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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 581 - May 31, 2000WORLD MATCH RACING CHAMPIONSHIPSSPLIT, CROATIA - Young Kiwi skipper Dean Barker and his Team New Zealand crew have won the World Match Racing Championships, and moved to the top of the Swedish Match Tour scoreboard. In a performance that put beyond doubt his ability to step into the shoes of the now defected skipper of Team New Zealand, Russell Coutts, Barker out sailed Australia's Peter Gilmour to claim the title. Gilmour, who has won the Worlds three times in the past, was caught wrong footed at every turn, with the Team New Zealand crew forcing him into a penalty in each of the three races, to win the final 3 - 0. However Barker and his boys didn't need the help of Gilmour's penalty turns to cross the finish line first, they led from start to finish in all three matches. Earlier in the day Barker had survived a tough semi-final against French America's Cup skipper Bertrand Pace, while Gilmour had disposed of Denmark's Sten Mohr. Pace had taken the first confrontation in the best of three race semi-final, before Barker came back to level the score, then win the decider. "I guess we just approached it pretty aggressively in the final," said a smiling Barker when he stepped ashore, "because basically we had nothing to lose. It is the first time we've managed to get to the semis in the Worlds, and have a go at the finals, you don't get that opportunity very often," he reasoned. There is now no doubt that at the age of twenty six Barker is ready to step up to the plate and take on the role of national hero, and responsibility for skippering New Zealand's second defence of the America's Cup in 2003. - John Roberson FINAL OVERALL RESULTS: 1. Dean Barker (New Zealand); 2. Peter Gilmour (Australia); 3. Sten Mohr (Denmark); 4. Bertrand Pace (France); 5. Andy Green (Britain); 6. Luc Pillot (France) ; 7. Francois Brenac (France) ; 8. Tomislav Basic (Croatia); 9. Magnus Holmberg (Sweden); 10. Jesper Radich (Denmark); 11. Jesper Bank (Denmark); 12. Jes Gram-Hansen (Denmark). OVERALL SWEDISH MATCH TOUR POINTS (after three events): 1. Dean Barker (New Zealand) 60 pts; 2= Peter Gilmour (Australia) 49; 2= Bertrand Pace (France) 49; 4. Cameron Appleton (NZL) 20; 5. Andy Green (Britain) 18; 6. Peter Holmberg (U.S. Virgin Is) 16; 7= Sebastien Destremau (Australia) 15; 7= Sten Mohr (Denmark) 15. Event website: http://www.matchrace.net./press_centre.html ICYRA WOMEN'S NORTH AMERICANS St. Mary's College of Maryland - With the breeze lightening today to 5-12 knots, each division completed 6 more races on Tuesday to finish the rotation. Solid racing by both Tufts A and B divisions moved them into second place, 8 points ahead of Boston University. Harvard University rounded out the top four, followed closely by USC, who rebounded from 8th place at the start of racing on Tuesday. Harvard's Margaret Gill continued to sail a flawless regatta and win A division by 22 points. Jen Morgan, from Dartmouth, dominated B division and won by 27 points. The Dartmouth team clinched the regatta win before the final B division race. FINAL RESULTS: 1. Dartmouth (157 points) 2. Tufts (174) 3. Boston University (182) 4. Harvard (229) 5. U. of Southern Cal (238) Website: http://www.collegesailing.org/2000championships CANADIAN OLYMPIC TRIALS Marty Essig of Carlisle, Ontario has won the Canadian Olympic Laser Trials held at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour in Kingston, Ontario. Fifteen races were scored in the week-long regatta and Essig finished five points ahead of Michael Simms of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In third was Bernard Luttmer of Pickering, Ontario and fourth went to Nathaniel Stoffelsma of Sidney, British Columbia. The regatta was a homecoming of sorts for Essig, a graduate of Queen's University. While at the university, he became the first Canadian to win the North American single-handed championship. Event website: or http://www.cork.org PROFITABLE REGATTAS Race Organizers: Here's a way to help offset your regatta costs. Pacific Yacht Embroidery has a program to supply race organizers with regatta apparel at a guaranteed profit. There is no risk to the race organizer. Call Frank Whitton (619-226-8033) for details on how to offset regatta costs while supplying high quality, affordable apparel for the racers. No event is too small to qualify for this program. (pacyacht@aol.com). TEAM NEW ZEALAND * Laurie Davidson set the wheels in motion a year ago to leave Team New Zealand for a foreign America's Cup syndicate. Even before Team New Zealand successfully defended the cup in March, the astute veteran designer sought American citizenship - looking ahead to his future elsewhere. Disgruntled with others in the Kiwi design team, the septuagenarian has quit New Zealand after four cup campaigns to join the new high-rolling Seattle syndicate. He becomes the third big player to officially leave Team New Zealand - his move less