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SCUTTLEBUTT 1345 - June 6, 2003
Powered by SAIC (www.saic.com), an employee-owned company. Scuttlebutt is a
digest 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 and personal attacks for elsewhere.
COLLEGIATE WOMAN SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Senior Corrie Clement of Old Dominion University has been selected as the
Quantum Woman Sailor of the Year Award. Sailing "A" division at
Intercollegiate Sailing Association's (ICSA) North American Women's Dinghy
Championship, Corrie finished second place overall. This, along with her
equally impressive single-handed sailing record and strong finish at the
Women's District qualifier, earned her top honors for the 2002-2003 season.
This new award, endorsed by the ICSA and sponsored by the Quantum Sail
Design Group, Annapolis, MD, recognizes the female skipper with the best
finishes in four major intercollegiate women's events. The award is a
stunning crystal goblet on a cherry base, which will spend a few weeks with
the winner and her family, and then reside permanently in the Collegiate
Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, MD.
Final Results:
1. Corrie Clement, Old Dominion University
2. Genny Tulloch, Harvard
3. Molly Carapiet, Yale
4. Jamie Smith, St. Mary's
5. Genoa Griffin, U. South Florida
6. Anna Tunnicliffe, Old Dominion
7. AJ Crane, Tufts Jumbos
http://www.quantumsails.com/products/onedesign/cni.asp?NID=501&CID=91
LINE HOUNORS
The largest ocean racing yacht ever built in Australia, a 30 metre super
maxi for yachtsman Grant Wharington, will contest this year's Rolex Sydney
Hobart Yacht Race. This most innovative of Wharington's line of fast boats
named Wild Thing is under construction at Mornington, Victoria, and is due
to be launched in late August. At 30m (100 feet) length overall (LOA), the
new Don Jones-designed Wild Thing will have a canting keel and will just
fit within the maximum LOA and IRC upper handicap limit imposed by the
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
"Line honours in the 2003 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is our goal,"
Wharington said today.
The hull, which is now at an advanced state of construction, is moulded in
unidirectional carbon/ aramid over an end-grain balsa core. The boat will
have a 15/16 fractional rig with non-overlapping headsails, with optional
sloop/cutter rig. The mast is being built by Applied Composites in
Melbourne. Explaining the canting keel, Jones said the rules of the
Australian Yachting Federation (and the CYCA) limited the angle of static
heel with full ballast movement to 10 degrees for the Rolex Sydney Hobart
Yacht Race.
After launching and rigging the new Wild Thing in Melbourne in late August,
Wharington and his crew plan to extensively test the boat and sails in Bass
Strait and southern Tasmanian waters before bring the super maxi to Sydney
in December. -- Peter Campbell
NOTHING ESCAPES THESE EYES
Around the world racing requires years of experience, preparation and ocean
knowledge. "Covering 32,000 nautical miles around the world can only be
done with the very best equipment. That's why we chose Steiner's new
Commander V" (John Kostecki, skipper of illbruck, V.O.R. winner). When
Annapolis Performance Sailing went looking for the best marine binoculars
available, accolades like this were tough to ignore. That's why APS chose
Steiner also. Don't just demand more, demand everything. Let nothing escape
your eyes, check out the Commander V and everything that makes Steiner the
best at http://www.apsltd.com/scuttlebutt.asp
SWEDISH MATCH TOUR
Langenargen, Germany - Young Danish helmsman Henrik Jensen was the only
skipper to win three out of three races on Lake Constance today, giving him
the early lead at the Swedish Match Tour's Match Race Germany. It was a
miracle that any racing was held at all, with the wind barely picking up
over two knots, but even so there were few complaints about the race
management today.
