here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS, EASY & FAST! Optimum Time sailing watches are purpose designed with easy-to-use features including large displays, pre-programmed 5,4,1,0 ISAF start sequences and 1 year warrantees. Ocean Racing's waterproof Offshore Duffel and Backpack (with removable neoprene laptop sleeve) utilize heavy-duty waterproof material and zippers plus seams that are sewn, taped and RF welded. http://www.OceanRacing.com LETTERS AND FORUM Please email 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 David Cook, Victoria, BC, Canada: Nick was an amazing sailor and an even more amazing person. I first heard of Nick after he won the Open 2.4 mR Worlds beating out over 100 sailors including some very talented AB (able-bodies) like Peter Norlin (designer of the Norlin 2.4 mR as well as at least one Americas Cup boat too). When Nick made the decision to move from the 2.4 mR to the SKUD18, he was definitely the talk of the class. As being part of one of the top teams in the class at that time, my legs were shaking in my boots (a figure of speech, my legs actually don't move other than wiggling my toes). Nick and I had a close personal bond. We were two of the few international disabled sailors who had/have a progressive neurological disease. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, similar but different to ALS where the nerves that control my muscles are fading away and have been so for most or probably all of my life (I'm 51 now). Enough about me. For a joke and to compare my limited arm strength to Nick's, we had an arm-wrestling match during the last event held in St. Petersburg, Fl. during Nick's Road to Gold in Beijing. Nick kicked my butt but I knew his deterioration would be much faster than mine. I wished Nick the best in Beijing and followed his and Maureen's progress with great interest. Nick having his life challenges, Maureen, hers (that another exciting story on its own). Not to take absolutely anything away from Nick's legacy, there are a whole bunch more exciting and touching stories like Nick's in disabled sailing. -- Scuttleblog, read on: http://tinyurl.com/yacqr9t * From John Bowe: BMW Oracle can use the computer to set the wing mast and forget about it. Alinghi can use the motor to move the ballast and forget about it. I can set the TiVo to America's Cup and forget about it. Let us get over this in February and get back to real sailing. * From Roger Vaughan: The more Mike Sands argues his case about the America's Cup going "professional" (in Scuttlebutt 2990), meaning with motors and GPS-integrated computers doing all the trimming, the more I like it. Above all, the America's Cup has always been an international design contest. I once wrote something to the effect that when the two finalists line up for the Cup match, they represent the ultimate in design, materials, and technology that can be produced by the country they represent. I always imagined that when technology was advanced sufficiently, the two rich guys paying the syndicate bills would "sail" the boats by remote control from blimps hovering above the race course. Maybe there would be three or four humans on the boat to change sails, keep the deck organized, coil the lines, and bring the boat to the dock after racing. They would be taking orders on headsets from the boss in the blimp, who would be doing all the steering and trimming by radio control. It's exciting that we're almost there. Drones flown by "pilots" at control stations can now deliver fire power in combat zones. The larger commercial aircraft regularly take off, fly the route, and land, all by computer program. So the full-size, radio controlled America's Cup yacht can't be far off. Sailors shouldn't be dismayed by this. The America's Cup has always been a bit of a circus. Enjoy it for what it is. You want good sail boat racing, check out the Olympics or any one design national or world championship. If you can be amused by the really Big Spenders pushing the edges of the techno envelope -- think of it as a seagoing version of Microsoft vs. Intel -- with plenty of legal battles along the way (can you imagine the wrangles over air space regarding the blimps?), then keep an eye on the America's Cup. SCUTTLEBUTT SAILING CALENDAR Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow Special thanks to Kaenon Polarized, Doyle Sails, and OceanRacing.com. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
