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SCUTTLEBUTT 3003 - Friday, January 8, 2010
Scuttlebutt 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.
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Today’s sponsors are APS and NorthU.
FIRST QUADRIPLEGIC TO SAIL ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
A British yachtsman became the first quadriplegic to sail across the
Atlantic on Thursday when he crossed the finish line in the Caribbean. Geoff
Holt, 42, from Southampton, took 28 days to complete the 2,700-mile voyage
after setting off from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands on December 10. He
had an emotional reunion with his wife Elaine and their seven-year-old son
Tim in the British Virgin Islands. Mr Holt is already the first quadriplegic
sailor to sail solo around Britain - a feat he achieved in 2007.
The sailor battled light winds, mechanical problems and running out of fuel
aboard his boat, Impossible Dream, during the voyage where he has been aided
by a carer and filmed by a cameraman - but he did all his own sailing.
Poignantly, he returned to the exact scene of the diving accident that
paralysed him 26 years ago - Cane Garden Bay, on Tortola Island.
'The arrival has been everything I expected and more,' the yachtsman said.
'The welcoming committee has been amazing, I am surrounded by a flotilla of
boats and yachts that have all come out to meet me. It's emotional and I
have a tear in my eye.'
Legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnson led the tributes to Mr Holt: 'What a
tremendous thing to have completed,' he said. 'Geoff continues to raise the
bar when it comes to sheer determination to allow nothing to stand in his
way. I am so proud of his achievement.'
Mr Holt, who only has limited use of his arms and hands, used hydraulic
push-button technology to sail the 60-foot catamaran on the voyage. Before
he started, the sailor explained that the trip to the place of his accident
was unfinished business for him. -- Read more: http://tinyurl.com/y988f5c
LARRY ELLISON TO JOIN NEWPORT LASER FROSTBITE FLEET
It's official. Larry Ellison has bought himself a little cottage in Newport,
Rhode Island for $10.5 million. The Twitter is a-tweeting with speculation
about why Larry wants a pad in Newport. But you heard the real scoop here
first. The house in question is only about a mile from Fort Adams, home of
Newport's famed Laser frostbite fleet. Clearly Mr. Ellison is tired of all
the shenanigans surrounding his current sailing endeavor, something called
the America's Cup I believe, and is planning to take up the simplest,
purest, funnest, corinthianest form of sailing there is. Look to see him
sailing against Tillerman and the rest of the crowd in Laser Fleet 413 as
soon as he is done with that little piece of unfinished business in
Valencia. Whatever other possible explanation could there be? -- Proper
Course blog, http://tinyurl.com/yc4u5nf
TIE ANOTHER ONE ON
The holidays and their parties are behind us so it's time to focus back on
what's important, getting your boat race ready for next season! In an effort
to help take the sting out of it we at APS, "The World Leaders in Outfitting
Performance Sailors", encourage you to take advantage our Annual Rope and
Rigging Sale. From now until the end of January save 25% off rigging
services, 20% off one design packages, and 15% off cut lengths of cordage
and wire. With these kinds of savings you really shouldn't feel bad about
tying another one on! Details: http://tiny.cc/a3MNC
QUOTE / UNQUOTE
If they ever truly stop litigating and sail, it won’t be your grandfather’s
(or even your father’s) America’s Cup. Gone are the elegant monohulls and
low-velocity tacking duels. In their place are two massive multihulls with
sail technology worthy of the 2010s and two true antagonists in owners Larry
Ellison of BMW Oracle Racing and Ernesto Bertarelli of Alinghi. The pattern,
now well established, is that Ellison wins in court and Bertarelli wins on
the water. This time Ellison, with Russell Coutts leading his team and after
whittling away some of the traditional defender’s advantage in the courts,
is poised to break the mold in Valencia. -- Christopher Clarey, NY Times,
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/sports/08iht-ARENA.html
SCUTTLEBUTT TRIVIA
Within the rich heritage and tradition of the America’s Cup dating back to
1851, who was the unsuccessful challenger that may have accomplished more by
losing than winning? (Answer below)
SERIOUS ABOUT MATCH RACING
Dave Perry is serious about growing the sport of match racing in the US. As
such, he decided to organize and run a series of match racing clinics in
Miami on either side of this month’s U.S. Sailing 2010 Rolex Miami Olympic
Class Regatta (OCR).
