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SCUTTLEBUTT 1685 - October 8, 2004Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is adigest of major yacht racing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing, whining and personal attacks for elsewhere. ACT 2 - VALENCIA Two full flights were sailed at the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act Two on Thursday, on an afternoon when His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain sailed aboard Team Alinghi. The weather conditions were good for racing, with a 10-knot gradient Northeasterly replaced by a light sea-breeze as the afternoon progressed. The wind became very light towards the end of the final races, making for some tough decisions by the tacticians. Emirates Team New Zealand played the role of giant killers on this day, as they defeated Team Alinghi, the America's Cup Defender, and BMW Oracle Racing, the top team from the Marseille Louis Vuitton Act 1. Both races were close, and in particular, the match against BMW Oracle where the outcome was in doubt all the way around the race course. The K-Challenge is winning a lot of moral victories at the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act, but until the last match of the day has had little to show for it on the leader board. The French team had been gaining the respect of its peers with several strong performances in the Louis Vuitton Acts, but in the end, the top teams are proving too powerful for the new team with its 2000-generation boat. On Thursday it was the Luna Rossa team that was forced to battle through the first leg with the stubborn K-Challenge before superior speed downwind allowed the Italians to put some distance between themselves and the French. Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill was never seriously threatened the rest of the way and his team earned its third win from four starts. K-Challenge skipper Thierry Pepponet didn't let the disappointment of that first session affect him in his second match on the day, as he dominated the start over Iain Percy on +39. K-Challenge converted that wonderful start into a solid victory to earn its second win from five starts. Iain Percy's +39 crew had a better showing in its first match, with a strong race against Team Shosholoza and earned its first victory of the 32nd America's Cup. - www.americascup.com Results Flight 5: Luna Rossa beat K-Challenge - 1:04 Emirates TNZ beat Alinghi - 1:40 +39 beat Shosholoza - 0:38 BMWO beat Le Defi - 1:11 Flight 6: Alinghi beat Le Defi - 2:27 Emirates TNZ beat BMWO - 0:31 Luna Rossa beat Shosholoza - 1:33 K-Challenge beat +39 - 1:39 Leaderboard: Emirates Team New Zealand, 4-1, (4 points) Team Alinghi, 4-1, (4 points) Luna Rossa, 4-1, (4 points) BMW Oracle Racing, 3-2, (3 points) Le Defi, 2-3, (2 points) K-Challenge, 2-3, (2 points) +39, 1-4, (1 point) Team Shosholoza, 0-5, (0 points) DEAN BARKER Tough talk yesterday with plenty more column inches this morning on whether Dean Barker can hold onto the wheel and his position at Emirates Team New Zealand after their disappointing performance against Luna Rossa with young James Spithill on the helm. Harsh treatment perhaps given that this loss was just one race in light airs and not the America's Cup. But the detractors point to other races where the Kiwi boat seems to have lacked the muscle to really take the battle to its opponent. Whether it was tough talk in the camp or a quiet reflection on how to make things better, today Dean and his team came out fighting and turned the tables in convincing style. "He's hard on himself and we were hard in the de-brief," said Grant Dalton. "It's a learning game for us, we're a new team and this is the best in the world that we're racing against, so you've got to perform under pressure." And perform they did. Not only did they win two races today, but they thrashed Alinghi, beating them by 1 minute 40 seconds. Oozing with confidence the Kiwis set about doing the same to BMW Oracle with the same result, a win, this time by 31 seconds. - Matthew Sheahan, Yachting World, full story: www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20040907194211ywamericascup07.html QUOTE / UNQUOTE * Even if our boat is a little slower, as it is from a former generation, we are more and more satisfied of our performances as a team. We are as good as the top teams." Cameron Appleton, K-Challenge * "What went wrong (in Race 1) is that we started on the wrong side! We had 8-9 knots but it was very hazy and so difficult to make a judgment about what looked good or bad out there. So it was all decided by the starting positions." - Jochen Schuemann, Alinghi * "I'm a relay station really, picking the best bits out of