Month: November 2010

IS THERE A TREND HERE?

The following article written by Carol Cronin, echos in many aspects the remarks a few weeks ago by Paul Henderson. Is this a reaction to the Professionalism that certainly dominates the sailing press?

“Is your trip for business or pleasure?” the airline agent asks.

Seems like an easy question, but for me (on my way to another international regatta), it’s a complete conundrum.

wwstartMoments after the start of race 4 at the Snipe Women’s Worlds, which the author (30860) went on to win. Photo credit: FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com 

“Business” would imply I’m getting paid to go sailboat racing. And whatever my motivation for high level competition, money ain’t it.

“Pleasure,” on the other hand, implies vacation. Sleeping late, a mid-morning breakfast that morphs right into an early lunch. Naps under a beach umbrella, afternoon cocktails. None of those will be part of the week ahead.

“Is there a third option?” I ask the agent.

(Hopefully this question doesn’t automatically land me on some terrorist watch list.)

annagameface12008 Gold medalist Anna Tunnicliffe and teammate Molly Vandermoer stepped into the Snipe for their first time and won the Women’s Worlds – their first victory at a world championship. Photo credit: FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com 

Looked at rationally, the high level sailing I do makes no sense. I take off time from work and home life to travel to events that offer no financial reward, adding stress to my otherwise quiet life. The night before racing starts I’ll have trouble slowing my heart rate below the revved-up thumping of a sneaker in a dryer. The next morning, I’ll wake up way too early, my brain churning through stupid questions. Will we have time to get the boat launched ahead of the crowd? Will I get off the starting line? Will the new mainsheet run smoothly? Will the conditions be in line with the forecast? What should I wear?

wwdownwind25 boats from ten countries competed in St Pete, FL, where light air dominated the nine race event. Photo credit: FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com 

The thing is, all that lost sleep is totally worth it. Because only a few hours later when we push off the dock, those stupid questions will be left ashore with all other non-racing aggravations. My brain will start to tingle with the focus of sailboat racing, anticipating all the day’s decisions—good, great and otherwise. I revel in pure single-minded potential, every race morning.

annamollytrimAnna and Molly with game faces on for racing… Photo credit: FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com 

Competition gives me the chance to measure myself against others. Rarely does the rest of life offer us such a hard and fast numerical value for our achievements (we finished X out of Y). That’s what brings on the night-before stress, but also what makes sailing well such a satisfaction. And when I don’t sail well, there’s always a cold beer ashore and the promise of doing better the next day.

Best of all, no matter how old I get, nothing will make me better at sailboat racing than more sailboat racing. There’s no such thing as a perfect race, and I learn something new every time I leave the dock. The challenge is taking the time to digest that new knowledge, and using it to do better the next time.

Yes competition creates stress, at least if we care how we do—and why else would we bother? But it’s stress in digestible doses, which helps us learn and grow.

carolkimlaugh…and Carol and teammate Kim Couranz enjoying their first race victory. Photo credit: FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com 

I heard a quote recently that rang true: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” And maybe in that lies the answer for the airline agent:

“Business or pleasure?” I smile back at her. “Let’s see: I’m going to spend the next seven days in a very small boat with only one other person to talk to and nothing to eat besides peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Most of the time we will be soaking wet and either too hot or too cold, and all of the time there will be several people trying to beat us. I’d call that pleasure, wouldn’t you?”

LOOKING BACK AT OCEAN RACING

The Admiral’s Cup, started in 1957 lasting until the 90’s, always one of my favorite events; which in my era included the Fastnet Race.

Recently, the Storm Trysail Club honored Ted Turner and the crew of “Tenacious”; winners of the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race.

ted and the crew of "Tenacious"
Ted and the crew of "Tenacious"

These events along with the SORC epitomized ocean racing during a certain period of time that remains under recognized.

The last hurrah for the twelve meter reunion

Jan Slee has posted this:

America’s Cup 12 Metre Era Retrospective Movie

Big Screen Premiere at the

Jane Pickens Theater Thursday at 6:00PM December 9, 2010

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Doors will open at 5:00PM for the Pre-Premiere Party

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Team One Newport will be selling 12 Metre related merchandise in the lobby.

