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SCUTTLEBUTT 2937 - Friday, September 25, 2009Scuttlebutt 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.Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/scuttbutt Today's sponsors are Quantum Sails and Holmatro SAVING SAILING If sailing activity is thriving on your home waters, a book titled 'Saving Sailing' may not be high on your priority list for reading material. I must admit it sat on my desk for awhile, and only on a recent vacation did I take the time to see what author Nick Hayes had to say about the sport of sailing. As it turns out, he had a lot to say, and it wasn't all about sailing. We all make choices on how we spend our time, and Hayes provides some clarity on how these choices affect our lives. Beyond the time needed to sustain a healthy life, including our time at work and spent gathering food, nesting, and resting, the rest is for our discretionary use. Hayes isn't buying the argument that there is not enough of this time left anymore. Rather, he demonstrates how generational changes among Americans have affected our decisions on how this time is now getting spent. Like I said, the book is not just about sailing, and it helped me to evaluate how I spend my time in all areas, particularly in critical areas like family and friends. As for the magic ointment to 'save sailing', the author is not quick to provide it. Hayes admits the objective is complicated, and is not so naive to think he can readily change the time choices for people. But he does close the book with specific ideas, all carefully crafted from the 1000+ interviews conducted between 2003 and 2009. I will go so far as to say that 'Saving Sailing' is a must read for marine industry professionals, parents eager to share the sport of sailing with their children, and folks who enjoy the sport and are interested in ways to give something back. The book will arrive in select bookstores and nautical boutiques over the next few weeks, or available now online. -- Scuttleblog, http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/09/saving-sailing.html * Look for Scuttlebutt's interview with Hayes next week. ITALIAN ENTRY IN VOLVO OCEAN RACE An Italian campaign led by Giovanni Soldini has been officially confirmed for the 2011-12 race. Known as Italia 70, the team will race under the il tricolore with an all-Italian crew for the next two editions of the race. Soldini, 43, has completed two single-handed round the world races and has made over 30 Atlantic crossings. He is partnering with John Elkann and Carlo Croce on the project. Italia 70 has acquired and will compete aboard Ericsson 3, the second generation Volvo Open 70 which carried the Nordic team's hopes in the 2008-09 event. The last fully-Italian entry was Brooksfield skippered by Guido Maisto in 1993-94. Italy's Leonardo Ferragamo entered two boats in the 2001-02 event, the first run under the Volvo banner, but both Amer Sports One and Amer Sports Too were made up of international crews. The next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will start from Alicante in 2011. The Notice of Race and new Volvo Open 70 Rule will be published in the next couple weeks while the route will be confirmed early next year. -- Full story: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/news/article/2009/SEPTEMBER/SOLDINI/index.aspx AUDI MELGES 32 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Porto Cervo, Italy (September 24; Day 2) - Claudio Recchi's Team 93 (ITA) remains in first place overall with three races run in the Audi Melges 32 World Championship 2009 organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Pieter Taselaar's Bliksem (USA) took a bullet in today's only race and climbed from yesterday's third place to sit in second place overall ahead of Stefano di Properzio's Mataran (ITA). Red (GBR), owned by James Woods, slipped from second overall to fourth after taking sixth place in today's race. Recchi, who is one of the most experienced Melges 32 owners, also avails of former Melges 24 World Champion Federico Michetti and American Olympic gold medalist Jonathan Mc Kee (1984, Flying Dutchman) on board. With three more days of racing to go and a possible seven more races to be held and a discard coming into play after race six, however, victory is by no means assured to any of the current leaders. -- Read on: http://melges32.com/?p=news&id=494 Overall Results After 3 Races (Helm/Tactician) 1-TEAM 93 (ITA) Claudio Recchi/ Jonathan McKee - 2,1,2: pt. 5 2-BLIKSEM (USA) Pieter Taselaar/ Jeremy Wilmot) - 6,2,1: pt.9 3-MATARAN (ITA) Stefano Di Properzio/ Matteo Ivaldi - 7,4,3: pt.14 4-RED (GBR) Joe Woods/ Dave Lenz - 1,6,11: pt.18 5-MASCALZONE LATINO (ITA) Vincenzo Onorato/ Adrian Stead - 12,3,5: pt.20 Complete results: http://tinyurl.com/ns9tsa Photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0924d/ COMPETITIVE PRICES OR COMPETITIVE