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SCUTTLEBUTT 3336 - Friday, May 6, 2011Scuttlebutt 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. Website: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sailingscuttlebutt RSS: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/rss/index.xml Today's sponsors: BIC Sport and Quantum Sail Design Group. NOTHING SHORT OF A PARADIGM SHIFT Now in its seventh season, the TP52 racing at the Audi MedCup Circuit has grown to become the premiere keelboat fleet racing circuit. When the 2011 edition begins in less than two weeks, it will be the fourth time that Quantum Sails has led a sponsored team - Quantum Racing. The Q came out strong in 2008, winning the circuit in their first year. After taking second overall the past two years with the same boat, this year they have made changes. With previous skipper Terry Hutchinson (USA) now occupied by the Artemis Racing America's Cup challenge, Quantum Racing will be led by 2007 America's Cup winning helm Ed Baird (USA). And Ed will have a new Botin Partners designed boat this season. Curious about a sailmaking company controlling its own racing program, Scuttlebutt checks in with Ed Reynolds, President of the Quantum Sail Design Group: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * What was believed to be the original goals and benefits of the program? And has this changed? Is this about selling more TP52 sails? ED REYNOLDS: We started with three primary goals, which really haven't changed all that much over the years. First, we chose the MedCup as a platform to test and validate our product and our technology. Second, we saw it as an opportunity to market our sails and our technology. The process for successful sail development is pretty consistent among all boat types. What we do for Quantum Racing in terms of design, manufacturing and optimization is applied to every sail we build. Third, we wanted to give our customers a bit of a "back stage pass" look at pro sailing. On the team, we heavily promote the idea of accessibility and dedicate resources to sharing our story. * The boat name, the boat branding, the video production... what has been the impact of these decisions? ED REYNOLDS: The impact of these decisions has far exceeded my expectations. The bottom line is, we set out to prove to everyone in the marketplace that Quantum is a world-class company, with the best technological resources and product to match. My belief was that this couldn't be done in a subtle way. When I first saw the branding presentation I thought, "Oooh boy! Everyone is going to know we are here!" But that was the point. No one believed anyone but North Sails could be a supplier to teams at the grand prix level. At the time (and to this day) we felt confident about our ability to be a player at this level. To stake our claim in any other manner would have been cowardly. In the office, we had some very candid conversations about this, saying, "'We are going in! Is everyone ready?' And across the board everyone agreed, 'We can do this.'" The impact of this decision has been nothing short of a paradigm shift. Whatever someone thought of Quantum Sails in 2007 is dramatically different today. * What is the budget for the program this season? Is this expense being wholly sponsored by Quantum Sails or do you have partners? Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/11/0505/ CAN THE STAR PULL ANOTHER FAST ONE? By Andy Rice, SailJuice (May 5, 2011) - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly are out in St Petersburg (Russia) to determine the future of Olympic sailing. It's the ISAF Mid-Year Meeting, and today the Events Committee secured a 60% majority in favour of the following events and equipment: Board and/or Kiteboard men & women - equipment to be evaluated. One-person dinghy men - Laser One-person dinghy men women - Laser Radial 2nd one-person dinghy men - Finn Two-person dinghy (spinnaker) men & women - 470 Skiff men - 49er Skiff women - equipment to be evaluated Two-person multihull mixed - equipment to be evaluate This is almost exactly the same slate put forward by the Events Committee four years ago. No keelboats. But you may remember that in Cascais 2007, ISAF Council rejected the proposals of the expert analysis and narrowly voted the Star in ahead of the Tornado. After the nuclear fallout of that decision, there's no way the multihull is going to be displaced this time, but the Star still has friends in high places. Word from St Petersburg is that the Brazil Olympic Committee (not the sailing committee, but the national Olympic committee) are leaning hard on ISAF to keep the Star in for Rio 2016. Having gleaned so many medals in the Star from the likes of Torben Grael and Robert Scheidt over the past few Olympiads, you can see why the Brazilians