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SCUTTLEBUTT 3630 - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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Today's sponsors: Point Loma Outfitting, Vineyard Race, and Pure Yachting.

PENALTY DECIDED
Newport, RI (July 9, 2012) - The International Jury for the 2012 Newport
Bermuda Race has penalized the yacht Carina 15 minutes in elapsed time
because a professional sailor briefly steered the boat during the race. The
rules of the St. David's Lighthouse Division in which Carina sailed (and
which the boat won) require that only amateur sailors steer while racing.

The ruling does not affect the race standings. The penalty trims Carina's
margin over the second-place St. David's Lighthouse boat, the U.S. Naval
Academy's Defiance, to 16 minutes, 22 seconds from 34 minutes, 34 seconds.
Carina also remains winner of Class 3 under the IRC rule.

The International Jury made its decision after a hearing on Sunday, July 8,
in which Carina's owner and captain, Rives Potts (Westbrook, Conn.),
participated. The Jury determined that Carina's crew list as provided by
Potts before the race listed all of the boat's 12 crewmembers as Category 1
amateur sailors under the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) sailor
classification code. The rules for the St. David's Lighthouse Division
permit a boat the size of Carina, a 48-foot sloop, to have as many as three
professional sailors in the crew with the condition that none of them steer
while the boat is racing.

One of Carina's crew was Kit Will, whose ISAF Category 1 classification had
expired in April 2010. Two days before the race start, Will applied to ISAF
and was classified as a Category 3 professional sailor. (There is no
Category 2 in the ISAF code.) Will did not inform Potts that he had been
reclassified as a Category 3 until after Carina finished the race in
Bermuda. By then Carina had been presented with the Corinthian Trophy for
top boat with an all-amateur crew. Potts returned the trophy to the Bermuda
Race Organizing Committee, which runs the race for the Cruising Club of
America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

While the Bermuda Race has no official overall winner, the top boat in the
St. David's Lighthouse Division is generally regarded as the winner because
this is the largest division and features amateur sailors. -- Full report:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/12/0710/

Original disclosure: http://tinyurl.com/NB-071012

SAVE THE DATE: The next Newport Bermuda Race will start on Friday, June 20,
2014.

NEW PUBLISHED APPEAL #107
The US Sailing Appeals Committee recently published Appeal #107 which dealt
with the role of parents on protest committees when their child is
competing. Here were the relevant rules:

Rule 63.4, Interested Party
Rule 71.2, National Authority Decisions
Definitions, Interested Party

Situation...
A protest committee member whose child is competing in a race that includes
the parties to the protest is an interested party, because the relationship
between the parent and child is a "close personal" one. The protest
committee member therefore will have a close personal interest in the
protest committee's decision, and therefore must not take part in the
hearing.

Facts and Decision of the Protest Committee...
In a regatta involving International Optimists, the fleet was divided into
three sub-fleets for final scoring purposes, but all boats raced together
and were scored as one fleet. In the last race, the boat finishing second
protested the boat finishing first concerning an incident near a windward
mark, and the protest committee disqualified the protestee. The protestee
appealed, on the grounds that a member of the protest committee was an
interested party. The protest committee member was the father of a
competitor in the race who was neither a party to the hearing nor in the
same sub-fleet as the protestor and the protestee.

Read on for the decision of the Appeals Committee:
http://raceadmin.ussailing.org/Assets/Race+Admin/Appeals/Appeal+107.pdf

CONGRATS TO GROUPAMA 4 AND SLAM
Having already won at the America's Cup with BMW ORACLE Racing, SLAM has
expanded its prestigious laurels in winning the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12
with Groupama 4. This sponsorship was crucial to continuing the development
of the "OFFSHORE" technical line, specifically designed to overcome the
difficult tests set by the oceans and extreme, long-lasting regattas, and
it has brought about new improvements both in terms of fabrics and details.
The regatta was extremely difficult, with terrible marine weather
conditions alternating with equatorial calms and flat seas. Gusting winds
and towering waves lashed the decks of the boats that were pitched at
terrifying speeds. The combination of these factors tested all the crews
and vessels to their limit. http://www.slam-shops.com

REMAINING FOCUSED
The eyes of a nation watched as top-ranked British tennis player Andy
Murray failed to win the Final at Wimbledon last Sunday. The media
spotlight was bright for Murray, and with the 2012 Olympics fast
approaching, it makes one wonder how British sailing star Ben Ainslie will
fare.