SAILS!?! Ah the Fall... when the only thing falling faster than leaves are sail prices as sailmakers 'traditionally' race each other to the bottom. Unfortunately you tend to get what you pay for. At Quantum they pride themselves on Quality .. no matter what the season. While now is the perfect time to get the best deal on Quantum sails, be assured that this is one of those rare moments when you will actually get more than you paid for! Contact your nearest Quantum representative and get a truly good deal on the industry's highest quality sails or visit http://www.quantumsails.com HATFIELD THROWS HAT IN THE RING Offshore racer Derek Hatfield announced Spirit of Canada's next single-handed challenge around the world will be the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2010-11. The Canadian adventurer is the first skipper to be officially announced for the next edition of VELUX 5 OCEANS, which currently boasts nine confirmed entries. The remaining eight skippers, hailing from six different nations, will be announced in the coming weeks and months as they finalise their campaigns. Hatfield will compete in the inaugural launch of the Eco 60 division. The newly defined Eco 60 Class is designed to introduce a new dimension of economical and ecological Open 60 offshore racing. The concept for the singlehanded sailing class, to be premiered in the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2010-11, encompasses Open 60 yachts launched before 1st January 2003. The Eco 60 Class will be governed by a number of rules and regulations designed to limit costs and encourage positive environmental practices and will take advantage of the large market of third generation, second hand Open 60 yachts for sale, which are proven to be safe and reliable. -- http://www.velux5oceans.com/ LET'S GO ROUND AGAIN The Clipper 09-10 Race is a ten-month event during which the fleet of ten identical racing yachts will cross all the world's major oceans and visit ports on six continents during the 35,000-mile race around the planet. It is now in its second week, having begun on September 13th from the Humber, UK, had a brief stopover at La Rochelle, France and departed on September 22nd for its next port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the fleet is expected to arrive by October 18-20. Aside from the paid skipper, the crews are all amateurs who have paid for the privilege to compete. And of course, for those that don't care to wander far from their computer screen, the 'buttheads can participate in the virtual version of the event. -- http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com NO SURPRISES ON DAY TWO Newport, RI (September 24, 2009; Day 2) - There were no surprises in the finishes posted by the 17 Twelves who completed only a single race today at the 2009 12 Metre World Championship. After sailing out to the old America's Cup racecourse off Brenton Point, the wind speed took a nosedive as it changed direction from WSW to NNW, leaving the competitors drifting for close to two hours. With one race completed, the four divisions were given a combined start for the Candy Store Cup, sending them on a course back into Newport Harbor to the finish line at Bannister's Wharf. The wind, however, continued to be uncooperative and the race was abandoned when the Twelves were unable to make the time limit for the race. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8296#8296 Racing resumes tomorrow, Friday, September 25, and concludes Saturday, September 26. Here are the regatta leaders after two days of racing: Division I - Grand Prix Kiwi Magic-KZ7, Bill Koch (Palm Beach, Fla./Osterville, Mass.) 2-2-1-1, 6 Division 2 - Modern Victory 83-K22, Dennis Williams (Mashpee, Mass.), 1-1-2-1, 5 Division 3 - Traditional Weatherly-US17, Clay Deutsch (Newport, R.I.), 2-1-1-2, 6 Division 4 - Vintage Northern Light-US14, Kip Curren (Middletown, R.I.), 1-2-1-2, 6 Fans can get updates on the racing via Twitter at http://twitter.com/12metre or watch live tracking of the boats online at http://www.kattack.com/ as each boat is carrying a Kattack transponder. Additional information on the event, including complete results is available at http://www.goldenyear2009.com PHOTO GALLERIA The photo department at Scuttlebutt World Headquarters got backed up while on vacation, but here is a good fix from both sides of the coast: * 6 Metre World Cup - Paul Todd photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0924/ * Rolex Big Boat Series - Daniel Forster photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0924b/ * NYYC Invitational Cup - Daniel Forster and Amory Ross photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0924A/ * 29er U.S. Nationals - Erik Simonson and Chris Ray photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0924C/ * Etchells North Americans - Becky DaMore photos: http://sail22.smugmug.com/Sailing/Etchells-NAs-Day1-Favorites/9667941_noEZC#652673464_9q8Mr