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SCUTTLEBUTT 1316 - April 25, 2003
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Scuttlebutt is a digest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions,
features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections,
contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting
viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks
for elsewhere.
GARY JOBSON
Gary Jobson, the face and voice of sailing for North America and much of
the world, has canceled his schedule of lectures and TV work for the next
two months while he will be treated for lymphoma.
After recent examinations for fatigue and shortness of breath, Jobson, 52,
received the final diagnosis Tuesday. Jobson is scheduled to receive the
first of six to eight monthly chemotherapy treatments Friday. Kathy
Lambert, secretary at Jobson sailing in Annapolis, Md., said, "Gary is very
weak but his spirits are good." Jobson's office distributed the following
statement from him:
"Before heading to the America's Cup in Auckland I developed an annoying
cough. During my time covering the America's Cup I became quite fatigued
between our ESPN shows. After returning from Auckland I set out on an
ambitious lecture tour. As my lecture tour progressed, however, I became
increasingly fatigued and the cough did not go away. With the assistance of
an inhaler and rest on either side of my programs, I was able to speak. In
the last 10 days things turned for the worse.
"Last week I started a series of tests that included a CT scan, a lymph
node biopsy and a variety of other procedures. For me, it is difficult to
walk and I am out of breath all the time. For the first time in my 30-year
speaking career I have been forced to cancel presentations. Yesterday I was
diagnosed with lymphoma, which is ironic since I have been chairman of the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's regatta series for the past 11 years. I have
been advised not to schedule any activities for the next two months. I will
be receiving chemotherapy for the next six to eight months to battle back
from this disease. I am going to be in a quiet period now for the next 10
days. Apparently, the treatments are hard.
"Sorry to give you this report. My spirits are good. I hope to be around
the waterfront later this summer. (signed) Gary Jobson"
For the complete story by Rich Roberts, go to http://www.yachtracing.com
AROUND ALONE
The tropical depression barring the route for the nine Around Alone boats
racing to Newport, RI is going to shake up the fleet, starting with leader
Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group-Armor Lux. Currently in 10-12 knots of
northwesterly breeze, the Swiss skipper had to manoeuvre his blue monohull
upwind straight into the storm: "Like any system, they come with confused
seas and crazy winds, but it's calmer right now. I'm not out of the woods
though, as the next 48 hours will be just as torturous, and only after that
will things be much clearer."
After climbing 26m to the top of Tiscali's rig no less than 11 times in the
last 48 hours, Italian skipper Simone Bianchetti is not giving himself a
moment of rest as he now tries to make up the lost miles and keep hold of
his second place. In a satellite call, Bianchetti explained all: "The screw
had come right out, and under pressure from the battens the carbon fibre on
the track broke above the 3rd spreader. My body is shattered - I spent over
4 hours up the mast at one time - but I haven't slept for 24hrs, as I need
to push the boat even harder and the weather here is so confusing. I can't
sail into very strong winds with this damage so I will avoid the low pressure."
Bianchetti is being given a breathing space as light winds plague
Solidaires and Pindar coming up behind him. However, some light needs to be
shone on Bruce Schwab, who has cunningly kept in the pressure over to the
West. At 8 knots, Ocean Planet is going twice as fast as his rivals to the
East, and is now under 100 miles from Tiscali in terms of DTF. British
skipper Emma Richards is trying to keep her cool as Pindar sychronises a
westerly gybe with Solidaires to move away from another wind hole in the
high pressure: "I stopped moving completely for about 3 hours this
afternoon, quite frustrating but at least Solidaires did the same thing. I
am happy doing 5 knots now compared with not moving, but its still only
half the speed of the others! I am prepared for another 3 or more days of
light wind now as we have not made it through this funny pattern as quick
as I had hoped. C'est la vie!"
In Class 2 life is looking up for the "tenacious Tim Kent" as Brad Van Liew
calls his fellow American skipper. Despite reoccurring autopilot problems,
Everest Horizontal's skipper has gained over 30 miles on Tommy Hilfiger
Freedom America in the falling breeze, with the 'not so secret' Code 5 sail
clearly having some effect. Under 150 miles separates these two Open 50's
as they race on a course directly behind that of Schwab over to the West.