As his country's most successful Olympic sailor with three gold medals and
one silver, Ainslie is a heavy favorite in the Finn event. But according to
Ainslie, he deflects the distractions by focusing on his greatest rival.
Here he explains:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In terms of preparations, the Sydney Games (2000) - my second on the water
- was definitely the most intense. I had a big rivalry with (Brazilian)
Robert Scheidt, which was a challenge in itself, but I also had to get my
head around sailing in Sydney, which was incredibly difficult.

We went there straight after the Atlanta Games, in the winter of 1996, the
Australian summer. I was only 19 and we were racing in this regatta on what
was supposed to be one of the Olympic course areas and it was a complete
joke: the harbour, the land, the buildings, the incredibly shifty wind. I
had a bit of a meltdown and I said to my coach, John Derbyshire: 'This is
absolutely ridiculous. There's no way they can hold an Olympics here, it's
just a joke.'

He replied: 'You may think that but, like it or not, the Olympics are going
to be held here so you can either get on with it and learn to sail in these
conditions or go home now.' That was one of the best bits of coaching
advice I've ever had. I was at that age in life when I thought everything
was going to be perfect, but you soon realise things rarely are.

So I took his words on board and decided: "Right, it is really ----
conditions but I'll learn them." At that stage in my career, before races I
was pretty locked away as an individual. My parents were there so I ended
up staying with them rather than the team. I just tried to stay super
focused and not have any distractions.

It was very different to the way things are now with all the commitments I
have in terms of sponsors and media. I didn't have any of that then. I was
very insular and tucked away from everything.

The one thing I did have, though, was a rival in Scheidt. I think, in terms
of preparing for races, it's useful to have a target like that. Scheidt was
that for me - a guy I knew would be incredibly tough to beat.

It was important to map out a strategy to beat him because he had a sort of
aura in the fleet. I felt like I was the only person who took him on and
said, 'No, I'm going to try to beat you'. He didn't like that, and the more
I did that the more effect it had. -- The Telegraph:
http://tinyurl.com/T-071012

SCUTTLEBUTT TRIVIA
What do the past four winners of the Volvo Ocean Races have in common?

TIRELESS DUO
Sailing for Spain, Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez won Olympic gold and
silver medals in the 49er class at the Olympics in 2004 and 2008. And they
hope to reach the podium again at the London Olympics, but first they had
to complete a previous engagement... the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race.

Team Telefonica skipper Martinez and trimmer Fernandez have been pretty
busy since the race started in October, and were challenging hard for
overall victory right up until suffering multiple rudder breakages on the
second to last offshore leg. After finishing a disappointing fourth
overall, they now turn their attention to the Olympics.

"The aim now is to be as prepared as possible for the Olympic Games and to
fight for medals," said Martinez. "We'll be training for a week at the
Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote (Canary Islands) in strong winds, which is what
we want and it's perfect for training as conditions are very similar to
those we'll get out on the racecourse at Weymouth."

While Lanzarote is expected to deliver the appropriate winds, the Spaniards
will be spoiled with the warmer climate. The ten day forecast for Weymouth
is high 50s/ low 60s while Lanzarote expects high 80s/ low 90s. But no one
should doubt the duos ability to handle colder weather. Enduring the 6705
nm leg through the Southern Ocean should make the Olympic venue look like a
playground.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/VOR-071012

NINETEEN SEVENTY-SIX
It's not normally like this! When the typical 'lake breezes' failed to
materialise for most of the 1976 Olympics on Lake Ontario, Canada, the
local reaction was doubtless as common as it would be today. But there was
plenty more to report on at this event where famous names were in the
making.