what Adam's (Beashel) saying. Certainly Terry (Hutchinson) and Adam understand each other better because they have an American way of doing things. But the dialogue is improving every day, as is the decision-making. I get a little bit frustrated because I feel I'm not doing that much compared with what I do normally, which is everything." - Ben Ainslie, Emirates Team New Zealand, from a story by Tim Jeffery, The Daily Telegraph, http://tinyurl.com/64trq APS' ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW SALE Today is day 2 of the 35th annual U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis. Chances are if you're reading this you aren't there. Supporting some of our key vendors like Ronstan, Henri Lloyd, Vanguard and Musto, the majority of APS' staff is. We feel bad we don't get to see or talk to you this week so to make it up to you we're offering 10% off orders placed online. Lucky enough to be in town for the show? Stop by our store and get the same great discount. Details and directions to our store… http://www.apsltd.com/2004BoatShow.asp VALENCIA WEATHER Weather expert Roger Badham believes Valencia could be one of the most testing America's Cup venues. With continual delays in Auckland during the last Cup because of either too much wind or not enough, organisers were after a location that could provide a stable breeze day in, day out. However, while conditions off Valencia may not be as extreme as those on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, Badham believes they will be very tricky to forecast. "It is a bigger bolder picture here in Valencia. The breezes here are controlled by things that are much more delicate and much more difficult to put your finger on." The sea state also had a life of its own as it was affected not only by the breeze in the area but by the wind swirling farther round the coast. "Here, if the sea breeze is between 9 to 18 knots, sometimes, particularly in later afternoon, you can have a sea wave which is much lumpier than that which is reflecting a wind of 20 to 25 knots. "That breeze is not where we are sailing but it is not very far away ... there is a stronger sea breeze to the southeast of us which is feeding in a bigger sea wave." In a bid to reduce costs, America's Cup organizers have proposed a restriction in the number of weather boats each syndicate has. "Last time it was getting a little out of hand. In the old days it was just me in the weather boat somewhere up the course talking to the guys before the start," Badham said. "That has sort of blown out to two, then three, and then four. "I think Alinghi had eight weather boats last time. Team New Zealand had six. This time there is going to be a restriction to two or three weather boats per syndicate and the rest of the information you have to get from the standard supply." - Julie Ash, NZ Herald, full story: http://tinyurl.com/4tf57 QUOTE / UNQUOTE "The (TP 52) rule is tight - I'd prefer it to be a bit more open, but I understand why the rule is so tight and the boats are really quick. They are quicker than an Open 50 upwind and they are not much slower off the wind. A boat optimized for the Med is going to work on the east coast of the States because you can't put the boat so tightly into one corner of the box that it is going to run away with it if the conditions are perfect. If a TP52 rocks up to do Cork Week or a regatta in the UK, if the boat was optimized for those conditions, then it is not going to look out of sorts in the Med. There isn't enough room in the box. The only exception is if you are going to the Transpac." - Quotes from Merfyn Owen in a story on The Daily Sail website, www.thedailysail.com/ CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar NEWS BRIEFS * Now past Finisterre, the crews in the Global Challenge are getting into the swing of life onboard with smooth spinnaker rides, warm sunshine and wildlife following the tail end of Hurricane Lisa. However, an intensive low-pressure system is set to hit the fleet in the next 24 hours and the crews will soon be put to the test again with wind speeds up to 40 knots expected. After holding a commanding lead, Spirit of Sark may well be relegated from the top spot overnight as BP Explorer heads towards the low from a more westerly position. - www.globalchallenge2004.com * Sailing World magazine announced that the Business Outfitters division of Lands' End has signed on as title sponsor for the magazine's NOOD Regattas, starting in 2005. The 2005 Lands' End NOOD Regattas will sail into nine cities, including Boston; Chicago; Detroit; Houston; New York; San Diego; St. Petersburg, Florida; Annapolis, Maryland; and Toronto. Lands' End will supply all the official NOOD