|
SCUTTLEBUTT 2741 - Wednesday, December 10, 2008Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Today's sponsors are Goetz Custom Boats and Harken. A RIDE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET It’s the biggest thrill ever. There’s nothing better than gliding across a sheet of black ice. That’s just a sample of the comments made by ice sailors on Lake Osakis last Friday afternoon while preparing for the Great Western Challenge Regatta. The event came to Osakis in a flurry as organizers looked to find the “best ice” in Minnesota for their annual event – this is at least the 15th year, according to those who could remember. And it isn’t just a bunch of danger-mongers playing around. While they admit ice sailing is dangerous – their goal is brand new smooth-as-glass black ice – it is a real, genuine sport. The hull, runners and sail typically total approximately 120 pounds. Add one sailor and a good wind – 10 to 12 knots – and that machine travels about 2-1/2 times the speed of the wind or an average of 70 miles per hour. If anyone doubts the seriousness of the sport at this point, consider the participants. Ice sailors from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Montana and Massachusetts were found flying across Lake Osakis Friday. In addition, racers flew in from Poland, Germany and Australia. According to four-time world champion Ron Sherry, it’s easy to hit 70 miles per hour; what’s really fun is when you get over 100. “It’s a ride you’ll never forget,” he said. He will be defending his title at the European championship this January in St. Petersburg, Russia. -- Excerpt from The Osakis Review: http://www.theosakisreview.com/articles/index.cfm?id=2480§ion=news WHAT ABOUT ICE AND LAND SAILING SPEED RECORDS? Speed, speed, speed. How fast can we now go? The kitesailors have now set the highest pace of 50.57 knots based on a 500 meter course. How about during a 24 hour period with a full crew? That would be 794nm at a speed of 33.08 kts. What about solo? Thomas Coville is now in the Southern Ocean, and has set a new standard of 628.5 miles at a speed of 26.19 knot (record not yet ratified). But hold on, says ‘butthead John Rumsey in a letter to the editor, what about ice boats he asks. “I think Ice boats have been faster for years,” remarked John. “There is never any mention of their speed. Let’s hear from the hard water sailors.” Years ago, 1972 to be exact, the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) was established by what is now the International Sailing Federation, with the idea that their needed to be an impartial entity to insure the fairness and accuracy of record claims. However, the mandate for WSSRC was to deal with water records, not ice, not land. Scuttlebutt gets the updates, bites onto the bigger, stronger, faster theme, and publishes the information. But, indeed, what about ice and land sailing speed records? Is there a clearing house for these records? Do you know? If so, send your Letter to the Curmudgeon at mailto:editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com GOETZ CUSTOM BOATS TRANSPORTS YOU IN STYLE This 10-meter luxury limousine tender built by Goetz Custom Boats, is currently undergoing sea trials in Narragansett Bay. Designed by Weaver-Price of Annapolis, the tender features a lightweight carbon fiber construction, gull-wing doors, air conditioning; bow thruster, full navigation package and twin Yanmar 260 HP diesel engines to transport up to 20 guests in style and comfort. It is available as shown in the closed cabin option or as a center console model. The tender will be stored in a recently launched 259’ Lurssen motor yacht. For more information regarding this tender please contact John Boone at mailto:JMB@goetzboats.com or call our office at 401-253-2670. * Very futuristic look! Photos posted here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6775 WHY PUMA WENT SAILING It’s not about how much sponsorship money you have, but how you use it. Earlier this year, German sportswear company Puma triumphed over bigger rivals Nike and Adidas as Usain Bolt held up one of his gold-decked running shoes for the cameras after his historic 100m victory at the Olympics in China. Puma and running shoes is a relatively easy association, but now the company is entering the sailing apparel market with its team sponsorship in the Volvo Ocean Race. Daniel Miles, Group Head of Marketing, PUMA Sailing, explains, “As part of PUMA’s long-term strategy for expansion into new categories, we were looking for a new area in which we felt we had the ability to grow. Sailing was chosen as the priority area. We entered the Motor Sports category 10 years ago, and it has now become one of our biggest categories. There is definitely the potential in Sailing to do the same. It is a big investment that we are making but believe it will pay off in terms of sales, image and brand equity.” Regarding the ports being used in the Volvo Ocean Race, Miles comments, “Each one of the stopovers during the race present their own particular opportunities from a marketing standpoint, with key three areas standing out. Firstly, the Asian stops are important for PUMA as we use Sailing as a key component of our brand expansion in these emerging markets. Secondly, the Boston stopover is particularly important to us as PUMA’s International Marketing headquarters are based in the city. We christened our yacht ‘il mostro’ in the waters of Boston harbour and it is an opportunity to continue to strengthen our business in North America. Last, but certainly not least, Cape Town is very important for PUMA as we are in sight of the Football World Cup taking place in 2010 where PUMA will continue its support of many of the leading African teams.” -- Yacht Sponsorship, complete interview: http://www.yachtsponsorship.com/2008/11/why-puma-went-sailing * Leg Three from Cochin to Singapore is 1,950 nm, begins December 13th with the fleet first having to negotiate the southern tip of both India and Sri Lanka. But this leg could be pretty straight-forward, the routing chart shows the north-east Trade Winds just about blowing down to the great circle route from Sri Lanka to the Malacca Straits and on to Singapore. But it won’t be that comfortable; the course puts the average wind a little wider than close hauled on port tack. At least there should be steady breeze, with the finish estimated on December 23rd. -- http://www.volvooceanrace.org/schedule/leg3 Current standings after Leg Two of the ten leg event: 1. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 26 points 2. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 19 points 3. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 18 points 4. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 16 points 5. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Anders Lewander/SWE, 14.5 points 6. Telefonica Black (ESP), F. Echavarri/ESP, 13.5 points 7. Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, 7.5 points 8. Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, 7.5 points Overall scores: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/rdc/#tab4 Race tracking: http://volvooceanrace.geovoile.com Race website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org MANAGING THE STRATEGY BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH (Dec, 9, 2008; Day 30) - Approximately one third of the Vendée Globe course of a theoretical 24,275 miles is now completed for the leaders proceeding downwind along their easterly course across the Indian Ocean. Jean-Pierre Dick leads for his third successive day on Paprec-Virbac 2, Roland Jourdain in the south and Seb Josse to his north, trading second and third places. Jourdain is currently computed to be second. A naturally occurring spell of respite for the leaders who have been sailing slower is contrasted with the speeds of the mid-fleet chasing pack who are re-gaining some of their recent lost miles. Seb Josse (BT): "Today conditions are quite calm as we are between two low pressure systems. There is about 15 knots of wind and the waves are about 2m high, it's grey, no colour outside at all and it's cold with a lot of humidity inside the boat so it is really hard to dry anything. I'm happy with my position - the boats in the south are on the shorter course but it is more dangerous because of the ice. It's not easy to manage the strategy between the north and south but I try to manage the best I can, to make a nice course and not go 200% or even 100% all the time, just to make a nice curve on the map!" The next element to take into account is how they will pass the Kerguelens Islands. They have a narrow corridor (230 miles) between these islands and Heard Island to be left to starboard. -- Race tracking: http://tracking.vendeeglobe.org/en * 2001 winner Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), who started nearly two days late after returning to fix a water ballast system leak and faulty engine, continues to gain on the frontrunners, narrowing the margin by over 30 miles in the past 24 hours, and is now in 6th place - just 68.6 nm behind the leader. Solo, non-stop, around the world race in Open 60s. Standings as of 18:30 UTC (Top 5 plus of 30 entrants): 1. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA), Paprec-Virbac 2, 16266.2 nm Distance to finish 2. Roland Jourdain (FRA), Veolia Environnement, 22.5 nm Distance to leader 3. Sébastien Josse (FRA), BT, 22.6 nm DTL 4. Loïck Peyron (FRA), Gitana Eighty, 38.8 nm DTL 5. Mike Golding (GBR), Ecover, 57.8 nm DTL 15. Samantha Davies (GBR), Roxy, 575.8 nm DTL 16. Dee Caffari (GBR), Aviva, 736.1 nm DTL 20. Rich Wilson (USA), Great American III, 1258.5 nm DTL 22. Derek Hatfield (CAN), Algimouss Spirit of Canada, 1763.0 nm DTL Complete standings: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ranking.html Event website: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en SO WHO IS GOING TO WIN? DAMNED IF I KNOW. By Cory Friedman, Scuttlebutt Legal Analyst We have just about reached the end of the line in the pending America’s Cup litigation. Oral argument is scheduled for February 10, 2009 and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) has filed its Reply Brief. There is little new in that Reply Brief. GGYC has a plan and is sticking to it. Although GGYC decries Société Nautique Genève (SNG) “irrelevant and intemperate attacks on GGYC’s motivations,” its defense lacks zing and fails to counter-attack, even where SNG has put itself in position for an easy slam dunk. GGYC does devote two full single spaced bulleted pages to an outside the record (“dehors the record” in legalese) factual response to SNG’s outside the record (and completely irrelevant and trivial) claim that GGYC derailed AC 33, which can only be a reflection of a sore point for GGYC management. -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/cf/#p31 GIFTS FOR THE SAILING-OBSESSED When your friends do nothing but eat, sleep, and talk sailing, your shopping list is easy. For surefire holiday hits, take a trip to Harken’s online store for must-have sailing accessories. Find cool sailing tees, detail-enhancing shades, hats, belts, and more. Pack your gear in a Roll-Top Wet/Dry Bag or grab a Harken Hoister to stow your small boats and bikes aloft. For great gifts under $30, $50, and $100, visit http://www.harken.com/Holiday/Holiday2008.php SAILING SHORTS * The first annual Hobie 16 National Championship of Puerto Rico was held last weekend on Isla Verde Beach just outside of San Juan. The local favorites invited an all star cast of top Hobie 16 sailors from the Americas adding teams from the U.S., Venezuela and Mexico into the mix. Local favorites Enrique (Quique) Figueroa and wife Carla Malistrasi got off to an early lead with two race wins on Friday