Back when Americans John Kolius and Dennis Conner were winning medals, and
a guy named Vince Brun was crewing on a Soling for Brazil. Back when there
was an East Germany and a West Germany. Back when there were only six
events, and none specifically for women.

Interestingly, what wasn't mentioned was the dramatic Viking funeral for
one of the Tempests, although the reasons for the crews' dissatisfaction
were. So here's what happened in pictures and words - 9 quads and 36 years
ago - as reported by Yachting World: http://tinyurl.com/YW-071012

WHY SHOULD YOU ENTER THIS YEAR'S VINEYARD RACE?
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REACHING OUT
Hundreds of young Bahamians who otherwise would likely not have had the
opportunity to have learned to sail in New Providence during the summer
months, have been able to do this through funds raised by the Bahamas
Sailing Association's (BSA) Sponsor A Child program.

The first summer sailing program was launched in 2005, and since then
hundreds of students from 38 schools in New Providence and Long Island have
learned to sail in seven summer programs and a number of the youngsters
developed a real affinity for the sport, and have gone on to represent the
country in international competitions.

Junior Bahamian sailors are now participating each year in the
International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) Youth World Championships, Laser
North American Championships, Orange Bowl Regattas for Lasers and Optimists
and international sunfish events. Also this year, three junior sailors,
ages 12 and 13, will be participating in the Optimist World Championships
being held in the Dominican Republic.

"We found it unfortunate that in a country surrounded by some of the most
incredible waters in the world, so many of your youngsters were denied an
opportunity to learn a sport that is such a natural fit for the country
because of their financial situations," said Robert Dunkley, director of
the National Sailing School with responsibility for fundraising.

"It's obvious that if we can get our kids involved in activities that build
self-esteem and teach discipline, we can help them grow and mature and that
is something that's positive for them and positive for the country."

In the years since the program was initially launched, a total of 12
Bahamian sailing instructors have been certified, two Bahamian sailors are
now on the College of Charleston's sailing team (one of the top teams in
the United States) and a number of others are working today in the marine
industry - one of which is training to be a ship captain. -- Full story:
http://tinyurl.com/BAH-070212

SAILING SHORTS
* (July 10, 2012; Day 11) - Following the finish Monday morning of the
Singlehanded TransPac Race elapsed time winner Alex Mehran's Open 50
'Truth', Brian VanderZanden's Hobie 33 'Turbo Camper' leads a pack (485.5
nm to finish) that has leverage the southern track but is now aiming back
toward the finish line in Kauai, Hawaii. Each boat is fitted with a tracker
that can be viewed here: http://singlehandedtranspac.com/race-viewer/

* (July 10, 2012; Day 4) - The frontal system fueling the KRYS OCEAN RACE
fleet since Saturday night continues to deliver favorable conditions.
Before leaving New York, initial predictions suggested that the five
MOD70's would benefit for at least three to four days, but as the leaders
now negotiate the north east side of the Azores high pressure system, it
now seems likely they will progressively curve towards the finish line in
Brest, France with hardly any reduction in speed. With just over 1000nm
remaining, Spindrift Racing skipper Yann Guichard (FRA) is averaging nearly
30 knots, growing a lead of 56.9nm. Race website:
http://www.krys-oceanrace.com/en/

* (July 10, 2012; Day 3) - Luc Coquelin's Open 50 Sainte-Pierre en Bessin
was the elapsed time winner of the 350 nm Route Halifax Saint-Pierre Ocean
Race, also taking honors in the IRC division. Finishing second on elapsed
time and winning PHRF 1 and Overall was Mike Sutton's Soto 40 Helm's Deep.
Race website: http://www.routehalifaxsaintpierre.com/new_site/home.html