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Gary Jobson Sailing has produced a 47 minute movie appropriately named the “America’s Cup 12 Metre Era Retrospective”.

Last September, 350 sailors who competed for the America’s Cup in the 12 Metre Class between 1958 and 1987 gathered in the New York Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island. Throughout several days these champion yachtsmen remembered the greatest moments of the America’s Cup. This movie features the most exciting moments of ten America’s Cup matches that took place during this era. There are interviews with winning skippers Ted Turner, Dennis Conner, Ted Hood and Bill Ficker along with many of the crews. Some newly discovered rare footage will be seen for the first time.

Attached are details about the screening……this is the only showing, so buy your tickets early…..pass the word.

Multihulls back in the Olympics, the America’s cup Where?

ISAF has provisionally voted to re-include a multihull in the Olympics. It might seem obvious to many of us that there should be multihull in the Olympics given the direction sailing seems to be heading. Even the America’s Cup will be in multihulls next time.

Where will be America’s Cup be held? It depends on which day you ask who. Naturally Larry Ellison cannot shun San Francisco. Is is really a good venue?

Valencia constructed at great cost a purpose built port and facilities. Who knows exactly what else had been promised.

Italy, have no firm plans but are prepared to act; afterall the challenger of record is Italian.

Finally, some words worth pondering from Paul Henderson:

Henderson said:

“Unfortunately.we have taken the fun out of the game and made it too

technical–too much emphasis on boat speed. Sailboats should be no more

expensive than the cost of a second car.and the time spent fixing them

should be one hour for every ten hours on the water. In my opinion it is the

pro’s desire to win at all cost without respect for the sport that has

caused our problems.”

Henderson felt boats should be:

– Gender-equal

– Last a long time

– Keep their value

– Be tactical – not technical

– No trapezes

– Heavy one-designs–not sensitive to crew weight

– Sails that last at least a season

– Sailmakers should not be allowed to use their own sails

Henderson felt races should be:

– Geared to new reality of two income family & need for quality family time

– Races start from front of YC not requiring 10-mile sail for upwind start

– Should race on week nights, leaving weekends free

Henderson said:

“We all seem to have forgotten what sailing is all about. It should be

fun–good racing, good food .and a drink at the yacht club. The best day you

can have in your life is two great races, back to the club to smile a lot,

rehash the races and join together with other sailors who will become your

lifelong friends.”

TRANSATLNTIC 2011

It was announced earlier this year, but now that the summer season has come to an end. Talk of next season is heating up. The 2011 transatlantic race from Newport RI to Cowes England will see “Zaraffa” return with Skip Sheldon. In the 2003 race we (aboard “Snow Lion”, the N?M 50 footer) had twelve days over 200 miles; our best was 275 miles. We thought we had accomplished something until the report that “Zaraffa” had covered 475 miles during the same 24 hour period.

Looking forward to the race.

Franck Cammas aboard “Groupama 3” has finished first in the Route du Rhum with a time of 9 days 3 hours and 14 minutes.

Artemis will challenge for the America’s Cup as expected. The controversy just will not die down over the dramatic changes proposed for the next Cup.

Election Night, America’s Cup,Route du Rhum and Paris

Still to early to know what the outcome of the elections will be. Most already have a suspicion.

The Route du Rhum has developed into a tactical race. This should be no surprise. The Skipper of Eric Taberly’s old multihull has been evacuated because of health reasons.

Since yesterday there have been 4 entries for the America’s Cup, including the defender and challenger of record. So really 2 new entries ( the ante at this piont is $25,000, so it is not a huge risk.)  The photo below is of the crowd watching the start of the Route du Rhum. Could this ever happen in America?

this is why the America's Cup should be in Europe.

We visited the Musee de la vie Romantique to see an exhibition of Russian painters never before seen in the west.

musee de la vie romantique

This was the house of Ary Scheffer. He and his family led an interesting life, entertaining all the intellectuals and artists of the era.

Finishing our day at an exhibition of Serge Ferat (1881-1958) at the Gallerie Beres. I will not pretend to know much about art, and even less about Serge Ferat; which was the point of going to see the exhibit.

Madame Beres in her Gallery

When asked why she decided to do this Exhibit; the response was simple: “Why do an exhibit of an artist that everyone already knows?” “Where is the surprise? What does one learn?”