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SCUTTLEBUTT 2513 – January 17, 2008Scuttlebutt is a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, featuresand dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors. US ROLEX TOP SAILORS ANNOUNCED Lightning World Champion Jeff Linton (Tampa, Fla.) and Princess Sofia Trophy Yngling Champion Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wis.) were named, respectively, US Sailing’s 2007 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year. A shortlist of 10 male and nine female sailors - determined from nominations by the membership of US Sailing - were evaluated by a panel of sailing journalists who selected these two sailors for the noteworthy distinction. The winners will be honored and presented with specially engraved Rolex timepieces during a luncheon on February 29, 2008, at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year When Jeff Linton (Tampa, Fla.) received his first nomination for the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award in 2005, it was the result of crewing aboard winning boats at the Etchells World Championship and the J/24 Midwinters, combined with a string of four top-five finishes in the Lightning class. Fast forward two years to find the 45-year-old Linton now semi-retired, having sold his partnership interest in Masthead Enterprises, and in the helmsman’s position, dominating the Lightning class with wins at the Worlds, South American, and Winter Championship. Additionally, Linton won the Flying Scot North American Championship and the Classic Moth National Championship. Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wis.) was first recognized with the honor in 2005, and this was her sixth consecutive year in being nominated to the shortlist. She now joins a select group of women who have received the accolade more than once. Although Barkow’s primary focus has been helming her Yngling with a goal of representing the U.S.A. at the 2008 Olympic Games in China, her performance in other classes, whether fleet or match racing, were what set her apart in 2007. Barkow’s turn on the match racing circuit was highlighted by wins at the Boat U.S. Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, Md., and the Vitória Brasil Women’s Cup in Brazil. Additionally, Barkow took the helm of a J/22 to win the US Sailing’s Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship. Complete report: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2008/07yofywinners.asp OLYMPIC SAILING DOWN UNDER Melbourne, Australia – Top Olympic talent in the 470, Finn, Laser, Laser Radial, and Tornado are at the Sail Melbourne regatta this week, where conditions on Wednesday were rough due to large swells with sea breezes between 16-18 knots in the earlier race, increasing to 18-25 knots in the afternoon. After the third day of qualifying, Erin Maxwell and Isabelle Kinsolving (USA) continue to lead the North American contingent by remaining on top in the Women’s 470 class. Also in the hunt is Bernard Luttmer (CAN), now sixth in Laser; Tania Elias Calles (MEX), now fourth in Laser Radial; and Zach Railey (USA), now fifth in Finn. Canadians remain strong in the Laser class with three in the top ten. -- Daily report: http://www.sailing.org/21927.php -- Complete results: http://tinyurl.com/2p4zf3 TRIVIA QUESTION The newly appointed ISAF chief executive Jerome Pels is related to which international sailing star? (Answer below) TWO FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTIONS REMAIN FOR U.S. BOATERS When U.S. Congress adjourned for 2007, they left in place two federal income tax deductions of potential benefit to boat owners. A boat is treated like a second home for federal tax purposes if it has a galley, a head, and sleeping berth. Mortgage interest paid on the loan is deductible from your federal income taxes. Taxpayers may use the mortgage interest deduction for one primary home and one second home and must itemize deductions on their returns. Some boaters may be unaware of this potential tax benefit because not all lending institutions send borrowers an Internal Revenue Service form 1098 which reports the interest paid. Not receiving the form does not preclude taking the deduction. If a 1098 is not available, boaters should contact their lender for the amount of interest paid and should enter it on line 11 on Schedule A along with the lender’s tax ID number. If a form 1098 is sent, boaters should simply enter the amount on line 10 of Schedule A. The other tax benefit is a deduction for state sales taxes. However, this may no longer be available after the 2007 tax year if Congress does not act to extend it. This deduction may be appropriate for boaters who paid substantial sales tax on the purchase of a new or used vessel last year. Boaters must choose either the state sales tax deduction or state income tax deduction on their federal tax return - you cannot take both. -- BoatU.S., read on: http://www.boatus.com/news/releases/2008/january/deduction.asp