This week’s edition at Key Biscayne Yacht Club is open to the women who will
participate in the USSTAG qualifier to decide the USA berths in the OCR. US
Sailing Center Sheboygan (WI) has relocated their fleet to South Florida for
the clinic, qualifier and OCR, with their quiver including support motor
boats, gear trailers and Elliott 6m’s, the boat selected by ISAF for the
Women’s Match Racing in the 2012 Olympics.
Each day begins with a chalk talk followed by on-the-water drills. They then
come in for lunch over a de-brief before afternoon drills back out on
Biscayne Bay. Under clear skies, temperatures in the mid 60’s and a
freshening breeze of 12-14 knots, the umpires would call the fouls while
Dave called out coaching advice from the signal boat as pairs of teams push
each other to gain an advantage at “go”.
The top U.S. teams taking part in this clinic are newly crowned US SAILING’s
2009 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Anna Tunnicliffe along with Sally
Barkow, Genny Tulloch, Megan Ruhlman, and Katie Lovell. -- Story and photos
by John Payne: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0107/
IT'S LOOKING LIKE A GEAR BUSTER
Northern Californian Peter Vessella and his crew, who hold the top spot
after the first round of the four event Etchells Jaguar Series, should feel
very comfortable in the San Francisco-like elements forecast this weekend
for the Sid Doren Memorial in Miami January 9-10, 2010. As it stands, the
weather temps are forecast in the 40s and the breeze both days looks to top
out at 17-25 knots.
Professional sailor and coach Bill Bennett said this morning that he and the
crew are "buying more clothes!" And he suggests: "Whatever you own, bring
it." Organizer Ken Batzer says the 55 boats signed up for this weekend will
see one of the windiest weekends on record for the Jag. With clear skies,
chop, and big breeze, the photographers, boatwrights and sailmakers can't
wait. It's looking like a gear buster. -- Paige Brooks, Etchells NA
Correspondent, http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/jaguar/#2
SAILING SHORTS
* (January 7, 2010) - Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the America’s Cup
defending yacht club, has sent a letter today to the Golden Gate Yacht Club,
the challenger, confirming that the ISAF 33rd America’s Cup International
Jury, constituted on December 4, 2009, is fully operational to deal with any
issues related to the Deed of Gift Match starting on February 8th. SNG will
issue the Sailing Instructions and amended Notice of Race as announced on
January 8th. -- BYM News, full report:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=64410
* Sydney, Australia (January 8, 2010) - Defending World Champion Archie
Massey and crew Dan Wilsdon (AUS) won race one of the CST Composites
International 14 World Championship Final Series in the Gold fleet today in
a 5-10 knot sou’easter sailed out of North Harbour, Sydney. The victory puts
the team in the overall lead of the 108 boat fleet. Racing continues through
January 11th. -- Complete story: http://tinyurl.com/ycvlqr4
* Freeport, Grand Bahama (January 7, 2010) - Light air finesse was the key
today with three races held in the 49er World Championship, but Iker
Martinez and Xabier Fernandez (ESP) continued their run to the top by
sailing a 1-2-10 to build a 19 point lead over John Pink and Rick Peacock
(GBR). Brits also hold 3rd, 4th and 8th positions. On the 29er Worlds
course, Kevin Fisher and Glenn Gouron (FRA) sailed a great day of 1-3-9 to
move into first in front of the Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug (DEN) who have
held the spot all week. Max Fraser & David Liebenberg are now in third. --
Complete report:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8843#8843
* Boaters can forget the snow and start making plans for their summer
boating vacation with a little help from the BoatUS Services Locator. The
online tool uses Google Maps to show locations of marinas that offer
money-saving discounts on fuel and transient slips. A new trip-planning
enhancement is the addition of NOAA nautical charts that overlay onto the
Locator’s Google Map, allowing boaters to see bottom depths, hazards and
navigational aids all on one screen. This new feature is provided by
Geowake, a nautical mapping solutions provider. -- Read on:
http://www.boatus.com/pressroom/release.asp?id=465
* CORRECTION: From Ullman Sails, “In the Ullman Sails ad in Scuttlebutt
3002, the inventories on the top boats for the Northwest Top 25 list were
inaccurately portrayed. In addition to a full Ullman Sails inventory, the
J/105 'Money Shot' competed with some Quantum sails, and the Melges 32
'Banshee' sailed with some North and Quantum sails. We apologize for our
error!”
