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SCUTTLEBUTT #424 - October 22, 1999OLYMPIC TRIALS470 Men (after seven races): 1 Paul Foerster/ Bob Merrick Garland (8.00) 2 Morgan Reeser /Kevin Burnham (11.00) 3 Steven Hunt /Michael Miller (22.00) 470 Women (after seven races): 1 JJ Isler/ Pease Glaser -(9.00) 2 Courtenay Dey /Alice Manard (13.00) 3 Whitney Connor Elizabeth/ Kratzig (15.00) 49er (after nine races): 1 Jonathan McKee Charlie McKee (15.00) 2 Morgan Larson/ Kevin Hall (16.00) 3 Andy Mack /Adam Lowry (21.00) 4 210 Jay Renehan /Chris Lanzinger (24.00) Complete results: http://www.spyc.org/OneDesign/OlympicTrials/Results.htm The windsurfing results on the website are too old to be of any use: http://www.web-showcase.com/windsurfing/results.html REGATTA INSIGHT (This special report from the 49er trials was filed by Morgan Larson & Kevin Hall) Today the race committee had us scheduled for a 8:30 am start. This meant a 6am wake up and a 7:30 dock start. The only problem they didn't think about was sunrise was at 7:30 and with the rain it was too dark to sail without lights! So, with a 15 minute shore side postponement we hit the water. A small cold front took temperatures down into the 70's! After weeks of 90+ we were excited and this also meant for a good Northerly breeze. With the current against the wind we there was a pretty mean wave pattern that caused anyone asleep at the wheel to nose dive and capsize. These were our conditions so a conservative start was in order.... Well, with that said I managed to put us over the line early and then foul another competitor! oops.... We ducked back across the line did our penalty turn and took off to pass everyone we could. Kevin did a great job of putting us in some good shifts and we glided through the fleet for a 3rd. From there we posted a 1,2,3. The boys from Seattle did a great job to finish a 1,3,11 for the day and take the series lead from us by one point! 12 more races scheduled over the next three days. MATCH RACE RANKINGS The ISAF World Match Race Rankings have been released today, with two Open and one Women's Grade One Events held since the last rankings release on 21 September. A very competitive Women's Grade One event took place at the annual Reed and Barton Championship in Marblehead, which can be seen as a form guide for the ISAF World Championship which starts in Genoa, Italy on 25 October. Paula Lewin from Bermuda defeated Christine Briand in the final, and top-ranked Shirley Robertson (GBR) beat Dru Slattery (USA) in the third-fourth match. This was sailed in Sonar keelboats, while the Worlds will have a fleet of twelve brand new J 22's, and a very strong entry list of twenty-four skippers. The Open Grade One events were the International of France and the International of Spain. Sten Mohr of Denmark extended his fine season by winning in Port Vendres, France, and has held onto his second place in the Open Rankings, ahead of Bertrand Pace of France. Sten Mohr defeated Sebastien Destremeau (DEN) in the final and Luc Pillot (FRA) won the match for third place against Morten Henriksen (DEN). In the Spanish event at Bayona, Nicola Celon of Italy won the final against Luc Pillot, and Jes Gram Hansen (DEN) beat Magnus Holmberg (SWE) for third place. After a strong run of results, Luc Pillot has risen from 25 to 12 in the rankings and Jes Gram Hansen has climbed up to sixth. From those who were in the top ten earlier in the summer, Gavin Brady, Chris Law and Jochen Schumann have all dropped down quite fast, to 9, 19 and 21 respectively. This is mainly the result of not competing so often and not topping up their good results of two years ago, which are now slipping out of the calculation of the rankings. Top Ten, Open Rankings: 1 Peter GILMOUR, 2 Sten MOHR, 3 Bertrand PACE, 4 Magnus HOLMBERG, 5 Jesper BANK, 6 Jes GRAM-HANSEN, 7 Morten HENRIKSEN, 8 Dean BARKER, 9 Gavin BRADY, 10 Markus WIESER. Top Ten, Women's Rankings: 1 Shirley ROBERTSON, 2 Paula LEWIN, 3 Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN, 4 Dorte O. JENSEN, 5 Betsy ALISON, 6 Christine BRIAND, 7 Malin KALLSTROM, 8 Cordelia EGLIN, 9 Marie BJORLING, 10 Nadine STEGENWALNER. Complete rankings at http://sailing.org/iyru/mrranking.html COMFORTABLE Comfort is not a word most people associate with foul weather gear. PITY because the new Gill gear is truly comfortable. It's comfortable because it breathes; comfortable because it fits; and comfortable because it keeps you warm and dry. Even the price is comfortable. And there is the comfort that comes with knowing it carries with a lifetime guarantee. Check it out: http://www.douglasgill.com AMERICA'S CUP In a tense, close race where the lead changed three times and spinnakers shredded and flogged out of control, the Italian boat Luna Rossa beat the American boat AmericaOne today in the Louis Vuitton Cup first Round Robin. Lively sea conditions and brisk breezes from 16-20 knots, reminiscent of