DISCOVER THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK The Atlantis WeatherGear R&D Lab, better known as Dan Meyers’ new Numbers, will be making her first appearance at Key West Race Week. Look for Dan, Hamish, and the rest of the team in their custom Atlantis gear, and if you like it, check out our website at AtlantisWeatherGear.com to get yours. Or better yet, pick some up before you go. Discover a better combination of performance and style. Discover Atlantis. http://www.AtlantisWeatherGear.com SAILING SCHOOL GETTING $4 MILLION UPGRADE A plan to do a $4 million upgrade to one of the area’s top-notch sailing schools got the go-ahead last week, and construction will start at the end of January. The Orange Coast College of Sailing and Seamanship in the Newport Harbor gained approval from the California Coastal Commission to start on the year-long project. “We’re pretty excited,” said Brad Avery, director of marine programs. “Beyond the nostalgia, the facility had a very nice, old, traditional feel. Now it’s going to be more modern.” About 200 full-time students and 3,000 part-time adults enter the sailing courses each year, which range from beginning sailing to U.S. Coast Guard licensing. The school also offers about 300 youth the opportunity to sail, including a youth-at-risk program. The school has boats ranging from 14-foot dinghies to sailboats up to 90 feet long. All boats have been donated to the school. The Coast Community College District received bond money from Measure C – a bond issue approved by the voters a few years ago to build new amenities on campus. The latest project joins other improvements, such as more libraries and classrooms. The school is funded primarily through private funding and fees from adult students. Big-time donors recognize the importance of the school – the latest big gift came from Roy Disney, who handed over his $7 million sailing yacht Pyewacket in 2005. -- OC Register, complete story: http://tinyurl.com/38pbu6 BARCELONA WORLD RACE Open 60 doublehanded round the world race (started Nov 11; 25,000-miles) (Day 67 – January 16, 2008) Over the last day, Paprec-Virbac 2 has managed to slow the bleeding, after seeing its lead in the tumble dramatically at the beginning of the week. Despite Hugo Boss being becalmed for much of Tuesday night, their gains have returned on Wednesday, sailing downwind at up to 18 knots while Paprec-Virbac 2 is beating upwind against 30-knot headwinds, and fighting to make just over 10 knots towards Barcelona. For Hugo Boss, they can expect winds in excess of 40 knots over the coming 24 to 48 hours, though the accompanying sea state will likely result in them having to throttle back a little to avoid banging and crashing over waves. Nevertheless, over the coming days, Hugo Boss is very likely to make another deep cut into Paprec-Virbac 2’s lead. -- http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com Positions at 18:00 GMT (+gain/-loss from leader since previous day) 1-Paprec-Virbac 2, Jean-Pierre Dick/ Damian Foxall, 5,247 nm DTF (+197) 2-Hugo Boss, Alex Thomson/ Andrew Cape, 577 nm DTL (+45) 3-Temenos II, Dominique Wavre/ Michéle Paret, 2,322 (+83) 4-Mutua Madrilena, Javier Sanso Windmann/ Pachi Rivero, 2,542 (+136) 5-Educación sin Fronteras, Servane Escoffier/ Albert Bargues, 3,453 (+84) Retired - PRB, Vincent Riou / Sébastien Josse (broken mast) Retired -Delta Dore, Jérémie Beyou/ Sidney Gavignet (broken mast) Retired - Estrella Damm, Guillermo Altadill/ Jonathan McKee, (rudder damage) Retired - Veolia Environnement, Roland Jourdain/Jean-Luc Nélias (broken mast) * The Scuttlebutt website’s weekly snapshot of the fleet finds the lead Open 60’s around Cape Horn and heading up the South American continent toward the next gate off Brazil. The slower upwind path of Paprec-Virbac 2 is apparent by noting her tacking angles, while Hugo Boss has enjoyed an offwind track since entering the Atlantic Ocean. Following the gate, the fleet will cross over to Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean Sea and bolt to the finish at Barcelona, Spain. See photo from race tracker at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/bwr SINGLE-HANDED ROUND THE WORLD RECORD (Day 54 – January 16, 2008 - 18:00 UTC) The route to Brest, France now appears to be open. Feeling rather less worried, Francis Joyon is going to be concentrating now on the only job that really matters for him - his route strategy between the Azores high and the deep North Atlantic low. This is crucial in order to reach the finishing line for his single-handed round the world record attempt as quickly as possible with the element of caution built in. Taking advantage of a (relative) calm in the weather and a cleaner swell, yesterday Joyon went back up the 32-metre mast of his maxi-trimaran, IDEC, for the fourth time in five days. After an hour and a half of work balanced at the top in his climbing harness, he came back down, visibly pleased with the state of what he saw and the repair that was carried out on the weakened anchor point for his starboard shroud. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/0116 * Joyon’s ETA at the moment is calculated to be between Sunday and Monday, January 20th and 21st. In the past 24 hours, he clocked an average speed of 13.8 knots while covering 332 nm. With only 1,525 nm remaining to the finish at Brest, France, his advance over the 2005 record set by Ellen MacArthur (71d 14h 18m 33s) is at 3,111 nm. -- http://www.trimaran-idec.com ULLMAN SAILS WELCOMES THREE NEW LOFTS Ullman Sails announces three valuable additions to its international group of sailmakers – Ullman Sails Cleveland, Ullman Sails Buffalo (NY), and Ullman Sails Rochester (NY). Owner Greg A. Koski has worked in the sailmaking industry for over 22 years and owned his own loft for 17 years. He is an active sailor in the Great Lakes region, with multiple championships under his belt including Master National Champion, Great Lakes Champion, and various other national titles. Are you ready for the ‘Fastest Sails on the Planet?’ Contact a local Ullman Sails loft and visit http://www.ullmansails.com TRIVIA ANSWER The international sailing star to whom the newly appointed ISAF chief executive Jerome Pels is related to is none other than British triple Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie, whose sister Fleur is married to Pels. WHO IS THE BEST CEO SAILOR? CEOs that have a passion for sailing will finally have the opportunity to test their skills against fellow CEOs in a specially designed Sailing Challenge from April 24-28, 2008. The setting for this event will be the world famous Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands. The location was chosen specifically for its incredible setting, reliable winds, access to sailing craft, and first-class facilities. "We are very excited about the CEO Sailing Challenge because we have found that there is no better way for people to bond and form friendships than an actual competition," stated Ted Kennedy of CEO Challenges. "By allowing CEOs to compete, we find that barriers are broken down, and they get to know each other better in four days than they would in four months in an office environment. As a result, the CEO competitors will leave this event with many new friends that share their deep passions for business and sailing. Plus, it will be a thrill to see who is the Best CEO sailor!" Eligibility for the event is limited to CEOs, Owners, Presidents, and C-Suite Executives of companies with at least $2 million in annual gross revenue. Space is very limited, and registration closes on February 5th. Sign up now at http://www.ceochallenges.com/sailing/ceo-sailing-challenge ISAF SUSPENDED SAILOR UPDATE The following sailors have their ISAF Eligibility suspended: ~ Mr Justin Noble (CAN) - until May 1, 2008. ~ Christine Johnston (GBR) - until May 31, 2009 - (Anti Doping) violation. ~ Shinya Kunieda (JPN) - until October 31, 2009 - Breaking RRS 5 (banned substances and method). ~ Simon Daubney (NZL) - Provisionally suspended pending an Anti Doping violation hearing. ~ Duarte Falcao Correia Santos (POR) - until January 25, 2008 - (Anti Doping) Rule violation - Presence of Cannabinoids. ~ Guido E. Lugo Modesto (PUR) - until March 6, 2008. ~ Brodie L Cobb (USA) - until December 31, 2008 - Gross Breach of good manners and sportsmanship. ~ Sean Ross (USA) - until March 31, 2008 - Gross Breach of good manners and sportsmanship. The above-mentioned sailors may according to ISAF Regulation 19 not participate in the certain events listed at http://www.sailing.org/suspended-sailors.php SAILING SHORTS * The Newport Bermuda Race online entry system is now available, where qualified monohull yachts with a minimum ORR measured “L” length of 27.5 feet to a maximum of 30.00 meters may now go to apply for entry. -- http://www.bermudarace.com/EntryProcess * The 2008 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is now available, which is published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is the International Standard identifying Substances and Methods prohibited in sport. The 2008 Prohibited List came into effect on 1 January 2008 and can be viewed at http://www.sailing.org/medical * Strictly Sail Chicago, the largest indoor sailboat show in the country, will be held January 31 – February 3, 2008 at Navy Pier. Scuttlebutt has discount tickets to help attend the four-day event to see the latest sailboats and sailing accessories on the market. -- Details: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2008/01/butthead-benefit.html * St. Thomas, USVI --The Notice of Race and on-line entry for the 2008 International Rolex Regatta, scheduled for Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30, are now available at http://www.rolexcupregatta.com * The International GP42 Association calendar for the GP42 2008 Cup has been finalized, consisting of 6 events in no fewer than 4 European countries. -- Full details: http://www.gp42.it/News/Final_Calendar_2008.htm