Brought to you by boats.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 editor@scuttlebutteurope.com
Kiwis Win Race 5, Oracle Plays The Postponement Card
Photo by LUNA ROSSA / Carlo Borlenghi. Click on image for photo gallery.
Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand leads Defender ORACLE TEAM USA 4-0 after a 1:05 victory in Race 5. ORACLE TEAM USA led at the first two mark roundings, but the Kiwis sailed past the defender after two tacks on the upwind leg. From there Emirates Team New Zealand had much better speed and opened a lead it would not relinquish.
* ORACLE TEAM USA opted to use its "postponement card." Each team is allowed one card during the regatta. With the day's second race postponed, Race 6 will now take place on Thursday.
"It was a team decision - a collective one. We were all in agreement," Spithill said. "We need to take a few steps and we're not going to hide from that.
"We've got a lot more races," he continued. "As a team we've come back from many challenges, a lot of adversity. This doesn't worry us, the team's not flustered. We need to work hard now and tomorrow, and come out ready for another fight."
* The winner of the 34th America's Cup will be the first team to win 9 points. For the Kiwis that means five additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means 10, due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury.
34th America's Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins)
Emirates Team New Zealand - 4
ORACLE TEAM USA - 0
One Step Closer For The Kiwis
On the third day's racing in the 34th America's Cup match Emirates Team New Zealand demonstrated a huge advantage upwind to win by one minute and five seconds - the biggest margin between the boats yet. At one time ETNZ was over 1,500 metres ahead of their rival and the boats were travelling at close to 45 knots.
As they rounded the left-hand buoy of the leeward gate, OTUSA, nine seconds in front, attempted a foiling tack - a manoeuvre they had practiced the previous day. But this one didn't work and they slowed badly before heading for the tidal relief behind Alcatraz Island.
It was just what Ray Davies, the ETNZ tactician might have prayed for. Brad Butterworth a four-time Cup winner said of it later: 'The inmates are running the asylum. With the boundary close to the left, they should have waited.' His indication was that the American team would then have been able to cover the Kiwis.
The situation now is that Oracle Team USA has to win ten races before Emirates Team New Zealand wins five to retain the Cup. Was it any wonder that Oracle wanted a break before they next meet a team that has already beaten them on four occasions? -- Bob Fisher in Sail-World.com
The Inside Track: Day 1 Goes To Larchmont YC
Photo by Daniel Forster, www.DanielForster.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
With 14 knots of wind from the southwest, building to over 20 knots by the afternoon, the race committee for the 2013 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex rightly chose to race the 20-strong Swan 42 fleet inside Narragansett Bay. With a stable wind direction from the south, land effects from both sides of the race course came into play.
After two races, Larchmont (N.Y.) YC sits atop the leader board, having scored two seconds. The Japanese Sailing Federation are just a point behind in second with AustraliaÕs Royal Prince Alfred YC in third.
Race One was sailed in a steady breeze of about 12 knots, with the left side of the course looking to be the correct option, as the breakwater off the Naval base gave some relief from the foul tide. The breeze rose exponentially during Race Two and boat handling came into play. The second race was shortened to avoid a second heavy-air downwind leg but nonetheless several yachts had their hopes dashed by torn spinnakers or boathandling mistakes at the leeward mark.
The biggest comeback of the day was performed by the Royal Prince Alfred YC. The Australian team won the first race, but were called over the starting line in the second race. Having returned to start correctly, the Royal Prince Alfred YC was in second to last place, but came back, with some tenacity, to finish fifth. -- Louay Habib
Racing is scheduled to continue at 1100 local time tomorrow, for full results go to: nyyc.org
Marlow at PSP Southampton Boatshow
Marlow will be exhibiting at the PSP Southampton Boatshow 2013. The Marlow stand number F028 located in Mayflower Park will offer a huge range of rope information for cruisers, racers, dinghies, superyachts and classic boats. If you have any rope related questions pop by and we can answer or direct you to a suitable retailer at the show to purchase the rope.
Marlow will have their new retail brochure and integrated racking system on show which aims to help you choose application specific ropes and get the best from your boat.
For something more practical, Marlow will be running splicing demonstrations throughout the day for both dinghy and yachting lines. If you have a question please ask our experienced staff who will be happy to demonstrate most common splices.
Lastly there will be a daily competition running, why not drop by the stand, fill in a simple application form to be in with a chance of winning a great prize daily.
To enter, just download the entry form here and return it to the Marlow stand F028 in Mayflower Park.
Thomas Bach Elected New International Olympic Committee President
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Thomas Bach of Germany was elected today as the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following two rounds of votes at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Bach was chosen over fellow presidential candidates Sergey Bubka (Ukraine), Richard Carrion (Puerto Rico), Ser Miang Ng (Singapore), Denis Oswald (Switzerland) and Ching-kuo Wu (Chinese Taipei).