TEAM HOLMATRO WELL PREPARED AT ISHARES CUP AMSTERDAM On Friday September 25, the Dutch Extreme 40 Team Holmatro will line up for the start of the iShares Cup series in Amsterdam/Netherlands. Skipper Mitch Booth (NED) and his crew have been training in Muiden since the last five days. They work with sparring partners to maximize the outcome of their preparation. Yesterday, they competed against the triple Dutch F18 Champions Heemskerk and Tentij. From September 25-27, the fleet of nine multihulls will race each other in Amsterdam. Looking back at his return to Team Holmatro, Booth concludes: "We have to keep practicing. The mix of co-ordination, communication and teamwork makes the difference. It takes time to make a good team, but I am more than pleased with the way it is unfolding. We have excellent sailors and the boat is very well maintained and prepared. We have a fair chance of climbing the ladder." -- http://www.holmatro.com SAILING SHORTS * Bay St. Louis, MS (September 24, 2009; Day 2) - With the sun shining over the beautiful St. Louis Bay waters at the U.S. Men's and Women's Sailing Championships, the women's division saw Amy Kleinschrodt (Mobile, Ala.) advance from third to first place after notching a pair of bullets in races 4 and 5. Kleinschrodt's husband Ken Kleinschrodt (Mobile, Ala.) duplicated his wife's efforts by winning races 4 and 5 to now lead the men's division. Racing in Flying Scots at the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club concludes Saturday. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/y97edjy * In Sailing World's College Rankings as of Sept. 24, 2009, Yale leaps to the top of the coed rankings while Old Dominion continues to be the team to beat among the women's squads. Full rankings at http://tinyurl.com/ybe2qmk * As a tune-up for the 2009 J/24 Nationals being held this weekend, on September 25th thru the 27th at the San Francisco Yacht Club, the J/24 Western Regional Championship were held on the waters of San Francisco Bay last weekend, won by Keith Whittemore of Seattle, WA. By winning the Western Regionals, Whittemore qualified for the 2010 World Championship being held in Malmo, Sweden next August. -- Full details: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8290#8290 * Easton, MD (September 24, 2009) - A group of sailmakers from across the world today announced the formation of Evolution Sails, a high-end custom sailmaker focused on the art of hands-on sail manufacturing. The new group differentiates itself from marketing driven, mass produced sail manufacturing by focusing on creating high-quality customized sails that combine art, craft, and skill with proprietary membrane production technology. -- Read on: http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2009/9/prweb2927794.htm * CORRECTION: If you had problems with the link for the story titled 'THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE' in Scuttlebutt 2936 about Thorsten Cook's near death experience at the Star North Americans, here it is again: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8264 PROUD HERITAGE OF YACHTING In January 1820 on the shores of the bustling port of Ras Al Khaimah, Arab tribal chiefs and British naval officers inked a new maritime peace accord to keep goods flowing on the trade routes of the Gulf, ushering a new era of high-seas prosperity in the Middle East. In August 1851 at England's Isle of Wight, US racing schooner America beat 14 yachts in the All Nation's Race to clinch the 100 Guinea Cup - a shining silver mug that would evolve into the world's oldest international sporting trophy known as the famed America's Cup. Key figures on both occasions could never have imagined that the two unrelated threads of history would some day be tied together as the storied maritime emirate of Ras Al Khaimah prepares to host the 33rd America's Cup sailing series in February 2010. -- Read on: http://www.xpress4me.com/news/uae/rasalkhaimah/20015016.html * Regarding the expected weather conditions for the Match in February, there have been a few opinions posted on this Forum thread: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8178 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Please submit your comments to the Scuttlebutt editor (aka, 'The Curmudgeon'). Published letters must include writer's name and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). 