Denmark's Jes Gram Hansen of Team Victory Lane could have been sharing the
leaderboard, had he not failed to spot a shortened course flag for his
match against 470 Olympic gold medallist, Frenchman Luc Pillot. "We heard a
sound signal, but we weren't sure if it came from the committee boat or a
spectator boat," he said. "We were leading Luc by about two boat lengths,
but we rounded the leeward mark while he carried straight on for the
finish. It was a bad mistake, and sometimes these things can prove to be
significant later on, but we certainly hope not." - Shawn McBride,
www.swedishmatchtour.com
Leaderboard:
Henrik Jensen (DEN), 3-0
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN/Team Victory Lane), 2-1
Mikael Lindquist (SWE), 2-1
Luc Pillot (FRA/Team Pillot), 1-2
Andreas Willim (GER), 1-2
Staffan Lindberg (FIN), 0-0
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO …
'Chance' - Bob McNulty's Reichel Pugh 76 Turbo Sled, is now called 'Enigma
of London', and is owned by the UK's Charles Dunstone. She was acquired in
California by Dunstone earlier this year and has undergone a rapid
transformation to make her competitive on the European circuit. "Not only
was the boat heavily configured to the light downwind conditions of the
TransPac course but she had also been shackled by a speed limit imposed on
the race two years ago," explained Dunstone's sailing manager Matt Cowpe,
who project-managed the work.
"Working with the Reichel Pugh design office we have unleashed Enigma,
extending her by three feet, adding several tons to the keel bulb which
gives a huge increase in stability and significantly increases the sail
area she can carry - all of which contributes to a more versatile and
higher performance configuration," says Cowpe.
Enigma is currently competing in the Mediterranean regatta circuit before
coming north to the UK to compete at Skandia Cowes Week and in the Fastnet
Race. Even in the generally light wind conditions of the Mediterranean and
early in the development of the boat she has shown blistering pace in
excess of 20 knots and promises to be an impressive sight in the UK this
summer. - Peta Stuart-Hunt
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH WINCH HANDLE RACES AROUND BLOCK
"On Memorial Day weekend, I sailed my 15th Around Block Island Race on the
mighty IMS 42, Agincourt. We tested the merits of an adjustable length
winch handle (AKA Speed Friend), part of the boat's Admiral's Cup-style
mainsheet system. Cold as hell, we beat our way to the backside of Block
Island against 18-30 knots with the handle in 10? mode and no signs of
flexing. When the wind dropped out for the downhill leg, I switched it back
to the 8? position for extra speed." Check out more of Jim's story:
http://www.layline.com/prodinfo.asp?number=alwh
NEWS BRIEFS
* On Thursday, June 12, we will find out what cities will be on the
'short list' of candidates to host the next America's Cup. Right now eight
cities are under consideration: Barcelona (ESP), Elba (ITA), Lisbon (POR),
Marseille (FRA), Naples (ITA), Palma de Mallorca (ESP), Porto Cervo (ITA),
Valencia (ESP). Each has supplied technical information and answered
detailed questions about the meteorology, facilities and infrastructure to
facilitate AC Management's goal to find the best possible venue for the
world's oldest sporting trophy.
* Bill Biewenga of Commanders' Weather looking at the weather for the
Transpac's Race reports, "During April and May, 2003, the eastern North
Pacific high has been relatively weak. There have been days where the
strong NW winds are only 50-60 miles offshore and other days where the
strong NW winds are not occurring. This is a function of the weaker than
normal high pressure area. This means the staggered starts of the 2003
Transpac will see a variety of routes and distances from the start line
into the stronger NW winds." More: www.wxadvantage.com/
* Transpac followers will enjoy the special pre-race website that
yachtracing.com has provided.
http://www.yachtracing.com/regattas03/transpac/tplinks03.html
* Located in Newport, RI, the International Yacht Restoration teaches the
skills, history and related sciences needed to construct, restore and
maintain classic yachts. The school is currently seeking resumes for the
position of president. Applicants must have significant experience in
yachting, top-level management of staff, fund raising, education, and
public outreach. Email resumes to pedrickyacht@cs.com. Additional school
info at http://www.iyrs.org
* The penultimate fifth leg of the Clipper 2002 Round the World Series
gets underway today at 08:00 GMT - a 2,311 mile race from Mauritius to Cape
Town. 25 eager new recruits are joining eight-boat 60-foot Clipper fleet
for this leg. www.clipper-ventures.com
BLURIMINI WORLD MATCH RACE
Italian's Paolo Cian and Australian James Spithill head the leaderboard at
the end of the first day of the Blurimini World Match Race in Rimini,
Italy. The round robin will be completed Friday and the first four teams
will advance to the semifinals. Leaderboard:
Paolo Cian, 5-1
James Spithill, 5-1
Mathieu Richard, 3-1
Karol Jablonski, 3-2
Andy Green, 3-3
Ian Williams, 3-3
Bjorn Hansen, 2-3
Sebastien Col, 2-4
Lars Norbjaerg, 2-4
Kelvin Harrap, 0-6
FOR SALE
Pegasus 77, the ultimate Turbo Sled, winner of Transpac 2001, is for sale.