Fastest boat in the whole fleet today at over 9 knots is Open 40 Spirit of
yukoh, skippered by Japanese Kojiro Shiraishi, who is still enjoying the
stronger winds of the trades. - http://www.aroundalone.com/
STANDINGS: 2200 UTC April 23 CLASS 1. Bobst Group-Armor Lux, Bernard
Stamm, 1286 miles from finish; 2. Tiscali, Simone Bianchetti, 251 miles
from leader; 3. Ocean Planet, Bruce Schwab, 387 mfl. 4. Solidaires, Thierry
Dubois, 522 mfl; 5. Pindar, Emma Richards, 567 mfl;
CLASS 2: 1. Tommy Hilfiger, Brad Van Liew, 1720 miles from finish; 2.
Everest Horizontal, Tim Kent, 147 mfl; 3. Spirit of yukoh, Kojiro
Shiraishi, 441 mfl; 4. BTC Velocity, Alan Paris, 738 mfl. - Spirit of
Canada, Derek Hatfield, still sailing leg 4.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Presenting the new 2003 APS catalog. Featuring more discounts on an
expanded selection in every department, from foulies to cordage, and
there's great pricing on everything a sailor could need. New this year is
our Line Guide to make choosing new rigging easier, an expanded one design
rigging section that now includes Etchells, as well as all the latest gear
from companies like Harken, Tylaska, and Yale. Annapolis Performance
Sailing encourages you to check your mailbox this week for your copy. Click
here for a sneak preview- http://www.apsltd.com/scuttlebutt.asp
COLLEGE RANKINGS
(Curmudgeon's question: With the college nationals just over one month
away, will the latest rankings stand the test of time?) Rankings determined
by Sailing World's coaches panel: Michael Callahan (Georgetown), Ken Legler
(Tufts), and Mike Segerblom (USC).
COED (previous rank)
1. Harvard (1)
2. Tufts (3)
3. St. Mary's (2)
4. Hawaii (4)
5. Hobart/Wm. Smith (6)
6. USC (7)
7. Georgetown (5)
8. Stanford (11)
9. Brown (13)
10. Dartmouth (14)
WOMEN: (previous rank)
1. St. Mary's (1)
2. Brown (4)
3. Old Dominion (2)
4. Hawaii (3)
5. Hobart/Wm. Smith (9)
6. Harvard (8)
7. Tufts (7)
8. Yale (10)
9. Dartmouth (6)
10. Charleston (5)
http://www.sailingworld.com/sw_article.php?articleID=1780
THE LEGEND CONTINUES
Co-skippers Mark Denton and Jonny Malbon have announced the launch of
Team888. The team has secured the legendary Open 60 Kingfisher, which will
be sailed under the banner 'Team888.' The name comes from the existing sail
number of Kingfisher, 888, which is also a very lucky Chinese number.
Kicking off with the Daimler Chrysler North Atlantic Challenge in June
(from Newport, Rhode Island, USA, to Cuxhaven, Germany), which finishes in
time to take part in the Calais Round Britain and Ireland Race - a class
race for the Open 60's. And finally, the Rolex Fastnet Race, which gives
the team a chance to showcase the boats performance against the extensive
fleet put together for this biannual classic.
Ellen MacArthur also expressed her support for their campaign and said,
"Jonny has looked after Kingfisher for the last 18 months as Boat Captain
and raced as part of her crew. He has a strong attachment to her and I know
he will take care of her - it's good to know she will be back out there.
She is still very, very competitive and Jonny knows better than anyone how
to optimise her performance."- http://www.team888.com /
http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=4366
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS
* April 27-May 2: Hyeres Week, 1000 competitors from 40 countries will
participate in this major European Olympic meeting. -
http://hyeres.ffvoile.net
* April 24-27: United States Sunfish Pan American Trials, Sarasota Sailing
Squadron, Sarasota, Florida. - http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/PanAm
* May 9-11: Etchells North American Championships, Annapolis Yacht Club.