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 Nelson Stephenson, Commodore, Cedar Point Yacht Club: The recent post in Issue 2936 by Thorny Cook, entitled "THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE", while emotional and heartfelt, fails to acknowledge the organized and effective emergency procedures that were put into effect by the Race Committee and the Host Club for a National Championship conducted using Sailing Instructions developed in conjunction with the International Star Class. Prior to Thorny's post, as Commodore of Cedar Point Yacht Club, I had already begun a full review of the facts surrounding the incident that occurred during the second race of the day on Wednesday during the 2009 Star North American Championship. As with all such incidents on the water there is always much that can be learned and applied going forward. The recollections of those involved differ by individual. Some accounts are more emotional and less objective than others. Creating the necessary patchwork of facts from interviewing those that were significantly involved has produced a clear story of what actually transpired on the water during that day and this objective summary of facts found. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8294#8294 * From Frederic Berg: From the story in Scuttlebutt 2936, the heading is unequivocal - not acceptable. It is not acceptable for the Race Authority to take on ANY liability for the safety of the yacht and crew of race participants. To require the Race Authority to take on any liability will lead to fewer and fewer organized venues for sailing resulting in diminished participation in the sport in all but the very high end and professional events. Local and regional club racing would all but disappear in our litigious society. It is unfortunate that Mr. Cook went through this very life threatening experience and I am sure I am not the only one to empathize with him for his struggles. However, this is not a reason to simply wipe out local and regional sailing as we all struggle to promote and organize now. I have personally been in life threatening situations while enjoying our beloved sport. Never would I have considered anything other than educate others from the experience, certainly not attempt to curtail the sport for millions of fellow enthusiasts! * From Tim Whitford: In reply to Thorsten Crook's letter in Scuttlebutt 2936 regarding the Star Class regatta, the rules clearly state whose responsibility it is to race or continue racing. Take some bloody responsibility and suffer the consequences of you own decisions! Stop expecting the planet to come out and save you when you make a bad decision. * From Larry Parrotta: Mr Cook had the option of not sailing that day as many of the competitors didn't. Participation in the boats/regatta is voluntary. The Class rules do not allow electronics on the boats except for a compass. The boats don't sink, positive flotation is required by Class rules. Class rules also require life jackets aboard the boat. Whether you wear them or not is your choice. Get real. => Curmudgeon's Comment: All the letters sent in on this topic are posted in the Forum, where you are welcome to add your two cents too: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8264 * From Jim Katz: That's it! As Mr. Gilmour seems to suggest in this interview quote (in Scuttlebutt 2936), just refocus the Americas Cup competition by including AIR ships! * From Gunther E. Hering: Regarding Barry Ostrager's ominous hints (in Scuttlebutt 2936), look who is calling the kettle black!! The behavior of Team Alinghi, SNG and ISAF is outrageous enough. Let's forget the whole thing and go back to sailing. * From Damian Christie, Melbourne, Australia: It's laughable how SNG has over-emphasised Justice Kornreich's comment about GGYC's 'unsportsmanlike' conduct for delaying the release of Oracle's Certificate of Documentation (CoD). SNG's blatant hint that ISAF should penalise Oracle under RRS 69.2 for a 'gross breach' of 'good manners' and 'sportsmanship' is even more ludicrous when SNG and ISAF have colluded on the shadiest, most unsportsmanlike and one-sided 'deal' in America's Cup history! SNG and Alinghi know full well that the Cup historically is full of cloak and dagger tactics. Australia II would never have wrested the America's Cup from the NYYC if its design secrets had been surrendered long before the 1983 Cup match. The CoD is only required to confirm that the basic dimensions specified in the notice of challenge are 'not exceeded' - not to force Oracle to freeze its yacht in an inferior configuration! Oracle has cleverly outsmarted the defender on the CoD - the one aspect of the Deed of Gift that SNG and Alinghi seemingly cannot control. It's worked perfectly - the Swiss have been bleating about the CoD endlessly for over 12 months! It's just a pity the Americans have confirmed that BOR90 will race in the Cup match - they would have extracted even more psychological mileage from the defender if they'd kept up the pretence that they were building a second boat! After all, it's worked before - the mystique of Australia II's winged keel (backed by tight security) spooked both Dennis Conner and the NYYC all throughout the Newport summer of 1983! CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. Special thanks to Quantum Sails and Holmatro. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