event apparel, as well as have its brand appear on all staff uniforms, participating boats, NOOD promotional materials, event programs, advertisements and official event stickers. Lands' End is a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co. - www.sailingworld.com * Italy's former Prada (America's Cup) team, now known as Luna Rossa for their third challenge, have made wholesale crew changes. Australian James Spithill, who made his name as an assertive starting helmsman with Young Australia in 2000 and OneWorld in 2003, now steers as Francesco de Angelis has stepped aside with the American McKee brothers and Kiwi Peter Evans, joining Spithill's brainstrust. - Tim Jeffery, The Daily Telegraph, http://tinyurl.com/64trq * The second annual Wachovia Cup held on October 1-3, grossed over $250,000 for the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY. It is the only hospital in the country named for a child, a 13 year-old girl from Greenwich, CT who died of rabies in 1995 after being bitten by a bat. The event, run in conjunction with the second weekend of American YC's Fall Series kicked off with a dinner at American YC on Friday night, and was supported by the Long Island Sound sailing community. - www.wcmc.com RECOMMENDED READING From my point of view, the single word, 'powerful.' seems like the most appropriate way to describe David Mercy's new sailing-adventure book, "Berserk - My voyage to the Antarctic in a twenty-seven foot sailboat." The title tells you what the book is all about, but it can not possibly convey the excitement or the gripping drama of this true story. It's a fascinating tale told by a gifted tale-teller. This book is definitely not about sailboat racing, but anyone who has ever sailed - and those who have not - will become quickly immersed in this fast paced adventure story published by The Lyons Press. It will be a much appreciated Christmas present for anyone on your list. - The Curmudgeon NEW SAMSON PRODUCTS AT US SAILBOAT SHOW The place to be this week is the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis. It's loaded with boats and accessories for every boater. While there, drop by the Samson booth to see exciting new products like Lash IT!, White WarpSpeed, XLS Extra-T and Apex, our new multi-purpose single braid that has everyone talking. We'll have reps and factory people on hand to talk sailing and running rigging. See you there. http://www.samsonrope.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (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 nor a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.) * From Manfred C. Schreiber: ISAF should take a step forward and appoint Olympic Classes which are licensed around the world and which could be built at any boatyard around the globe buying into this license. It is politically not correct to appoint "pop out boats" from a single manufacturer (without competition) who is charging a million for a fridgedoor. Sailing has to be seen as a technical and physical as well as a mental sport. Thus the boatbuilding and tuning is linked to the success. In these days of difficult economics it is a shame that ISAF does not allow through its politics, small boatyards and businesses to participate and to develop Olympic Classes as the current discussions revolve around single-manufacturer equipment or very specialized manufacturers. E.G. Exciting Skiff classes could be built around the world in stitch and glue or other easier to make processes than autoclave (Tornado) or expensive machinery (Surfboards and Laser). National Sailing Authorities must monitor processing and measurements of course. * From Jim Barton: Don't kid yourself that that the IASF's criteria for selecting classes for the Olympics is for the good of the sport. These national representatives campaign for classes that they think their teams will have the best chances for a medals. At the administrative level, it's all about medal count. * From Jim Mahaffy: When I first got into Sail boat racing it seemed that the race committees deemed it unmanly to let the racers know who was over early. I raced in Lido 14's, Stars and Solings. Classes that radios supposedly weren't legal, however I always carried one in my Soling. As i started doing more and more RC work I started to feel that what is wrong with letting someone know that they were OCS, it used to be PMS remember? Then I started working on the Newport to Ensenada RC where they have called 'overs' for years. The SI's are clear that failure to "hear" the call is no excuse and someone doesn't get DSQ'd it's an hour penalty. Almost all the races that I have done for the last several year have called 'overs' either by radio or loudhailer. Like the