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Brought to you by Boats.com Europe, Yachtworld.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to More AC Opinions Coming In.. The last multi-team event was in 2007, before a bitter court battle between Oracle and then-holders Alinghi of Switzerland led to a head-to-head battle in giant multihulls this year from which other challengers were locked out. As to where Team NZ stood at the moment, Dalton said they would need time to consider the protocol unveiled today and consult with other challengers to see if it created a fair playing field. "We are in there now in the America's Cup," he said. "We need to consider where we sit in terms of our ability to win." Advertisement Dalton said the budget was a consideration, but he had no doubts in Team NZ's ability to design, build and sail an AC72. If the decision was made to challenge, Team NZ would have to start work on a campaign within the next month. -- TV New Zealand, tvnz.co.nz * Call him underwhelmed. David Fuller casts an unimpressed eye on the big media day: Russell Coutts told sailing journalists in Valencia that the Defender of the America's Cup had consulted with experts from Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and NASCAR about how to make the America's Cup more appealing to a new audience. Yet the event to launch the vision of the cup's future featured Yacht Club Commodores signing contracts and a rotating 3D model. Most soap powder product launches are more inspired and inspiring than this unrehearsed, amateur production. BMW-ORACLE have set themselves up as being an organisation that understands the "Facebook generation", but there is no way that brands like Zynga (Google it) would announce a new global product in such a lacklustre manner. While there may be very good reasons why this platform is the future of the America's Cup, the audience was asked to accept that reasoning because Coutts said so in the absence of anything more scientific. BMW-ORACLE have taken a big gamble on the future of the America's Cup at the expense of the current fanbase. Coutts was least convincing when he delivered a line that defined those who were in favour of more traditional match racing in monohulls as cavemen and dinosaurs. He said: "We are going after the Facebook generation, not the Flintstone generation." The announcement of the year and boat rule was perhaps not the most controversial news. Coutts, a 3 time winner of the World Match Racing Tour, said that there was no identifiable path for young sailors to the America's Cup, something that might come as a surprise to sailors like Adam Minoprio and Torvar Mirsky. Like the world of sailing didn't have enough classes already, BMW-ORACLE have created a "one-design" boat that will be built by a single manufacturer in New Zealand, something that was not lost on Mitch Booth, Co-creator of the Extreme 40, who was at the event. The protocol was distributed seconds before questioning was opened up, giving those present minutes to read and digest a 41 page legal document. No NASCAR executive I know would have put their name to today's event. If NASCAR had run today's event, Linkin Park would have opened the show and MTV would have covered it... * Richard Gladwell speaks with Dean Barker: After the shock of last night's announcement on the three elements of the 34th America's Cup, we spent an hour at the Emirate's Team NZ base this morning talking mainly with skipper Dean Barker, as to the team's initial take on the changes. First reaction from several, is that the claims of cost reduction don't stand up. 'This reeks of cost', Barker says and others echo his words. Of course, the costs of owning and running a four catamaran campaign maybe more expensive that a two monohull campaign, but if the addition revenues are to be had - and the cat does wash its face financially, then certainly the game does change. This morning, Emirates Team NZ were still reading through the Protocol and trying to understand its implications and requirements. It seems to be a very new document to them. When asked if they had been consulted, Barker laughs, and then not quite knowing what say, says 'we met with Russell Coutts and Stephen Barclay during the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland, but at that point with the draft Protocol we thought we were looking at a monohull.' Full interview and Richard's commentary at: www.sail-world.com Rolex Swan Cup
The strong northeasterly breeze that blew relentlessly through the night gave Principal Race Officer Peter Craig and his race committee cause for concern. The resulting sea state, while probably not boat breaking, was potentially gear-busting, and most ashore seemed content with the decision to postpone the original 1130 start time. Then, at 1400 with the AP flag down, boats headed out to a northeasterly breeze of 15-18 knots and a 2-meter sea. At 1530 the warning signal for the Maxis was sounded and the 22-boat fleet, from 60-footers to the 112-footers of Highland Breeze (NED) and Mystery, were sent on a 25-nautical mile course that had a short upwind beat, than a reach into the Golfo delle Saline to round Secco di Tre Monti, a beat up and around Ile di Monaci, a downwind run to Ile di Mortoriotto, up to a buoy in Golfo Pevero, and to the finish off the entrance off Porto Cervo. Leading the fleet around the course was the Swan 80 Berenice (ITA), the newest Swan here. By the turn at Mortoriotto however, the Swan 90s DSK Pioneer Investment (ITA), and White Lie (ITA) got by Berenice (ITA) to cross the finish line ahead. But it would be Johan Killinger's year-old Swan 60 Emma, that corrected out ahead of both the Swan 90s to win the Maxi Class A's first race of the regatta. The 