SCUTTLEBUTT No. 961 - December 10, 2001
Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
AUCKLAND
On the Auckland waterfront - the ultimate legacy to the skill, drive and vision of Sir Peter Blake - the sense of loss hung as heavy as the low cloud that oozed gentle rain. At Team New Zealand's Halsey St headquarters the first flowers arrived almost as soon as the staff. By mid-morning, the compound, normally secured, was opened for those who wanted to leave tributes. As people trickled in - women and children mostly, some in tears - team members sat inside in the areas that remained off-limits to the public, or wandered in stunned silence.
Two large plastic banners in the shape of red socks fluttered from the masts of NZL57 and NZL60, the yachts used to defend the America's Cup last year. They lent both poignancy and a measure of irony. Lucky red socks: Sir Peter's superstition that caught the imagination of a nation. We bought them, wore them, waved them at our victorious heroes.
Luck, in reality, had little or nothing to do with the planning effort and mastery of technology and the elements that saw yachting's ultimate prize captured in San Diego in 1995 and defended in Auckland last year. Lack of it was probably a far more significant contributor to the seemingly random, apparently senseless, events that saw Sir Peter gunned down in Brazil.
Along "Syndicate Rd", as the street is now known, the challengers preparing for next year's series were flying flags at half-mast. The fiercest of rivals on the water, they acknowledged the man who took on the world so many times, and won. That their multimillion-dollar buildings line Auckland's shores surrounded by gleaming new developments is testament to Sir Peter. He brought the cup home and led the defence that kept it.
Team New Zealand chief executive Ross Blackman was inconsolable. Sir Peter was one of his best mates. "I first met him in the late 70s and then really got to know him and Pippa in 1982 and that was the start of our friendship. He wanted to make a difference; he certainly did when he started Team New Zealand. The culture we have, the way we live our lives, the way we run things certainly has the Peter stamp on it."
Russell Coutts, who skippered the successful challenge and the defence for Sir Peter, then last year abandoned Team New Zealand in a shock defection to Swiss syndicate Alinghi, was ashen with shock. His syndicate is next door but any residual bitterness was put aside as he ventured into the rival compound to shake hands and share memories. "The thing I liked about Peter most was that he was a fair guy," Coutts said. "He was a great leader, straight up and down. He had opinions but he never held a grudge. We had some good times which were fantastic - and nothing will change that." - James Gardiner and Julie Ash, NZ Herald
Full story: www.nzherald.co.nz
CONFESSION
MACAPA, Brazil - Police said a 23-year-old man - Ricardo Tavares - has confessed to the killing of New Zealand yachtsman Sir Peter Blake.
All seven pirates - known locally as 'Water Rats' - in the Brazilian town of Macapa have confessed to storming the Seamaster on Wednesday night after Blake, 53, and his crew had returned from dinner on land. Police arrested the suspects after questioning a man with a gunshot wound to the hand. The wounded man confessed and named his accomplices. Police are still searching for an eighth man, 20-year-old Rubens da Silva Souza, who allegedly ferried the assailants to Sir Peter's boat.
Sir Peter Black - two-time winner of the prestigious America's Cup - fired a rifle at the bandits before being shot twice in the back, police said.
The seven were arrested after a manhunt was launched on the "express orders" of Brazil's president Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Federal Police agent Jose Araujo said the suspects claimed they fired in self-defence. They said they didn't know anyone famous was aboard and they weren't expecting any resistance. They were probably attracted by the boat's shiny appearance. They saw it was a rare boat, owned by a foreigner so they figured there was money aboard and lots of expensive equipment," Araujo said. NZ Herald, www.nzherald.co.nz
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BURIAL PLANS
Yachting hero Sir Peter is to be buried in southern England, New Zealanders have been told. Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Saturday she had spoken to Blake's wife Lady Pippa. "It is her wish that Sir Peter be buried in Emsworth, the village in South England where they have made their home together, and then she and her family intend to proceed to New Zealand for a memorial service in Auckland before Christmas," Clark said in a statement. - CNN / Inside sailing, www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/sailing/people/12/08/nz.blake.burial/
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
leweck@earthlink.net
(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 or a bulletin board - you only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot and don't whine if others disagree.)