Over 52 entries so far including Dennis Conner, Jud Smith, Betsy Allison,
and Hans Fogh. - http://race.annapolisyc.org/etchells/
* May 17: Charleston to Bermuda Race, South Carolina Maritime Heritage
Foundation. The deadline for entries in 777 n.m. race has been extended to
May 10. - http://www.charlestontobermuda.org
ATTENTION BUTTON PUSHERS: PUSH MICRONET'S BUTTONS
Come check out the world's only truly wireless marine electronics at
Pacific Sail Expo, on now through Sunday, April 27th. Layline is the US
importer of Tacktick and this is the official launch of Micronet in the US.
We will be in beautiful Oakland, CA displaying real live Micronet Wireless
systems in booth 250-252. We will also have Seatrack Software, Wireless
Screens and, of course, Looplocks. Come one, come all cruisers, racers,
dealers, boat builders, gadget heads, this week on our website, check out a
downloadable video of Micronet's Digital Analog Display in action. -
http://www.layline.com/llf/prod/mn/mn.htm
NEWS BRIEFS
* The candidates' file of Marseilles, the only French city selected to host
the 2007 America's Cup, was transmitted to Alinghi, indicated Jean-Claude
Gaudin, mayor of the City. There were 11 questions all eight pre-selected
cities have to answer. The field of candidates will be narrowed in May to
four who will have to provide a more complete application. The winning host
of the 32nd America's Cup will be chosen by December 15, Alinghi said. -
Cup in Europe website, http://www.cupineurope.com/LatestNews/LatestNews.htm
* While the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia remain cancelled due to the
travel restrictions caused by SARS fears, the organizing body for the Laser
Asia Pacific Championship has not yet made a final decision on the fate of
their event. The two events were to be held together at Darwin Sailing
Club, but now discussions with the NT Government and event sponsors will
take place this weekend and the final decision will be made on Monday,
April 28. - http://www.ntlaser.ais.net.au
* The Trustees for the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT)
announced that two additional teams have formed to compete in the ICCT,
scheduled to take place this September in Newport, R.I. America's Cup
veterans Paolo Bassani and Max Sirena, of Italy, will represent the Vela
Club Marano, Rimini, Italy, in a bid to secure one of ten challenger
positions for the ICCT Trophy. Worrell 1000 Champions Brian Lambert and
Jamie Livingston, of the USA, will represent Sea Cliff Yacht Club, Long
Island, N.Y., in their contention for one of 10 defender spots. Among
other prospective defenders is Randy Smyth, a two-time Olympic Silver
Medalist representing Florida's Fort Walton Yacht Club, who announced his
campaign in March. Additionally, in response to a request from several
Tornado teams traveling from the ISAF Worlds in Cadiz, Spain to the ICCT,
the ICCT has been moved back one day. The new dates are September
28th-October 3, 2003 at the Sail Newport Sailing Center in Newport, R.I. -
http://www.icct2003.org / http://www.littleamericascup2003.org
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 or a
bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best
shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: Cam Lewis' comments caught my eye. When we were
taking his record a year later and passing through the Southern Ocean
between New Zealand and Cape Horn, Peter Blake opened a present from his
daughter, a 6-foot high blow up Emperor Penguin. Forgetting the hilarity
that inflating the thing caused, we put it out on the trampoline. A few
hours later we were being followed, at 17 knots, by 6 Orcas in line
abreast. Tucking the inflatable penguin out of site was followed shortly
thereafter by the disappearance of the Orcas.
* From John Diggins: Dr Peter Beamish, Trinity, Trinity Bay Newfoundland,
developed a Whale warning acoustical system some years ago. The Canadian
Fisheries Department commissioned sonar buoys to attach to nets to protect
the whales from becoming entangled in the fishing nets. Dr Beamish also
developed an album of whale calls, which he has used to call whales to his
boat or to chase them away. To learn more about his system, go to Ocean
Contact, Ceta Research at http://www3.nf.sympatico.ca/beamish
* From Tom Ehman: Peter Huston, wrote disapprovingly of drop (throw-out)
races in yesterday's 'Butt. Here, here! In the old days (as Peter Harkoon
would say) there was no drop race, no mark-touch exoneration, and no 720
rule. Today we of course have all three. Drop races were probably a good
idea before there was mark-touch exoneration and a 720 option. But now?
