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SCUTTLEBUTT 2923 - Friday, September 4, 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 West Marine and Classic Yacht Foundation. AN AMAZING YEAR Last summer Paul Goodison spoke of his Olympic hopes and fears, how the British Laser champion’s golden dream was under threat from his recently healed wrist and the fickle conditions of Qingdao. Fast-forward 12 months and Goodison is flying - literally, now he can indulge his new crush on kitesurfing - as the Olympic, European and World champion, and a Member of the British Empire to boot. A broken wrist wrecked his carefully planned Olympic build-up and meant he was in his boat every day from January to the end of the Games last summer. “Everything was based on getting me to my peak for the Olympics,” he said. “It was physically and mentally draining, running myself into the ground. When I won gold the relief was so strong, and I didn’t want to go sailing for a while. I wanted to do all the stuff I’d been missing out on - windsurfing, kitesurfing, going down the pub, all the things my friends do.” Come the new year Goodison found himself “pretty out of shape”, so a couple of months down the gym got him fighting fit and ready for a tilt at the three most coveted ISAF World Cup regattas in Hyeres, Holland and Kiel. “After plugging away through the winter in Weymouth I was wondering why I was putting myself through it all again, but then I got to Hyeres, I was training in the sun, reminding myself what it was about,” he said. “If it wasn’t for 2012 being on home water then I would not be sailing, and I reckon that’s true of a lot of the more senior team members,” he said. “China was so hard, what with all that travelling and the uncomfortable surroundings. But 2012 is almost on my doorstep.” -- Daily Express, full story: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/124699 OLYMPIC SAILING REQUIRES SUPPORT Success breeds success, and the domination of the British in Olympic sailing has allowed their team to grow, and the services available to expand. The latest announcement from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is they have signed up sailing’s double Olympic silver medallist Joe Glanfield as the newest member of the Skandia Team GBR support team, with his title to be Performance Lifestyle Advisor. The Performance Lifestyle role involves assisting and guiding the sailors, their coaches and support team in personal goal-setting, and in balancing and managing the various aspects of their lives - such as time management, further education, finance, social and future careers - against the main focus of their training and competition commitments. Among the many strengths of the British team is in their communications, particularly the updates they provide at events about the status of their team members. Most recently, the US SAILING Team Alphagraphics is looking to bolster this department as well, and are actively seeking to hire an individual to ensure current and fresh information is available to the public on all aspects related to the U.S. Olympic sailing program. Details on the position are here: http://about.ussailing.org/Careers_at_US_SAILING/Programs_Coordinator.htm MORE TIME FOR SAILING: SHOP ONLINE AND SAVE! Don’t waste your time driving around town in holiday traffic; spend the long weekend on the water sailing and drop by westmarine.com to take advantage of our 10/20/50 Labor Day Sale. Save up to $50 on the finest sailing gear on the market (and everything else on the site as well!) Bust a Windex? Drop a winch handle? Need some West System Resin for a quick repair? If you need it, it’s on sale at westmarine.com. OK, a tiny bit of stuff is excluded, but it’s pretty insignificant… http://www.westmarine.com/SB090409.html USING THE WORD ‘WORLD’ The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Regulations govern a range of issues on the administration and organization of the sport of sailing. Among the scope of these regulations is an effort by ISAF to control what types of events qualify as World Championships. To do so, Regulation 18 states, “ISAF approval is required for any event that is described as a World Championship, uses the word “World” in the title of the event, or any of the promoters, organizers or any other organization officially connected with the event, represents or holds out in any way that the event is a World Championship or does the foregoing in such a way that the event is reasonably perceived to be a World Championship.” This year at least two inaugural events were launched with the word ‘World’ in their event title, but were later changed due to this regulation. And now there might be a third. When the ‘Louis Vuitton World Series’ was announced this week (in Scuttlebutt 2922), the series organizers had not sought ISAF approval for the use of the word ‘World’. Here is the link for the full text of ISAF Regulation 18 (page 50): http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/2009ISAFRegsUpdatedMay-[7303].pdf WILLIAMS REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN ST. MORITZ St. Moritz, Switzerland (September 3, 2009; Day 2) - After a short delay at the St. Moritz Match Race for the weather to improve, racing got under way just after lunchtime and benefited from a good breeze - although quite shifty and not as strong as Wednesday - to complete eight flights. Altogether the twelve teams racing have finished 18 flights in two days out of the 22 required to complete the Round Robin. Francesco Bruni (ITA), Joe Fly Match Race and Peter Gilmour (AUS), YANMAR Racing are the great winners of the day. The Italian sailor won all six of his matches today whilst Gilmour won all five he sailed. Day one leader Ian Williams (GBR) remains unbeaten after going 2-0 today. The event format advances the top seven from the single round robin, with Tour leader Matthieu Richard (FRA) currently in eighth. Chief umpire Bill Edgerton took some time during this morning’s briefing to remind the teams that crashing boats is not necessary to secure penalties against your opponent and that points would be deducted from a team’s score if they were found to have caused damage. Both Williams and Adam Minoprio (NZL), who is currently second in the Tour, have had point reductions. -- Full story and scores: http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com/da/99779 * Detroit, MI (September 3, 2009) - Phil Robertson (NZL) and his Waka Racing team, who won the Chicago Match Cup (Aug. 21-23) and were third at the Knickerbocker Cup (Aug. 27-30), is atop the standings after the first day of the 2009 Detroit Cup International Match Race. Among the 12 teams competing in this ISAF Grade 2 Open event hosted by Bayview YC, Robertson leads with a 6-1 record, followed by Anna Tunnicliffe (5-2), Taylor Canfield (5-2), and Dave Perry (4-1). Following the single round robin stage, the top eight teams will advance to the next round of knock-out matches. -- http://www.byc.com/Detroitcup/ SAILING SHORTS * For the ‘buttheads competing in the Melges 32 North Americans (San Francisco), Maxi Rolex Cup (Sardinia, Italy), Six Metre Worlds (Newport) and Rolex Big Boat Series (San Francisco), North Sails and Sailing Weather Service have partnered to provide FREE weather forecasts for all four of these events taking place next week starting on Sun., September 6th with the Melges 32 NAs and Maxi Rolex Cup. Forecasts will be emailed daily by 0730. To sign up, visit North’s online WX Center: http://na.northsails.com/tabid/7240/Default.aspx * Australian adventurer and solo round the world sailor Don McIntyre announced that Mike Perham, who had just completed the world's youngest solo circumnavigation, has signed up as Second-in-command for the 2010 Bounty Boat Expedition. This is a 4000 mile re-enactment 221 years after Capt William Bligh and his supporting crew were forced into an open whale-boat by the mutineering crew on HMS Bounty and successfully sailed from Tonga to Timor in the Pacific. -- http://www.covarimail.com/view.lasso?id1=422&id2=319791 * The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today said it was discontinuing the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS), which was scheduled to run next summer in Las Vegas. The US trade association said that MAATS would be incorporated into the 2010 edition of IBEX as an aftermarket pavilion. -- IBI Magazine, read on: http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20090803142657ibinews.html * Cork Week 2010 will be staged from July 10-16 and the next edition will have some interesting changes. Recent alterations to the rules adopted into the Rolex Commodore’s Cup have proved very successful and it has been decided that certain elements of the event will be used for the bi-annual regatta staged by the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Considering that the country versus country, flagship RORC event, will be staged a month after Cork Week, these changes will allow teams to race at Cork Week with their full crew and against the boats that they will be competing against. -- Read on: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8188 * Nicky Souter and her crew of Nina Curtis and Nicole Douglass, representing Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Australian Sailing Development Squad, won the compasscard Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship, after a countback rule was used to break the tie between Souter and ASDS & RPAYC teammate Katie Spithill. -- http://www.cyca.com.au/editorial.asp?key=4305 JACK SUTPHEN - HISTORY FROM THE INSIDE Dennis Conner was the first America’s Cup skipper to establish a trial-horse to race against. To be successful, Dennis had to have a trial horse skipper of the highest caliber, and he chose Jack Sutphen. What Dennis says about Jack: “Involved in every America’s Cup defense of the modern era, Sutphen’s path crossed mine in 1974. Perhaps no one is a better example of the skill and dedication it takes to earn a spot with us than Jack Sutphen. Jack is someone to whom I owe an awful lot.” Jack Sutphen played an important role in nine America’s Cup