Month: December 2012

AMERICA’S CUP IN SAN FRANCISCO

Many of us who sail are having difficulty, until we stop and catch ourselves, grasping the America’s Cup of today. It is profession entertainment. Yes we all are seduced by the technology of the boats themselves, but almost everything surrounding the cup is a little less savory. The history of the America’s Cup is one highlighted by contentious behavior, but it seems we have reached a new threshold of behavior. It is all about the money.

In stark contrast is the newly launched site about “Figaro”; Bill Snaith’s boats. Much like the story of the Nye’s “Carina” it is a story of family and friends. I encourage readers to visit the site.

SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY, A TIPPING POINT?

I am a life member of the NRA. That does not mean that I have agreed with all their positions all the time. I have long felt that they could have participated in fruitful progressive discussion about gun control instead of always saying NO.

This latest tragedy in Sandy Hook, CT may not leave them the opportunity to be part of the discussion. The wave of resentment may be too great.

But I also believe that all the facts are not yet known. No discussion can start until everyone is well informed. We have seen the news reporting until now incomplete and inaccurate.

NO discussion about gun control can be complete and accurate without coupling it with mental health issues. NO discussion about mental health can be formative without including National Health Care.

Guns should not be easily available to anyone. But I have shot for years and met many wonderful thoughtful, kind people who share the sport with me. I have learned much from them and have learned to trust them and their judgement. Let us remember that shooting sports are Olympic events, which should signal that in the countries of the world which have restrictive gun laws, still acknowledge shooting as a sport.  They should be included in any discussion about limiting access to guns. Handgun ownership is very restricted in most European countries, not banned, and shotgun shells are sold in grocery stores.

No discussion can be rationally conducted until a period of time has passed. Meanwhile we can do nothing but mourn with those of Sandy Hook.

STILL HERE AFTER 12 12 12

What more sensitive place to be for the prediction of the Mayan end of the world as we know it than New York City. I woke up to the same world as far as I know. The New Yorkers; I find them very friendly, except when driving.

I am puzzled and a little concerned by the door handle on the YMCA entrance. A skull? The concert for the victims of Hurricane Sandy was a success, but not without controversy, even at breakfast the following morning I listened to New Yorkers express their opinions.

12 12 12

The date is irresistible. According to some the Mayans predicted the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a new era. That woulds pretty good to me. Perhaps they knew about the “fiscal cliff”.

The best entertainment I can offer isthe following video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QysXGHScdwQ

545.3 MILES/24 HOURS

30 days into the nonstop single handed around the world Vendee Globe race and Francois Gabart  has set a new 24 hour speed/distance record of 545.3 miles. The outright record for a monohull set by a Volvo 70, a fully crewed boat is 596 miles. While it is still early in the race at this pace these 60 foot boats may finish below the 80 day mark. The world is indeed getting smaller. Below are the records recognized by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

24 Hour Distance PDF Print E-mail
Outright:
Pre-WSSR
1854 “Champion of the Sea” 225ft Clipper, USA, 467nm. 19.46kts
1984 “Formule Tag” 80ft Cat, Mike Birch, CAN, 512.5nm. 21.35kts
1987 “Fleury Michon VIII” 75ft Tri, Philippe Poupon, FRA, 517nm. 21.54kts
1990 “Jet Services V” 75ft Cat, Serge Madec, FRA, 522.73nm. 21.85kts
1994 “Lyonnaise des Eaux”75ft Tri, Olivier de Kersauson, FRA, 524.63nm. 21.91kts

WSSR Ratified
1994 “Primagaz” 60ft Tri, Laurent Bourgnon, FRA, 540nm. 22.5kts
1994 “Explorer” 86ft Cat, Bruno Peyron, FRA, 547.3nm. 22.86kts
1999 “PlayStation” 105ft Cat , Steve Fossett, USA, 580.23nm. 24.18kts
2000 “Club Med” 110ft Cat, Grant Dalton, NZL, 625.7nm , 26.07kts
2001 “Club Med” 110ft Cat, Grant Dalton, NZL, 655.2nm, 27.3kts
2001 “PlayStation” 125ft Cat, Steve Fossett, USA, 687.17nm. 28.63kts
2002 “Maiden 2” 110ft Cat, Co-Skippers Adrienne Cahalan, Helena Darvelid and Brian Thompson 694.78nm. 28.95kts
2004 “Orange II” 120ft Cat, Bruno Peyron, FRA, 706.2nm.29.42kts
2006 “Orange II” 120ft Cat, Bruno Peyron, FRA, 766.8nm. 31.95kts
2007 “Groupama 3” 103 ft Tri, Franck Cammas FRA, 794nm, 33.08 kts
2009 “Banque Populaire 5 131 ft Tri, Pascal Bidegorry FRA, 908.2nm 37.84 kts

Up to 60 foot.
1994 “Primagaz” 60ft Tri, Laurent Bourgnon, FRA, 540nm. 22.5kts
2006 “Mediatis-Region Aquitane” 60ft Cat, Yves Parlier FRA and 5 crew 597.81nm. 24.91 kts
2006 “Brossard” 60 ft Tri, Yvan Bourgnon SUI, 610.45 nm. 25.76 kts
2007 “Banque Populaire” 60ft Tri, Pascal Bidegorry, FRA, 667nm, 27.8kts