* From Bob Billingham: Since hearing the news of Sir Peter's death, the public show of respect here in Auckland has been astonishing. From our new Travel & More offices we've seen people dropping off flowers all day. Team NZ opened the gates and are allowing the public inside the compound where they have created a memorial with a large photo of Sir Peter - all the flowers are being placed there -hundreds of bouquets. The crowd is mixed - all types of people, young, old, families with kids, businessmen in suits, kids with skateboards. Coutts, Butterworth, Fluery and many other sailors from all the syndicates arriving to show their respect and express their sense of loss. Lots of tears flowing freely at the Memorial.
Flying from the two masts of the Team NZ AC boats are two huge red socks, so symbolic of Blake's leadership of Team NZ in the successful Cup campaigns of 1995 and 2000. I can assure you, the impact of seeing those socks flying off the boats is a truly emotional experience. You cannot help but get choked up.
Hats off to the Team NZ guys for providing such an appropriate salute and allowing a grieving and shocked NZ public a proper shrine to go to express their emotions and say goodbye to the one famous figures in Yachting. This country has been truly stunned by the loss of Blake. They are reacting with the same order of magnitude shown by the British public when Princess Diana was lost.
* From Chris Bouzaid: The whole country of New Zealand is in mourning, this morning's paper is full of nothing else, it is really a sad loss for mankind. The killing of Sir Peter Blake is a real blow to our sport of sailing and even more importantly a true loss to the future of mankind and of our planet. Peter's mission was to save this planet for future generations. Today's newspapers here in Auckland are full of stories and memories of Sir Peter. He did more to put New Zealand on the map than any New Zealander since Sir Edmund Hillary.
For those of us who were fortunate enough to sail with or know Peter we were doubly blessed. Peter was a great seaman and a remarkable character. There are not enough adjectives to describe his qualities. Above everything else he believed very strongly in always having fun enjoying what you are doing. He was the best at cutting through all the politics and bureaucracy of each and every situation.
The biggest lesson our sport can learn from this very sad loss is to become great you must first get rid of all the bureaucracy and hidden agendas. You must have common objectives and only then will the job get done. In memory of Sir Peter Blake we all owe this to our sport.
* From Staff Commodore Sandy Purdon, San Diego Yacht Club: In San Diego we saw and enjoyed Peter Blake's presence for a couple of very special years. While he was focused and determined to win the Cup, he conducted himself without ever embarrassing his team, his country and his family. As a member of the SDYC Defense Committee, I can tell you his leadership was significant and his effectiveness was unparalleled....obviously ... he beat us soundly.
We tried to figure out Peter's Achilles Heal. He had none. In fact, his Achilles Heals were effectively covered with those "damn red socks." Always understated, always focused in his mission and always willing to say "hi" and shake your hand at the end of the day. In short, a gentleman with passion for his mission.
On the many occasions that I had to talk with Peter and his wife, Pippa, during his time in San Diego, I always came away with the sense that they understood that relationships were more important than accomplishments. Peter's many accomplishments will be detailed in the history books. We will all remember that his relationship with sailors was what was really important to Peter.
Rest in peace...Sir Peter Blake.
* From Peter Harken: The World has lost a wonderful human being, the sailing world has lost a super sportsman, New Zealand has lost a great son, Sir Peter Blake. May his deeds and memory prevail to inspire all young peoples and especially young New Zealanders, his homeland. Our company's peoples have lost a personal friend and we give our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Pippa and his two children, Sara-Jane and James. We all have lost an icon of our sport and in front of our factory proudly flies the New Zealand flag alongside the Stars and Stripes both at half mast
* From Geoff Stagg, President, Farr International, Inc.: The death of Peter Blake was a savage blow to humanity. I was lucky enough to be his watch captain in the '81-82 Whitbread on Ceramco New Zealand. Incredible sailing feats that will be unmatched but for me it was his passion for the environment that made him somebody special. Blakey, along with countless others I will miss you tremendously. My thoughts and prayers are with Pippa, James, Sarah-Jane and the family of Peter and Pippa.