* Chicago, IL (July 10, 2012) - The Alpari World Match Racing Tour takes to
the water on Lake Michigan this week as Chicago Match Cup, the newest event
on the world's premier sailing series, welcomes the sport's top talents to
the fourth stage of the season. Qualifying rounds commence at 1000 CDT on
Wednesday July 11 with the Finals scheduled for 1400 CDT on Sunday July 15.
-- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/WMRT-071012

* The US Coast Guard reports that recreational boating fatalities rose to
758 in 2011 - a 12.8 percent increase over 2010 and the highest number on
record since 1998. Boating under the influence of alcohol (BUI) is a major
cause, accounting for a disproportional number of deaths. Alcohol ranked
seventh as a contributing factor in boating accidents overall, but was the
#1 contributing factor in fatal accidents, where it figured in 16 percent
of deaths. -- http://www.pcicom.com/USCG/fatality_pie-chart.html

* Chicago, IL. (July 10, 2012) - In contrast to the lighter conditions on
day one of the US Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship, choppy seas
forged from a northeastern breeze of 12 to 15 knot set the stage for the
second day of racing. Four races were completed today, with the change in
weather shuffling the standings. Hanne Weaver of Seattle Yacht Club posted
a 1-5-2-2 to now hold a five point lead with two more races to go on
Wednesday's final day of competition on Lake Michigan. -- Full report:
http://media.ussailing.org/Latest_News/2012/USJWSC_D2.htm

TRIVIA ANSWER
According to the August issue of Seahorse magazine, Irish boatbuilder
Killian Bushe has built or supervised every Volvo Ocean Race winner for the
past four editions:
2001-2 - illbruck (VO60), skipper John Kostecki
2005-6 - ABN AMRO ONE (VO70), skipper Mike Sanderson (NZL)
2008-9 - Ericsson 4 (VO70), skipper Torben Grael (BRA)
2011-12 - Groupama (VO70), skipper Franck Cammas (FRA)

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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 Markus Schwendtner, International Kiteboarding Assn:
ISAFs decision to drop windsurfing in favor of kiteboarding has led to a
major upset in the windsurfing community, and many articles have been
posted about this in Scuttlebutt (most recently in #3629).

Most of the arguments brought forward are presenting a biased viewpoint,
and do not accurately represent the discipline of kiteboard racing, and
even make exaggerated claims about Olympic windsurfing.

We would highly appreciate Scuttlebutt publishing the position paper which
takes a brief look at some of these "facts"; do they stand up under
scrutiny and unbiased questioning - are they fact or fiction?

The position paper is online here: http://tinyurl.com/IKA-071012

* From Paul Mathews:
Given the commercialization of the Volvo Ocean Race, re-routing the fleet
through the horrific sailing grounds of Asian countries for the benefit of
sponsor objectives, it was nice to read in Scuttlebutt 3629 that the final
port was selected for its celebratory offerings. Can you imagine the race
ending in a city like Miami that could fulfill a corporate purpose but
provide no public display of affection?

* From Wally Henry:
I must admit that I haven't paid much attention to Scuttlebutt's Greatest
American Sailor contest until I read that the two finalists were Dennis
Conner and Buddy Melges. How fortunate and honored I feel to have sailed
two America's Cups with each of these men. If Scuttlebutt runs a Luckiest
American Sailor contest, I believe that I might win that one.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Wally is giving Scuttlebutt too much credit. While we
advised on the original list of 64 American sailing living legends, the
tournament is organized by US Sailing. The finals between DC and Buddy is
proving to be a slugfest, with a mere percentage point separating them on
Tuesday afternoon. Voting remains open until July 15, 2012 at 11:59 PM EDT.
Details:
http://membership.ussailing.org/sweeps.htm

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CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
A thunderstorm is never as bad on the inside as it appears on the outside.
It's worse.

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