want to keep the venerable old keelboat in the Games. And if the Star gets back in again, it won't be without precedent. We've already mentioned 2007, but what about Sydney 2000 when somehow the Star somehow snuck back in to create an 11th event where previously only 10 had been sanctioned? The Star class has a potent ally at the top table of ISAF, the Executive Committee, in vice-president Eric Tulla from Puerto Rico. The rumour mill says Tulla will be pushing hard to get the Star back in for Rio, and that he is bringing three of the remaining six vice-presidents with him in pushing for the original submission from Puerto Rico to be considered. The keelboats, for men and women, would stay in, and the skiffs would be out. If Tulla really has managed to convince fellow VPs, Alberto Predieri, Tomasz Holc and Nazli Imre, to push for a submission that earned no votes from the 29 available from the Events Committee vote, then we know that ISAF has learned nothing from the debacle of 2007. We will know that the Federation remains as corrupt - or at the very least, corruptible - as it was four years ago. -- Read on: http://sailjuiceblog.com/can-the-star-pull-another-fast-one/ COMMENT: The final decision on the slate of events will come this weekend. The elimination of the women's keelboat event is remarkable in that ISAF had chosen match racing to debut at the 2012 Olympics. ISAF then followed this decision by having the Elliott 6m modified specifically for the event. These decisions then prompted countries to buy fleets of the Elliot 6ms for their Olympic programs (98 boats have been delivered to 22 nations since Jan. 2009), and the growth of this event helped to quickly expand match racing throughout the world. And now ISAF may reverse course to eliminate it all from the 2016 Olympics. Nice leadership! Here is a report why the event should be retained: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/11/0504/ EXCITE YOUR JUNIORS It's not too late for 2011 to excite your junior sailors. Several prominent Yacht Clubs, Community Programs, and Camps are taking delivery of their O'Pen BICs and/or windsurfing fleets in May, June, and July. As retention rates in sailing programs remain an issue, it's no coincidence that modern alternatives for kids are hot topics at the National Sailing Program Symposium and the Yacht Club Summit. You can join the fun too. See why more Junior Programs are successfully adding excitement at O'Pen BIC and Techno 293 windsurfing (see videos below). Contact info@bicsportna.com or 508-291-2770. BIC Sport also offers great Stand Up Paddleboards. O'Pen BIC: http://youtu.be/B9_botWb8KU Techno 293: http://youtu.be/WOa8rhmGI7c MAKING IT INTO A SPECTACLE By Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Last weekend I walked through a section of downtown San Diego set aside for an art festival. Now, I'm not much of an art lover, but this event was a spectacle. Food, music, interactive events, and of course all forms of art. And there were huge crowds... it was the place to be. I immediately thought of the America's Cup World Series, and how great it would be if when it comes to San Diego later this year, for all these "other things" to surround the AC45 racing in San Diego Bay. Having a multitude of elements for the event will create a spectacle... and it will be the place to be. Another sailing event that seeks the "spectacle status" is the Audi MedCup Circuit, which will parade a fleet of TP52s and Soto 40s through five European cities, beginning in Cascais, Portugal on May 16-22. The fourth stop of the Circuit in Spain isn't until August, but local journalist Robbie France is already making noise about it: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I KNOW when we started this column I said sailing wasn't just for godzillionaires and the like.that it was a sport for all.the Med is our 'backyard' etc. However, I'm going to have to backtrack a little from that statement, for a moment anyway. And there's a very good reason. With the publishing of the Audi MedCup circuit for 2011, comes very good news for our area. Cartagena has been selected again! A prospect so blindingly wicked I can hardly contain myself. It means another fantastic opportunity to see the creme de la creme of the sailing fraternity battling waves, winds - sometimes the lack thereof - and each other in a series of events which challenge human endeavor to the max. So, I hear you ask.'why is he prattling on about an event that's a full three and a bit months away?' Simple - ya gotta go! Don't even think about it. Just do it. Imagine a tented village just full of wonderful distractions: giant viewing screens; great entertainment every night of the week; standing shoulder to shoulder with the greats. that's the Audi MedCup. It's like an F1 grand Prix without the