The new President replaces Jacques Rogge, whose 12-year tenure officially ends at the close of the 125th IOC Session today. The President is elected by the IOC members by secret ballot for a term of eight years, with the possibility to stand for re-election for a second, four-year term.
www.sailing.org/news/35718.php
Thomas Bach biography: www.olympic.org/mr-thomas-b
Out Of The Red And Into The Blue
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
Porto Cervo, Italy: Azzurra made something close to the start they wanted at their home waters 52 Super Series regatta, the Audi Setteima del Boche, today.
They returned to the dock at Sardinia's Yacht Club Costa Smeralda just as the drizzling rain started, wearing big smiles after they scored a comfortable win in the breezy first race of the regatta and then took a second place to lead the season's final event by two clear points.
While the Azzurra team, which has yet to finish a 2013 European regatta better than third overall, could enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done, no one could mistake the frustration of Quantum Racing's hard driven tactician Terry Hutchinson at their second and third place finishes today.
The American crew, richly studded with America's Cup winning talent, may be well ahead on the overall 52 SUPER SERIES standings but Hutchinson wants to finish their season unbeaten, winning all four trophy regattas, and with that perfect goal in mind, converting their two leading positions at both first windward marks into that second and third, was deeply frustrating for him.
In the brisk Mistral conditions, the wind just north of west and between 14 and 25 kts, smooth, polished crew work was a premium asset. With rain showers moving through to the south of the island and dark clouds passing overhead, there were always changes in wind pressure and some bigger shifts to use to full effect.
Wednesday sees the first of two coastal races planned this week.
Standings after two races:
1. Azzurra, ITA, (Alberto Roemmers) (1,2) 3 points
2. Quantum Racing, USA, (Doug DeVos) (2,3) 5
3. Gladiator, GBR, (Tony Langley) (5,1) 6
4. Ran Racing, SWE, (Niklas Zennström) (4,4) 8
5. Provezza, TUR, (Ergin Imre) (6,5) 11
6. Interlodge, USA, (Austin Fragomen) (3,9) 12
7. Rio, USA, (Manouch Moshayedi) (7,6) 13
8. B2, ITA, (Michele Galli) (8,8) 16
9. Paprec, FRA, (Jean Luc Petithugenin) (DNF, 7) 17
Calling All Captains and Crew PSP Captains' Cocktails on Friday 20 September 2013, 4 to 6pm
You are invited to join us at our legendary Orange Rooms' cocktails and nibbles to celebrate 15 years in business, our sixth year as title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and our first entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in the PSP Lounge, Mayflower Complex at the show.
To confirm attendance please register at www.psp-logistics.com/captainscocktails. Includes complimentary entry to the PSP Southampton Boat Show on request.
Please note: Pre-registration is required for attendance by midnight on Sunday 15 September 2013. Entry to the Captains' Cocktails is exclusively for captains and crew working on board commercial and private yachts, including professional race teams.
For all your logistics requirements please contact Alex Dixie at sales@psp-logistics.com +44 (0) 1489 565 577
BOAT TRANSPORTATION - RACE LOGISTICS - FREIGHT - PACKING - EXPRESS - MARINE SPARES - WATERJET
Hoj-Jensen Shows Them How Its Done
Photo by IDA / Michael Austin. Click on image for photo gallery.
Weymouth, United Kingdom: Weymouth finally showed herself at her best for day three of the Gazprom International Dragon World Championship where the fleet enjoyed two stunning races, races two and three of the eight race series. With a north westerly wind ranging from as little as 6 knots all the way up to around 18 knots and constantly shifting, the race committee rose to the occasion and produced spot on courses. The Dragons like to sail long legs for their World Championships and typically run with a 2.2 to 2.5 mile first beat. Despite this the fleet was still rounding the first mark tightly packed and the jury had a number of customers this evening following mark rounding incidents.
Boat of the day was without any doubt Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen's Danish Blue crewed by Hamish Mackay and Andrew Norden. Having won Sunday's opening race they consolidated their lead by taking a good steady fifth in race two, then going on to win race three in exceptional style. A double Olympic Gold Medallist, Poul is also the winner of five Dragon Gold Cups, four European Championships and is one of only two helms to have won the Worlds twice, first in 1989 and again in 2009.
Tomorrow's two further races are planned and the forecast is for 10+ knots, again from the north west. You can keep up with the latest from the race course via the Pantaenius Live Tracking, where you can also replay past races. News, results and further information will be posted at the event website. The regatta will continue until Friday 13 September with a maximum of eight races scheduled and a single discard coming into play after the completion of race six.
