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SCUTTLEBUTT 2802 - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Scuttlebutt 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 Team One Newport and North U.
AMERICAN SAILING TEAM ANNOUNCED
Portsmouth, R.I. (March 16, 2009) -- US SAILING has announced the new 2009 US
Sailing Team AlphaGraphics (USSTAG) which begins the journey for the Olympic
Sailing Program towards the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in
Weymouth/Portland, England. “We’re excited about the new team because we’ve
never had this many Olympic and Paralympic sailors return this early in the
quad, which is a sign we’re delivering more support to the sailors,” said
Olympic Sailing Chairman Dean Brenner. “We’re also excited to see a new
generation of talented sailors dedicated to Olympic excellence.” The top
ranked member in each event is:
Olympic Classes
Laser (Men’s One Person Dinghy): Brad Funk
Laser Radial (Women’s One Person Dinghy): Anna Tunnicliffe
Finn (Heavyweight Dinghy): Zach Railey
Men’s RS:X (Men’s Windsurfer): Ben Barger
Women’s RS:X (Women’s Windsurfer): Farrah Hall
Men’s 470 (Men’s Two Person Dinghy): Stu McNay/Graham Biehl
Women’s 470 (Women's Two Person Dinghy): Erin Maxwell/Isabelle Kinsolving
49er (Skiff): Erik Storck/Trevor Moore
Star (Men’s Keelboat): George Szabo/Rick Peters
Elliott 6m (Women’s Match Racing): Genny Tulloch/Jen Morgan Glass/Jamie Haines
Paralympic Classes
2.4mR (Open One Person Keelboat): John Ruf
SKUD-18 (Mixed Two Person Keelboat): Scott Whitman/Julia Dorsett
Sonar (Open Three Person Keelboat): Paul Callahan/Roger Cleworth/Tom Brown
Complete announcement: http://linkbee.com/JKQ3
ONE RACE, TWO VERY DIFFERENT SPONSORSHIP PHILOSOPHIES
Sponsors of the Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux and fourth placed
Samantha Davies, Foncia (real estate services) and Roxy (female action
sportswear), had very different sponsorship objectives for their respective
campaigns. Yet both sponsors have enjoyed significant returns from their
investments, and provide details of their campaigns within the latest
newsletter of the World Yacht Racing Forum:
WYRF: Why did you choose to sponsor a boat in such an extreme race as the
Vendée Globe?
Julien Benoist, Foncia: “The ‘extreme’ aspect of the race is just one of its
ingredients. More important for us is the fact that it is the biggest race in
terms of participants, public and media; it is also one of the most
competitive. Our involvement in the Vendée Globe with Michel Desjoyeaux is a
consequence of the disappearance of the ORMA multihull class. The Vendée Globe
provides a great visibility in a very competitive environment.”
Maritxu Darrigrand, Roxy: “We decided to get involved in the Vendée Globe
because nearly every offshore sailor dreams of competing in this race; it is
the Everest of sailing and it was a natural decision that we decided to do it
with Samantha Davies. This was a new challenge for us, triggered by our love
for the Oceans, the respect for the nature, the sportive challenge, the taste
for adventure and travelling, and the interest for outdoor sport…”
Complete report:
http://worldyachtracingforum.com/downloads/wyrf_press_release-1236942754.pdf
RULES QUESTION
True or false, unless the Sailing Instruction says otherwise, a boat can
always throw-out its worse score of a series. (see Answer below)
GET YOUR POT OF GOLD...