earplugs. The fastest, most technologically advanced race boats around, helmed by the best, crewed by the best and guided by the best to get the last inch of canvas straining to give an extra kilometre an hour. Check this out: I was there last year walking along the side of the hospitality tent. Sat on the concrete steps? Paul Cayard, the first American sailor to win the old Whitbread Round The World Race discussing tactics with his lieutenants. Right there in front of me! Akin to Sebastian Vettel preparing for a race with Christian Horner, I suppose. Look - don't just make a note in your diary - rip the pages out except the 23rd to the 28th of August. Pop down to Cartagena with the family.and enjoy! -- http://tinyurl.com/RTN-050511 RAINY DAY LESSON PLANS Our friends at Sailors for the Sea in Newport, RI have launched a new teaching tool that sailing instructors can employ when the weather is not conducive to sailing. The Sailors for the Sea Rainy Day Kits for Environmental Education, the first-of-its-kind marine science-based lesson plans developed for junior sailors, builds awareness of the marine ecosystem and an understanding of the importance of protecting and preserving their local waters and the world's oceans. These free environmental lesson plans, available online, were created in partnership with leading marine biology and science institutions to provide practical educational tools for teaching the principles of environmental sustainability to young sailors. Sailing instructors who may not be formally trained educators in ecology or biology can easily incorporate the flexible lesson plans into their sailing instructions. "Thanks to the tremendous support from our science and education partners, Sailors for the Sea is proud to offer free, informal environmental education lesson plans for community sailing centers, yacht clubs and waterfront facilities. These 30 - 45 minute modules are science-based and designed for junior sailors and children around the country," said Sailors for the Sea CEO Dan Pingaro. "The plans give youth sailing instructors relevant content about marine ecology and the practical tools needed to make a positive impact to natural resource depletion and habitat degradation." -- WindCheck, read on: http://tinyurl.com/WC-050511 SAILING SHORTS * Information for the Canadian Women's National Championship, Canadian Match Racing Championship, and Canadian IRC Championship is now posted on the Canadian Yachting Association website. Details here: http://tinyurl.com/CYA-050511 * The Atlantic Cup, a new professional Class40 race showcasing the top short-handed sailors in the U.S., could see five teams at the start in New York Harbor on May 7th, 2011. From there, competitors will sprint double-handed the 240 nautical mile course to Newport, Rhode Island. Once in Newport, skippers will race a two-day, inshore series with a crew of six on May 14 and 15. The combined overall winner of both stages becomes the first Atlantic Cup Champion and receives the $15,000 prize purse. Event website: http://www.atlanticcup.org/ * (May 5, 2011) - Based on statements by Bruno Peyron reported at the Course Au Large publication, America's Cup challenger Energy Team may not be ready to compete in AC45's for the America's Cup World Series, raising questions of their ability to fulfill the entry requirements of the 34th America's Cup. -- CupInfo: http://www.cupinfo.com/ * UPDATE: For those of you still following the Velux 5 Oceans race, the start date of the final leg was confirmed today to be May 14th. Event website: http://www.velux5oceans.com QUANTUM ADDS AFFILIATE IN ATLANTIC CANADA Quantum Sail Design Group is pleased to welcome Quantum Maritimes, a new affiliate located in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Owner John Whynacht has over 20 years marine industry experience and for the past six years has operated a performance sailing venture offering a wide range of marine services including boat repair, rigging and training. A J/24 racer, John says the introduction of Quantum sails is a good fit with the shop's focus on making boats and sailors go faster. Contact Quantum Maritimes at 902-640-5252 or jwhynacht@quantumsails.com. To find a Quantum loft near you, visit our website at http://www.QuantumSails.com PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include sailing as a contact sport, classic sailing, dhow sailing, AC sailing, youngest person not trying too hard to sail around the world sailing, college sailing, Newport sailing, and the unwritten rules of maxi boat sailing. Here are this week's photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/11/0506/ BONUS 1: This guy bought a 12 meter to fix up but it never left his yard. After an unsuccessful attempt to sell it, he decided to chop it and sell it for scrap. And he took