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SCUTTLEBUTT EUROPE #1465 - 19 MARCH

Brought to you by boats.com Europe ( http://www.boats.com ) and Yachtworld.com Europe ( http://www.yachtworld.com ) 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

COURT ORDER CONFIRMS GGYC AMERICA'S CUP CHALLENGE Justice Herman Cahn of the New York State Supreme Court today issued an order confirming the validity of Golden Gate Yacht Club's challenge for the 33rd America's Cup and rejected a late-stage bid by the defender to re-argue the court's earlier ruling in GGYC's favor.

"We are very pleased with this decision. The Court has ruled that our challenge complied fully with the Cup's Deed of Gift, and we are now keen to keep moving forward towards the next regatta," Tom Ehman, the club's spokesman said.

In its order today the Court reconfirmed its November 27 decision that GGYC was the valid challenger for the Cup.

The defender, Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), had filed a motion to re- argue that decision based on a new claim that the American club's challenge was invalid under the Deed, but this was rejected by the court.

A Deed of Gift match is being held as the defender made it clear it did not wish to take up GGYC's offers made before and after the court's ruling in November of a conventional regatta with rules agreed by mutual consent and involving all teams.

http://www.ggyc.org and http://www.bmworacleracing.com

"LET'S SETTLE THIS ON THE WATER," SAID ALINGHI BOSS ERNESTO BERTARELLI In response to New York Supreme Court Justice Herman Cahn's order today designating Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) as America's Cup Challenger of Record replacing Club Nautico Espanol de Vela (CNEV), lead counsel for the defending yacht club, Société Nautique de Geneve (SNG), Lucien Masmejan, issued the following statement:

"Following today's court order, Larry Ellison has eliminated the competition and gained access to the America's Cup Match, a feat BMW Oracle Racing has never been able to achieve on the water. While we are disappointed with the outcome of this court order and believe that the matter of GGYC's certificate of challenge wasn't properly addressed, we have decided not to appeal the decision and we look forward to getting the fight back on the water and meeting BMW Oracle Racing on the start line of a Deed of Gift Match in July 2009," Masmejan said.

Should Alinghi win the Deed of Gift Match, the Defender is committed to getting the America's Cup back on track for a world class multi-challenge event in 2011 in Valencia, Spain. "The challengers can be assured that the 34th America's Cup will be run with the same vision and commitment for a premiere multi-challenge sailing event that they supported in Valencia in 2007," Masmejan concluded.

http://www.alinghi.com

Editor: Judge Cahn really lets Alinghi have it with both barrels. See the judgement here: http://scuttlebutteurope.com/pdf/Justice_Cahn_Order_17-03-2008.pdf

* The America's Cup, the premier event in sailing and, first contested in 1851, the oldest trophy in sport, is to be contested in a one-on-one, three-race shoot-out. All other challengers including Britain have been cut out and, instead, two billionaire-backed teams will field monster, 90-foot multihulls costing 3m GBP.

A northern hemisphere venue will be chosen by the Swiss holder and defender, Alinghi, probably in Europe, definitely not in the United States. It could be as early as July 4, 6, and 8, though 1, 3, and 5 October were discussed. The problem is building the boats in time but the American syndicate Oracle, headed by San Francisco software mogul Larry Ellison was confident it could meet the July deadline and Swiss hopes for a delay until July 2009 look forlorn. -- Stuart Alexander, http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/sailing/court-reduces-americas-cup-to-headtohead-797741.html

SP - LIGHTER, STRONGER, FASTER Lighter, Stronger, Faster - three qualities that are more important than ever in a world increasingly focussed on higher performance. Fortunately for the world's top boat designers, SP, the marine business of Gurit, has been delivering those qualities for over 20 years. SP is a leading manufacturer and supplier of composite materials to the global boatbuilding market - integrating structural design, materials science, manufacturing technology and process engineering to ensure a solution tailored to individual specifications and needs.

For further information please visit http://www.gurit.com or visit us at the JEC Composites Show in Paris, April 1-3 2008 at stand K42.

AN EXPLOSION OF INTEREST Following the busy racing schedule of both "RANGER" and "VELSHEDA" during the last few seasons, there has been an explosion of interest in the J Class. With two new replicas under construction, the J Class Association (JCA) has issued a definitive list of J yachts from history which can be built as replica new builds under their rules. This provides a listing of interesting historical data and details of yachts currently sailing, under construction and reserved for build.

The Class has also commissioned a new handicap system, developed by the Wolfson Unit at Southampton University. This new JCA system is based on VPP calculations and will be validated from towing tank results from the 1930s prepared initially in a report for Harold S Vanderbilt, who went on to commission the build of the 1937 "RANGER". This comprehensive document has been made available by the Sparkman and Stephens USA office to the JCA.