* From T.J. Perrotti: It's impossible to choose words eloquent enough to describe the impact that Sir Peter's passion for life and sailing had on so many. If I may, I'll offer these two anonymous quotes:
"Ideals are like the stars ... we may never reach them. But like a skilled mariner, we steer our course by them."
"Like a ship that's left its mooring and sails bravely out to sea, a loved one has sailed away in calm serenity. But there's promise of a greater joy than Earth could have in store, for God has planned a richer life beyond the unseen shore."
May he continue to inspire us all to seek our own unseen shores ...
* From Paul Henderson, President ISAF: Like all his Yachting friends I was shocked at the news of the passing of Sir Peter Blake. "Blakey" was an Icon in our sport. He had accomplished so many things and had so much more he wished to do. I first met "Blakey" when ISAF awarded him the " ISAF Sailor of the Year Award" for his Around-the-World Jules Verne record-breaking achievement. The next year he kindly volunteered to be the Host of the award where his great personal presence and "Kiwi Humor" shone through.
In San Diego after winning the Americas Cup he invited me aboard the boat which was a great honor and I was in awe of how he had organized such a cohesive and impressive crew. He then organized New Zealand's first defence where I again came into to contact with his incredibly focused dedication. He always put New Zealand first and then his loyalty to his sponsors. He took an incredible risk here also in demanding that the waterfront in Auckland be totally refurbished leaving a great legacy to all the citizens.
I met "Blakey" again this summer in Cowes where he explained his new challenges with Cousteau and his dedication to cleaning up our polluted seas. It is a great tribute to Sir Peter Blake that as far away as Toronto the local newspapers have made his untimely passing front page news paying a great tribute to a friend we are all in awe of. What a sailor! What a man!
PROTEST
Volvo Race skipper Grant Dalton of Amer Sports One submitted a protest to the International Jury requesting redress on Saturday after the Race Committee failed to penalize all other seven competitors for straying into the commercial Traffic Separation Zone one hour after the Cape Town start of the second leg to Sydney.
The protest form claims, "because the Race Committee informed all boats during the pre-race briefing that they would protest any boats not obeying the traffic separation zone out side of Cape Town.
"Amer Sports One asked the Race Director to confirm that they would protest, and he did the night before the start. All other boats did sail through the exclusion zone, either at the wrong angle, or down the wrong side. We believe the actions not to protest have cost Amer Sports One up to two points on all the boats."
Half way through the leg the Race Committee did in fact inform two of the fleet, Djuice and Dalton's fellow all-women crew on Amer Sports Too that they would be protesting them. At the time, when he heard of the protest by email, Dalton was adamant that not only should this contravention of the rules be strongly penalized, he also suggested that he knew other boats had also strayed into the shipping lanes.
Dalton submitted his protest on Friday, after the Race Committee faced the embarrassment of informing the fleet it would no longer proceed with the protest against Amer Sports Too and Djuice as, 'new information from the South African Maritime Safety Authority that the Traffic Scheme does not apply to pleasure yachts involved in sport or recreation would make the protest impossible to win.' - CNN/Inside Sailing
Full story: europe.cnn.com
The International Jury did not hear Amer Sports One's request for redress, after determining the request was submitted outside the time limit. At a hearing on Sunday morning to determine the validity of the request, the International Jury found that all the competitors were made aware of the Race Committee's decision not to protest by 14:00 on Friday afternoon. Amer Sports One did not file its request until 14:25 on Saturday afternoon, missing the 24-hour time limit. "The International Jury is required to assess whether there are good reasons to extend the time limit," Bryan Willis, Chairman of the Jury said. "But when no good reason is presented, we are obliged to dismiss the request."
For the Volvo Ocean Race, Standard Sailing Instruction 10 modifies the Racing Rules of Sailing, extending what is usually a two-hour time limit, to 24-hours.