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FURIOUS FIFTIES IN FULL FORCE
(Mar. 16, 2009; Day 31) - As the fleet heads down to 54 degrees south,
barreling towards the Cape Horn scoring gate only 223 nm away, and expected to
make the turn on Tuesday. Here are a few comments from the field:
* Ian Walker, Green Dragon skipper: “It’s been a fairly brutal 48 hours with
winds consistently over 30 knots made up of cold air from the south. Add to
this some very confused seas and it has been a perfect recipe for breaking
boats, masts, sails and people. We sailed a slightly conservative line to
avoid the peak winds of the low pressure and have throttled back on several
occasions as the slamming of the hull became intolerable. This will cost us
precious miles, particularly as we are first to fall off of the system, but it
is a decision I am happy with. Deep in the Southern Ocean 1000 miles from
anywhere is not the place for hoisting the 'hero' flag.” -- Full story:
http://linkbee.com/JKQ5
* Jules Salter, Ericsson 4 navigator: “The guys who are regularly on deck are
showing signs of wear and tear from the constant salt spray and cold. People
are tired as we have been at sea for four weeks now and the freeze dried diet
and Chinese snacks don't really cut it in the energy stakes, especially as
rations have been thinned as this leg will probably run its full 40 day
course. This is when the crews dig deep to keep it all together in boat and
people-breaking conditions.” -- Full story: http://linkbee.com/JKQ6
* Kenny Read, PUMA skipper: “We had a few good scheds in a row and I went to
the bunk to catch a few minutes. When I woke, I looked up at the instrument
panel in front of me at the nav station to see 43 knots of breeze. Yikes, here
we go. I went to the hatch and asked how everything was on deck and the boys
looked reasonably in control. Next thing you know we were skidding on our side
a bit and I heard the flapping of the headsail. The boat came back down and
the next thing I hear is ‘Kenny, grab this!’ And through the hatch comes half
the steering wheel. I think this is the part where I throw in the ‘and the
wheels were certainly coming off’ phrase.” -- Full story:
http://linkbee.com/JKQ7
Crewed around the world race in VO 70’s, with ten distance legs and seven
In-Port races. Leg Five from Qingdao, China to Rio de Janiero, Brazil is
12,300 nm, with the finish estimated on March 20th. Current positions (as of
Mar. 16, 10:15 PM GMT):
1. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Magnus Olsson/SWE, 2,475 nm Distance to Finish
2. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 50 nm Distance to Leader
3. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 181 nm DTL
4. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 267 nm DTL
5. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 803 nm DTL
Telefonica Black (ESP), Fernando Echavarri/ESP, Did Not Start
Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, DNS
Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, DNS
Event website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org
Overall scores: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/rdc/#tab4
Race tracking: http://volvooceanrace.geovoile.com
SAILING FITNESS: BOWMAN ROUTINE
The Bowman is responsible for making sure sail changes go smoothly, jibing the
spinnaker pole, organizing and running the front end of the boat. The training
will be structured as if we are training to be a gymnast or rock climber.
Flexibility, lightning speed, agility, balance and strength will be needed to
be effective while under pressure, anticipating the next move. Apart from a
strong cardiovascular program, we can work on various exercises that can help.
A few of my favorites are:
* Squat thrust/Shoulder press: It’s a great exercise that challenges the heart
rate, incorporates many different exercises all in one (synergistic) and will
challenge the best athletes. This exercise can be intensified by first pre
exhausting the arms and legs.
* Rows: These can be done one arm or two. Adding a Bosu ball or Stability ball
will assist in working the core (Throw in Pullups, as many as possible).
* Circuit Training: This is a fantastic way to train. Basically you move from
exercise to exercise every 30 seconds. The workout takes about 30 minutes and
can be done with the crew or alone. Intensity will be increased or decreased
depending upon routine chosen.
* Plyometrics: This helps with explosive power and speed.
* Agility ladders, cones, exer-band harness: Speed, balance and agility
training.
Read on: http://na.northsails.com/tabid/12808/Default.aspx
SAILING SHORTS
* The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has announced the lineup of
skippers who will contest the Grand Final of the 2009 ISAF Nations Cup, to be
held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from 23-28 March. The ISAF Nations Cup is a
global competition to find the world’s top match racing nation and develop
match racing infrastructure around the world. Representing North America will
be Dave Perry (USA) and Anna Tunnicliffe (USA). -- Full story:
http://www.sailing.org/27561.php
* Fifty-five entrants attended the 2009 Sunfish International Masters
Championship, hosted by Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, FL on March 12-15.