TRIVIA ANSWER
Sir Thomas Lipton will always be remembered as the founder of one of the
biggest brands in the tea world. But in the late 1800’s, Lipton struggled to
introduce his brand of tea to the US. Ever the entrepreneur, although
perhaps not in the way he first intended, Sir Thomas challenged for the
America’s Cup in five consecutive matches with boats named Shamrock (between
1899 and 1930). So ardent were his attempts to win the coveted cup that his
efforts were rewarded with a specially designed trophy for ‘the best of all
losers’. His success or lack thereof, rocketed his brand to fame in the US,
thus securing Lipton tea’s place among the greats. -- Source:
http://tinyurl.com/ycg2z27
THINK FAST, THINK FASTER
NorthU Trim Seminars and Race Weeks teach fast fast. In one day seminars you
learn to control and balance power for better upwind performance, trim your
spinnaker (A or S) to run faster and deeper, and how to set, jibe, and douse
like a pro; plus you take home the NorthU TRIM Seminar-on-CD for review and
home study. Or come to NorthU Performance Race Week April 18-24 at Offshore
Sailing School’s Captiva Florida location. Six days of on the water coaching
and racing. Great fun and a great education. Visit http://www.northu.com or
call 800-347-2457.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt
include two worthy winners, home sweet home, good and bad of winter, youth
movement, and sponsor love. If you have images you would like to share, send
them to the Scuttlebutt editor. Here are this week’s photos:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/10/0108/
EIGHT BELLS
Arnie Schmeling passed on December 24th at home in peace. I had the honor of
sailing with Arnie on Kialoa II, Windward Passage, and others. Arnie's love
for being at sea, and his incredible physical strength, allowed him to do
things that others wouldn't attempt, such as trimming the spinsheet, and
grinding at the same time, on Passage! Arnie also sailed aboard, Bolero,
Ballyhoo, Hawkeye, Kialoa III, and many others.
When he wasn't at sea, his job ashore was highly decorated officer with the
Long beach Police Dept. Many stories were shared about his exploits rounding
up "Bad Guys" at the Long Beach Pike, and other assorted areas of Long
Beach. Arnie was also associated with numerous Americas Cup Campaigns, and
served as Bill Koch's security advisor. There will be ashes at sea, and a
celebration of life party, at Newport Harbor Yacht Club on, Monday March
1st. We're working on providing additional yachts to take interested friends
to view the ashes at sea. These yachts will be at Newport Harbor Yacht Club
with limited space available. -- Kirk Elliott
Post comments here:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8839#8839
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Garry Hoyt's quest for making sailing simpler has never wavered, and his
ideas will literally stretch your brain. Recognizing the need for more
environmental awareness on the water, Hoyt’s latest book “Go For The Green”
provides a menu of new ideas to re-energize sailing and solar electric power
as new solutions. One of these ideas is the ‘Hoyt Offset Rig’, which
effectively eliminates the windage interference of the mast, enables easier
sail trimming, and safer boat handling. Are you ready to think out of the
box… try to keep up with Hoyt. Click here for this week’s video:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/10/0108/
* T2p.tv - the online network for Sailing On Demand - each week adds an
entertaining ‘Crash & Burn’ reel of the highs and lows in the sport. There
are now 47 videos in all, with the latest three offerings having titles such
as ‘Wind Checked’, ‘Ooo and Ouch’, and ‘Down to the Wire’. Enjoy:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/09/t2p/
* The BMW Oracle Racing team has produced a pretty slick video titled “The
Making of BOR 90”, which covers the past couple years of design and
development in 3:36 minutes. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8WoFksO9tI
* If you have a video you like, please send your suggestion for next week’s
Video of the Week to mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.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 Nick Nicholson, member, Volvo Open 70 Rule Management Group, 2003-09:
Although the story in Scuttlebutt 3002 comes from the official Volvo Ocean
Race website, it contains significant errors with regard to the limits on
sails for the 2011-2012 race as defined in the Notice of Race for that
event. The story states there is a limit of 15 pre-race sails for 2011-2012,
a "modest reduction from 17 in the last race." In fact, there was no limit
on the number of pre-race sails built for the last race, nor was there any
attempt to control them in any way. The limit of 15 pre-race sails is
entirely new, enormously restrictive, and potentially difficult to police.
Likewise, the story states that in addition, a team is allowed to "... build
a further 15 (sails) for the entire race...". In fact, NOR 5.1(d) allows the
declaration of 17 sails for the race itself, not the 15 stated in the story.
Furthermore, a team has the possibility to add one pre-race sail to the
inventory for the race in the case of damage beyond repair to a declared
racing sail.