campaigns. Most notably, serving as the trial-horse skipper for a number of Dennis Conner's America's Cup bids. Jack Sutphen was afforded one of the highest honors by being voted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 2005. Jack’s book ‘Messing About in Boats for 80 Years, with Jack Sutphen’ is a must read for anyone interested in America’s Cup history from the inside. $28. To purchase a copy of Jack’s book, contact the Classic Yacht Foundation, Publisher at http://www.classicyachtfoundation.org AMERICA'S CUP RULES SPAT HEADED BACK TO COURT America's Cup challenger BMW Oracle Racing went back to a New York court on Wednesday in an attempt to stop what it calls the unfair manipulation of the rules by defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland. The San Francisco-based syndicate filed a motion asking the Supreme Court of the State of New York to keep the Swiss from issuing rules that would disqualify the American trimaran. It also asked Justice Shirley Kornreich - whose court has jurisdiction over America's Cup legal tussles - to make public a secret agreement the Swiss signed with the International Sailing Federation. -- Bernie Wilson (AP), read on: http://tinyurl.com/mhvyxk * Alinghi statement: http://tinyurl.com/mrrf7p * BMW Oracle statement: http://tinyurl.com/nvm9x6 PHOTOS OF THE WEEK Some of the random photos from the sport received this week at Scuttlebutt include a couple nearly old men racing, Beneteau racing, match racing, scow racing plus a memorable buoy and the latest offering from Summit Yachts. If you have images you would like to share, send them to the Scuttlebutt editor. Here are this week’s photos: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/photos/09/0904/ VIDEO OF THE WEEK On Friday, September 4th, 78 entrants will start the 75th Vineyard Race. Hosted by Stamford Yacht Club, the 238-mile race is a classic American yachting event stretching from Shippan Point, through the swirling currents of the Race or Plum Gut, past Block Island, and on to the light tower at the entrance to Buzzard's Bay, to return leaving Block Island to starboard en route to the finish in Stamford Harbor. On the diamond anniversary of the event, several videos have been produced to provide historical perspective, plus all the social media tools are available to help follow the race once it starts. Enjoy: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/09/0904/ * The Scuttlebutt list of short clips from t2p.tv has expanded, now numbering 34 entertaining reels of the highs and lows in the sport. The latest additions include Volvo Ocean Race teams dealing with the Chinese fishing industry in the approach to the Qingdao finish line, and the “How Not To’s” for spinnaker trim and handling. -- http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/media/09/t2p * A video of the 2009 Tjorn Runt race has made the rounds on the Internet, which shows a treacherous stretch of this annual 28-mile race in Sweden around the island of Tjorn. With boat after boat trying to navigate a narrow pass, only to go aground or worse, Scuttlebutt contacted Swedish match race champion Bjorn Hansen for an explanation. Said Bjorn, “On Tjorn Runt there is a number of short cuts you can save distance on IF YOU KNOW THEM. The thing is that when crews see local sailors take a short cut, they tend to follow without being 100% sure about the ‘passing lane’. Some people think that there should be certain restricted areas but others think that the possibilities for short cuts is part of the race. Just to clarify, you don’t have to pass thru the narrow straits to sail the course, but sometimes you can save a few boat lengths.” View the carnage here: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/blog/2009/09/2009-tjorn-runt-race.html 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 Paul Cayard: In Scuttlebutt Issue 2922, in the article titled ‘Going to Court for the Sport’, the following statement is made, "Now, no one can begrudge the Defender from leveraging every angle they have to gain an advantage." I don't believe this is correct. In fact, we can all begrudge the ‘Defender’ for "leveraging every angle they have to gain an advantage". The responsibility of being ‘Defender’, or more correctly, ‘Trustee’, is a fiduciary responsibility to the Deed of Gift, its donor and beneficiaries, to run a proper event that is in the best interest of the Cup. That would include the interests of other participants, the longevity and value of the event, not to mention the honor and dignity of an event with the history of the America's Cup. Société Nautique Genève is the current Trustee. They have a ‘Defender’ named Alinghi. So, wrong, being ‘Defender’ is not a license to do ‘whatever’. * From Neil W. Humphrey: From the announcement in Scuttlebutt 2922, has any consideration been given to how the new World Sailing Team Association (WSTA) is part of the current issue of ISAF and the America’s Cup community dealing in secret? Let me explain.... ISAF as a WGO (governing organization) has certain rights over the sport that come with