24-boat Grand Prix class went off on a 20-nautical mile course that followed closely the Maxis though without the leg down to Motoriotto, while the 22-boat Classic fleet went on a similar course, though slimmed down to 17 nautical miles to get them home before dark. In the Grand-Prix Class B, it was Amanda Hartley's Swan 56 Clem (ESP) that finished first ahead of P.H.J. Bakker's Silveren Swaen. In Classic Class C, it was battle of the Swan 65s with Peter Simon's Swan 65 Monsoon Jaguar (GBR) first over the line, as well as on handicap ahead of Giuseppe Puttinni's Shirlaf. Both the Swan 45 and Swan 42 one-design classes sailed two windward-leeward races, twice around with 1.7nm legs. In the Swan 42 class it was Enrico Scerni's Kora 4 (ITA) that led the day with a score of 1-1. Racing continues tomorrow, Tuesday through Sunday (Saturday for the Swan 45s); all classes will sail an Islands Distance Race on Thursday. Friday is a layday for all classes but the Swan 45s. Maxi - Class A Grand Prix - Class B Classics - Class C Swan 45 - Class D Swan 42 - Class E www.yccs.it Ocean Safety Expands Their Interest in the RNLI's Ambassador Scheme For further information on Ocean Safety products, liferaft servicing and their links to the RNLI with the Ambassador Scheme, please visit Ocean Safety's stand at the PSP Southampton Boat Show from 12th - 21st September at stand GO56 in the Ocean Hall. Count Me In as a Flinstones Fan
The lead-in to the Reunion takes place September 15-17 as the 12 Metre North American Championships revisits the excitement of racing these elegant sloops on Narragansett Bay. Ted Turner (Atlanta, Ga.) and Gary Jobson (Annapolis, Md.), sailing on American Eagle - US 21, are two icons of the 12 Metre Era who, among others, will participate. On Saturday, September 18, the Twelves will have a 1:00 p.m. start off Fort Adams for a "Reunion Sail" into Newport Harbor. That evening, the 17th America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Rolex Watch U.S.A., will see Simon Daubney, Mike Drummond, Warwick Fleury, Murray Jones, Dean Phipps (all New Zealand) and Halsey Herreshoff join the 69 legends of the Cup who have previously been selected for membership in the Hall of Fame. The 12 Metre Era Reunion presented by Rolex will conclude on Sunday, September 19, with a brunch that starts at 10:30 a.m. that will be followed by a Legends Panel divided into Challengers and Defenders and moderated by Gary Jobson and Tom Whidden (Essex, Conn.). "The Challengers are up first," said Jan Slee (Newport, R.I.), President of the 12 Metre Class and a co-chair of the event. "When they are excused, the four winning skippers get to brag about beating the guys who just left the stage." The Challenger Panel will include Pelle Petterson, skipper of Sverige in 1977 and 1980, Bruno Trouble the skipper of France in 1977 and France III in 1980, Gordon Ingate, Harold Cudmore (Cowes, GBR) who skippered Victory 83 in 1983 and White Crusader in 1987, John Savage (Sydney, AUS), skipper of Challenge 12 in 1983 and South Australia in 1987, Malin Burnham the skipper of Enterprise in 1977, and Syd Fisher, skipper of Advance in 1983 and Steak 'N Kidney in 1987. The Defender Panel will include Ted Hood, skipper of Courageous in 1974, Ted Turner, the skipper of Courageous in 1977, Dennis Conner the infamous skipper of Freedom in 1980 and Stars & Stripes in 1987, and Bill Ficker. J-Class Hanuman Wins the Newport Bucket! AZURRA, the Jongert 96' Sloop found her feet after her first day's last in class. She started first and held that spot all day, for a decisive win of Sunday's Race. In true Bucket fashion, AZZURRA crossed the finish line with the ten ladies aboard each waving. . .their brassieres at the RC!!! The Classic Schooner, GLORIA, crossed the line in second place and the next twenty minutes were a thrill as the entire remaining fleet of nine boats converged and finished. The Huisman Shipyard built, J-Class HANUMAN, crossed the line to claim third overall for the day. In the overall combined results among Les Gazelles, HANUMAN won first place, the W-Class 76' Sloop, WHITE WINGS placed second overall and the Swan 80', CLEVELANDER in third. Among Les Grandes Dammes, first place overall was handily won by METEOR, the Classic 169' Schooner by Royal Huisman Shipyard, with a first place in Saturday's Race and third on Sunday. AZZURA claimed second place and Schooner GLORIA, third. Overall Fleet Honors for the 2010 Newport Bucket went to HANUMAN in first place, the 76' W Class Sloop WHITE WINGS claimed second and CLEVELANDER placed third overall. Along with class awards, the Vitters Seamanship Trophy for seamanship and the best demonstration of Corinthian Sailing, was aptly earned by 12 Meter, EASTERNER, Paul Callahan and the Sail to Prevail Foundation. With the yacht converted to be handled by handicapped sailors, this crew sailed hardest, without a doubt. The other award of note is the Newport Bomb, a World War Two bomb that has been earned by, and decorated by various fleet members over the years in recognition of those who perpetuate the non-adult behavior that pervades all Bucket Fleets. The Bomb was well earned this year, by AZZURRA, for her fine demonstration at the finish line!! Seahorse October 2010 Behind the veil Update Rod Davis Bermuda Showdown Looms in Argo Group Gold Cup The competition, which takes places from 5-10 October in Hamilton, Bermuda, will have added spice as all four winners of the King Edward VII Gold Cup from 2006-2009 and the 2002 winner will take to the water in Bermuda. Seven of the Tour's nine Cardholders will do battle in the penultimate event of the 2010 Tour season. These Tour skippers are also seven of the top ten in the ISAF match race rankings. Seventeen other