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SCUTTLEBUTT 2879 - Monday, July 6, 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 Doyle Sailmakers, Kaenon Polarized, and OceanRacing.com. ALINGHI CATAMARAN UNVEILED Alinghi, the Defender of the 33rd America's Cup, unveiled its 90ft catamaran this weekend in Villeneuve, Switzerland. This multihull represents a culmination of Swiss multihull heritage and is the first step in Alinghi's development process towards the 33rd America's Cup in February 2010. The boat will be launched by helicopter next week on Lake Geneva before the process of 'debugging' begins and the boat goes sailing for the first time. -- Read on: http://www.alinghi.com/en/news/news/index.php?idIndex=200&idContent=19722 * Matthew Sheahan, Yachting World: "When it comes to the structural side she's very similar to Ernesto's 40footer," said co-designer Dirk Kramers referring to team boss Bertarelli's Bol d'Or winning cat. Be that as it may, such structure emphasises the engineering challenge in supporting a highly loaded mast in the middle of a (estimated) 90ft beam. Beams that are a work of art in themselves and through their proportions, once again illustrate the scale of the issues. Her launch date is set for Wed 8 July, what is the team's programme? "It will take a while to step the mast and get her set up for sailing, but we plan to be doing this around 15-20 July," said designer Rolf Vrolijk. "We also need to do some tests on how we are going to transport her to the Mediterranean via helicopter to see whether this will be possible. If it isn't we might have to take her down the Rhone, but this would involve some serious work craning her over the locks and bridges along the way, a major exercise. "August 1 is a national holiday in Switzerland and after that we plan to be off to the Mediterranean." -- Full story: http://www.yachtingworld.com/auto/newsdesk/20090604105812ywperformance.html * James Boyd, Daily Sail: The boat shares the same engineering nightmare as Team Phillips in that she has a rear and centre crossbeam, but no forward beam. This is to reduce weight forward and the alarming tendency catamaran forward beams have to slam into waves (unless freeboard at the bow is enormous - and thus heavy - as it is on for example Orange 2). With the main central crossbeam around 50% of the way back from the bow this leaves a huge length of bow unsupported.and remember what happened to Team Philips. However in the Team Philips case the bow snapped off due to a build error that had resulted in the carbon laminate 'blowing off' the Nomex core in this crucial area. We suspect that given the exacting detail of the Swiss team's engineers and builders this will not be the case here. Nonetheless the unsupported bows remain a questionable area of her overall structure. -- Full story: http://tinyurl.com/DailySail-7-5-09 * Photos: http://www.alinghi.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=5691 AMERICA'S CUP LEGEND NOW 91 YEARS OLD The year was 1929, and Jack Sutphen's family had just moved from New Jersey to Larchmont, New York, a decision that was not sitting well with the matriarch of the clan. One can imagine that Larchmont wasn't a laugh a minute, particularly after the stock-market crash in nearby Manhattan, and Mom wasn't happy about that, or the fact that she had a long summer ahead of her minding her young son on a minute-to-minute basis. That's when she spied the newspaper ad with the incredible deal. The Larchmont YC was offering sailing lessons for kids, six days a week, all summer long. All you had to bring was your sandwich. It didn't matter that neither Mr. or Mrs. Sutphen, nor young Jack, had ever been in a sailboat. It was six days a week! Just a sandwich! Jack Sutphen was going to become a sailor. And what a sailor he became. -- Sailing World, read on: http://www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=1000073104&cmpid=SLWenews070209 BUY WITH CONFIDENCE Doyle Sailmakers is dedicated to providing the best product, precisely tailored to meet your needs, at the best price. While competitors are asking for your old sail in return for giving you a discount, we are confident that our prices are competitive - AND you can keep your old sail. Before you buy, contact your local Doyle loft to be sure you are getting the best price possible. Give Doyle the opportunity to win your business - call 800-94-DOYLE or visit http://www.doylesails.com/buywithconfidence TRANSPAC 2009: "IT SIMPLY ISN'T FAIR" by Tom Leweck (July 5, 2009) It simply isn't fair. No one much noticed when the Division 6 and 7 boats started the Transpac Race last Monday, and it was not much more visible three days later when Division 3, 4 and 5 began the 2,225 mile race to Hawaii. There were virtually no spectator boats to see them off and they've attracted damn little media attention since. But on Sunday, the Transpac Course Marshalls earned their keep as a spectator fleet