Past 3-time world champion Donnie Martinborough from the Bahamas, a youngster
in the event, won both the 40-49 year category and the overall title. In
second was Tom Whitehurst, who won the 50-59 year group. Other group winners
were Joe Blouin (60-69 yr) and Dick Tillman (70-79 yr). -- Results:
http://diyc.org/resultsdetail.asp?ResultID=735
* The 2009 Annapolis to Newport Race will start June 5th, the 62nd anniversary
of the race, and will be co-hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club and New York Yacht
Club. Run in odd years, the Notice of Race is now available online, with this
edition to offer racing in IRC, PHRF, and Double-Handed divisions. The course
is 473 nautical miles from Annapolis to Castle Hill Light House at the
entrance to the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. The record time for the race
is held by Joseph Dockery's Farr 60 Carrera, which in 2001 finished the course
in 42 hours, 58 minutes, 12 seconds. -- Details:
http://v009u07qap.maximumasp.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=46
* (Zurich, Switzerland) - UBS AG has announced it will replace three members
of its board of directors as part of a wave of changes to top management at
Switzerland's largest bank. Among those stepping down are billionaire Ernesto
Bertarelli, who has been a board member for seven years, and is head of the
Team Alinghi yachting syndicate which has won the last two America’s Cups. UBS
was a principle sponsor for Alinghi during both campaigns. -- IHT, full story:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/16/business/EU-Switzerland-UBS.php
* The sixth Vendée Globe began for 30 entrants on November 9th 2008, was won
by Michel Desjoyeaux on Foncia February 1st, with the final entrant, Austrian
Norbert Sedlacek, bringing the race to an end 42 days later on March 15th
2009. A brief summary of the major race events has been posted on the event
website: http://linkbee.com/JKQ8
* The organizers of the Tour de France à la Voile had presented last November
the specifications for a new boat that would replace the current Farr 30 (ex
Mumm 30) from the 2011 race onwards. After receiving 23 proposals from 9
different countries (Spain, France, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands,
Switzerland, Slovenia, Turkey and USA), three projects have now been
shortlisted, with designs by Jacques Valer, Russel Coutts/Andrej Justin, and
Joubert Nivelt Design. -- Valencia Sailing, full report:
http://linkbee.com/JKQ9
EIGHT BELLS
Eric Schlageter, who had been battling brain cancer, passed away in San Diego,
CA on March 15, 2009. Eric’s trail began in the Midwest, passed through the
notable naval architectural school of the University of Michigan with the
likes of Bruce Nelson, Bill Tripp, John Reichel, and Brendan Dobroth, and then
began a yacht design firm with Scott Graham that stood MORC and handicap
yachting on its ear for most of the 70’s and 80’s. When IOR and MORC began to
fade, Eric was approached by his friend Bruce Nelson to join SAIC and head up
their Americas’s Cup Velocity Prediction Program. In early 1990, Eric moved to
San Diego to take the position, where his Cup involvement included working for
Team Dennis Conner in ’92, the Young America syndicate in ’95, Paul Cayard’s
America One team in ’00, and the OneWorld syndicate in ’03.
Details on Eric’s memorial service were not available at press time.
Additional information on Eric can be found in a story Scuttlebutt published
in July 2004: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/04/Schlageter
STILL GOING
US Sailing Rules Seminars are headed to Rye, Charleston, Seattle, Vermillion,
Duluth, Wickford and beyond... Presented by North U., the seminars include a
Racing Rules Workbook created by Dave Perry and cover all the rules - new and
old - and take the myth and mystery out of the rules so racers understand
their rights (and obligations) in any situation. US Sailing members save $40.
Check the schedule and sign up by calling North U at 800-347-2457 or
203-245-0727, or by visiting http://www.NorthU.com
RULES ANSWER
Regarding how events are scored, Apendix A2 in the Racing Rules of Sailing
says that unless the Sailing Instruction says otherwise, each boat's series
score shall be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
However, even if one or more throw-outs are allowed, you cannot always
throw-out your worst score. Some scores are not excludable. These include
being DSQ'd for breaking Rule 2 (Fair Sailing), Rule 30.3 (Black Flag), Rule
42 (Propulsion), or Rule 69 (Gross Misconduct). If you break one of these
rules, you are stuck with it. (Be aware that there are additional "what ifs"
in the referenced rules, but space does not allow coverage of all the details
of this topic. Check the appropriate rules for details.) -- Courtesy of
Southern Bay Racing News You Can Use
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 Brian Gleason, Charlotte Harbor, FL: I just got out of a meeting with
yacht club officers, veteran racers and race officials, tourism development
officials and local media reps and all signs point to an early March 2010
Charlotte Harbor Regatta for multiple one-design fleets (Melges, Flying Scot,
Sunfish, Corsair, Colgate, J-22, etc.) and mixed-fleet handicap races over a
4-5-day stretch in Feb.-March 2010.