Official Elapsed time for leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race: 1. Illbruck, 022d 13h 22m 26s; 2, SEB, 022d 14h 35m 45s; 3. News Corp, 022d 15h 17m 29s, 4. djuice, 22d 19h 43m 35s; 5.Amer Sports One, 022d 19h 50m 12s; 6 Assa Abloy, 022d 22h 31m 05s; 7. Amer Sports Too, 026d 04h 59m 22s. - www.volvooceanrace.com
SMOKE ON THE WATER
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QUOTES FROM THE DOCK
"I haven't had time to take it all in, but it is certainly the experience of a lifetime, I'll remember it forever, which is good. That's what I wanted to do and get out of it. And the sailing - the boats are awesome and that part of it is really good. It is top of the list in terms of sailing experiences." - Terry Hutchinson, Tactician (for the last leg) on djuice - www.volvooceanrace.com
"We giving it our all, every step of the way. When we're with the other boats, we have very good boat-to-boat racing with them. The difference is when we're on our own, the other guys have all had one to three years preparation and we've had one month. That's a learning curve we have to accept." - Lisa McDonald, skipper, Amer Sports Too - sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/
FOR THE RECORD
The maxi catamaran "Innovation Explorer", recently re-baptized as "Orange" after the name of France Telecom's mobile telephone subsidiary, will soon set sail in pursuit of the most famous of these records - the Jules Verne Trophy. The project was entrusted to the French sailor, Bruno Peyron, who was the first to win the Jules Verne Trophy in 1993 and who fully intends to reconquer this prestigious title. The Jules Verne Trophy was carried off by the New Zealander, Sir Peter Blake in 1994 who was in turn dethroned in 1997 by the current holder of the Trophy, the Frenchman Olivier de Kersauson. This new campaign for the Jules Verne should set sail as soon as next February.
Since June, the maxi-catamaran Orange is being prepared at the shipyard in La Ciotat, France. The Orange giant should be in the water again by the end of December in Marseille where she will train during the entire month of January before returning to Brittany. As far as the crew goes, there will be a dozen crewmembers, a majority of whom were already aboard one of the three boats represented on the podium of The Race. The end of January shall mark the beginning of the " stand-by " period and the wait for a favorable weather window.
VOLVO RACE NEWS BRIEFS
* Tyco is on route to Sydney aboard the container ship Katy and due to arrive around December 11th where a new rudder and bearing await her. Both the shore and racing crews are ready and waiting to get Tyco on the start line on December 26th and ready to race once more. - Ann Kelly
* Tony Rey, USA, and Sean Clarkson, New Zealand, will be joining Team SEB in the Volvo Ocean Race as new crewmembers. Rey will be replacing David Rolfe, watch captain from New Zealand who has decided to leave Team SEB for personal reasons. Clarkson will be replacing Rodney Keenan, New Zealand, who already has a contract with another boat for the Sydney-Hobart Race since earlier on. Last year Rey sailed the Sydney-Hobart race onboard Tyco, and he raced one leg on board Chessie Racing during the last Whitbread. In 1999-2000 he was part of the after guard on the America's Cup challenger Young America. Clarkson has done two Whitbreads, one on board
New Zealand Endeavour in 1993-94 and the latest onboard Toshiba. He has also competed in three America's Cups, the Olympic Games once and he has won Sydney-Hobart Race twice. - www.teamseb.com
HIGH SCHOOL SAILING
Undaunted by bone chilling winds to 20 knots, a young coed squad from Bishop's School in La Jolla out sailed 23 other California high school teams from San Diego to San Francisco Sunday to win Gold fleet honors in Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Anteater Regatta. Coach Bill Campbell's Bishop team ultimately emerged with 45 points to runner-up Coronado's 71, followed by Newport Harbor, 81, USD, 96, and Pt. Loma, 102. Pt. Loma won the Silver with 40 points, followed by Marin Catholic, 59; El Segundo, 79; Agoura, 89, and Corona del Mar, 97. - Rich Roberts, www.nhyc.org
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
Losers whine about how they'd win if the rules were different; winners go home with the Prom Queen.
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