Bruce Johnson, Chief Designer at the S&S office, stated, "We are pleased to be working with the J Class Association and Wolfson Unit for this research project and we are happy to share this report of tank test results, to further validate the rating process for the J Class."

This information, from the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, has provided the vital cross check for the Wolfson Unit to complete the figures for accurate handicapping of the Js, in the interests of fair racing and good sportsmanship on the race course. It is intended that races will be won on the water with this new system, minimising discrepancies in handicap ratings.

John Robinson from the Wolfson Unit stated, "Development of this custom system based on historic design information, specific to the J Class and the results of tank testing from 1930s, gives us a fairer system than that based on the regression data from more modern hull forms already held within the VPP."

See the list and information on new J yachts under construction: http://scuttlebutteurope.com/pdf/jclass.pdf

http://www.jclassyachts.com

CHANGES TO US LAW ON CO2 CYLINDERS US Sailing Applauds Transportation Security Administration For Amending Policy To Allow CO2 Cylinders For Personal Flotation Devices

For boaters traveling by air to enjoy boating away from home, bringing along a CO2 cylinder for a self-inflatable personal flotation device (PFD) through airport security was frequently not an option due to a policy set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). But after a recent request from a member of US SAILING's Safety-At-Sea Committee, the TSA amended its policy, allowing boaters to travel through security checkpoints at airports nationwide with a CO2 cylinder. US SAILING cautions boaters that while this change in TSA policy allows boaters to carry a cylinder through airport security, the decision on whether the cylinder can be taken on board a plane still lies with the airline company the passenger is flying with. US SAILING recommends that boaters check with the airlines directly to find out if the CO2 cylinder can be taken on board.

The amended TSA policy calls for "a compressed gas cylinder exception for both carry-on and checked baggage that allows 2 compressed gas cylinders fitted into a self-inflating life-jacket and 2 spare cartridges with the approval of the aircraft operator." This amendment by the TSA now is in line with policies that were already in place at the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Coast Guard.

The CO2 cylinder is a compressed gas cylinder that inflates a self-inflatable PFD. The most common inflatable PFDs have a cord that needs to be pulled in order to activate the gas cylinder and inflate the device.

For the complete working on TSA's policy, please visit the TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=178

For more information on TSA's amended policy and more background information on traveling with a CO2 cylinder, please visit http://www.ussailing.org/safety/pfds_and_faa.htm

GROUPAMA 3 IN SAFE HANDS ON HER RETURN TO EUROPE Complete Freight along with New Zealand agents, Oceanbridge ( http://www.oceanbridge.co.nz ) and S.A.R.L Freight of France, find the solution to transport Groupama 3 home. Working closely with the Groupama team we were able to load the yacht just three weeks after her capsize off New Zealand. She was loaded onto the Eglantiersgracht, a Dutch ship, transporting fruit and vegetables to Europe. Groupama 3 will take about 5 weeks to get to France, where she will be unloaded in Lorient.

For photos of the loading please refer to the Complete Freight website at http://www.completefreight.com/cms_news.html

FIREBALL INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP An unbelievable third day of beautiful conditions at Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Thailand. The conditions for a world championship couldn't be better with wind, warm water, fantastic food, beautiful location and free beer.

The first race of the day started under a black flag on the second attempt with four boats being disqualified for being over the line.

Nathan Stockley/Sam Muirhead(AUS) also climbed through the front runners to climb into third behind Heywood/Littledike. British national champion Tom Jeffcoate/Mark Hogan were black flagged.

The second race was again a little windier getting up to 15 knots at times, and a lot more from the left hand side, which put the gybe mark close to shore for the spectators to watch the excitement. Frank Miller/Marguerite O'Rouke(IRL) were over the line for the second time in the day and were recorded disqualified for both races.

The left hand side of the course again paid off and the usual suspects were at the front in a tight bunch, this included Mee/Wagstaff, Wade/McGrane, Stockley/Muirhead, Musil/Stantejsky and joined by current world champion Richard Estaugh/Rob Gardener(GBR). The sailing was great and Mee/Wagstaff stamped their authority on the regatta with another 1st, but this time with Stockley/Muirhead 2nd ahead of Wade/McGrane.

This puts Mee/Wagstaff in a very strong position ahead of Stockley/Muirhead and Wade/McGrane, who all have a substantial lead of the next boats.

Tonight the sailors are enjoying the traditional French night to promote the World Championships in La Rochelle in France and tomorrow is a lay day, so there will be plenty of sleeping and Thai Massage to recover from the hard three days of sailing.

