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SCUTTLEBUTT No. 840 - June 20 2001Scuttlebutt is a digest of yacht racing news of major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases, constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere.
SAILORS' CLASSIFICATION The ISAF Sailors' Classification Code was introduced in November 2000 to provide one standard international system of professional/amateur classification, to service those classes and events which limit the number of professional sailors who can crew on a boat. Most classes will continue to have open competitions, the ISAF Sailors' Classification Code is purely to provide the worldwide standard defining what constitutes a professional or amateur, for those events that have chosen to limit the number of professional crew members. It should be noted that the Olympic Classes will not be able to restrict professional participation. Upon registering, each sailor will be given a unique number identification. Sailors will be able to update their personal information, which will remain completely confidential and secure, whilst users will be able to look at the classification of other sailors. Whilst at this stage it is not mandatory to use the ISAF Classification Code, from November 2002 the Code will be the only system used for international events. If an event is to use the ISAF Sailors' Classification Code, it will be stated in the Notice of Race that the ISAF Code applies. In due time as it is expanded, other facilities available via the online registration system will include; direct online entry to events, subscribe to receive specific ISAF information and other sailing publications, event reports, and the options go on. To take advantage of such services, all sailors are invited to register online, regardless of whether or not you are competing in an event which requires a professional/amateur classification. - Making Waves, the ISAF's online newsletter, www.sailing.org/makingwaves/makingwaves78/ To register go to: www.sailing.org/classification
RULE 69 HEARING During the course of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's own review following the 1998 race, the circumstances of the Margaret Rintoul II/Sword of Orion incident were the subject of a report to the Protest Committee. Under Rule 69 of the Racing Rules of Sailing, the Protest Committee determined that a full hearing ought be held to determine whether a gross breach of rule 1.1 of the RRS had occurred. Rule 1.1 requires all boats and competitors to give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger. After much delay, the final hearing of the matter occurred on 16 June 2001. At it, the Protest Committee concluded that in the light of the extreme weather conditions at the time, and the fact that Margaret Rintoul II's own engine was no longer working, the decision not to turn back and render direct assistance was appropriate. The Committee noted deficiencies in the radio procedures employed on board Margaret Rintoul II at the time of the incident, and concluded that those deficiencies were not intentional and did not constitute a gross breach of the rule. CYCA Commodore Hans Sommer commented today that the Club was glad that the matter had finally been determined in accordance with the RRS. "The New South Wales Coroner made his own findings and comments in relation to this incident. They are not inconsistent with the findings of the Protest Committee, and the criticisms made by him remain part of the record in the Coroner's Report." - Peter Campbell
SWEDISH MATCH TOUR While we are happy with our results to date, we are looking at news ways in which to improve the Swedish Match Tour and take it to the next level for all you, the stakeholders. The sports and sponsorship world is an extremely competitive market place with new sports and activities fighting for their share of the media and public. Sailing can be seen as extremely fractionalized and confusing to the outside world. It can be seen as elitist and hard to understand, watch and follow. But sailing has many positive attributes that make it attractive for corporate partners. Educated, well spoken athletes, an upscale audience, an inspirational image, and a global audience are just some of the positive attributes associated with our sport. Our final event for this season, the Swedish Match Cup, will be an exciting and competitive event with over 120,000 spectators throughout the week. We are planning meetings at this event to discuss the future of the Swedish Match Tour and new initiatives including:
- Bringing new sponsor partners in to the Swedish Match Tour * As we prepare for the 3rd year of our series we look forward to hearing from you on your thoughts and ideas on how we can grow the Swedish Match Tour. - Scott MacLeod, scott.macleod@octagon.com
REFINANCE YOUR BOAT LOAN
UPPING THE ANTE Full story: www.madforsailing.co.uk
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON * From Jesse Falsone, President, Int 505 Class YRA, American Section (Re: Kevin Hall's comments in 'Butt 839): Kevin Hall's comments regarding the relative applicability of college dinghy sailing to post-college "real world" sailing are well founded. I'd like to offer a slightly different vantage point on the subject. As one of the rare people to have sailed offshore boats in college and then switch to dinghy sailing years after graduating, I think there are a number of skills that offshore/keelboat sailors can bring with them to a dinghy program. College keelboat sailors learn all the fundamentals of boat preparation, basic navigation, long-course strategy, and team management that will serve them well in any robust small boat campaign (it's a shame more college keelboat sailors don't apply their skills to small boats). Good college offshore sailors know that you just don't show up, hop on a boat, and go win big events against ever-increasing competition. As with a good post-college dinghy program, much of the race is won or lost before you get to the starting line. Unfortunately, many top-notch college dinghy sailors fail to make this connection after graduation and can't fathom why 40-something weekend warriors are dusting them. * From: James Malm: It is fair to say yacht clubs teach kids to RACE. Some kids learn to sail off the beach or a public launching facility, but RACING primarily at Yacht Clubs. Yacht club kids are surrounded by programs which help them excel on and off the water. It should be noted that physical dominance is not critical in high school and college style racing; not true for other NCAA sports and WORLD LEVEL sailboat racing. www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/natunivs/natu_a2.htm is a link which helps students choose #1programs. No argument that the New England district house a majority of the top schools, so it should come as no surprise that year after year great sailors migrate their way. Why? If you want to be the best, you reach for the highest point. In school, a degree from Princeton University could be just that. In sailing, winning a national championship in college style sailing could be the top. Does is matter if you gave a sailor scholarship funds to reach his dream? No, getting into the #1 ranked school is the challenge. If great sailors want to go to great schools then money won't matter; unless you are talking cash, you know, six figures over the tuition!!!! Finally, average students make it into college programs and win. Their is a school for every student, some just like to walk in the snow instead of the sand! * From Andrew Palfrey: There are different schools of thought regarding the best way to go about exonerating yourself by completing a 360 or 720 degree penalty. Should you tack or gybe first on an upwind leg? What about on a downwind leg - tack first or gybe first? Will one option kill more speed than another. Will gybing first on an upwind leg give away more distance to leeward through the manoeuvre (because you carry too much speed into the bear-away)? It's a subject that I have never seen discussed in books and in my experience, opinions differ amongst top sailors. Does anybody have "golden rules" to follow? * From: Janene Marasciullo: I can't give a definitive answer as to why the organizers chose different crew numbers/weights for the men and women, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that men are generally bigger and heavier than women. I doubt it is a reflection of anything other than weight. As anyone who has raced a J/22 knows, you want to get as close to that 605 max crew weight as possible. Although the issue of whether the disparity is wise might generate some interesting debate, there's nothing unfair about the disparate application of the rules. It's not as if the men's teams are competing against the women's teams.
SCHMUNDO
QUOTE / UNQUOTE
GROWING THE SPORT
TRIVIA
A GATHERING OF THE EAGLES
CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS
THE CURMUDGEON'S COUNSEL |