In addition, V. 3 of the Volvo Open 70 Rule contains changes to the size
limits on some of the permitted sails. All in all, it adds up to a number of
significant changes from the sail limits for the 2008-2009 race, and puts a
premium on careful (and expensive) R&D before a sail design is committed to
cloth.
VOR 2011-12 NOR: http://tinyurl.com/NOR-11-12
VOR 2008-09 NOR: http://tinyurl.com/NOR-08-09
* From Tim Patterson: (re, transatlantic crossing records in Scuttlebutt
3002)
It is my opinion that the record council should make a clear distinction
between the monohull record held by Atlantic driven by Barr and any record
that is done with powered winches and power assistance to move anything on
the boat. These are two clearly different situations. The achievement of
Charlie Barr should never be erased from the record book until someone beats
it in like fashion.
* From T.J. Perrotti, Perrotti Performance Design, LLC:
In the 'butt 3002 article, former BARIENT winch company president R.C. Keefe
offered the interesting tidbit that the name of the company was formed via a
conjunction of yacht names "Baruna" and "Orient". That got me thinking ...
In the Middle Ages, you had the Knights Templar. In the 18th century, you
had the Illuminati. The history of each is plagued with intrigue,
controversy, and mysterious backstabbing tactics.
Today, we have the endless teams of America's Cup lawyers, each slinging
their salvos viciously at opposing counsel via reams of briefs, submissions,
affidavits, and legal filings. Might history someday refer to their lot as
the ORACLINGHI ???
* From the Forum: (Val Lyon; re, Barton Beek)
I am fortunate to be part of the Beek family and lucky to have been able to
crew for Bart many times. He asked me to crew in the 1986 Worlds in Capri,
Italy (he was 62 at the time) and I will never forget the first race of the
regatta. 120+ boats scrambling in light wind to get off the line. A couple
of general recalls and then the black flag. Bart sails to the pin end of the
line that seems like it stretched for a mile. A couple of hacks down there
and Barton.
Next thing I know we are on port, nail the start (almost hit the pin), wind
shifts 10 to the left and we are crossing the fleet. I spent the entire leg
cramped in the boat, periodically up on deck when a puff hit, no idea what
the f__k was going on. No more than 3 tacks and we arrive at the weather
mark in 3rd behind some rock stars. I will never forget looking back, seeing
the sea of white sails and commenting to Bart about our position. His reply
was classic... “Sit on the deck and watch the jib. It’s a long race.”
Post comments here:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8793
* From Pascal Desmarets:
If Alinghi's interpretation of the word 'constructed' is correct that it
means 'assembled', then each time they return to port, they must be
dis-assembling the sails from the rest of the yacht or vessel, and
re-assembling again before sailing again. Must a RE-assembly take place in
the country of origin?
On the other hand, when reading the controversial phrase of the Deed of
Gift: 'with a yacht or vessel propelled by sails only and constructed in the
country to which the Challenging Club belongs, against any one yacht or
vessel constructed in the country of the Club holding the Cup.', it seems
that only BOR is required to be propelled by 'sails only', while Alinghi can
use ANY one yacht or vessel. I suppose that it was cleared long ago that a
'wing' qualified as a (hard) 'sail'. But why doesn't Alinghi just race with
a powerboat? Pandora's box... or was it a jar? Letter of the law vs. spirit
of the law...
HAPPY 3000!
While it does not have the same ring as ‘Happy New Year’, many of the
‘buttheads have kindly sent to me their notes recognizing the 3000th
Scuttlebutt newsletter that was published this week on January 5, 2010.
Thank you!
When founder Tom Leweck launched the Scuttlebutt e-newsletter in 1997, I am
pretty sure he had no plans for a run like this. Previously, he had worked
hard all his life, had earned his retirement, and Scuttlebutt was a means to
fill some time, and connect his love of the sport with the new found toy
called the internet. Anybody remember his joke list?
The early focus of Scuttlebutt was Southern California, but as interest in
the publication grew both nationally and internationally, so did the
content. Rather than waiting each month for the print magazine, sailors were
now able to enjoy daily updates in near real time. The manner in how the
sport of sailing would be reported was forever changed.
Tom has since handed off the reins, but remains close, and will always be
known as the original Curmudgeon. As for the publication, it appears to take
about four years to produce 1000 issues, so look for another celebration in
early 2014. See ya then. -- Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt, post comments here:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8840#8840
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, drink the good wine. Don’t save it
for a special occasion. Today is special.
Special thanks to APS and NorthU.
Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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