the 1986-87 Louis Vuitton Cup, greeted the two undefeated boats as they met today on the Hauraki Gulf. Francesco de Angelis was at the helm of Luna Rossa (ITA-45) while Paul Cayard was steering AmericaOne (USA-49). As so often happens when the wind gets up on America's Cup Class boats, the heavyweight duel turned into a war of attrition. Both boats suffered equipment failures handing the advantage to the other. First shots in the battle came from de Angelis who pushed Cayard outside the committee boat with seconds counting down to the gun. The Italian peeled off to start the first leg pointing high and moving fast. Cayard could only follow. Cayard was still attacking half way down the first spinnaker run when a snap shackle opened on Luna Rossa's spinnaker sheet. The sail flogged violently before the crew could lower it. Cayard closed the gap. Minutes later after a new spinnaker went up, the Italian boat suffered the same fate again. This time Cayard overtook. It was the American's race until the second and last spinnaker run when their brand new spinnaker exploded into shreds as the Italians pressed hard for an advantage. The hapless Americans could only watch their competition sail by, and take the winning gun. "We were pretty happy with the day," Cayard said. "All of us were happy. We made some mistakes for sure. I felt pretty bad about the start...I'm not on top of my game yet. They had some bad luck...we had a little bad luck...I'm happy with the accounting to be that way, for the time being!" Italian navigator, Matteo Plazzi, described the race as a good one. "The second leg was a little exciting," he said. "We had the sheet open twice, the first time we lost the spinnaker and we had to drop and change to the back-up...later on, the same clip opened again and we decided not to change the sail, because we were so close to the leeward mark. AmericaOne rounded in front." For his part, Plazzi didn't seem too concerned about the equipment failure. "Probably, we have been lucky. It's the same kind of shackle that opened on the Japanese boat the other day, and their bowman went to the hospital. It hasn't happened to us in two years of training." The end result leaves the Prada team still at the top of standings, with the Young America syndicate the only other team unbeaten. That will change tomorrow, when the two face off in a morning match-up that will probably determine the winner of Round-Robin One. - Peter Rusch & Keith Taylor, Louis Vuitton Cup website, http://www.louisvuittoncup.com/ Young America skipper Ed Baird gave Abracadabra skipper John Kolius a lesson in starting tactics, forcing him outside the committee boat within seconds of the gun. With a 17-second head start, the black boat cruised to its sixth win without a loss and set up a showdown tomorrow with Prada. Dawn Riley's America True recorded its third win, handing Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes its third loss, with a decisive 41-second margin. The two boats came off the line even, but America True sailed higher and faster, pulling away in a drag race toward Rangitoto Island to lead by 19 seconds at the top mark. Bravo Espana also notched a third win, but not before getting a big scare from the upstart Australians, who led at the top mark by 19 seconds. But Spain's newer boat overtook the heavier, five-year-old Young Australia on the run and held on for a narrow 37-second victory. "When the wind gets up to 15 to 18 knots, it just begins to get fun in other boats," Campos said. "But in the America's Cup, 15 knots is a storm. It gets dangerous. On the run, the mast was bending forward; it was very risky." In the remaining race of the day, Nippon Challenge's Asura beat Le Defi's 6eme Sens by 1:53. Asura skipper Peter Gilmour stuffed the French boat at the start, leaving it in irons, and took a 17-second lead crossing the line. -- Quokka America's Cup website, http://www.americascup.org/ Standings:
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (tomleweck@taitech.co.nz) Letters selected to be printed are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max) or to exclude personal attacks. -- From Carol Boe (regarding Nippon Challenge's injured bowman and the support he's received from all the camps.) -- Name another big-budget sport where they send best wishes for a speedy recovery to an injured competitor? Kudos to all the teams! And you just answered a big reason why I'll always keep racing: for friendships made --- competitors and otherwise. -- From Hank Stuart -- In your trivia answer, please look to include Robbie Young with Dennis Connor in NZ. Robbie was bowman with John Kolius winning boat 1982 St. Francis YC. I know I was there too. -- From Kristan McClintock --In response to your trivia quiz, I would also point out that Chris Larson (Abracadabra) and Moose McClintock (AmericaOne) are J/24 world champions as well! -- From Jim Farmer -- In reference to your trivia quiz 21 Oct 