pictures... here they are: http://molnar-marine.com/us49-demo.html BONUS 2: Did you go to the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD series in Annapolis last weekend? Do you like seeing pictures of yourself? Here is a photo gallery hosted by SpinSheet from the event: http://www.spinsheet.com/main.asp?page=1301 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS: If you have images to share for the Photos of the Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com VIDEO OF THE WEEK What do get when you combine businessman Sir Richard Branson, multi world champion and Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson and Academy Award winner Kate Winslet? Include the beauty of the British Virgin Islands, idyllic sailing conditions, and boats, and you get to see what you missed this winter if you did not seek out tropical waters for vacation. Follow along as Shirley hosts this edition of the CNN Mainsail show. Click here for this week's video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/11/0506/ BONUS 1: The Melges 24 Worlds this month in Corpus Christi, Texas expect to see big winds and warm temperatures, which is as good as it gets for this skiff-like boat and those that sail it. During a recent training run, Kristen Lane's Brickhouse team bore away from the wind, hit the record button on the GoPro video camera, and took off. Aptly edited to Guns N' Roses 'Welcome To The Jungle'. Hold on... http://youtu.be/yVLu6K_KgPQ BONUS 2: What do the winter kitewing sailors do when the temperatures rise and their snow venues melt away? They put away their skis and pull out their dirtsurfer, a hybrid of a skateboard and a bike that's adapts to the dryer terrain. And here is how they sail it: http://youtu.be/pxxz2MN0oRc BONUS 3: Fried Elliot (friedbits.com) is an old friend of Scuttlebutt, and we have watched his rise in the sailing photographic scene. In this video he shows some of his best stuff from the 29er, 49er, Snipe, Star and Women's Match Racing classes, and allows the SailGroove team to tag along during his job as event photographer for the RC44 event last March in San Diego: http://www.sailgroove.org/ SEND US YOUR VIDEOS: If you have clips to share for the Video of the Week, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor: mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com GUEST COMMENTARY Scuttlebutt strongly encourages feedback from the Scuttlebutt community. Either submit comments by email or post them on the Forum. Submitted comments chosen to be published in the newsletter may be limited to 250 words. Authors may have one published submission per subject, and should save their bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. Email: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Brian Hancock: I am thrilled that Key West RW will happen again. These are tough times but Peter Craig has proven that a great venue, great sailors and hard work can win out despite the odds. We should not lose these iconic events because of a tough economy. Peter Craig has shown his tenacity and deserves to be rewarded. And besides it's a great event. * From Leo Reise, CAN IJ, Jury Chair: It seems that Melges 24 group has been suffering some slings and arrows lately. The comment by Craig Fletcher: (in Scuttlebutt 3334) is a case in point. It seems that Mr. Fletcher was not at the North Americans in Rochester. I guess someone forgot to tell the amateur who won the event that he had no chance of winning. This was Adam Burns & Team Presto that claimed both the Overall & Corinthian titles at the 2010 Melges 24 North American Championship. COMMENT: To clarify a comment of mine in Scuttlebutt 3334, in which I said the Melges 24 class does not restrict the participation of pro sailors, the class does have a Corinthian sub-division at its World and Continental championship. To be eligible for this title, all crew must be Group 1 (amateur) according to the ISAF Classification Code. -- Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt editor JUST SAY YES TO SAILING Scuttlebutt has launched a new T-Shirt for those of you that like to say "Yes to Sailing". Included on the shirt is one of the Curmudgeon's Observations along with the famous pink ribbon that's the international symbol of breast cancer awareness. All proceeds go to breast cancer research. To support your sport and this worthy cause...shirts can be purchased at the Scuttlebutt Store: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/store CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION Honk if you love peace and quiet. SPONSORS THIS WEEK Gowrie Group - JK3 Nautical Enterprises - North U - North Sails Camet - USSTAG - APS - Melges Performance Sailboats Ullman Sails - O'pen BIC - Quantum Sails Need stuff? Look here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