that numbered close to three digits in size kept squeezing ever closer to get a better look at the Division 1 and 2 big boats. There was even a helicopter aloft with Sharon Green and Leslie Demeuse -Disney shooting both still and video footage. And with a cloudless sky and a 10-12 knot Westerly blowing, they certainly got some good shots. The boats that started last week would have given anything for the10-12 knots of breeze. They've been wallowing for days now in very light to nonexistent winds that were blowing pretty much on the nose. Some of those who started last Monday still had 70% of the race course in front of them after six days at sea. The pace has been so slow that many of the smaller boats are undoubtedly rationing food. And they probably haven't even been able to fish in hope of getting a bit more food. According to North Sail President, Gary Weisman (who knows about these things), "Those boats aren't even moving fast enough to get their lures to work." -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0705a * Matt Gregory, who is navigating the Dave Ullman skippered Santa Cruz 70 Holua, filed this report from the front of Division 2 at Catalina Island: "At 1pm this (Sunday) afternoon we started our race to Hawaii. The conditions could not have been better for both racers and spectators. We were sent off by a tremendous fleet of the race fans that came out for Sunday afternoon pleasure cruises. "In an effort to start at the favored pin end of the line, we were pushed over early, by a couple aggressive boats below us, just before the gun sounded. This forced us to dip around the pin end of the line and restart. Because we were quick to respond we didn't lose that much on the fleet and were able to reach down into a clear lane of wind. By the time we reached Catalina Island, 20 miles upwind, we were back in touch with the leaders. With some fabulous crew work, that included 8 tacks and 2 sail changes up below the rock cliffs of Catalina Island, we found ourselves in front of our class." -- Read on: http://sailvolvooceanrace.blogspot.com/2009/07/back-at-it-transpac USOC AND THE RACING RULES OF SAILING On February 20, 2009, a Hearing Panel appointed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) issued a decision that stated the provisions of the International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing governing the conduct of protests and requests for redress did not comply with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Bylaws. Scuttlebutt checked in with US SAILING president Jim Capron for an update: SBUTT: Specifically, what was the problem as the USOC saw it? JIM CAPRON: "The primary issue is whether protest committee hearings on requests for redress are 'eligibility hearings' since the outcome can determine if a competitor advances to the next level event. If so, then redress hearings necessarily require a higher standard of due process than is afforded such hearings under the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), including mandatory 20% athlete representation on protest committees." SBUTT: Has there ever been any suspicion within US SAILING that the USOC may have a problem with this area of the RRS? JIM CAPRON: "No, not as far as I know. US SAILING works closely with the USOC every quadrennium when it develops our Olympic team selection procedures, and we have undertaken USOC membership compliance reviews in the past without these issues being raised. That said, the USOC Hearing Panel recommendations prompted an in-depth review within US SAILING of our protest and redress procedures. As a result of that review, we believe we will improve our ability to resolve disputes at important sailing events." SBUTT: Is the USOC opinion directed at a section of the RRS that occurs only in the U.S., or is this a section of the RRS that applies to the world? JIM CAPRON: "The Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act governs only events held in the U.S. However, the portion of the ISAF RRS that were the subject of the decision, Part 5, apply worldwide." -- Read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0705/ PODIUMS AND CHAMPAGNE Mark Mendelblatt and Mark Strube earned the top spot on the podium winning the Olympic Star class at Kiel Week. Terry Hutchinson popped the champagne cork in Sardinia winning the Farr 40 Worlds. And Stu Bannatyne sprayed magnums of bubbly from the top step in St Petersburg, Russia after he and his teammates won the Volvo Ocean Race. Kaenon Polarized was the common tool used by these champions to find the podium and celebrate victory. Always featuring Kaenon's patented SR-91 polarized lenses, Kaenon Polarized is also available in prescription. Kaenon Polarized. Evolve Optically. http://www.kaenon.com WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR Marstrand, Sweden (July 5, 2009; Day 6) - The arrival of a cold front over night brought clouds and cooler conditions for day 7 of Match