VIDEO OF THE WEEK The Southern Ocean has been busy this winter, what with Open 60’s and maxi multihulls participating in races and record attempts. We have also learned that there are battles of a different sort taking place there as well between the activist group Greenpeace and the Japanese whaling fleet. There is an area of the Southern Ocean that has been designated as a whale sanctuary to help whale populations recover after the devastating commercial whaling of the last century. However, it is in this same area where Japanese whalers have failed to observe this recognition, and so following a 10-day search in Antarctic waters, the Greenpeace ship Esperanza this week was finally able to locate and confront the fleet and immediately engaged in a high speed chase over hundreds of miles through fog and increasingly rough seas. This week’s video provides a report on the action. Also, if you have a video you like, please send us your suggestions for next week’s Video of the Week. Click here for this week’s video: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/08/0114 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and may be edited for clarity or simplicity (letters shall be no longer than 250 words). You only get one letter per subject, so give it your best shot, don't whine if others disagree, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- Scuttlebutt Letters: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- Scuttlebutt Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Bill Biewenga: (regarding boom breakage due to preventers) We broke our boom on "Flyer" during the 1981-'82 Whitbread Round The World Race (the predecessor to the current Volvo Round the World Race). While in the second leg of the race going from Cape Town, S. Africa to Auckland, NZ, we were hit from behind by a very large breaking wave. At the time, we were racing in the Southern Ocean, and we estimated the wave heights to be in the 30' to 40' range. The helmsman was thrown off the wheel and was washed further forward past the wheel and into the cockpit sole. As "Flyer" spun out, she slid sideways down the wave. The boom, with preventer still attached, was snapped just aft of the hydraulic boom vang attachment point. Soon after we sorted the mess out, we were able to line up and drill, tap and screw a sleeve to the boom, and we were soon "back in business". Four years later, a similar situation happened on another Maxi, "NCB Ireland", in the following Whitbread. The moral to the story is that when broaching, do a controlled ease on the preventer AND release the vang. During the broach's flurry of activity, it's sometimes easier said than done, but ultimately, it'll help avoid repairs. * From Brad Van Liew: In my 100,000 miles or so of crash gybing my way across oceans, I never broke a boom except for the one that my rig fell on. Short and single-handed rigs and most notably the open boat classes heavily rely on preventers (even used as reaching vangs) and booms rarely break if they are set up with two things. The first is a fuse (normally a piece of appropriately sized spectra) that breaks in the worst case scenarios. It still holds everything in place long enough for everyone to get out of the way and take cover. The second is a preventer that is permanently rigged the whole length of the boom attached at the most fore and aft ends. Sort of a boom bridle, so you're not creating a bending moment. A well place piece of shock cord milked into the core of the line used keeps it nicely tucked out of the way when not in use. * From Jerry Manock, Burlington, Vermont: I read with great interest Cory Friedman's latest AC posting (#13) summarized in Scuttlebutt 2511. Of particular interest was the following. I quote... "An even bigger problem is presented by the Deed itself. As the Court of Appeals specifically held in Mercury Bay, whatever the challenger says in its challenge, the defender can show up in anything it pleases, as long as it is 90 feet or less at the waterline. Thus, regardless of whether SNG is confused by GGYC’s challenge or not, it can show up with the fastest under 90 footer it can design." I kept rereading the phrase "90 feet OR LESS..." Does this mean that Ernesto could show up for the challenge on a state-of-the-art windsurfer that would be competitive in speed in the right wind conditions but much more maneuverable around the marks than a 90 foot trimaran? If so, the speculation gets more and more delicious! * From Ben Barger: Regarding Robin Wall’s letter in Issue 2512, where it was stated the US women at the RS:X Worlds were getting “nada”, the top US woman – 2008 Olympic rep Nancy Rios – should have received funding for the event. I suspect she has the basic 5K grant plus what her share was from recent Olympic team fundraisers. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker. Special thanks to Atlantis WeatherGear and Ullman Sails. A complete list of Scuttlebutt’s preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