than a fortnight after leaders Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth defected to Switzerland. But the news was not all dismal down on Syndicate Row last night. The defenders were buoyed by the return of American Clay Oliver, the other principal designer in the 2000 defence effort. Oliver, an esteemed naval architect, turned his back on six approaches from rival syndicates to stay with the Kiwis. He will now head the new design team with Mike Drummond, the brain behind the millennium rig. It seems Davidson did not want to share star billing with the rest of the designers at Team New Zealand. He says he was promised design control of the last defence, but was not given it. "With the new North American syndicate, I see myself dictating the design direction," he said. "I thought I would have been able to do that with Team New Zealand when Peter Blake hired me after 1995. I've got no argument with Blake. But some of the others overstepped the mark. "I could see the writing on the wall a while ago, so I started the procedure to get my United States citizenship a year ago." Davidson became an American in February, during the America's Cup. He has lived in Seattle on and off since 1988. Davidson talked to Team New Zealand head Tom Schnackenberg on Monday, but the issue of money was never discussed. The veteran designer - who can look at a boat and then draw it to within millimetres - had virtually made up his mind. On the other side of the world, fellow-designer Oliver decided he would come back to New Zealand because of "the people." He had received offers from four American syndicates and at least two European teams. "Everyone knows there are all sorts of crazy offers flying around, and Team New Zealand is really the low bidder out there," he said. "Anyone choosing to go with Team New Zealand is doing it because we think it's the right thing to do - it's the best thing in terms of what we like to do and the place we want to be. "It isn't about the money, it's the people. Even though a lot have left, the legacy and the spirit of the team will still be there." - Suzanne McFadden, NZ Herald Full story: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ac2000/ac2000fullstory.cfm?theClassification=speci alReports&theStoryID=138705 * Syndicate head, Tom Schnackenberg admits there are more defections likely, but is downplaying a suggestion that 10 to 14 crew members might leave. He says that would be 'tops'. Schnackenberg says at the moment only a couple have said they're going, and there are others sitting on the fence. - NZ Herald, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/irnstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=18793&newsection=5 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (leweck@earthlink.net) Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) and to exclude unfounded speculation or personal attacks. This is not a chat room. You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if people disagree. -- From Dawn Riley - In response to the thread about getting the US sailors out on the match racing circuit. We have four teams out sailing, on both the International and Women's circuit. The teams are made up of sailors who have their sights on being a part of America True in the next cup. -- From Ron Baerwitz- If professional racing is truly professional, then sailors have the absolute right to seek most money without criticism and without being called traitors. I'm sure Coutts et al. would have preferred to race for NZL. But, are they really supposed to pass up salaries 2 or 3 times higher? This is their livelihood ladies and gentlemen, not their hobby. Like any professional athlete, their careers could end at any moment due to poor performance or injury in which case they may end up flipping burgers at McDonalds. They have the right to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible. Secondly, and without being completely familiar with the deed of gift for the AC, it seems to me that unless the deed of gift specifically states that a team must be comprised of natives of the country they race for nobody has the right to criticize any sailor that goes to the best campaign that suits them, regardless of the nation that campaign is from. What really makes the Coutts' of the world different from us regular guys, besides their great talent, is that they have chosen to become professionals in a sport not really organized for professionals. That was a huge personal risk and, as things stand now, still is. I congratulate Russell and anyone else that can make a good 7 figure salary in our sport. The only thing the rest of us have to admit is that we're all jealous! -- From Bruce B.Nairn - Here, here to all of those sailors who have been offered large contracts to sail the next America's Cup! Finally someone thinks you're worth it. And if these sailor's own countries don't see their value, well, that's too bad for them. And to all of those supposedly "more money than brains" financiers of the new Cup syndicates: Here, here for putting up the dough for the sailors with all of the talent. And their egos are too big? Come on, every two bit "one" naysayer with a pair of wrap arounds is really a closet aspirant. America's Cup is finally big business for the sailors involved. And you think no one will be watching? Don't kid yourselves, the guy getting the "five million" to sail will get an audience. You can bet on that. Perhaps all of this money flying around the AC finally creates a "place" for the real pros to roost and will quiet the disgruntled "ones and two's" who can now get on with their own form of the sport. This just could be the best thing to happen to sailing since the introduction of composites. Real money on the sailor's table will certainly raise the level of the game and don't expect to see the Italian's on a "fishing trip" this time around. -- From Bob Fisher - The Curmudgeon's comment on measurement handicap racing in relation to the Admiral's Cup rings all too true, even with the RORC introducing its own (IRM &IRC) systems. For many years however, it had been the intent of the AC Management Committee to make racing more understandable for the general public - there is, after all, no acceptance of anything but first past the post is the winner in the majority of minds. Now, the organisers have their way. A few years back, Harold Cudmore and I suggested the Corel 45 as an acceptable class and would have like them to fill both the 50 foot and the 40 foot slots, then when the RORC thought the Mumm 36 had had its day, they should put in another class of Corel 45s. That would have made it real one-design team racing - probably a totally different animal, but an interesting one nevertheless. -- From Seth A. Radow (Edited to our 250-word limit) - This Admiral's Cup announcement seems to make an eloquent statement about the health of "ALL" handicap racing. An accurate commentary would explain that handicap racing is, and always will be, a compromise of one sort or another in terms of boat design, optimization and accurate handicapping. Apparently the Admiral's Cup Membership Committee has decided to do away with compromises of this nature. Good on them for deciding to put on an event where the winner is the winner and there will be no excuses. As an owner of a 41 foot IMS Racer/ Cruiser competing on the US West Coast, I don't know whether to be excited about this call or to be disenchanted. For the most part it will have very little impact on sailing in Southern California. Marina del Rey has been experimenting with Americap for two years now. I believe I can speak for most of these competitive of the 40 and 50 foot owners and their crew in saying that we are far happier racing under the strict measurement rule of Americap than under the "observation" based PHRF. In a perfect world, we would all sail perfect One Design boats. Since that boat has yet to be designed or built, those of us who don't sail One Designs have chosen one compromise over another. In buying a boat, we all settle for compromises. Many of us don't own one designs want to race in a competitive and equitably handicapped environment. -- From "Ali" Meller - Brian Raney makes some excellent points in Scuttlebutt No. 580 regarding the "plethora of regional organizations and committees" that one is asked to join, in addition to the USSA. I think the problem is even larger than Mr. Raney described. In a world of rapid, nearly free communication via e-mail and the web, do we still need so many organizations supporting sailing, all the way from ISAF, an MNA (like the USSA), in the case of the US areas, regional YRAs, yacht/sailing clubs, class associations and local fleets. Most of the organizations on the list want some money from me and claim to provide me with services, but I frequently do not use the services provided, and question which organization should be providing them. Also, many do not give me a vote so I have very indirect influence on what services are provided, and how my money is spent. I suspect a management study looking at the services being provided to sailors would conclude that we need fewer organizations with less overlap, providing services directly to the sailors, and that the sailors need more direct control/influence on how these organizations operate. Maybe we should Business Process Engineer Sailing. -- From Chris Ericksen (Re Brian Raney's comments in 'Butt 560) - Wow! I looked at the same data and came up with the exact opposite response! Brian seems to think that the local "shadow" authorities need to get out of the way and let USSA deal directly with the sailors. I think the USSA ought to set policy and otherwise let us "shadows" do our jobs! Here in Southern California, the Southern California Yachting Association has existed for more than 75 years as the umbrella organization for yacht clubs in the area; they coordinate racing calendars, run rules and race-management seminars and the like. More locally, area association in each of the five racing areas of Southern