Check out full results at http://www.fireball-international.com

SHOSHOLOZA REFUTES MEDIA CLAIM THAT TEAM HAS "GONE BUST" Team Shosholoza has issued a statement categorically denying reports in the international media at the weekend that the team has "gone bust."

Team managing director Captain Salvatore Sarno said that on the contrary a busy schedule was planned for 2008 and the structure of the team hadn't changed since July last year.

"Our helmsman Paolo Cian will continue to lead Shosholoza in the 10 events of the 2008 World Match Racing Tour. In fact Paolo is third on the ISAF match race rankings and was runner-up at last week's tour qualifier, the Marseille International Match Race in France. It was the first big event for Shosholoza this year.

"Shosholoza RSA 83 and her crew is also scheduled to compete in two Italian regattas this year. In June we will be at the popular annual Velalonga in Naples, a traditional sailing regatta open to all classes of boats. In October we will be at Trieste's spectacular Barcolana, which with over 2000 competing yachts is the largest sailing race in Europe.

"We also plan to compete in a series of America's Cup Grand Prix events, if and when they take place," said Captain Sarno.

"In South Africa our naval architect Alex Simonis and his team is working on our new AC 90 campaign yacht. We are going ahead even though the rules and dimensions might change. But we want to be ready and prepared.

"In Valencia, Spain, we continue to operate from our base in Port America's Cup with the same skeleton staff we've had since July last year when Shosholoza was accepted as a challenger for the next, 33rd , America's Cup," said Sarno. -- Di Meek

http://www.teamshosholoza.com

MIRABELLA V SUPERYACHT SERVICE AT OCEAN YACHT SYSTEMS Ahead of her busy charter season in the Mediterranean, Mirabella V has recently sent her rigging back to OYS as part of her 4 year service within the OYS Superyacht Service Programme.

Ocean Yacht Systems has the largest heading press in the World on site and Mirabella V's diagonal and forestay rods were reheaded, whilst her boom vang and backstay hydraulic cylinders were serviced, both claiming to be the World's largest.

This work follows a retrofit new bow thruster, designed, manufactured and fitted by OYS technicians during 2007.

Further information from: http://www.oceanyachtsystems.co.uk

A NIGHTMARE VENUE British sailors competing in the Beijing Olympic Games this summer are aiming to lose on average a tenth of their natural body weight to counter the light winds expected at the sailing venue in Qingdao.

Members of the team are on a low-fat, high-protein diet and a strict exercise regime that includes two hours of cycling before breakfast to burn off excess body fat before the Games in August.

They are expecting to lose 2-8kg each. "We are looking to have our skinniest team ever," Pete Cunningham, the nutritionist, said.

Managers from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) will also equip athletes with lighter clothing and sail cloth as part of a strategy to tackle the summer conditions on the northeast coast of China: light winds, strong currents and enduring fog. "The average wind speed at that time of year is six knots and at last year's test event it was less than four knots," Stephen Park, the Olympic team manager, said. "The tide can run at up to two knots. So you can't be lardy or you won't go anywhere."

The sailors have individually tailored diets, comprising fruit, oats, soya, pasta, meat and vegetables, which will be served up in Beijing by an in-house chef. "There are three aims: to reduce body mass while preserving lean tissue, maintain health and maintain energy levels," Nathan Lewis, the team's physiologist, said. The team may import their own food because of concerns about meat quality in China. "We were told not to eat the chickens because they whack them full of steroids," Cunningham said.

Last year, Chinese customs officials confiscated 8,000 GBP of meteorological equipment after accusing the team of conducting "illegal" weather tests. Park was not even allowed to take his bike into the country. The team will, however, be taking 12,000 bottles of a specially formulated rehydration sports drink - high in electrolytes - to deal with humidity in Qingdao of nearly 100 per cent. Each sailor drinks five to six litres a day.

The weather is the main challenge for the sailors. The team that won five medals at the Athens Games in 2004 are Britain's most successful. Ben Ainslie, who is going for his third Olympic gold medal, has described the Chinese venue as a "sailor's nightmare", despite winning both his test events. -- Ashling O'Connor

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/sailing/article3577771.ece

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - editor@scuttlebutteurope.com Letters are limited to 350 words (Waived for John Forbes below!). No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From John Forbes Dear Andy Rice,

I read with interest the latest Scuttlebutt Europe # 1462 and, due to the inaccuracy of the article, I feel compelled to comment.

I preface this response by stating that I usually don't receive any sailing media, either electronic or in hard copy, nor do I own a Tornado catamaran, nor am I am current sailor, nor am I am member of any sailing association or sailing club. I therefore have no financial interest (either to gain or lose) in the sport of sailing. I received a copy of your article via a (non-multihull) friend.