Launched in 2001, she is the very best in every aspect. Designed by
Reichel-Pugh as the next generation Turbo Sled, Pegasus 77 will be
available August 2003 right after Transpac. Details and photographs are at
http://www.pegasus.com/pegasus77
ICSA NA Team Race Championship
The first day of the 2003 ICSA North American Team Race Championship saw
close competition among the 14 participating teams. Eight teams move on
from today's competition into a championship round scheduled tomorrow
morning. Teams moving on are: Dartmouth College (Hanover, N.H.); Georgetown
University (Washington, D.C.); Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.);
Hobart/William Smith Colleges (Geneva, N.Y.); St. Mary's College (St.
Mary's City, Md.); Tufts University (Medford, Mass.); University of Hawaii
(Honolulu, Hawaii); University of Southern California (Los Angeles,
Calif.). The remaining teams will sail a consolation round tomorrow afternoon.
Drizzle and a light, shifty breeze in the morning cleared to a steadier
breeze as the day went on. A total of 42 races plus 3 sail-off races were
completed in new Vanguard 420s provided by Vanguard Sailboats. Racing was
held on Lake St. Clair from the Crescent Sail Yacht Club. - Derek Webster,
http://www.collegesailing.org/2003/
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON (editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com)
(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 Sean Downey: After reading the message from the ISAF President, it
has once again shown that the governing bodies of our sport seem to have
their own agenda that doesn't always include the positive promotion of our
great sport. I have worked alongside the promoters of the Swedish Match
Tour and they have always done a superb job in regards to event management
and providing the press with appropriate access for great coverage.
I sincerely hope the two parties involved will come to an understanding and
put this matter behind them. As Ross Munroe pointed out, these sort of
petty arguments do nothing but tarnish the image of our sport and drive
badly needed, and scarce sponsorship dollars away.
* From Chris Ericksen: In short defense of John McBrearty, assailed by
Lenore Goldman in 'Butt 1344 for listing his "pet peeves" about race
committees, let me say that Mr. McBrearty has not only served on the lines
as an unpaid volunteer doing race-committee work but also as an unpaid
volunteer led the race-management committee of his yacht club--a club that
is a three-time winner of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy.
Mr. McBrearty is the kind of race-committee member of which I wish there
were more: a racer that gives up several days of racing each year to do
race-committee work, thereby bringing the perspective of a player on the
field to the running of the game. Too many regattas are run by people who
have no served aboard a racing boat in years and often don't know how the
game is played or what the racers expect. And, as one who has "been there
and done that," Mr. McBrearty has, in my opinion, earned the right to complain.
* From Mike Wathen (re. John McBrearty's Pet Peeves): What makes you
think that I, or the rest of the world, really care about your pet peeves?
One of my pet peeves is, individuals that set in front of their computers
and misuse a forum like "Scuttlebutt" to take worldwide cheap shots at
nameless volunteers. In the last two months, you have twice fired off your
poison pen memos to Scuttlebutt about your displeasure with race
committees. I must have missed the memo that informed the world that you
had been promoted to "Lord of the Race Course." Is there also a set of
"Your Racing Rules of Sailing and Race Management Techniques" that I missed?
Several years ago, I too had reached a point of frustration with what I
perceived as poor Race Management until someone pointed out to me that
there was an excellent avenue available to do something constructive about
it. I took the bait and got involved eventually up to my eyeballs with Race
Management stuff within US Sailing. I discovered that there is a whole
world of training seminars and other information available out there as
well as a complete structure for turning out good competent Race Officers.