an obiligation to its members. Part of that as we know is to negotiate fair media rights for ISAF sanctioned events and to regulate members whether they are amateur, pro-am or pro in the current make up of sailing. With the formation of WSTA it becomes very important to know how ISAF is representing the members in the AC secret agreement. The AC secret agreement has the potential to be the tip of the iceberg and a benchmark in how ISAF will represent the members in dealing with the WSTA. -- Read on, and add comments here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=8192#8192 * From David McCreary: Regarding the NY Law requiring lifejackets in cold water (in Scuttlebutt 2922). A well intentioned law, no doubt, but one written by persons with little to no knowledge of seasonal water temperatures. Unless you are sailing in a pond somewhere with water depth of about 10 feet (ie, Central Park), and there's been a very sunny spring, I assure you that New York State water temperatures are going to be at least 10 to 20 degrees warmer in early November than they will be in early May. As most lakes in NY were carved out by glaciers, they tend to be very deep. That volume of water take months to cool down.. and months to warm up. Every spring we had what came to be known around our marina/sailing school/rental operation as "Idiot's Day". That's when strong southwest winds brought air temperatures into the 70s and 80s (F)... but water temps were still in the 40s... in early May. Young men would show how tough (read: stupid) they were by going sailing in shorts and T-shirts to celebrate the return of spring. And promptly capsized, as will many recreational sailors who've not been out in 6-8 months and get hit by a 25 knot gust. Shrinkage…. and hypothermia.... set in VERY quickly. The water was as much as 40 degrees colder than the air. Idiot's Day was always in May. If water temp is the determining factor to the legislation, then Nov 15, even Thanksgiving, to June 1 would make a lot more sense. * From Becky Sodon: To me, the Archipelago Raid is sailing at its best. It truly tests sailing ability, seamanship, and sportsmanship - not to mention athleticism. The article (in Scuttlebutt 2921) also mentioned nothing of any legal battles, or anyone trying to win by changing the rules. Everyone just sailed. Nor is it quite so dangerous a way for a young sailor to challenge him/herself. There are many places around the world that could do such a similar race and increase the draw of sailing. For instance, I could see the Newport (RI) Laser fleet doing something (shorter) throughout the Aquidneck Island area. What a great way to bring out the most of the excitement side of sailing. There is no reason why a junior program couldn't do a mini-version to keep the interest of their sailors. Not to mention that for those people trying to get more press to sailing, this is the perfect chance. If ‘The Amazing Race’ is TV worthy, then so is the Archipelago Raid - and many other races that could be created in the future. * From Adrian Morgan, UK I have, like many others, enjoyed reading Cory Friedman's patient explanations of the legal matters surrounding the current America's Cup, although I have to admit that I invariably end up scratching my head in further confusion (which just goes to show that expecting a lawyer to unravel legalese is like asking a politician to explain the workings of politicians). Now that Cory has understandably placed his feet firmly in the challenger's camp by requesting full disclosure of the perfectly reasonable, albeit secret, rules that the perfidious Swiss have bamboozled the poor old ISAF into endorsing, he surely must vacate his emeritus professorship of America's Cup legal clarification, by appointment to Scuttlebutt, to someone else. But who, I ask myself, could do a better job? * From Alex Kovell: Tonight I will raise my glass once more to thank Cory Friedman, for his constant efforts to make the America’s Cup transparent to us laypeople in spite of the quagmire of deception and doublespeak put forth by both sides! * From Michael H. Koster: Thank you Cory Friedman! With all the closed door politics that ISAF is involved in regarding the America's Cup and secret rules, it may be time to start discussing an alternative Olympic sailing representative other than ISAF. What other closed door events are occurring at ISAF that may be impacting competitive sailing? It is quite apparent that ISAF does not support a fair and level playing field for all sailing competitors as evidenced by the super double secret rules. HOLIDAY WEEKEND Scuttlebutt World Headquarters will be closed during the Labor Day holiday weekend, and will not be publishing a Monday issue of the Scuttlebutt newsletter. Look for the Scuttlebutt to resume its daily schedule again on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION “Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.” - Albert Einstein Special thanks to West Marine and Classic Yacht Foundation. Preferred supplier list: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