My trip to New Zealand was paid for personally and I did not receive any financial gain from the Tornado Association or any other body as a result of my speech. It was done purely from my heart as an avid multihull enthusiast and intended to be in the best interest for Olympic Sailing.

To start with, things didn't "get ugly" at the prize giving. In fact, it was to the contrary in that the room gave a standing ovation at the completion of my speech and at the completion of the evening, the newly elected ITA President personally applauded my comments and invited me to go to the next ISAF conference to represent the Tornado Class Association.

At no point did I "have a go at" YNZ President Jan Dawson. In fact, until I read your article, I didn't even know her name, nor was I aware that Ms Dawson was present in the room that evening until she addressed the room later in the night concluding that the event was an outstanding success.

I do not recall Tornado class competitors "booing" Ms Dawson. She may have felt uncomfortable when approaching the stage to deliver her closing speech as the room was filled with 120 disgruntled multihull sailors. However, Ms Dawson spoke well of the event, the organiser and the competitors and professionally elected not to comment on the matter I presented as she was respectfully not prepared to comment.

"The fact that the recommendation was not accepted by the YNZ Board seemed to be lost on Forbes" could not be further from the truth. In fact, I prefaced by entire speech on the night by stating that I "did know the answer and the outcome of what I was about to say" and later in my speech I also recognised that YNZ were supportive of the cause to try and get the multihull event back in by now trying to un-do what was done.

However, the main point I was putting across was that a YNZ representative did send a recommendation to their National Olympic Committee stating that the multihull be not supported and, should the multihull remain in, then the 49er be the next to go. Their representative at the ISAF conference also voted along similar lines. Whether this "representative" is still supported by YNZ is not the point. The point was that YNZ were part of the original elimination of the multihull.

My opinion was that the Tornado and the 49er (along with the sailboard) are the most spectacular of all the Olympic classes and should be the last to go - not the first.

Your support of YNZ by saying they "have the balls to change its mind" should not be a credit to YNZ. It should be an embarrassment to them to have voted that way in the first place. Again, this was another strong point I made on the night, in that the culture of the (YNZ) organisation to allow such a document to go to an NOC and such a vote to be cast at ISAF shows that these people do not understand what modern Olympic sailing is all about and, if the culture in these organisations remains, then not only the multihull will be dismissed from the Olympic Games, but sailing as a sport will soon be out too. This I do not want to see and thus was the main theme of my speech.

Should the "lid on the Tornado's Olympic coffin" be nailed shut, it wouldn't surprise me if the lid on sailing's Olympic coffin is also shut not too far behind it.

Might I suggest that, in future, if you are to write (or publish) a damning report on an individual such as myself (and the Tornado Class sailors), then you should endeavour to hear the other side of the story first.

I will try to locate the YNZ letters that I commented on so you can see how easy it was for me to discredit their actions.

* Editor: Here's the Yachting New Zealand letter mentioned above...

Olympic Events 2012 Olympic Committee Recommendation to Board

Note: Recommendation is based on our ability to win medals 2012

Events:

Men's One Person Dinghy Heavy Weight Dinghy Men's Two Person Dinghy Men's Keelboat Men's Windsurfer Skiff Women's One Person Dinghy Women's Two Person Dinghy Women's Windsurfer Women's Keelboat

Brief:

1. Wherever possible, the men's & women's events and classes should be the same. This helps develop fleets in smaller countries. 2. NZL needs to concentrate on classes where the local fleet sizes are greatest. The classes that are more expensive, more technical and more complicated hurt the smaller countries (match racing is an exception to this).

3. NZL is currently suffering in expensive classes (Tornado & 49er) that are suited to younger (fit) sailors- so we should avoid these. This seems to be caused through lack of money to create fleets and competition in these classes. 4. The Multihull event will most likely be the Tornado. This is currently the furthest from NZL's reach of all the classes to win medals by 2012 as explained in 2. & 3. above.

5. Given our pedigree on the world Match Racing circuit over the past 20 years, we should be pushing hard for men's and women's Match Racing. The Match Racing classes should be 3 person boats with the top 6 or 8 crews only being at the Olympics. Match Racing feeder series should be held earlier in year to select Olympic teams. Classes would be the same for Men & Women.

Recommendation:

1. It is recommended that the event to be dropped for 2012 be the Multihull as first choice followed by the Skiff as second choice. 2. It is also recommended that both the Men's Keelboat and the Women's Keelboat events be based on match racing.

THE LAST WORD Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. -- Will Rogers

The opinions expressed in Scuttlebutt Europe do not necessarily reflect those of its editors or sponsors.

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