teams join them in the Argo Group Gold Cup's unique 24-team format. Looking forward to action in Bermuda will be Tour leaders Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/Black Match Racing and Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team. Each team has just fought hard matches at the Danish Open where in the semi-finals Minoprio handily defeated Francesco Bruni (ITA) Team Azzurra 3-0 whilst Mirsky made an astounding comeback from two down to defeat Richard 3-2. Minoprio then took the finals off Mirsky 3-2. History suggests it will be compelling action as Richard won the Bermuda Gold Cup in 2007 and Minoprio was runner-up in both 2008 and 2009. Richard, with 105 points, still appears to have a firm grip on the lead in the Championship standings going into the Argo Group Gold Cup. Minoprio stands second with 88, Mirsky is third with 76. The rest of the teams for Bermuda are topped by Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team (who won in 2008), Reuben Corbett (NZL) Black Sheep Racing - a hot young Kiwi who has been on his game all year and Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing Team, who just won the Knickerbocker Cup. Taylor Canfield (ISV) Team ISV has looked impressive in Chicago match racing this summer, and Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team (winner of the 2002 Gold Cup) is finding his form and is 8th on the Tour. Blythe Walker (BER), Bermuda's perennial match race champion will return and youngster Lance Fraser (BER) will take off from school to make his first Gold Cup attempt. The world's top ranked woman match racer Lucy Macgregor (GBR) and third ranked Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) Gus, both Olympic women's match racing contenders, cap off the fleet. -- Talbot Wilson www.argogroupgoldcup.com Letters To The Editor - * From Jonny Tilney: Hooray, at long last the unspeakably awful period of unbridled AC defenders' egos is reigned in. We can all hope that the actions speak as loudly as the words and that the smallprint is as good as the headlines. Renewal for such an historic challenge as AC is long overdue, so shame on those that had the opportunities and didn't take them. * From Joseph Marlowe: re: the children's treasure hunt at SBS: There must have been a time when being accosted by an unknown beautiful woman at a boat show didn't set off alarm bells, but so suprised was I that she wasn't inviting me to sign up to a credit card that I momentarilly dropped my guard... Curiously her interest was my six year old twin boys and I was pleasantly surprised by the RYA's creativity: a treasure hunt that would hold the kids interest as we spent a glorious Sunday at the Southampton Boat Show. Now top marks for initiative RYA and though I could see this was ultimately a rouse to capture family details, the idea was worthy enough to play along. So the deal is you have to collect the stamps from 8 organisations (whom I see kicked in the prizes for the draw in return for having hapless parents dragged to their stands). Stamp 1, I forget Stamp 2. RNLI stand, lecture to the kids on it being cool to wear lifejackets - excellent. Stamp 3. Sunsail - the ante is upped - the boys are given a blow up beachball each - suddenly there is no show anymore, only a treasure hunt... Stamp 4. Garmin - Times must be tough, a sour faced dude stamped our cards and told us all he'd been doing was stamping cards all day (wasn't that the point?) - no booty, no love, what are you thinking Garmin? The kids would mutiny now if they caught me with any Garmin stuff on the boat... Stamp 5 - IPC - A pen and a comic - excellent - now we're talking. Stamp 6 - RS Sailing - Some "kiss my RS" stickers. OK perhaps not ideal to have to explain to a six year old - but hats off to RS, they know their market - now the kids know it's rude the stickers are straight on the bedroom wall. Stamp 7 - Southampton City Council, God Bless them - they'd run out of anything worth giving out and the man whispered to me his apologies as he put a big smile on his face and handed the twins a carrier bag full of brochures. Getting close to fever pitch now - as we come up to the grand final stamp. The big one, number 8 - the RYA themselves. The twins rushed up with their carrier goody bags held open to be told.... 'they'd be enterred into a prize draw....' They looked down into their goodies bags and again at the ladies on the desk - then turned on me. "Dad?" If this was all about helping me get them into boating and engaged with the RYA then that was our big moment, wasn't it...? Data capture is great - but we had them in the palm of our hand, they were ours - and all we did with it was give Dad a tricky trip home explaining why they should consider it a good thing that at some point in the future they were unlikely to win something... A little something for the kids to make this stick would have been pretty useful at this point and needn't break the bank. A couple of leaves of colour-in charts, a few flip chart questions on rules of the sea, some amazing facts on incredible journeys, some stickers of the young GBR sailors to watch out for. So nearly RYA. - Cracking idea and with just a little more we're definitely onto something. Featured Brokerage Great fun boat,Great racing, great shore based fun, great sailing for v.little bucks. Seriously for sale by experienced and knowledgeable owner. He's got other plans and wants to move on with minimul 'faffing' about. The first person to see and have serious intent will snap her up and get on with life and fun afloat. Brokerage through Michael Schmidt & Partner Ltd.: Complete listing details and seller contact information at The Last Word |
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