Charlotte Harbor, on Florida's Gulf Coast, is the second largest harbor in the
state. It lies about halfway between St. Pete and Naples. In 2004 SAIL
magazine named it one of the 10 greatest places to sail in the United States.
It has hosted the Olympic Soling trials and the Olympic windsurfer trials as
well as many one-design races, including the Sunfish midwinters. -- Details:
http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7193
* From Dick Neville: Steve Eliasen (‘Butt 2801) has figured it out. The new
kids want to have fun and the O’pen BIC is simply more fun than the antiquated
Opti or Sabot. With all due respect to the International Opti Class and their
fabulous success, I think European clubs are buying O’pen BIC’s. When I ask
Junior sailing program leaders about getting some here in the States, I get a
strange look - like “how dare you suggest a boat could be more fun than an
Opti?”. Again, not to offend, but we need to be progressive to get more kids
on the water. If the O’pen BIC does it. Let’s get some in our junior programs.
* From George Backhus: (re, story in #2801) Airline pilots used to joke "I
don't know why we bother checking the weather-we're going anyway." It sounds
to me like container ship captains have the same carefree attitude about
sailing into the teeth of a tropical cyclone. Do these guys ever wait for a
storm to pass, or divert away from or run from potentially dangerous
situation? It would seem that losing a couple dozen containers and spilling
oil and haz-chems along a pristine coastline are just something for the
insurance company to worry about. When will the skippers and CEO's of the
shipping companies be held personally accountable for anything other than
maintaining the schedule? I find it difficult to believe that the recent
situation near Brisbane is anything but poor seamanship.
* From Dan Chesson: (re, letters in #2801)I see you've gotten quite the
business from fans of British aviation. However, Jim Champ lists the A-10
Warthog as a British aircraft, when it is in fact 100% American. It was
conceived and built for the USAF by Fairchild-Republic.
* From Zorana Jelenak: Currently the QuikSCAT (Ocean Surface Winds Derived
from the SeaWinds Scatterometer) satellite is in its 10th year of operations
and so far we do not have plans for its successor. I am trying to document how
useful QuikSCAT data is to its users. With a group of dedicated QuikSCAT
followers we managed to show impacts of QuikSCAT on NWS weather forecast and
warning products but we are really interested to understand how this product
is actually used in real life situations. Web link to QuikSCAT:
http://manati.orbit.nesdis.noaa.gov/quikscat/
Is the racing community using QuikSCAT winds and finding them useful? If you
have any examples of how QuikSCAT winds help you make different decision that
would be very helpful. If you have any plots that show your routes and you can
point to where you made decisions to change direction due to info you got from
QuikSCAT, that would be of enormous value. All experiences are important,
positive and negative too, it helps us improve on a product when possible.
We are posting ASCAT data on our web page too. ASCAT is the scatterometer on a
European satellite and also provides wind vectors but over a smaller swath
area than QuikSCAT. ASCAT has two 500km wide swaths with 700km gap in between.
Accuracy of ASCAT winds relative to QuikSCAT is comparable between 4-16 m/s.
For higher winds ASCAT tends to underestimate wind speed intensities. Web link
to ASCAT winds: http://manati.orbit.nesdis.noaa.gov/ascat/
Please send your comments to mailto:Zorana.Jelenak@noaa.gov
CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION
“You live and learn. Or you don't live long.” - Robert A. Heinlein
Special thanks to Team One Newport and North U.
A complete list of preferred suppliers is at
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers
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