Cumudgeon said it's the pits to sail all day only to find out that you weren't there at all. * From Mark Pryke, International Race Officer: You are absolutely right. We should always inform OCS boats ASAP. Some of us have been using the system for years. There is an interesting variation for small boats when Organizers don't supply VHF to sailors. Print OCS numbers on a large White board at first Mark. When Individual Recall has been signaled at start, all boats look for their number at first Mark. If it is displayed they proceed upwind to a special Penalty Mark, round it and rejoin the race. There is much written on the subject and many of us have tested variations on the system. Those who think they can't make it work are absolutely right. They can't! Those of us who think we can make it work, can, and do so regularly. * From Nils Erickson: Does anyone else find it ironic that after the long, exhaustive search for the perfect European America's Cup venue, the first 2 days of racing in Valencia were delayed and sailed in painfully light breeze? Is it too late to switch to Cascais? * From Graham Kelly (On the issue of inflator cartridges and edited to our 250-word limit): Check the USSA Website for a list of carriers that allow inflator cartridges to be carried on their aircraft (www.ussailing.org/safety/pfds%5Fand%5Ffaa.htm) and follow the link to the list of carriers. Transportation Safety Administration rules allow two cartridges to be carried, but only with a PFD, and only in checked baggage. However, some carriers do not permit the inflators on their aircraft. When I flew to the east coast this summer, I was able to determine from the USSA posting that Southwest Airline tariffs actually do permit the inflator cartridges, but US Airways, which flew me from Bermuda back to the States, does not. FWIW, I put a tag on the bag which informed TSA that the PFD & inflator was in the bag, and put a tag on the PDF, which was packed on the top of the items in the bag. I also told the agent at check-in that there was an inflator in the bag. When I arrived in Providence, my bag contained an "opened for inspection" notice. FWIW, I printed a copy of the SW Airline tariff that showed that they will carry the inflator, along with a copy of the USSA notice which showed that they permit the cartridges on their flights. In Bermuda, I left my inflator cartridge on the boat, for return by mail after the boat returned to the states. At the airport, the inspector showed me a basket full of inflator cartriges that had been turned over by earlier passengers. * From Brad Russell (edited to our 250-word limit): When will we learn to stop being so stubborn about CO2 cylinders? Yes the FAA has said they are ok, yes some airlines have said they are ok, yes some TSA agents know they are ok but I wouldn't want to depend on three different organizations trying to determine whether you can or cannot bring it on 'cause that individual hasn't seen that regulation before. By the way, even if the FAA says its ok and you get past TSA security, it's the airline that has final say what goes on their plane. So, taking your CO2 cartridge out and leaving it at home along with $3.99 to buy a new one at your destination will save you allot of grief. For those that are "What if" minded, we all realize sometimes we travel for regattas or charters. Yacht clubs and Charters are starting to get the hint and shouldn't be apposed to offering a new checkbox next to the pre-order of crew sandwiches and t-shirts; a CO2 cartridge if asked. Sorry, many friends in that industry are getting such a bad rap for trying to do an overwhelming job yet dealing with people who scream or degrade them for something the passenger could have helped prevent by just using their head. So leave the CO2 cartridge at home and take your shoes off before you go through the metal detector. * From Kris Olszewski: Just flew in and out of Providence for the women's Rolex and didn't even get questioned on my CO2 inflatable pack. I checked my bag and flew United. * From Magnus Wheatley: I just wanted to say how fantastic the Official America's Cup website is, now that streaming audio is playing a part. Matt Sheahan's daily commentaries/ interviews are required listening, presented in a concise and accessible format for those of us unlucky enough not to be at the venue. It's what's been needed in the Cup for some time and who knows, we may even see live streaming action before the Cup itself and that really would be something! Well done to AC Management for having the technical foresight aligned with the investment to really make the website work. - www.americascup.com CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." - Maya Angelou |