Singlehanded.
1994 “Primagaz” 60ft Tri, Laurent Bourgnon, FRA, 540nm. 22.5kts
2005 “Idec” 90ft Tri, Francis Joyon, FRA, 542.7nm. 22.6kts
2006 “Mediatis-Region Aquitane” 60ft Cat, Yves Parlier FRA, 586.00 nm 24.41 kts
2006 “Brossard” 60ft Tri, Yvan Bourgnon SUI, 610.45 nm. 25.76 kts
2007 “Idec” 98ft Tri, Francis Joyon, FRA, 613.5nm 25.56kts
2007 “Sodebo” 105 ft Tri, Thomas Coville FRA,619.3 nm, 25,8 kts
2008 “Sodebo” 105ft Tri, Thomas Coville FRA, 628.5 nm, 26.2 kts
2012 “IDEC” 95ft Tri, Francis Joyon FRA, 666.2NM, 27.75 kts

Singlehanded, up to 60 foot.
1994 “Primagaz” 60ft Tri, Laurent Bourgnon, FRA, 540nm. 22.5kts
2006 “Mediatis-Region Aquitane” 60ft Cat, Yves Parlier FRA, 586.00 nm 24.41 kts
2006 “Brossard” 60 ft Tri, Yvan Bourgnon SUI, 610.45 nm. 25.76 kts

Monohull.
1994 “Intrum Justitia” 64ft, Lawrie Smith, GBR, 428nm. 17.83kts
1997 “Toshiba” 64ft, Dennis Connor, USA, 434.4nm, 18.1kts
1997 “Silk Cut” 64ft, Lawrie Smith, GBR, 449.1nm. 18.71kts
2002 “Illbruck” 64ft, John Kostecki, USA, 484nm. 20.16kts
2003 “MariCha IV” 140ft, Robert Miller, GBR, 525.7nm, 21.9kts
2005 “Movistar” 70ft, Bouwe Becking, NED, 530.19nm, 22.09kts
2005 “ABN AMRO ONE” 70ft, Mike Sanderson, NZL 546.14nm, 22.75kts
2006 “ABN AMRO TWO” 70ft, Sebastien Josse, FRA, 562.96 nm, 23.45kts
2008 “Ericsson 4” 70ft, Torben Grael BRA, 596.6nm, 24.85kts

Monohull, singlehanded
2000 “Union Bancaire Privee” 60ft, Dominique Wavre, FRA, 430.7nm. 17.94kts
2003 “AT Racing” 60ft, Alex Thompson, GBR, 468.72nm. 19.53kts

Monohull, up to 60 foot.
2000 “Union Bancaire Privee” 60ft, Dominique Wavre, FRA, 430.7nm. 17.94kts
2001 “Armor Lux” 60ft, Bernard Stamm, SUI, 467.7nm, 19.48kts
2003 “AT Racing” 60ft, Alex Thompson, GBR, 468.72nm. 19.53kts
2007 “Hugo Boss” 60ft Alex Thompson/Andrew Cape, GBR, 501.3nm, 20.9kts
2011 “Virbac Paprec” 60ft, Jean Pierre Dick/Loick Peyron FRA, 506.333 M 21.1 kts

THIS YEAR, LAST YEAR

When I was growing up in Newport there were very few boats and no sailing events in Newport. I had to travel to sail in big regattas and on big boats. The America’s Cup took place every 3 years, but nothing like it is today.

I am constantly in awe of what is happening in the sailing world today, in particular in Narragansett Bay. It is truly a treasure, one of the finest places anywhere in the world to sail. But growing up, all the activity was in Long Island Sound both for dinghys and big boats.

In 2011 the “big” event was the “J” class regatta. big and majestic. 160 tons and 130 feet long. In sharp contrast in 2012 was the america’s cup 45 catamarans, at a little over 3000 pounds and 45 feet long.

MORE PLACES

All places I visited because of sailing, each with a special meaning and memory as I had stated yesterday. Sailing into the sun through the Pillars of Hercules at sunrise is a memory fulfilled on that day. Seeing Rockall was an unexpected thrill never to be forgotten. It was during a transatlantic race from Bermuda to Travemunde, Germany.

Cork was the finish of a transatlantic race from Newport.

PLACES

Once you have visited a place, seen it, experienced it. That place becomes part of you. You have learned it. You can never unlearn it. Every place is a touchstone in one’s life. There are always memories associated with that place, good or bad they are yours forever after. Mine are mostly good. I savor them with pleasure.

THE SHAPE OF SPEED

Many years ago I wondered why the evolution of yacht design moved so slowly. In the last ten years I am amazed how quickly shapes have changed.  Perhaps the most notable thing about the images is the obvious displacement of the boats shown. It is hard to conceive today, but these were the fastest boats of their day. I will also note that we ate rather well racing, not the freeze dried of today either. All of these boats shown were also built of aluminum, with the exception of “Outlaw”.

The video below is in sharp contrast to the boats shown above.

SAILORS (FACES) FROM THE PAST

The America’s Cup Jubilee in 2001 organized by the Royal Yacht Squadron was the Woodstock of sailing. Everyone was there and like with Woodstock many cannot admit if they were not there.

It was a moment in time dedicated to celebrating those who came before and made yachting what it is today.