California do much the same thing; coordinating local racing calendars and maintaining common racing marks are their chief contributions. And all this filters down to the groups that do the "heavy lifting" of administering sailboat racing: the yacht clubs. All this is done in the shadows as far as most people are concerned. The average sailor has no clue that these organizations, staffed by hardworking, local volunteers, do what they do. We get all that for just our yacht club dues: there are no separate dues to any of these organizations for the average sailor (handicap dues notwithstanding). With varying levels of success, the trains mostly run on time, and when they don't it ain't USSA's fault. So opening the conduit directly to the sailor won't make it better; those of us in the "shadows" are working as hard as we can to make it better. TRANSATLANTIC RACE After two days battling rough weather off the coast of England, Bruce Burgess and Hawaiian Express limped into the port town of Plymouth with a broken timing belt and a tear in the main sail on Sunday. "I have four days to get everything ready," Burgess said as he climbed out of the boat. "There is a lot to do and I just hope we can get it done in time." Monday morning saw the hearty crew of volunteers, who have helped Burgess since he first traveled to France to get the yacht ready for the Europe 1 New Man Star, clamouring over the decks in preparation for the safety inspection. Burgess, who is using the Europe 1 New Man Star as his qualifying race for the Vendee Globe in November, is busy trying to locate a used main. "Mike Golding of Team Group 4 offered us a kevlar main, but there is a question about the size," he said. "Several other skippers have offered help as well. We are just trying to decide what route to take." There are 90 boats expected to cross the starting line on Sunday for the Europe 1 New Man Star Transatlantic Race. Of this fleet, 31 yachts are in Class 1, the most visible of the single-handed entries. Hawaiian Express is the only American entry and, as yet, the only unsponsored yacht in the glamour class. "There is just too much to do to get ready for the event," Burgess said. "I am still talking with potential sponsors, but I have main to find and an engine to repair, and at the moment that is the focus." Burgess is getting some much-needed help from San Francisco rigger Bruce Schwab who arrived in Plymouth on Monday. Schwab, who was an entrant in the Vendee Globe but has since withdrawn, is in town for the start of the Europe 1 New Man Star. "Bruce came up, introduced himself and offered his services to help me get to the start," Burgess said. "Good thing too, another pair of hands is just what we need." So the race is on to get Hawaiian Express to the starting line on Sunday. - Gail Liston-Burgess, http://www.bruceburgess.org HUMAN NATURE In our game, it seems that as soon as a new rule is created, there will be innovative thinkers figuring out ways to circumvent it or at least optimize performance within the new guidelines. Of late, there has been a lot of pressure applied to creating optimal shapes for Code Zero asymmetrical sails. It appears some of these designs have gone beyond the limits. Recently, Nicola Sironi, the Chief Measurer of the ORC, has ruled that some A-sails are illegal. Anyone with a new A-sail should probably read Sironi rulings: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2000/AsailRulings.htm THE RACE (The following is an excerpt from an interview on the BOATmagic website with Ben Wright, one of the two watch captains on Playstation, Steve Fossett's giant catamaran.) 'There are lots of idiosyncrasies with a boat like this, and you just have to spend lots of time discovering what they are. That's part of the reason that we left for this crossing when we did. You can learn a lot about a boat when you take her out day sailing, but it is insignificant compared to time spent on long passages. Driving the boat twenty four hours a day, living together, eating together, and sailing together teaches us a lot about what the boat is capable of, and that is the sort of thing that is important in an event like The Race.' When I asked him what he thought about the other competitors, he rated Grant Dalton and Club Med as their closest rivals. 'Dalton has got a hell of lot of experience sailing multihulls, and he knows how to run a really good sailing programme. We are all very aware that we are by no means sitting pretty for this.' And they have no intention of sitting pretty over the coming weeks and months. 'There are always a million little jobs to do on a boat like this, and we have got at least a couple more (trans-Atlantic) crossings to make. Next move is from here down to Plymouth on or around June 6th, and then we will be looking to make a crossing shortly afterwards. Full story: http://www.BOATmagic.com/default.asp?UAN=1138 THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS For every winner, there are dozens of losers. Odds are you're one of them. |