Without a drop race, one suspects competitors would take greater care with
their equipment, premature start risks, and tactics in general, to say
nothing of overall rules compliance. But where many might take issue with
Peter is his call for ISAF to mandate "no drop races." Good idea to drop
races, but leave it to the classes to decide.
* From Mike Zuilhof: Scoring with a throw-out works because it's fair and
it makes the game more interesting. The practice was implemented so that
contenders aren't automatically knocked out of the running by a stroke of
misfortune beyond their control.
A (perhaps unintended) side effect is that taking tactical chances are
rewarded, and that makes for more interesting racing. Sure, consistency is
a virtue, but a superlative performance always involves risk, and that must
be factored in. Rewards from fastidious preparation and wisely chosen
defensive strategies are not eliminated by throw-outs, and skippers are
hardly driven to reckless disregard for safety. It just strikes a better
balance. Scoring with throw-outs will persist because it's fair and it's fun.
* From Dan O'Brien: (re: yesterday's Curmudgeon's Conundrum) Is it the same
urge that makes men chase women they have no intention of marrying also
that which makes sailboat racers spend huge sums of money and time in their
effort to win pickle dishes they have no intention of putting pickles in?
*From Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int'l: Regarding the letter ('Butt 1314)
mentioning the New York Times' excellent coverage of the America's Cup, I
believe the paper's about-face came, at least in part, by readers weighing
in and asking for what they want. But boating news does not begin and end
with the Cup, as we learned from the years of excellent weekly sailing
columns written in the Times by Herb McCormick, and before him Barbara
Lloyd. Since the Cup ended there has been scant coverage of yacht racing in
the Times. A new sports editor is on board, and he needs to hear from us
again.
There is more to it than the fact that sailors want to read about sailing
in one of the most important newspapers in the country. This has to do with
the current 'Butt thread on sponsorship, too. If the media takes no
interest in sailing, why should a sponsor? If the Times leads with the
resurrection of its insightful coverage of our sport, other newspapers will
follow. Tell Warren St. John, who generated the Cup stories for the Times,
how much you appreciated his coverage (email: stjohn@nytimes.com); through
wire services, his features were in the sports, lifestyle and technology
sections of many more newspapers across this country, including-most
likely-your own. Make sure you copy the new sports editor, Tom Jolly
(email: jolly@nytimes.com), and let him know that sailing is a viable
sports subject important to hundreds of thousands of readers.
* Don Goyette: I agree with Jesse Deupree (Butt #1315) that there is
"nothing wrong with a sport that exists for the participants rather than
the spectators."
However, tying in with Scuttlebutt's sponsorship thread, we can't expect
sponsors to invest very much in a sport with no, or very few, spectators.
Seeing that some 80% of the Buttheads, including myself, are OK with
sponsorship, then taking the spectators into account, either those at the
regatta or following it by electronic media, is a good thing.
* From Andrew Vare: Looking forward to the Ford
Explorer/Pepsi/Tide/Budweiser/Scuttlebutt Pro Am at the Bitter End YC.
* Toby Tobin: There was a time, not too long ago, when competitive
sailing's participants were primarily amateur sailors. "Amateur" in the
original sense meaning those who loved the sport and engaged in it for
recreation; their skill level ranged from local club participant to AC
skippers like Mike Vanderbilt and Bus Mosbacher.
In those days what later became known as the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup
was the Admiral's Cup. Volunteers ran race committees with high levels of
skill, and committee boats were usually made available without charge by
willling club members. Modest entry fees for events covered their
relatively low cost.
The current hunger for media coverage, especially television, did not
exist. Sailor's didn't care if non-sailors were uninterested. The extent to
which the pinnacle events of the sport are now conducted by professional
sailors, some of whom are very handsomely compensated, may contribute to
the hunger for TV coverage and corporate sponsorship of both boats and events.
I liked the amateur model more.
THE CURMUDGEON'S DEFINITION
Jury: Twelve people who determine which client has the better lawyer.
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