99, I believe Bob Johnstone left out the '96 J24 World Champion, Chris Larson, tactician on Abracadabra. Curmudgeon's comment: Although Abracadabra was not among the among the top five boats specified in the trivia question, Bob Johstone could haved expanded the question's parameters to include the top six boats, and former J/24 world champion Chris Larson. Regardless, it's hard to ignore that the J/24 class developed some awesome sailors. -- From Michael vanBeuren (re the Rolex awards) --In terms of personal achievement in 1999, It would be hard to have a better year than Dee Smith with victories in the Admiral's Cup, the Tour de France a Voile and the IMS Worlds. I know the watch often goes to the sailor that does well for US teams but this record is hard to ignore. Like so many things, Sailing seems to have boom and bust years and sailors have to schedule their time accordingly. While Terry Hutchinson did not have many big regatta wins this year, It was largely because he spent half the year training for the next Volvo Race with Kostecki and the other half training for the America's Cup with Cayard and Kostecki. Somewhere in there his wife gave birth to a son! Terry's big victory year was in '98 when he won the J-24 World's but the award went to Cayard for obvious reasons. I think the reason there are so few obvious choices for this year's award is because all of the heavy hitters are working on 5-year rather than 1-year goals. If it is only a matter of time spent on the podium in a year, this year's Rolex should go to Dee, if time spent investing talent for future success is considered, I think it should go to Terry. -- From Greg Fisher -- In one of your last issues of Scuttlebutt, you mentioned candidates for Yachtsman of the Year. I've got a great suggestion for the Yachtswoman of the Year. Carol Newman Cronin, whom I've had the opportunity to sail with in several major One Design events is much, much more than just a great crew (maybe even the best crew...). She has proven herself in many instances to be an excellent tactician and skipper in her own right. She has sailed, and helped guide around the course many different types of boats successfully. I personally think she is a great choice, and would be a popular one as well. Curmudgeon's comments: Greg attached a press release written on that highlighted Carol's accomplishments for 1999: -- 3rd Interclub Midwinters (crew, with Ed Adams) -- 1st Thistle Midwinters (crew, with Greg Fisher/Jeff Eiber) -- 1st Snipe Midwinters (crew, with George Szabo) -- 1st Snipe DonQ (crew, with George Szabo) -- 1st Snipe Midwinter Circuit (crew, with George Szabo) -- 3rd Snipe PanAm Trials (crew, with George Szabo) -- 7th Interclub Nationals (crew, with Andrew Pimental) -- 4th Santa Maria Cup (crew, with Cory Sertl/Jody Swanson/Dina Kowalyshyn) -- 1st Cleveland Race Week, Snipe (crew, with Henry Filter) -- 4th Snipe Atlantic Coasts (crew, with Andrew Pimental) -- 1st Women's Snipe Nationals (skipper, with Sherry Eldridge) -- 1st Snipe North Americans (crew, with George Szabo) -- 1st Rolex Women's Int'l Keelboat Champs (crew, with Pat Connerney) -- 7th Women's International Match Race Champs (crew, with Cory Sertl/Jody Swanson/ Dina Kowalyshyn) -- 2nd, J/24 Fleet 50, qualified for the 2000 J24 worlds (tactician for co-skippers Ed Adams/ Andrew Pimental) -- From Ken Guyer (Regarding Tim Jeffery's comment that Peter Gilmour's aggressive tactics this early in the competition is seen as an "inescapable conclusion" that Nippon's yacht, Asura, is a modest performer) -- I would offer this: It is classic Gilmour! Always aggressive, usually exciting, but not always the safest or smartest. The intrusion on Stars & Stripes starboard/leeward position while rounding the 1st bottom mark, and the near collision is another example. Just a bit early to be taking risks like that, especially when not used to match racing in 80 footers. -- From Rick Hatch Vancouver, BC -- In reply to Chris Welsh, I am exasperated by the limited to non-existent coverage on Canadian television of any sailing events ("Like Bob, what's this, eh? Isn't there a hockey game on tonight?" "No, Doug..."), except for tape-delayed broadcasts of the America's Cup finals in 1995 and Trans World International's (produced in the U.K.) wrap-ups of each leg of the last Whitbread, which were often broadcast weeks after the finish. By comparison, when I was visiting friends in Auckland at Easter in 1994, we saw LIVE coverage of ENZA crossing the finish line in a full gale at Ushant, France, at the end of Peter Blake's record circumnavigation for the Jules Verne trophy. At least in the U.S. you can get ESPN 2! Thankfully, there's the Internet. I have been watching some of the trials races on "Virtual Spectator." Cheaper than an illegal DirecTV account (in Canada, with a U.S. billing address) and satellite dish. Although Virtual Spectator's coverage is only a graphical animation of the race (nevertheless, very well simulated, complete with instrument data, the boats heeling out of the tacks and the spinnakers being set, gybed and dropped), you can still get in on the tactics and boatspeed going on, and replay a race in one-third the time of the actual elapsed - long before the grass has started to grow! I'm satisfied that I will get my money's worth from their service. -- From Dave Benjamin -- If Paul Cayard succeeds in his bid to bring the Cup to San Francisco the IACC designers and builders will have to figure out a way to create boats that can sail in conditions enjoyed by 505's and J-24's here on the Bay. The only other alternative would be to do the races in the winter when conditions are milder. Can you imagine what it would be like to watch a leeward mark rounding here in the Bay with a strong current and 25 knots of breeze? -- From Jim Nichols -- Maybe people with no idea what racing is all about shouldn't be cutting their teeth in a 12,000 pound, $300,000 boat. There's nothing courageous about sticking your neck out if nobody has an axe . . . What'll we do next weekend? Show up for batting practice with the Yankees, and hope they'll "let" us hit a few over the center field wall? -- From Scott Ramser -- As a port tack boat, you are not absolutely positive you can cross a right of way starboard tack boat then tack or take its stern. The call from a port tack boat of "CROSS OR LEE BOW" has made the hunting rule necessary TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE Message from Ellen MacArthur on Aquitaine-Kingfisher came this morning - apologies for leaving in the typo's but gives you an idea of how hard the boat is slamming into the waves while she tried to type! "Hi, 3am. Freezing, soaking, and and impossible to stand. Its been a bit full on last few hours. We're under deep reefed main, storm jib. Justgot slaughtered whildt chaanging to storm jib.. THrowm up and doen on deck, washed sideways so many times. She mght have a wide open flat deck f;r'd, but it's very ecposed. CA Glisse! "Rightnoe trying to thype, warmer than before as put survival suit on, very tired. eyes trying yoi shut, and stinging still from salt. DeCk... virtually lifted off seat here.. slamming is bad. trits quite wierd. a btright starry night, and40kn across the ied verythin g. the slower, the worse. Bieng on the foredecK you could be a million milers away from the cabin.. let alone human existance." Latest Positions -- Monohulls (Miles to go) 1. Whirlpool (Chabaud/Bartissol) 3442.8m 2. Somewhere (Thiercelin/Mallaret) 33514.9m 3. Aquitaine-Kingfisher (MacArthur/Parlier) 3539m English language race updates: http://www.offshorechallenges.com THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE You've never had so much power at your fingertips before. NEVER! Whether you need repairs on Navtec hydraulic components; comparison information about anchors or light-weight blocks; advice on bilge pumps; photos, facts and specifications about the new inflatable Windglider; a new hand-help GPS or just some interesting sailing stories, it's all on the new and improved West Marine website. Even if you're not interested in any of the 30,000 items displayed on this site, you'll find a useful the glossary of sailing terms, weather information, a chat room, and back issues of Scuttlebutt. What a fun adventure: http://www.westmarine.com/ SAN FRANCISCO PERPETUAL CHALLENGE The San Francisco Perpetual Challenge Trophy is reputed to be the second oldest continuously sailed for sailing competition in the United States. It is now 104 years since it was founded, and it has been the object of competition for 93 of those years. All West Coast yacht clubs are eligible to challenge the club which holds the trophy. The format of the competition is a single match race with the winner taking the Trophy. This year's competition, sailed in San Diego on 10/17/99, was raced in One Design 35's provided by Bud & Katie Stratten and John & Stephanie Wylie. Wind was from the Northwest at approximately 12 knots and built throughout the afternoon to as much as 21 knots at the top of the course and 16 knots at the leeward mark. At the four minute signal, the boats entered the starting area and circled in more or less traditional match race fashion. The SFYC team kept the pressure on the SDYC team and won the start by 15 seconds. At the first weather mark, it was SFYC by 23 seconds. A spinnaker wrap and building winds dropped the lead to only 9 seconds at the first rounding of the leeward mark. But, the SFYC was able to increase the lead to 28 seconds at the top mark, and continued to build it, winning the race by 53 seconds. Winning Crewmembers for The San Francisco Yacht Club: Jeff Madrigali - Skipper, Doug McLean, Mark Sims, Jim Barton, Craig Healy, Hartwell Jordan, Keith Stahnke, and Greg "Radar" Felton. -- SFBayRacer, THE CURMUDGEON'S CONUNDRUM Why do we put suits in a garment bag and put garments in a suitcase? |