and never looked back. -- Complete report and results: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6777 * (Sydney, AUS) - A mixture of Beijing Olympians and aspiring new young guns took honours at the ISAF Grade 1 OAMPS Sydney International Regatta, which hosted 220 entrants amid the Olympic and invited classes. Michael Leigh (CAN) overcame a serious challenge from Javier Hernandez (ESP), ultimately beating out his fellow Beijing Olympian. Sydney 2000 49er bronze medallist Charlie MCKEE (USA) took top honors in the Moth class, beating by five points Scott BABBAGE (AUS) who finished fifth in the 2008 Worlds. A second American, Bora GULARI came in third in the class fleet which included 2008 World Champion, John HARRIS (AUS), who finished this regatta fifth. -- Full report: http://www.sailing.org/26448.php * At the 2008 Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound (YRA of LIS) Annual Meeting, Adam Loory was recognized for his involvement with the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, hosted by Storm Trysail and Larchmont YC and Expressly for Fun regatta at Huguenot YC. American YC and Larchmont YC were recognized for outstanding achievement in running the U.S. Sailing’s Independence Cup, the national championship for disabled sailors. Capt. Eric York Wallischeck, USMMA, was recognized for his involvement with the YRA spanning 25 years. -- Full report: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=6776 * The National Marine Manufacturers Association is leading a 71-member coalition in urging Congress to extend the net operating loss (NOL) carryback period to five years from the current two year allowance to help businesses suffering from tough economic times. A net operating loss is a period when a company’s expenses exceed its profits, resulting in negative taxable income. Currently, a company can use its NOL to offset taxes owed on profits made in the two previous years. -- NMMA, read on: http://www.nmma.org/news/news.asp?id=17550&sid=3 * (Dec. 7, 2008) - The Swan 82, DreamCatcher KM, skippered by Jarrod Cripps, has taken line honours for ARC 2008, crossing the Rodney Bay finish line in St Lucia at 08:44 local time after their 2,700 mile passage from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The elapsed time for Dreamcatcher is 13 days, 23 hours, and 44 minutes. The current ARC course record stands at 11 days, 5 hours and 32 minutes, set in 2006 by the Italian maxi, Capricorno. The difference in elapsed time reflects the lighter airs experienced by this year's fleet. -- http://SBUTT120908a.notlong.com *The VELUX 5 OCEANS is the original single-handed round the world yacht race, and is schedule to start from La Rochelle (FRA) on October 17, 2010. Run every 4 years since 1982, the race has five legs from France to South Africa to New Zealand to Brazil to USA to France. The race will be providing an unprecedented skipper support package of over $2.3 million of value for competitors in prize money and key services such as skippers’ accommodation, logistics and communication. Entries are open to two classes: 6 to 8 Open 60 Class yachts and 6 to 8 Eco 60 Class yachts (Open 60s before 2004). -- http://www.velux5oceans.com LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). You only get one letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From Brad Rodi: (re, Marty Kullman interview in SBUTT 2740) I was witness to the very high level of talent that Marty sailed at in the 80's/90's against many of the "who's-who" he recently competed against in Ft Lauderdale with sometimes similar results; to include myself following in his wake. Marty is a tremendous natural on the water and able to sail on par with the best in the game. * From Robert Wray: (re, Marty Kullman interview in SBUTT 2740) Why no mention of the tactician - Scott Nixon - the solo pro in the New Wave program. He more than carried his weight against many of the very best in a regatta where only world class tactics and superior boat speed could put you in the top 5 much less win it all. * From William Tuthill, Jamestown, RI: As a kite sailor myself, I feel ambivalence towards the ISAF ruling. On the one hand, the kites posted the highest speeds- that is fact. These incredible sailors went to a venue and gave it their all. They deserve respect and recognition. However, does this now mean that new record attempts will involve increasingly dangerous situations involving gale forced winds and almost no water? Would a skimboard and a parachute in a hurricane count as well? The concept of falling off the wind in ever increasing wind velocities in super shallow water could lead to tragedy. On another note, kite designers have yet to build kites that mimic birds. Ever notice how a pigeon "sheets out" during a gust? They lift their wings higher. Kite designers: Listen up! Make a kite that fixes the middle to the rider and powers up by bringing the ends down. This will solve a lot of problems. You heard it here first! * From Ralph Godkin: In #2739, it reports that kiteboarders hold the new outright speed record. And - the Vendee folks are going downwind in the Southern Ocean for a month... Ding, ding, ding... How long before someone puts those 2 together: a kite on a Vendee boat??? BOO-YA! Batten down the hatches and set an alarm for when it’s time to turn left... * From John Burnham, Editor, Cruising World: Scuttlebutt readers who remember Cruising World founder Murray Davis may like to read his obituary at the CW website: http://www.cruisingworld.com/0812murray CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION “Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.” - Winston Churchill Special thanks to Goetz Custom Boats and Harken. Please give consideration to supporting the Scuttlebutt sponsors when making your holiday shopping decisions this year. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