Cup Sweden, the 5th stage of the World Match Racing Tour. The early southerly wind made things a little tricky for the Race Management team as they had to set up a shorter three lap course across the fijord. It was Peter Gilmour who dominated the day winning his semi final and then the final without dropping a match and casting aside the strong challenges from Damien Iehl and then Mathieu Richard. -- Read on: http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com/da/98749 Quarterfinals: Sebastien Col beat Torvar Mirsky 3-0 Damien Iehl beat Magnus Holmberg 3-0 Peter Gilmour beat Johnie Berntsson 3-2 Mathieu Richard beat Philippe Presti 3-1 Semifinals Peter Gilmour beat Damien Iehl 3-0 Mathieu Richard beat Sebastien Col 3-2 Match results: http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com/mcs09results * Marstrand, Sweden (July 4, 2009) - Day 5 of Match Cup Sweden was ladies day with Katie Spithill (AUS) emerging victorious, beating Lucy McGregor (GBR) 3-1 in the semi's and Anna Kjellberg (SWE) 3-2 in the finals. -- Complete story: http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com/mcs09day6 SAILING SHORTS * Marblehead, MA (July 5, 2009) - Under sunny skies and winds ranging from 10 to 18 out of the west-southwest, 97 yachts departed Marblehead for the 360-mile course ending in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Perfect conditions resulted in a downwind start enabling the spectator fleet to see colorful spinnakers heading east. Though winds were brisk at the start, light winds are predicted for much of the race, with an early report from Cape Ann from Marblehead boat Alexis that the wind had decreased to two to three knots. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7751 * Ian Bruce, co-designer of the Laser dinghy, was awarded the Order of Canada during Canada Day celebration, recognizing his contribution to the sport of sailing. Ian was named as an Officer of the Order of Canada, "For his contributions to the sport of sailing in Canada and abroad, notably for the design and development of high-performance crafts for young sailors." -- Read on: http://www.sailing.ca/features/ian_bruce_awarded_the_order_of_canada * Due to the economy, the decline in regatta participation, and decrease in class membership, it has been decided that the 2009 US SAILING One-Design Symposium will be postponed for one year. The meeting is now tentatively targeting San Diego on Nov. 13-14, 2010. Mark your calendar - please let us know of any conflicts. -- http://www.ussailing.org * American Zac Sunderland, who departed June 14, 2008 from Marina del Rey, California in an attempt to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the world alone by yacht (with stops), will complete this goal upon his scheduled return to Fisherman's Village, Marina del Rey on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 10:00am. -- http://www.zacsunderland.com/ * West Islip, NY - Police say a New York man has died after his boat capsized during a regatta on Long Island's Great South Bay. Sailing his Vanguard 15, John Everitt was racing out of Babylon Yacht Club when the boat suddenly capsized at noon Saturday. Both Everitt and his wife, Virginia, went overboard. The 65-year-old Everitt, who was wearing a lifejacket, was found unconscious, and was pronounced dead at 12:38 p.m. His wife wasn't hospitalized. -- Full story: http://www.adn.com/nation/story/853517.html * (July 5, 2009) - After two days of racing, Christopher Williford (USA) is currently leading the 198-boat Optimist North American Championship in the Dominican Republic. Sunday was a rest day, with racing to resume on Monday and conclude on Tuesday. -- http://www.optinam2009.org * The Asian Championships and Asian Games will be using the Hobie 16 for the events in China, 2010. The Asian Games is the second largest sports event in the world after the Olympic Games, comprising half the world's population. Hobie 16s will also be used July 2010 in Puerto Rico for the Central America and Caribbean Games, and in Guadalajara, Mexico (with sailing in Puerto Vallarta) in the summer of 2011 for the Pan Am Games. -- http://www.hobieclass.com * A one hour video program reviewing the 2008-9 Vendee Globe is free at BoatsOn.tv, with exclusive interviews with the skippers (all in English) and a blow by blow account of this grueling single handed race. -- http://boatson.tv/Sail/?title=Vendee%20Globe%202008-9 * (Hyeres, FRA) - Oman Sail Masirah finish third in the final double points race to take overall victory in Round 2 of the iShares Cup. James Spithill, covered Loick Peyron at the start leaving them adrift at the back of the fleet, but helmed an incredible final race to cross the finish line in first, giving them 2nd overall. Loick Peyron Oman Sail completed the iShares Cup podium in 3rd. BMW ORACLE Racing now holds pole position in the iShares Cup 2009 circuit after two rounds with four more to go. -- Full story: http://www.isharescup.com/en/container.asp?id=21338 * VOTE NOW: Hosted by ESPN, the annual ESPY Awards commemorate the past year in sports. Among the 37 categories, 2008 Paralympic sailing gold medalist Maureen McKinnon-Tucker is one of the four nominees in the "Female Athlete with a Disability" category. There's not another sailor in any other category. Finalists are determined by fan voting. There is no easier way to support the sport of sailing than to vote for Maureen. Additional details here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/06/2009-espys.html GET MACKINAC RACE READY! Our waterproof Offshore Duffels feature waterproof zippers, polyurethane-impregnated fabric and seams that are sewn, taped and RF welded. Our Backpacks have neoprene laptop sleeves, comfy straps plus room for your boots and gear. Optimum Time sailing watches feature large numerical displays, 5,4,1,0 ISAF start sequences, "Sync" buttons and more. -- http://www.OceanRacing.com EIGHT BELLS (Sarasota, FL) - The flags at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron will be flying at half-staff this month in honor of Billy Johnson, one of the founders of the club, who died on Thursday. Johnson, who was 86 when he died following a years-long bout with leukemia, would have liked it that way. Johnson enjoyed being the center of attention, and through his exploits on land and sea, he earned the adulation. A lifelong sailor who won a dozen or so national championships and crossed the Atlantic four times with his wife, Pat, serving as first mate, Johnson served for four years in the Navy during World War II and saw heavy action in Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. But Johnson made his real mark in Sarasota, where he helped revive the Sailing Squadron, an outgrowth of the Sarasota Yacht Club that had been disbanded during World War II. The squadron got its own charter in 1947. -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/8-Bells-7-5-09 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS (Sponsored by West Marine) Events listed at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/calendar 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 Molly Winans, Editor, SpinSheet: (re, Video of the Week, Scuttlebutt 2878) I saw your video about the log canoes in Scuttlebutt, and wanted to share the very talented Elizabeth B. Wrightson's article titled "Can You Canoe?" and related photos on page 46-49 of the July SpinSheet . Here's the link for anyone looking for additional information: http://issuu.com/cdeere/docs/july09ss * From Robert Phillips, Managing Director, Doyle Sailmakers BVI: Far from keeping younger sailors off of big boats, the use of electric winches allows any person of any size to do the job, even grinding the genoa. The Caribbean Sailing Association has allowed the use of electric winches for quite a few years and it has changed the mix of crews on the boats. On a Farr 45 in which I was involved, having electric primaries meant that my 120 lb. wife could trim the headsails, take me up the rig, and that the younger or smaller crew members could do any job. How many Opti sailors would it take to grind a 45 footer headsail? What, you don't take your club's youth sailors racing because they can't crank your winches? Stuck with an ugly crew because the pretty ones aren't strong enough? Off the shelf electric winches are slower than hand cranking and the rating rules will penalize hybrid systems whose purpose is to increase the speed of the boat. Cruising sailors woke up years ago to the advantages of electric winches, allowing them to cruise larger boats with the people they would prefer to be with, so why is the racing part of the sport still suffering testosterone overload? * From Doran Cushing: The only problem with Tyler Carder's fine commentary (in Scuttlebutt 2878) about power winches et al...is defining when does it become not cool, not sporting, not fair. There are plenty of 40-footers that don't sail any better with railmeat, and many 70-footers that do. So where, or how, do you draw the line? That's the problem. I'd suggest that ultimately the limitations on stored power will be eliminated except by exception in strict one-design rules. So let the owners decide. In reality, there still is no way to limit the power of the checkbook in the impact on a racing program. * From Richard Slater: I am just wondering..... out of all the TP52's built, how many are actually competing in the Transpac? => Curmudgeon's Comment: From the TP52 class website, there have been 58 boats built. A look at the Transpac site lists 4 of them in the race. CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATION "I used to have the body of a Greek God, now I have the body of a god damn Greek." - Sam Irwin, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Special thanks to Doyle Sailmakers, Kaenon Polarized, and OceanRacing.com. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