Problem is anyone can still go be the PRO on a R/C. Have the courage to
help weed out the problem individuals, if they truly exist but Pleeease
don't take a cheap shot at entire committees. Volunteers are difficult
enough to recruit and your public castigations will only make it more
difficult in the future.
* From Kenneth Carpenter: I find it rather amusing that sailor's that do
not well in whatever regatta can find time to complain about the race
committee. Having sailed and done race committee for the last 25 years at
St Pete Yacht Club, I have seen race courses that were set perfect and
those that were not, however the results are usually the same, the good
sailor's usually rise to the top and recognize whatever the favored side is
and take advantage of it. As a race committee volunteer, If you double my
pay, which is Zero, I will work twice as hard if I don't have to listen to
the wackers complain and I promise not to laugh at them as they finish last!
* From Doug Messer: (Re Richard Sizefein's comments in 'butt 1344): All
you have to do to get a CO2 cylinder on any airplane that goes over water
is reach under the seat, take out the inflatable there, and remove the
cylinder.
* From Reese Lane (edited to our 250-word limit): While US Sailing tries
to get the airlines to change the policy on PFDs and the CO2 cartilages in
them as listed in scuttlebutt 1343, they need to look farther than the
airlines. This last week I flew to New Orleans to Umpire the Prince of
Wales Bowl Area D qualifier, with my PFD in my luggage to be checked. When
I turned them in, they were x-rayed and then checked.
Security pulled out the PFD and said I couldn't take it because of the CO2
canister. I asked them to check with Northwest about this as I had a copy
of Northwest's policy on the CO2 canister. They did, and the Northwest
counter manager said it was alright by their policies. However, security
seemed to be determined that that canister was not going to fly with me.
When I asked why since it wasn't against the airlines policy, they told me
that it was their decision and if I didn't like it I could complain. It's
funny how you don't complain when you can be arrested for it. US Sailing
needs to look at the people who enforce the rules and not the airlines who
are also victims of the increased security Needless to say I paid another
$20.00 dollars for a new CO2 canister when I got to New Orleans. By the way
nobody said anything on the way back.
* From David Tabor (re: airlines not allowing inflatable PFD cartridges)
This is a topic I first raised in 'Butt #870. Since then in the fallout of
9/11, the DOT has declared the cartridges to be permanently banned from air
transport whether checked or as carry on. Previously the individual airline
had the option of permitting their transport per rule 49CFR175.10a (25). I
personally don't see a workable solution for this issue and have resigned
myself to having to buy replacements when I get to my destination and
leaving them behind upon my departure.
* From Dan Bradley: I think a lot of time and energy could be saved if
everyone just agreed to buy their CO2 cartridges at their destination. This
could prove to be an excellent fund raiser for junior programs.
Curmudgeon's Comment: According to the report referenced in 'Butt 1343, you
can fly with inflatable PFDs and CO2 cartridges in either carry-on or as
baggage on Comair, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines or Southwest
Airlines. American Airlines and American Eagle will let you check them in
with your luggage.
http://www.ussailing.org/news/2003/PFDAirlines.pdf
* From Hugh Wainman-Wood: IRC for the Pacific Northwest? Maybe, but
consider these factors: At £7.50 per meter a certificate is going to cost
you about $170 U.S. for a 30 footer in an environment where PHRF feels it
would be suicide to increase their fee from it's current $35. There's a
whole lot more to measure including the weight of the boat and a load cell
built into a crane is not a legal means of measurement (more time, more cost).
There is a separate SBR (Sport Boat Rule) rating for boats like the Melges
24 so you'll have to have separate results, if not races, for these types
of boats. Finally, the IRC system gives you the illusion of objectivity by
saying that they input data into their secret Velocity Prediction Program,
however if you look at some of the 'soft' information they request on the
measurement form (eg. If the rig has any unusual or non-standard features
please describe) you can conclude that there is an element of the type of
'guestimation' that PHRF uses to deal with new and one-off designs. Also, I
note that there is an appeal procedure if you feel your rating is incorrect
(sound familiar?). So where is all that objectivity anyway?
CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION
Beauty may be only skin-deep ... but ugly goes to the bone
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