Top ten
1. Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen / Hamish Mackay / Andrew Norden, GBR, 7 points
2. Andrey Kirilyuk / Aleksey Bushuev / Alina Dotsenko, RUS, 12
3. Hendrik Witzmann / Michael Koch / Markus Koy, UAE, 19
4. Inna Shternberg / Yury Bozhedomov / Valeriy Ushkov, RUS, 27
5. Martin Payne / John Mortimer / Rui Boia , GBR, 28
6. Klaus Diederichs / Andy Beadsworth / Jamie Lea, GBR, 31
7. Quentin Strauss / Simon Strauss / Nigel Young, GBR, 38
8. Lawrie Smith / Ossie Stewart / Tim Tavinor, GBR, 46
9. Ferenc Kis-Szolgyemi / Karoly Vezer / Tamas Kiss, HUN, 50
10. Lars Hendriksen / Lars Stenfeldt Hansen / Joost Houweling, DEN, 54
IRC Gives Sailors A Voice
The second half of the year is when thoughts turn to the following sailing season and possible changes to rating rules, both the maths behind the ratings and the written rules. Do you actively take part in the direction of your chosen rating system, or do you feel that it is beyond your control?
For many, the phrase 'rating committee' conjures up a vision of a fusty group of individuals sitting around a table deciding on the future of their rating or handicap rule, without any reference to the users on the water. In the case of Spinlock IRC, however, that vision could not be further from the truth, as RORC Technical Manager Jenny Howells explains:
"IRC listens to the owners through a simple structure that starts with being able to contact a local IRC representative or measurer throughout the year. They then report to the national IRC owners' group, which in turn conveys agreed proposals to the international IRC Congress in October, to which representatives of all IRC countries are invited."
For example, in Great Britain the IRC committee members' contact details are listed on the RORC Rating Office website. Anyone involved in IRC rating in GBR is free to contact them with issues they would like raised at their meeting, held annually in September, and the Chairman of the GBR IRC Committee then represents owners at IRC Congress.
As the formulae behind IRC ratings are unpublished, only the RORC/UNCL IRC Technical Committee has access to the finer points of the rating calculation and makes decisions on future changes. However, the general direction of IRC ratings is open to discussion at national and international levels. A certain amount of bias in individual views on ratings is of course inevitable, but through members of the IRC Congress the Technical Committee has the advantage of hearing from around the world and its variety of sailing venues and conditions.
Help influence the future of IRC
If you feel strongly about an aspect of the IRC rules, there is an easy way to get your voice heard. You might think that restrictions on furling headsails are unfair or feel that crew numbers should be managed differently. Do you find parts of the rule text ambiguous? Why not have a chat with your local IRC representative or measurer; or your IRC Rule Authority if that is more appropriate. If others have made the same comments or the suggestion is upheld by your national owners' group, IRC Congress could be voting in a rule change at their meeting in October based on your chat in the club bar with the local measurer.
To find out who represents you locally, contact your IRC Rule Authority www.ircrating.org/contact/rule-authorities (if you are in Great Britain see tinyurl.com/gbr-irc-committee )
What Ship? Where Bound?
On Wednesday September 25th at 6:30 PM at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Tom Cunliffe presents the story of the sailing pilot cutters of Northern Europe. This illustrated lecture features the rise and the history of the pilot cutter which, with the possible exception of the clipper ship, must be the most charismatic working vessel ever built. Interwoven with their story is an anecdotal account of Tom Cunliffe's 40-year love affair with these boats, including owning and voyaging in originals and replicas.
Tickets: www.nmmc.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=86_100
America's Cup Superyacht Regatta
Photo by Erik Simonson, www.h2oshots.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
If the first few days of the America's Cup proper had brought thrills and spills to the gathering crowds in the race village on San Francisco's waterfront, then the first day of the America's Cup Superyacht Regatta, organised by Boat International Media in collaboration with the America's Cup organisers, managed to maintain the excitement.
With a diverse range of sailing superyachts - from the 30m CNB Chrisco to the 90m schooner Athena, and from the replica of the original Cup winner America to USA76, an example of the later generation of America's Cup Class monohulls - the stage was set for some classic fun racing against the spectacular backdrop of San Francisco, the Bay and Golden Gate bridge.
Sailing under the International Super Yacht Rule and competing under two classes - Racing and Exhibition - the fleet lined up for the off with a band of fog rolling in under Golden Gate and a fresh breeze beginning to whip up the waters of the Bay. The race committee selected two similar custom courses which would send the fleet from the start line off Pier 27 north towards a mark east of Angel Island, south to the southern tip of Alcatraz, then out towards Sausalito with a reach back to the San Francisco waterfront and a spectcular kite leg along the waterfront to a finish off the America's Cup Park.
The results for Race One made for interesting reading. USA76, sailing without spinnaker, took the race on corrected time, with the 55m Vitters-built Adele taking second ahead of Adela. America took fourth in the racing class.
Racing resumes on Wednesday 11 September for Race Two
www.americascupsuperyachtregatta.com
Letters To The Editor - editor@scuttlebutteurope.com
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From Eddie Mays, re: America's Cup: Reluctantly, I am being converted to the current series.
I am enthralled by the unexpected closeness of the racing. I am amazed by the skill of the two teams. I sincerely hope that New Zealand win without having to 'use' the 2 penalty points
I am grateful for the short duration of the races but I long for a return to a more tactical contest next time.
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